SalaryNode

Average Special Education Teachers, Middle School Salary in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN

Special Education Teachers, Middle School in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN area earn an impressive average annual salary of $76,530. This figure significantly surpasses the national average of $60,600, indicating a strong local demand and potentially higher cost of living considerations that drive compensation in this metropolitan region. The specialized nature of this role within a major urban center likely contributes to this elevated pay scale.

Executive Summary

  • Average Salary: $76,530 per year.
  • Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 0.0% over the last 5 years.
  • Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $105,100.
  • Outlook: With a local workforce of 3,190 Special Education Teachers, Middle School, and a Location Quotient of 1.15, the job market in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin demonstrates a concentration slightly above the national average. This suggests a robust and stable demand for these professionals, indicating good career prospects and a healthy employment landscape for those in this specialized field within the region.
2024 Market Data

Salary Overview

$76,530

The average Special Education Teachers, Middle School in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN earns+26.3%above the national average.

BreakdownBased on 40h/week
Hourly

$36.8

Weekly

$1,472

Monthly

$6,378

Special Education Teachers, Middle School Salary Distribution in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN

Salary progression for Special Education Teachers, Middle School in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin typically scales with experience. Entry-level positions may start closer to the lower percentiles, while seasoned professionals with extensive experience and specialized skills can command salaries in the higher percentiles. These percentile gaps are indicative of significant career advancement opportunities and increased earning potential throughout one's career.

Experience LevelMarket PercentileAnnual WageHourly Rate
ProbationaryInitial licensure. Mentored by senior faculty.10% (Entry)$51,130$24.6
Tenured / ProProfessional status. Curriculum development.25% (Junior)$57,398$27.6
Senior EducatorDepartment chair. Mentors student teachers.50% (Median)$74,960$36
Lead SpecialistInstructional coach, reading specialist, or VP.75% (Senior)$95,663$46
AdministratorPrincipal, District Admin, or Consultant.90% (Expert)$105,100$50.5

Detailed Special Education Teachers, Middle School Market Analysis

Relocation Context

Nominal Salary

$76,530

Gross Pay

Real Wage (Purchasing Power)

$76,530

Adjusted for COL (100)

The average annual salary of $76,530 for Special Education Teachers, Middle School in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin aligns perfectly with the local Cost of Living Index of 100, which is the national average. This means that the nominal salary earned translates directly to purchasing power equivalent to the national average, making relocation financially neutral from a cost-of-living perspective.

Job Market Context

3,190

Total Jobs

0.712

Per 1K Jobs

1.15

Location Quotient

Above Average

With a location quotient of 1.15, Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN has a slightly higher-than-average concentration of Special Education Teachers, Middle School roles compared to the national norm.

The Location Quotient of 1.15 for Special Education Teachers, Middle School in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin signifies that this profession is 15% more concentrated in this area compared to the national average. This suggests a competitive yet abundant job market, where demand is slightly higher than the national norm, potentially leading to more opportunities and slightly better negotiation power for qualified candidates.

Nearby Job Markets

Nearby Cities for Special Education Teachers, Middle School

Comparing salaries near Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN

Hiring Special Education Teachers, Middle Schools?

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Special Education Teachers, Middle School make in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?

The median annual salary for a Special Education Teachers, Middle School in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN is $76,530. This typically ranges from $51,130 for entry-level positions to $105,100 for top-level roles.

How does the salary compare to the national average?

The average salary for this role in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN is 26.3% higher than the national median of $60,600.

Is Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN a lucrative place for Special Education Teachers, Middle Schools?

Yes, it is a lucrative area.The average salary is significantly higher than the national average, and the cost of living is on par, meaning your earnings have strong purchasing power.

Is Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN a good place to live for Special Education Teachers, Middle Schools?

The Cost of Living Index in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN is 100. While higher than average, this often correlates with higher wages.

Where are the highest paying cities near Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?

Some top paying nearby cities include Kenosha, WI ($61,820) and Kankakee, IL.

How does the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin salary compare to the national average?

Special Education Teachers, Middle School in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin earn approximately $15,930 more annually than the national average ($76,530 vs $60,600).

What is the job concentration like for this role in Chicago?

The Location Quotient of 1.15 indicates that this profession is 15% more concentrated in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin area than the national average, suggesting a healthy job market.

Does the cost of living affect the value of the salary?

No, the cost of living in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin is exactly at the national average (100), so the higher salary translates directly to equivalent purchasing power.

How many Special Education Teachers, Middle School work in this region?

There are approximately 3,190 Special Education Teachers, Middle School employed within the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metropolitan area.

Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 3,190 employees in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN area with a job density of 0.712 per 1,000 jobs. Cost of Living data is estimated based on state and metro averages.