SOC 25-2052 · Columbus, OH metro

Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School Salary in Columbus, OH

The average salary for special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school in Columbus, Ohio is $76,170 a year, according to BLS estimates for May 2025. The median is $75,710: half of the 2,330 people in this job in the Columbus, OH metro area earn more than that, half earn less. That average is 5% more than the U.S. average for this job ($72,650).

$76,170average per year

Median $75,710Take-home ≈ $58,859

  • $49K10th
  • $61K25th
  • $76KMedian
  • $99K75th
  • $104K90th

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

2,330people in this job
+5%vs U.S. average
#1 of 11Ohio metros
95cost of living (U.S. = 100)
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Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School pay range in Columbus

New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $49,380 a year or less, while the top 10% make $103,570 or more. The middle half of special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school in Columbus earn between $60,520 and $98,690.

  • $49K10th
  • $61K25th
  • $76KMedian
  • $99K75th
  • $104K90th

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

Pay levelPer yearPer monthPer hour*
Average$76,170$6,348—
Median$75,710$6,309—
Entry level (25th percentile)$60,520$5,043—
Experienced (75th percentile)$98,690$8,224—

*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 Columbus vs. Ohio and the U.S.

Special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school in Columbus earn 6% more than the Ohio average ($71,630) and 5% more than the U.S. average ($72,650). At the median the gap is +16% against the U.S. median of $65,120.

AreaAverageMedian10th pct.90th pct.Jobs
Columbus$76,170$75,710$49,380$103,5702,330
Ohio$71,630$73,970$46,870$99,4909,550
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 Columbus

On the average salary of $76,170, a single filer in Columbus takes home about $58,859 a year, or $4,905 a month and $2,264 every two weeks. Taxes take 23% of gross pay.

Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules). Includes Columbus's local income tax (2.5%); the city income tax is that of the principal city (suburbs have their own rates) and school district income taxes are not included.

Ohio paycheck calculator: try your own salary

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

Prices in the Columbus area are 5% below the U.S. average (BEA price parity 95.5), so the average $76,170 buys what about $79,785 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 1.5 times the median wage of all jobs in Columbus ($51,340). A typical home costs $333,537, or 4.4 years of this average salary before tax.

See what $76,170 is worth in another city

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

Columbus ranks 1st of 11 Ohio metro areas for this job, the best-paid in the state.

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

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 Columbus: questions

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

The lowest-paid 10% earn about $49,380 a year and the 25th percentile is $60,520, a fair guide to starting pay.

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

About $58,859 a year ($4,905 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $76,170. Includes Columbus's local income tax (2.5%); the city income tax is that of the principal city (suburbs have their own rates) and school district income taxes are not included.

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

The average here is 5% more 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 Columbus, OH (18140). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 4.0%.
  • 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). Includes Columbus's local income tax (2.5%); the city income tax is that of the principal city (suburbs have their own rates) and school district income taxes are not included.
  • Job concentration: location quotient 1.26, this job is 1.3 times as concentrated as in the U.S. overall.

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