Special Education Teacher, Middle School Salary in Rhode Island (2026)

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Rhode Island Median
$93,970
per year
Hourly Rate
$45.18
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+41% vs US median
US median $66,810
State Rank
#3 of 51
380 employed here

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

Special Education Teachers, Middle School in Rhode Island take home a median of $93,970 annually — roughly $45.18 an hour — which runs 41% above the national median of $66,810.

Within Rhode Island, entry-level pay starts around $48,830 while the top 10% make $97,450 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $76,710 and $95,500 a year.

Special Education Teacher, Middle School salary range in Rhode Island

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$48,830$23.48
25th percentile (early career)$76,710$36.88
50th percentile (median)$93,970$45.18
75th percentile (experienced)$95,500$45.91
90th percentile (top earners)$97,450$46.85

How Rhode Island compares

Rhode Island ranks 3rd 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 Rhode Island

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 Rhode Island pay ($93,970) 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 Rhode Island?
The median Special Education Teacher, Middle School salary in Rhode Island is $93,970 per year, or about $45.18 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $48,830 at the entry level to $97,450 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Rhode Island pay compare to the national average?
Rhode Island pays Special Education Teachers, Middle School about 41% more than the national median of $66,810. Rhode Island ranks 3rd out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Rhode Island a good state for Special Education Teachers, Middle School?
Yes on pay — Rhode Island pays above the national median for this occupation, at $93,970 a year. About 380 Special Education Teachers, Middle School are employed in Rhode Island. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Rhode Island?
The highest-paying occupations in Rhode Island include Emergency Medicine Physician ($512,730), Family Medicine Physician ($467,160), Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($450,370), 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.