Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School salary in Fort Smith, AR-OK
Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School in the Fort Smith, AR-OK metro area earn a median of $59,110 a year, based on BLS data for 120 workers.
Pay ranges from $50,260 for the lowest-paid 10% to $64,460 for the top 10%. That is 9% lower than the national median of $65,120. Pay here is 9% higher than the Arkansas statewide median of $54,290. There are 1.2 special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.72). The average (mean) salary is $58,090, close to the median.
Pay range for special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school in Fort Smith, AR-OK
| Pay level | Yearly |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $50,260 |
| 25th percentile | $51,640 |
| Median | $59,110 |
| 75th percentile | $64,460 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $64,460 |
| Average (mean) | $58,090 |
Half of special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $4,925.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,462.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,273.46 |
| Weekly | $1,136.73 |
BLS publishes only yearly pay for this job, because special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school are usually paid a salary and may not work a full 2,080-hour year. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $59,110 salary, see how much house you can afford in Arkansas at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $64,640 | 1,330 |
| Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR | $61,680 | 210 |
| Hot Springs, AR | $58,950 | 50 |
| Lawton, OK | $57,630 | 70 |
| Oklahoma City, OK | $56,790 | 840 |
| Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR | $56,230 | 400 |
| Jonesboro, AR | $54,760 | 60 |
| Texarkana, TX-AR | $51,130 | 130 |
| Tulsa, OK | $50,720 | 580 |
| Enid, OK | $48,890 | 30 |
Highest-paying states for special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $97,910 |
| California | $97,170 |
| Washington | $95,040 |
| Massachusetts | $91,350 |
| Rhode Island | $84,300 |
| Connecticut | $82,950 |
| New York | $81,260 |
| Alaska | $80,230 |
| Maryland | $78,850 |
| Illinois | $77,960 |
See Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School pay in every state or the Arkansas statewide figures.
Related jobs in Fort Smith, AR-OK
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education | $52,620 | — |
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $60,960 | — |
| Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $58,960 | — |
| Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education | $59,050 | — |
| Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education | $40,710 | $19.57 |
| Career/Technical Education Teachers, Secondary School | $66,310 | — |
| Special Education Teachers, Secondary School | $59,360 | — |
| Special Education Teachers, Middle School | $56,430 | — |
| Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary | $29,370 | — |
| Instructional Coordinator | $69,000 | $33.17 |
| Librarians and Media Collections Specialists | $62,770 | $30.18 |
| Career/Technical Education Teachers, Postsecondary | $57,080 | $27.44 |
| Library Technician | $26,790 | $12.88 |
| Self-Enrichment Teacher | $32,900 | $15.82 |
More: Educational Instruction and Library Occupations · all salaries in Fort Smith, AR-OK
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 25-2052. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school make in Fort Smith, AR-OK?
The median salary for special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school in the Fort Smith, AR-OK metro area is $59,110 a year. Pay ranges from $50,260 for the lowest-paid 10% to $64,460 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school make in Fort Smith, AR-OK?
The top 10% of special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school in the Fort Smith, AR-OK metro area earn at least $64,460 a year. The top 25% earn $64,460 or more.
What is the starting pay for special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school in Fort Smith, AR-OK?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $50,260 a year, and a quarter of special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school earn $51,640 or less.
How many special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school work in Fort Smith, AR-OK?
About 120 special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school are employed in the Fort Smith, AR-OK metro area, not counting the self-employed.