Rhode Island Median
$84,300
per year
Hourly Rate
$40.53
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+29% vs US median
US median $65,120
State Rank
#5 of 51
1,070 employed here
How much do Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School make in Rhode Island?
Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School working in Rhode Island earn a median salary of $84,300 per year, or about $40.53 per hour. That is 29% above the national median of $65,120 for this occupation.
Within Rhode Island, entry-level pay starts around $60,420 while the top 10% make $98,170 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $62,170 and $95,000 a year.
Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School salary range in Rhode Island
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $60,420 | $29.05 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $62,170 | $29.89 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $84,300 | $40.53 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $95,000 | $45.67 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $98,170 | $47.20 |
|
How Rhode Island compares
Rhode Island ranks 5th out of 51 states and territories for Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School salary in other states
District of Columbia $97,910California $97,170Washington $95,040Massachusetts $91,350Connecticut $82,950New York $81,260Alaska $80,230Maryland $78,850Illinois $77,960Oregon $77,700New Jersey $76,660New Mexico $76,420Michigan $74,600Colorado $74,290Vermont $74,200Ohio $73,970Georgia $72,880Pennsylvania $72,680Virginia $67,740Minnesota $67,620Delaware $65,990New Hampshire $65,160Nevada $65,110Alabama $64,520Idaho $63,610Tennessee $62,560Nebraska $62,420South Carolina $62,360Texas $62,330Maine $61,880Wisconsin $61,520Utah $61,290Hawaii $60,940Wyoming $60,930Iowa $60,440Kentucky $60,060Kansas $59,970Florida $58,850Louisiana $58,800Indiana $58,760North Carolina $58,260North Dakota $57,950Montana $57,630Missouri $57,260Arizona $56,030Arkansas $54,290South Dakota $51,090Oklahoma $50,630Mississippi $50,570West Virginia $50,380
Working as Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School in Rhode Island
Nationally, about 261,000 people work as Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary 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 ($84,300) 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 do Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School make in Rhode Island?
The median Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School salary in Rhode Island is $84,300 per year, or about $40.53 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $60,420 at the entry level to $98,170 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Rhode Island pay compare to the national average?
Rhode Island pays Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School about 29% more than the national median of $65,120. Rhode Island ranks 5th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Rhode Island a good state for Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School?
Yes on pay — Rhode Island pays above the national median for this occupation, at $84,300 a year. About 1,070 Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary 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 Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary 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.