Special Education Teacher, Middle School Salary in Iowa (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Special Education Teachers, Middle School in Iowa, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Iowa Median
$63,590
per year
Hourly Rate
$30.57
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-5% vs US median
US median $66,810
State Rank
#27 of 51
990 employed here

How much does a Special Education Teacher, Middle School make in Iowa?

Special Education Teachers, Middle School in Iowa take home a median of $63,590 annually — roughly $30.57 an hour — which runs 5% below the national median of $66,810.

Within Iowa, entry-level pay starts around $46,490 while the top 10% make $90,460 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $59,550 and $76,580 a year.

Special Education Teacher, Middle School salary range in Iowa

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$46,490$22.35
25th percentile (early career)$59,550$28.63
50th percentile (median)$63,590$30.57
75th percentile (experienced)$76,580$36.82
90th percentile (top earners)$90,460$43.49

How Iowa compares

Iowa ranks 27th out of 51 states and territories for Special Education Teacher, Middle School pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1California$101,530
2Washington$99,520
3Rhode Island$93,970
4New York$93,820
5Connecticut$92,900

Working as a Special Education Teacher, Middle School in Iowa

Nationally, about 95,000 people work as Special Education Teachers, Middle School in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.

Considering a move? Compare Iowa pay ($63,590) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Special Education Teacher, Middle School make in Iowa?
The median Special Education Teacher, Middle School salary in Iowa is $63,590 per year, or about $30.57 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $46,490 at the entry level to $90,460 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Iowa pay compare to the national average?
Iowa pays Special Education Teachers, Middle School about 5% less than the national median of $66,810. Iowa ranks 27th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Iowa a good state for Special Education Teachers, Middle School?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $63,590 a year. About 990 Special Education Teachers, Middle School are employed in Iowa. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Iowa?
The highest-paying occupations in Iowa include Emergency Medicine Physician ($429,050), Dermatologist ($424,970), Radiologist ($405,220), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Special Education Teacher, Middle School salary report

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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.