Disclosure: This page contains affiliate links marked with (Ad). If you click through and make a purchase, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Learn more

Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School Salary in Maryland: Cost of Living Adjusted (2025)

Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:

What does a Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School salary really buy you in Maryland?

Maryland is 5.0% pricier than the US average

Data: BLS OEWS 2025 + BEA Regional Price Parities 2022 • Updated 2026-05-19

Nominal Salary
$78,850
Median annual (2025)
-4.8%
Real Purchasing Power
$75,095
COL-adjusted (RPP=105.0)

Maryland Cost of Living Index

Maryland's Regional Price Parity (RPP) is 105.0, meaning prices are 5.0% higher the national average. A Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School earning $78,850 in Maryland has the equivalent purchasing power of $75,095 in an average-cost US state.

MD: 105.0
Cheapest (~85) US Avg (100) Priciest (~115)

Salary Breakdown: Nominal vs. COL-Adjusted

Every dollar goes further in low-cost states. Here is how each salary percentile compares after adjusting for Maryland's cost of living.

Percentile Nominal Salary COL-Adjusted Difference
10th Percentile (P10) $60,720 $57,828 $-2,891
25th Percentile (P25) $63,540 $60,514 $-3,025
Median (P50) $78,850 $75,095 $-3,754
75th Percentile (P75) $100,520 $95,733 $-4,786
90th Percentile (P90) $121,310 $115,533 $-5,776
Key Insight

While $78,850 sounds high, Maryland's elevated cost of living erases 5% of that salary's purchasing power. Your real buying power is $75,095. Consider whether the higher pay offsets the higher costs.

What the Cost-of-Living Data Says

Maryland Is a High-Cost State

RPP 105.0

Maryland's RPP of 105.0 puts it 5.0% above the national baseline cost of living. A Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School needs that premium in nominal pay just to maintain the same purchasing power as an average-cost state.

Meaningful Purchasing-Power Shift

-4.8%

After applying Maryland's RPP, the $78,850 median salary translates to $75,095 in real terms — a 4.8% loss. That difference can cover several months of expenses over a year for a Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School.

Above-Median Adjusted Pay

#15 / 51

Maryland sits at #15 of 51 states for Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School COL-adjusted salary — comfortably above the national midpoint.

Best States for Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School (After Cost of Living)

Where does Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School salary stretch the furthest? Top 10 states ranked by COL-adjusted median salary.

$86,557
RPP 109.8
$86,373
RPP 112.5
$83,978
RPP 91.0
$83,970
RPP 116.6
$83,500
RPP 109.4
6. Ohio
$80,841
RPP 91.5
$80,515
RPP 104.7
$79,871
RPP 93.4
9. Alaska
$78,656
RPP 102.0
$77,960
RPP 106.4

Maryland ranks #15 out of 51 states for Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School after cost-of-living adjustment.

How much do you actually take home? See Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School take-home pay in Maryland after taxes →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the real salary for a Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School in Maryland after cost of living?

A Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School in Maryland earns a median salary of $78,850 per year. After adjusting for Maryland's cost of living (RPP=105.0), the real purchasing power is $75,095 — a -4.8% difference.

Is Maryland expensive to live in?

Maryland's cost of living is 5.0% higher than the national average according to the BEA Regional Price Parities (2022). The RPP index for Maryland is 105.0 (US average = 100).

What are Regional Price Parities (RPP)?

Regional Price Parities (RPPs) are price indexes published by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) that measure differences in price levels across states. They are expressed as a percentage of the national average (US = 100). Higher RPP means higher cost of living.

How is the cost-of-living adjusted salary calculated?

The adjusted salary is calculated as: Nominal Salary x (100 / RPP). For a Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School in Maryland: $78,850 x (100 / 105.0) = $75,095. This represents what the salary would be worth in a state with average living costs.

Does the high cost of living in Maryland offset the salary?

Partially — a Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School's nominal salary of $78,850 in Maryland has 4.8% less purchasing power due to higher living costs. The real value is $75,095. However, Maryland may offer better career opportunities, networking, and industry access.

What To Do Next

Some links are affiliate links. See our disclosure.

Related Salary Pages

Get Monthly Salary Insights & Career Data

Free data-driven career updates — no spam, unsubscribe anytime.

Join career-minded Americans who use data to make smarter decisions. Privacy Policy