Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School salary in Las Cruces, NM
Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School in the Las Cruces, NM metro area earn a median of $74,470 a year, based on BLS data for 170 workers.
Pay ranges from $57,040 for the lowest-paid 10% to $82,120 for the top 10%. That is 14% higher than the national median of $65,120. Pay here is 3% lower than the New Mexico statewide median of $76,420. There are 2.2 special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $71,360, close to the median.
Pay range for special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school in Las Cruces, NM
| Pay level | Yearly |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $57,040 |
| 25th percentile | $58,570 |
| Median | $74,470 |
| 75th percentile | $78,560 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $82,120 |
| Average (mean) | $71,360 |
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 | $6,205.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,102.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,864.23 |
| Weekly | $1,432.12 |
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 $74,470 salary, see how much house you can afford in New Mexico 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Santa Fe, NM | $82,590 | 50 |
| Albuquerque, NM | $78,670 | 330 |
| Farmington, NM | $75,830 | 40 |
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 New Mexico statewide figures.
Related jobs in Las Cruces, NM
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education | $74,100 | — |
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $75,250 | — |
| Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $72,170 | — |
| Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education | $44,430 | $21.36 |
| Special Education Teachers, Secondary School | $75,570 | — |
| Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education | $74,400 | — |
| Special Education Teachers, Middle School | $72,810 | — |
| Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary | $40,930 | — |
| Substitute Teachers, Short-Term | $38,520 | $18.52 |
| Self-Enrichment Teacher | $39,090 | $18.79 |
| Instructional Coordinator | $80,870 | $38.88 |
| Career/Technical Education Teachers, Postsecondary | $60,910 | $29.28 |
| Teachers and Instructors, All Other | $50,840 | — |
| Librarians and Media Collections Specialists | $66,170 | $31.81 |
More: Educational Instruction and Library Occupations · all salaries in Las Cruces, NM
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 Las Cruces, NM?
The median salary for special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school in the Las Cruces, NM metro area is $74,470 a year. Pay ranges from $57,040 for the lowest-paid 10% to $82,120 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school make in Las Cruces, NM?
The top 10% of special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school in the Las Cruces, NM metro area earn at least $82,120 a year. The top 25% earn $78,560 or more.
What is the starting pay for special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school in Las Cruces, NM?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $57,040 a year, and a quarter of special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school earn $58,570 or less.
How many special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school work in Las Cruces, NM?
About 170 special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school are employed in the Las Cruces, NM metro area, not counting the self-employed.