SOC 25-2052 · Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL metro

Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School Salary in Lakeland, FL

The average salary for special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school in Lakeland, Florida is $59,910 a year, according to BLS estimates for May 2025. The median is $56,410: half of the 70 people in this job in the Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL metro area earn more than that, half earn less. That average is 18% less than the U.S. average for this job ($72,650).

$59,910average per year

Median $56,410Take-home ≈ $50,318

  • $50K10th
  • $50K25th
  • $56KMedian
  • $70K75th
  • $76K90th

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

70people in this job
-18%vs U.S. average
#4 of 9Florida metros
97cost of living (U.S. = 100)
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Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School pay range in Lakeland

New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $50,170 a year or less, while the top 10% make $76,090 or more. The middle half of special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school in Lakeland earn between $50,460 and $70,300.

  • $50K10th
  • $50K25th
  • $56KMedian
  • $70K75th
  • $76K90th

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

Pay levelPer yearPer monthPer hour*
Average$59,910$4,992—
Median$56,410$4,701—
Entry level (25th percentile)$50,460$4,205—
Experienced (75th percentile)$70,300$5,858—

*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 Lakeland vs. Florida and the U.S.

Special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school in Lakeland earn about the same as the Florida average ($60,600) and 18% less than the U.S. average ($72,650). At the median the gap is -13% against the U.S. median of $65,120.

AreaAverageMedian10th pct.90th pct.Jobs
Lakeland$59,910$56,410$50,170$76,09070
Florida$60,600$58,850$51,730$74,1608,740
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 Lakeland

On the average salary of $59,910, a single filer in Lakeland takes home about $50,318 a year, or $4,193 a month and $1,935 every two weeks. Taxes take 16% of gross pay.

Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and no state income tax.

Florida paycheck calculator: try your own salary

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

Prices in the Lakeland area are 3% below the U.S. average (BEA price parity 97.1), so the average $59,910 buys what about $61,673 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 1.2 times the median wage of all jobs in Lakeland ($46,140). A typical home costs $298,816, or 5.0 years of this average salary before tax.

See what $59,910 is worth in another city

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

Lakeland ranks 4th of 9 Florida metro areas for this job; Sarasota pays the most ($71,490).

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

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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Reviewed before it counts. Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School in Lakeland, FL.

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

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

The lowest-paid 10% earn about $50,170 a year and the 25th percentile is $50,460, a fair guide to starting pay.

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

About $50,318 a year ($4,193 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $59,910. Florida has no state income tax.

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

The average here is 18% 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 Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL (29460). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 4.1%.
  • 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 no state income tax.
  • Job concentration: location quotient 0.15, this job is less common than in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.15).

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