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Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School Salary in Ohio: 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 Ohio?

Ohio is 8.5% cheaper than the US average

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

Nominal Salary
$73,970
Median annual (2025)
+9.3%
Real Purchasing Power
$80,841
COL-adjusted (RPP=91.5)

Ohio Cost of Living Index

Ohio's Regional Price Parity (RPP) is 91.5, meaning prices are 8.5% lower the national average. A Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School earning $73,970 in Ohio has the equivalent purchasing power of $80,841 in an average-cost US state.

OH: 91.5
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 Ohio's cost of living.

Percentile Nominal Salary COL-Adjusted Difference
10th Percentile (P10) $46,870 $51,224 +$4,354
25th Percentile (P25) $58,780 $64,240 +$5,460
Median (P50) $73,970 $80,841 +$6,871
75th Percentile (P75) $82,010 $89,628 +$7,618
90th Percentile (P90) $99,490 $108,732 +$9,242
Key Insight

A Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School in Ohio earns $73,970 on paper, but low living costs mean your money goes 9% further — like earning $80,841 in an average-cost state. This makes Ohio one of the best value states for this occupation.

What the Cost-of-Living Data Says

Ohio Runs Well Below National Cost

RPP 91.5

Ohio's Regional Price Parity (RPP) of 91.5 means a basket of goods and services costs about 8.5% less than the national average. For a Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School, every dollar earned effectively buys more here than in a 100-RPP state.

Meaningful Purchasing-Power Shift

+9.3%

After applying Ohio's RPP, the $73,970 median salary translates to $80,842 in real terms — a 9.3% gain. That difference can cover several months of expenses over a year for a Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School.

Top-Quartile Adjusted Earnings in Ohio

#6 / 51

Ranked on COL-adjusted median pay for Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School, Ohio places #6 of 51 states — top quartile. Either nominal wages run high, cost of living runs low, or both.

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

Ohio ranks #6 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 Ohio after taxes →

Frequently Asked Questions

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

A Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School in Ohio earns a median salary of $73,970 per year. After adjusting for Ohio's cost of living (RPP=91.5), the real purchasing power is $80,841 — a +9.3% difference.

Is Ohio expensive to live in?

Ohio's cost of living is 8.5% lower than the national average according to the BEA Regional Price Parities (2022). The RPP index for Ohio is 91.5 (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 Ohio: $73,970 x (100 / 91.5) = $80,841. This represents what the salary would be worth in a state with average living costs.

Is it better to be a Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School in Ohio financially?

From a purchasing power perspective, yes. A Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School in Ohio enjoys 9.3% more buying power than the nominal salary suggests, because living costs are below the national average. However, other factors like job availability, career growth, and quality of life also matter.

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