Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School salary in St. Joseph, MO-KS
Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School in the St. Joseph, MO-KS metro area earn a median of $51,490 a year, based on BLS data for 40 workers.
Pay ranges from $45,550 for the lowest-paid 10% to $72,910 for the top 10%. That is 21% lower than the national median of $65,120. Pay here is 10% lower than the Missouri statewide median of $57,260. There are 0.72 special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.43). The average (mean) salary is $55,880, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school in St. Joseph, MO-KS
| Pay level | Yearly |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $45,550 |
| 25th percentile | $46,410 |
| Median | $51,490 |
| 75th percentile | $59,470 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $72,910 |
| Average (mean) | $55,880 |
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 | $4,290.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,145.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,980.38 |
| Weekly | $990.19 |
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 $51,490 salary, see how much house you can afford in Missouri 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 |
|---|---|---|
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $63,190 | 1,380 |
| Topeka, KS | $60,240 | 170 |
| Kansas City, MO-KS | $59,970 | 1,550 |
| Wichita, KS | $59,350 | 420 |
| Manhattan, KS | $58,860 | 100 |
| Joplin, MO-KS | $49,210 | 100 |
| Springfield, MO | $48,970 | 180 |
| Lawrence, KS | $48,930 | 70 |
| Jefferson City, MO | $46,230 | 50 |
| Columbia, MO | $46,120 | 80 |
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 Missouri statewide figures.
Related jobs in St. Joseph, MO-KS
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education | $49,140 | — |
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $49,790 | — |
| Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $50,600 | — |
| Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education | $35,150 | $16.90 |
| Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary | $30,840 | — |
| Substitute Teachers, Short-Term | $33,480 | $16.10 |
| Self-Enrichment Teacher | $36,710 | $17.65 |
| Librarians and Media Collections Specialists | $47,670 | $22.92 |
| Instructional Coordinator | $63,920 | $30.73 |
More: Educational Instruction and Library Occupations · all salaries in St. Joseph, MO-KS
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 St. Joseph, MO-KS?
The median salary for special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school in the St. Joseph, MO-KS metro area is $51,490 a year. Pay ranges from $45,550 for the lowest-paid 10% to $72,910 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school make in St. Joseph, MO-KS?
The top 10% of special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school in the St. Joseph, MO-KS metro area earn at least $72,910 a year. The top 25% earn $59,470 or more.
What is the starting pay for special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school in St. Joseph, MO-KS?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $45,550 a year, and a quarter of special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school earn $46,410 or less.
How many special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school work in St. Joseph, MO-KS?
About 40 special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school are employed in the St. Joseph, MO-KS metro area, not counting the self-employed.