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, Preschool Salary in Maryland: Cost of Living Adjusted (2025)

Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:

What does a Special Education Teachers, Preschool 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
$85,010
Median annual (2025)
-4.8%
Real Purchasing Power
$80,961
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, Preschool earning $85,010 in Maryland has the equivalent purchasing power of $80,961 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) $70,730 $67,361 $-3,368
25th Percentile (P25) $74,150 $70,619 $-3,530
Median (P50) $85,010 $80,961 $-4,048
75th Percentile (P75) $103,130 $98,219 $-4,910
90th Percentile (P90) $106,080 $101,028 $-5,051
Key Insight

While $85,010 sounds high, Maryland's elevated cost of living erases 5% of that salary's purchasing power. Your real buying power is $80,961. 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, Preschool 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 $85,010 median salary translates to $80,962 in real terms — a 4.8% loss. That difference can cover several months of expenses over a year for a Special Education Teachers, Preschool.

Top-Quartile Adjusted Earnings in Maryland

#6 / 45

Ranked on COL-adjusted median pay for Special Education Teachers, Preschool, Maryland places #6 of 45 states — top quartile. Either nominal wages run high, cost of living runs low, or both.

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

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

$90,557
RPP 109.4
$86,808
RPP 96.2
$84,613
RPP 108.8
$82,669
RPP 106.4
$81,220
RPP 93.4
$80,961
RPP 105.0
$78,852
RPP 109.8
8. Alaska
$78,813
RPP 102.0
9. Vermont
$78,140
RPP 101.1
10. Minnesota
$77,666
RPP 97.7

Maryland ranks #6 out of 45 states for Special Education Teachers, Preschool after cost-of-living adjustment.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the real salary for a Special Education Teachers, Preschool in Maryland after cost of living?

A Special Education Teachers, Preschool in Maryland earns a median salary of $85,010 per year. After adjusting for Maryland's cost of living (RPP=105.0), the real purchasing power is $80,961 — 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, Preschool in Maryland: $85,010 x (100 / 105.0) = $80,961. 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, Preschool's nominal salary of $85,010 in Maryland has 4.8% less purchasing power due to higher living costs. The real value is $80,961. 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