Special Education Teacher, Preschool Salary in Colorado (2026)

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Colorado Median
$78,040
per year
Hourly Rate
$37.52
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+20% vs US median
US median $64,830
State Rank
#9 of 45
810 employed here

How much does a Special Education Teacher, Preschool make in Colorado?

Special Education Teachers, Preschool in Colorado take home a median of $78,040 annually — roughly $37.52 an hour — which runs 20% above the national median of $64,830.

Within Colorado, entry-level pay starts around $54,200 while the top 10% make $102,630 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $61,980 and $85,770 a year.

Special Education Teacher, Preschool salary range in Colorado

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$54,200$26.06
25th percentile (early career)$61,980$29.80
50th percentile (median)$78,040$37.52
75th percentile (experienced)$85,770$41.24
90th percentile (top earners)$102,630$49.34

How Colorado compares

Colorado ranks 9th out of 45 states and territories for Special Education Teacher, Preschool pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1Massachusetts$99,070
2New Jersey$92,060
3Connecticut$87,960
4Washington$86,580
5Maryland$85,010

Working as a Special Education Teacher, Preschool in Colorado

Nationally, about 30,000 people work as Special Education Teachers, Preschool in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.

Considering a move? Compare Colorado pay ($78,040) 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, Preschool make in Colorado?
The median Special Education Teacher, Preschool salary in Colorado is $78,040 per year, or about $37.52 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $54,200 at the entry level to $102,630 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Colorado pay compare to the national average?
Colorado pays Special Education Teachers, Preschool about 20% more than the national median of $64,830. Colorado ranks 9th out of 45 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Colorado a good state for Special Education Teachers, Preschool?
Yes on pay — Colorado pays above the national median for this occupation, at $78,040 a year. About 810 Special Education Teachers, Preschool are employed in Colorado. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Colorado?
The highest-paying occupations in Colorado include Orthodontist ($416,000), Dermatologist ($398,810), Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($385,410), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Special Education Teacher, Preschool 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.