Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School Salary in Ames, IA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Ames, IA

Median annual salary $60,960 -3.2% vs national
Median hourly —
10th percentile $46,390
90th percentile $79,020
Employed locally 50
National median $63,000

Compare Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how Ames, IA stacks up on salary and cost of living.

Full tool →
Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School
in
Ames, IA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $46,390
    25th
    $48,870
    50th (median)
    $60,960
    75th
    $77,900
    90th
    $79,020

    Ames economic context

    Unemployment rate 2.40% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $71,090 2023 • Census ACS
    Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School salary vs area income 86% Median Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School salary is 14% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA $112,850
    Visalia, CA $102,630
    El Centro, CA $100,980
    Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA $99,170
    Fresno, CA $98,550
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $98,050

    Nearby metros — Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Visalia, CA $102,630
    Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA $99,170
    California $90,530
    North Coast Region of California nonmetropolitan area $83,270
    District of Columbia $82,400
    Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA $80,090

    Related occupations in Ames, IA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary $28,950
    Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education $59,690
    Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education $60,340
    Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education $60,180
    Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education $29,180
    Substitute Teachers, Short-Term $28,990

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School make per hour in Ames?

    The median hourly wage for Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School in Ames, IA is —, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make — or more per hour.

    Is Ames above or below average for Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School salaries?

    The median Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School salary in Ames, IA is 3.2% below the national median of $63,000. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School in Ames?

    Entry-level Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School (10th percentile) earn around $46,390 per year in Ames, IA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $48,870.