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, Middle School Salary in Virginia: Cost of Living Adjusted (2025)

Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:

What does a Special Education Teachers, Middle School salary really buy you in Virginia?

Virginia is 2.1% pricier than the US average

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

Nominal Salary
$63,820
Median annual (2025)
-2.1%
Real Purchasing Power
$62,507
COL-adjusted (RPP=102.1)

Virginia Cost of Living Index

Virginia's Regional Price Parity (RPP) is 102.1, meaning prices are 2.1% higher the national average. A Special Education Teachers, Middle School earning $63,820 in Virginia has the equivalent purchasing power of $62,507 in an average-cost US state.

VA: 102.1
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 Virginia's cost of living.

Percentile Nominal Salary COL-Adjusted Difference
10th Percentile (P10) $51,360 $50,303 $-1,056
25th Percentile (P25) $59,650 $58,423 $-1,226
Median (P50) $63,820 $62,507 $-1,312
75th Percentile (P75) $81,810 $80,127 $-1,682
90th Percentile (P90) $100,010 $97,952 $-2,057
Key Insight

Virginia's cost of living is close to the national average, so $63,820 keeps most of its value at $62,507 in real terms. Location choice here is more about career opportunities than cost arbitrage.

What the Cost-of-Living Data Says

Virginia Sits Near the National Cost Benchmark

RPP 102.1

With an RPP of 102.1, Virginia is within a few percent of the national cost-of-living baseline. Salary adjustment for Special Education Teachers, Middle School is therefore minor — what you earn is close to what you'd keep in real purchasing power.

Minor COL Adjustment for This Salary

-2.1%

After adjusting for Virginia's cost of living, $63,820 nominal nets out to $62,507 in real purchasing power — a small 2.1% loss. The state's cost profile is close enough to average that COL alone shouldn't drive location decisions for this Special Education Teachers, Middle School.

Bottom-Quartile COL-Adjusted Pay

#43 / 51

Virginia ranks #43 of 51 — bottom quartile for Special Education Teachers, Middle School real purchasing power. Relocation, employer negotiation, or remote roles at higher-paying markets tend to generate the biggest ROI.

Best States for Special Education Teachers, Middle School (After Cost of Living)

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

$90,637
RPP 109.8
$90,248
RPP 112.5
$89,751
RPP 104.7
$87,312
RPP 106.4
$87,193
RPP 107.6
6. Utah
$83,513
RPP 94.5
$81,802
RPP 91.0
8. Ohio
$81,519
RPP 91.5
$81,413
RPP 93.4
$80,083
RPP 96.2

Virginia ranks #43 out of 51 states for Special Education Teachers, Middle School after cost-of-living adjustment.

How much do you actually take home? See Special Education Teachers, Middle School take-home pay in Virginia after taxes →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the real salary for a Special Education Teachers, Middle School in Virginia after cost of living?

A Special Education Teachers, Middle School in Virginia earns a median salary of $63,820 per year. After adjusting for Virginia's cost of living (RPP=102.1), the real purchasing power is $62,507 — a -2.1% difference.

Is Virginia expensive to live in?

Virginia's cost of living is 2.1% higher than the national average according to the BEA Regional Price Parities (2022). The RPP index for Virginia is 102.1 (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, Middle School in Virginia: $63,820 x (100 / 102.1) = $62,507. This represents what the salary would be worth in a state with average living costs.

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

Partially — a Special Education Teachers, Middle School's nominal salary of $63,820 in Virginia has 2.1% less purchasing power due to higher living costs. The real value is $62,507. However, Virginia 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