SOC 25-2057 · Joplin, MO-KS metro

Special Education Teachers, Middle School Salary in Joplin, MO

The average salary for special education teachers, middle school in Joplin, Missouri is $50,580 a year, according to BLS estimates for May 2025. The median is $48,720: half of the 80 people in this job in the Joplin, MO-KS metro area earn more than that, half earn less. That average is 31% less than the U.S. average for this job ($73,780).

$50,580average per year

Median $48,720Take-home ≈ $41,381

  • $45K10th
  • $46K25th
  • $49KMedian
  • $51K75th
  • $61K90th

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

80people in this job
-31%vs U.S. average
#5 of 6Missouri metros
86cost of living (U.S. = 100)
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Special Education Teachers, Middle School pay range in Joplin

New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $45,290 a year or less, while the top 10% make $61,240 or more. The middle half of special education teachers, middle school in Joplin earn between $46,150 and $50,890.

  • $45K10th
  • $46K25th
  • $49KMedian
  • $51K75th
  • $61K90th

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

Pay levelPer yearPer monthPer hour*
Average$50,580$4,215—
Median$48,720$4,060—
Entry level (25th percentile)$46,150$3,846—
Experienced (75th percentile)$50,890$4,241—

*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, Middle School pay in Joplin vs. Missouri and the U.S.

Special education teachers, middle school in Joplin earn 7% less than the Missouri average ($54,340) and 31% less than the U.S. average ($73,780). At the median the gap is -27% against the U.S. median of $66,810.

AreaAverageMedian10th pct.90th pct.Jobs
Joplin$50,580$48,720$45,290$61,24080
Missouri$54,340$50,370$39,990$81,1101,050
United States$73,780$66,810$49,420$102,51095,200

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

Special Education Teachers, Middle School salary after taxes in Joplin

On the average salary of $50,580, a single filer in Joplin takes home about $41,381 a year, or $3,448 a month and $1,592 every two weeks. Taxes take 18% of gross pay.

The Joplin, MO-KS metro area crosses state lines, so take-home pay depends on the state where you work:

StatePer yearPer month
Working in MO$41,381$3,448
Working in KS$40,798$3,400

Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules). The 1% earnings tax applies to people who live or work in Kansas City or St. Louis itself, not in the suburbs.

Missouri paycheck calculator: try your own salary

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Is Joplin a good place for special education teachers, middle school? Pay vs. cost of living

Prices in the Joplin area are 14% below the U.S. average (BEA price parity 85.7), so the average $50,580 buys what about $59,007 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 1.1 times the median wage of all jobs in Joplin ($44,980). A typical home costs $226,857, or 4.5 years of this average salary before tax.

See what $50,580 is worth in another city

Special Education Teachers, Middle School salary in other Missouri cities

Joplin ranks 5th of 6 Missouri metro areas for this job; Kansas City pays the most ($64,570).

All Special Education Teachers, Middle School salaries in Missouri

Highest-paying cities for special education teachers, middle school

San Jose, CA pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($112,040).

Special Education Teachers, Middle School salary by city

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Special Education Teachers, Middle School salary in Joplin: questions

What is the entry-level special education teachers, middle school salary in Joplin?

The lowest-paid 10% earn about $45,290 a year and the 25th percentile is $46,150, a fair guide to starting pay.

What is the special education teachers, middle school take-home pay in Joplin?

About $41,381 a year ($3,448 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $50,580. The 1% earnings tax applies to people who live or work in Kansas City or St. Louis itself, not in the suburbs.

Do special education teachers, middle school earn more in Joplin than elsewhere?

The average here is 31% less than the U.S. average for this job ($73,780).

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 25-2057; area Joplin, MO-KS (27900). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 1.5%.
  • 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). The 1% earnings tax applies to people who live or work in Kansas City or St. Louis itself, not in the suburbs.
  • Job concentration: location quotient 1.56, this job is 1.6 times as concentrated as in the U.S. overall.

Read the full methodology. Spotted an error? Tell us.