I'm 37, currently a paraprofessional/sub teacher making ~$50K in, Illinois. I live with my parents and have a senior dog. I have a Master's in ABA already and solid experience in special ed. Options I'm weighing right now:
- Stay in IL: Do a Special Ed Master's at Eastern Illinois (loan involved, must teach 5 years in IL). Or chase BCBA supervision hours locally. Parents say they'll give me their house if I get married. As special ed teacher I can start with $64,000 or $70k depending on the district I land. The teachers retirement is better than a 401k. BCBA can take me 1.5 years to get if I find the right employer which has been hard and that starting salary is $80k. Dating has been rough here though. I have friends here.
- Move to Pittsburgh: Start as Licensed Behavior Specialist at ~$60K, live solo in an apartment, finish BCBA in ~1.5 years then $80k. Better singles scene (had more success dating when I lived in TN before). I miss doing open mic comedy. Only downside is leaving my senior dog again (2-3 years left). I had to leave him when I lived in Tennessee.
Ultimately the life I went in the end is just to be married, have a garden, and a dog.