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 Virginia: Cost of Living Adjusted (2025)

Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:

What does a Special Education Teachers, Preschool 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
$77,570
Median annual (2025)
-2.1%
Real Purchasing Power
$75,974
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, Preschool earning $77,570 in Virginia has the equivalent purchasing power of $75,974 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) $50,350 $49,314 $-1,035
25th Percentile (P25) $61,690 $60,421 $-1,268
Median (P50) $77,570 $75,974 $-1,595
75th Percentile (P75) $99,430 $97,384 $-2,045
90th Percentile (P90) $122,530 $120,009 $-2,520
Key Insight

Virginia's cost of living is close to the national average, so $77,570 keeps most of its value at $75,974 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, Preschool 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, $77,570 nominal nets out to $75,975 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, Preschool.

Above-Median Adjusted Pay

#12 / 45

Virginia sits at #12 of 45 states for Special Education Teachers, Preschool COL-adjusted salary — comfortably above the national midpoint.

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

Virginia ranks #12 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 Virginia after taxes →

Frequently Asked Questions

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

A Special Education Teachers, Preschool in Virginia earns a median salary of $77,570 per year. After adjusting for Virginia's cost of living (RPP=102.1), the real purchasing power is $75,974 — 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, Preschool in Virginia: $77,570 x (100 / 102.1) = $75,974. 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, Preschool's nominal salary of $77,570 in Virginia has 2.1% less purchasing power due to higher living costs. The real value is $75,974. 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