Special Education Teacher, Preschool Salary in Iowa (2026)

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Iowa Median
$63,540
per year
Hourly Rate
$30.55
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-2% vs US median
US median $64,830
State Rank
#19 of 45
state estimate

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

Special Education Teachers, Preschool in Iowa take home a median of $63,540 annually — roughly $30.55 an hour — which runs 2% below the national median of $64,830.

Within Iowa, entry-level pay starts around $36,250 while the top 10% make $72,980 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $48,740 and $72,980 a year.

Special Education Teacher, Preschool salary range in Iowa

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$36,250$17.43
25th percentile (early career)$48,740$23.43
50th percentile (median)$63,540$30.55
75th percentile (experienced)$72,980$35.09
90th percentile (top earners)$72,980$35.09

How Iowa compares

Iowa ranks 19th 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 Iowa

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 Iowa pay ($63,540) 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 Iowa?
The median Special Education Teacher, Preschool salary in Iowa is $63,540 per year, or about $30.55 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $36,250 at the entry level to $72,980 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Iowa pay compare to the national average?
Iowa pays Special Education Teachers, Preschool about 2% less than the national median of $64,830. Iowa ranks 19th out of 45 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Iowa a good state for Special Education Teachers, Preschool?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $63,540 a year. 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, 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.