SOC 25-2052 · Tucson, AZ metro

Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School Salary in Tucson, AZ

The average salary for special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school in Tucson, Arizona is $54,890 a year, according to BLS estimates for May 2025. The median is $50,660: half of the 620 people in this job in the Tucson, AZ metro area earn more than that, half earn less. That average is 24% less than the U.S. average for this job ($72,650).

$54,890average per year

Median $50,660Take-home ≈ $45,306

  • $48K10th
  • $48K25th
  • $51KMedian
  • $57K75th
  • $67K90th

median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it

620people in this job
-24%vs U.S. average
#2 of 6Arizona metros
97cost of living (U.S. = 100)
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Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School pay range in Tucson

New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $47,890 a year or less, while the top 10% make $67,180 or more. The middle half of special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school in Tucson earn between $47,890 and $57,440.

  • $48K10th
  • $48K25th
  • $51KMedian
  • $57K75th
  • $67K90th

median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it

Pay levelPer yearPer monthPer hour*
Average$54,890$4,574—
Median$50,660$4,222—
Entry level (25th percentile)$47,890$3,991—
Experienced (75th percentile)$57,440$4,787—

*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year (BLS publishes this job's pay as annual only). Hourly to annual salary.

Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School pay in Tucson vs. Arizona and the U.S.

Special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school in Tucson earn 4% less than the Arizona average ($57,470) and 24% less than the U.S. average ($72,650). At the median the gap is -22% against the U.S. median of $65,120.

AreaAverageMedian10th pct.90th pct.Jobs
Tucson$54,890$50,660$47,890$67,180620
Arizona$57,470$56,030$46,400$75,4202,450
United States$72,650$65,120$49,350$103,010260,870

State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.

Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School salary after taxes in Tucson

On the average salary of $54,890, a single filer in Tucson takes home about $45,306 a year, or $3,775 a month and $1,743 every two weeks. Taxes take 17% of gross pay.

Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules).

Arizona paycheck calculator: try your own salary

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Is Tucson a good place for special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school? Pay vs. cost of living

Prices in the Tucson area are 3% below the U.S. average (BEA price parity 96.9), so the average $54,890 buys what about $56,648 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 1.1 times the median wage of all jobs in Tucson ($47,760). A typical home costs $343,580, or 6.3 years of this average salary before tax.

See what $54,890 is worth in another city

Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School salary in other Arizona cities

Tucson ranks 2nd of 6 Arizona metro areas for this job; Phoenix pays the most ($59,840).

All Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School salaries in Arizona

Highest-paying cities for special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school

El Centro, CA pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($110,170).

Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School salary by city

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Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School salary in Tucson: questions

What is the entry-level special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school salary in Tucson?

The lowest-paid 10% earn about $47,890 a year and the 25th percentile is $47,890, a fair guide to starting pay.

What is the special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school take-home pay in Tucson?

About $45,306 a year ($3,775 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $54,890.

Do special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school earn more in Tucson than elsewhere?

The average here is 24% less than the U.S. average for this job ($72,650).

Sources and how to read this page

  • Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 25-2052; area Tucson, AZ (46060). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 0.5%.
  • U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
  • Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
  • Home value: Zillow Home Value Index. Typical-wage figure: OEWS all occupations, same metro.
  • Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules).
  • Job concentration: location quotient 0.95, this job is about as common as in the U.S. overall.

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