Based on the latest Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data — updated August 12, 2026.
| Rhode Island | National | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median annual salary | $84,300 | $71,377 | +18% |
| Median hourly wage | $40.53 | $34.32 | +18% |
Adjusted for local price levels (100 = national average), the cost-adjusted median is $82,405.
| City | Median | Entry Level | Experienced | Cost of Living |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| City-level data coming soon. | ||||
The median annual salary for a Special Education Teacher in Rhode Island is $84,300, or about $40.53 per hour, according to BLS OEWS data.
The national median for Special Education Teachers is $71,377. Rhode Island is +18% above the national median.
Entry-level special education teachers in Rhode Island typically earn from varies by experience depending on the city and employer.
With 1,070 special education teacher jobs on record and a median salary of $84,300, Rhode Island offers above-average pay compared to the rest of the country.