SOC 25-2021 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education — Western Washington
Western Washington nonmetropolitan area · 10 metro areas compared
In Western Washington, WA the median wage for Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education reaches $100,920 a year.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In Western Washington, WA the median wage for Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education reaches $100,920 a year. That is 57.8% more than the national median of $63,970. Pay ranges from under $62,570 at the tenth percentile to more than $122,540 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $78,120 to $106,020.
The area has 1,430 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 1.23 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Within the state, Olympia records the highest median at $104,650. Of the 355 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 57th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $62,570 | −2.2% |
| 25th | $78,120 | +22.1% |
| Median (50th) | $100,920 | +57.8% |
| 75th | $106,020 | +65.7% |
| 90th | $122,540 | +91.6% |
| Mean | $93,370 | +46.0% |
Other metro areas in Washington
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Olympia | $104,650 | 950 | |
| 2 | Walla Walla | $102,980 | 220 | |
| 3 | Seattle | $102,920 | 14,560 | |
| 4 | Bremerton | $102,650 | 900 | |
| 5 | Bellingham | $101,230 | 790 | |
| 6 | Mount Vernon | $100,730 | 500 | |
| 7 | Kennewick | $100,380 | 1,410 | |
| 8 | Wenatchee | $100,340 | 510 | |
| 9 | Spokane | $98,800 | 2,340 | |
| 10 | Yakima | $98,330 | 1,360 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Western Washington run 7.0% above the national average, so the median of $100,920 buys what $94,318 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way the gap against the national median narrows to 47.4% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$100,920as reported by BLSLocal price level
107.0US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$94,318US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $100,920 a year, 57.8% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $62,570 to $122,540 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 1,430 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Olympia, at $104,650.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education in Western Washington, WA?
The median annual wage is $100,920, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $63,970, so pay in Western Washington, WA is 57.8% higher. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Western Washington, WA earns more than $122,540 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $62,570 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Olympia, at $104,650 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 1,430 jobs in this occupation in Western Washington, WA. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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