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Special Education Teachers, Secondary School Salary in Missouri: Cost of Living Adjusted (2024)

What does a Special Education Teachers, Secondary School salary really buy you in Missouri?

Missouri is 8.9% cheaper than the US average

Data: BLS OEWS 2024 + BEA Regional Price Parities 2022 • Updated 2026-03-31

Nominal Salary
$51,370
Median annual (2024)
+9.8%
Real Purchasing Power
$56,388
COL-adjusted (RPP=91.1)

Missouri Cost of Living Index

Missouri's Regional Price Parity (RPP) is 91.1, meaning prices are 8.9% lower the national average. A Special Education Teachers, Secondary School earning $51,370 in Missouri has the equivalent purchasing power of $56,388 in an average-cost US state.

MO: 91.1
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 Missouri's cost of living.

Percentile Nominal Salary COL-Adjusted Difference
10th Percentile (P10) $39,470 $43,326 +$3,856
25th Percentile (P25) $46,170 $50,680 +$4,510
Median (P50) $51,370 $56,388 +$5,018
75th Percentile (P75) $64,240 $70,515 +$6,275
90th Percentile (P90) $78,370 $86,026 +$7,656
Key Insight

A Special Education Teachers, Secondary School in Missouri earns $51,370 on paper, but low living costs mean your money goes 10% further — like earning $56,388 in an average-cost state. This makes Missouri one of the best value states for this occupation.

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

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

$90,000
RPP 112.5
$89,089
RPP 109.8
$85,444
RPP 104.7
$85,343
RPP 107.6
5. Ohio
$81,333
RPP 91.5
$79,076
RPP 91.0
$78,305
RPP 96.2
8. Alaska
$77,303
RPP 102.0
$77,091
RPP 98.0
10. Michigan
$76,295
RPP 93.4

Missouri ranks #48 out of 50 states for Special Education Teachers, Secondary School after cost-of-living adjustment.

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

A Special Education Teachers, Secondary School in Missouri earns a median salary of $51,370 per year. After adjusting for Missouri's cost of living (RPP=91.1), the real purchasing power is $56,388 — a +9.8% difference.

Is Missouri expensive to live in?

Missouri's cost of living is 8.9% lower than the national average according to the BEA Regional Price Parities (2022). The RPP index for Missouri is 91.1 (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, Secondary School in Missouri: $51,370 x (100 / 91.1) = $56,388. This represents what the salary would be worth in a state with average living costs.

Is it better to be a Special Education Teachers, Secondary School in Missouri financially?

From a purchasing power perspective, yes. A Special Education Teachers, Secondary School in Missouri enjoys 9.8% 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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