Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School salary in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA
Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area earn a median of $59,500 a year, based on BLS data for 180 workers.
Pay ranges from $47,490 for the lowest-paid 10% to $73,220 for the top 10%. That is 9% lower than the national median of $65,120. Pay here is 2% lower than the Iowa statewide median of $60,440. 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 $57,940, close to the median.
Pay range for special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA
| Pay level | Yearly |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,490 |
| 25th percentile | $48,010 |
| Median | $59,500 |
| 75th percentile | $64,060 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $73,220 |
| Average (mean) | $57,940 |
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 | $4,958.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,479.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,288.46 |
| Weekly | $1,144.23 |
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 $59,500 salary, see how much house you can afford in Iowa 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Ames, IA | $63,480 | 70 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $62,970 | 750 |
| Iowa City, IA | $61,440 | 120 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $61,240 | 320 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $60,570 | 170 |
| Dubuque, IA | $60,470 | 90 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $60,160 | 190 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $59,780 | 490 |
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 Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education | $60,780 | — |
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $60,440 | — |
| Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $60,460 | — |
| Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education | $30,420 | $14.63 |
| Special Education Teachers, Secondary School | $59,760 | — |
| Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education | $60,530 | — |
| Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary | $29,900 | — |
| Substitute Teachers, Short-Term | $36,440 | $17.52 |
| Postsecondary Teachers, All Other | $103,680 | — |
| Instructional Coordinator | $81,190 | $39.03 |
| Self-Enrichment Teacher | $35,520 | $17.08 |
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | $100,240 | — |
| Library Technician | $47,670 | $22.92 |
| Career/Technical Education Teachers, Postsecondary | $69,920 | $33.61 |
More: Educational Instruction and Library Occupations · all salaries in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA
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 Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
The median salary for special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area is $59,500 a year. Pay ranges from $47,490 for the lowest-paid 10% to $73,220 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school make in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
The top 10% of special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area earn at least $73,220 a year. The top 25% earn $64,060 or more.
What is the starting pay for special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $47,490 a year, and a quarter of special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school earn $48,010 or less.
How many special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school work in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
About 180 special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school are employed in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.