Teacher Salary

Issaquah vs Spokane: Elementary School Teacher Salary (2026)

Compare elementary school teacher salaries between Issaquah, WA and Spokane, WA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Issaquah, WA
$100,446
$48.29/hr
Spokane, WA
$99,768
$47.97/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricIssaquah, WASpokane, WA
Median Salary$100,446$99,768
Hourly Rate$48.29$47.97
Entry Level (P10)$76,755$61,769
25th Percentile$90,671$79,088
75th Percentile$124,227$109,543
Top Earner (P90)$154,983$109,543
Total Employed92,340
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Issaquah ($100,446) and Spokane ($99,768) elementary school teacher salaries.IssaquahSpokaneMedian Salary$100,446$99,768Entry Level (P10)$76,755$61,769Top Earner (P90)$154,983$109,543US Median $64,597

Verdict

Issaquah, WA offers better overall compensation for elementary school teachers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Spokane.

The salary gap between Issaquah and Spokane is $678 (0.68%). Issaquah's median is +55.50% compared to the US national median of $64,597.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Issaquah spans $78,228,Spokane spans $47,774. Issaquah has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Issaquah
P10 (Entry)$76,755
P25$90,671
Median$100,446
P75$124,227
P90 (Top)$154,983
Spokane
P10 (Entry)$61,769
P25$79,088
Median$99,768
P75$109,543
P90 (Top)$109,543

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Spokane ($99,424 effective) pays 6.31% more than Issaquah ($93,525 effective).

Issaquah
Nominal: $100,446
CoL Index: 107.4
Adjusted: $93,525
Spokane
Nominal: $99,768
CoL Index: 100.346
Adjusted: $99,424

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Issaquah if…

  • Higher median salary ($100,446/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($154,983)
  • You prefer the Washington area and lifestyle

Choose Spokane if…

  • Larger job market (2,340 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $99,424)
  • You prefer the Washington area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, elementary school teacher salaries in Issaquah grew 14.4% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 43.5% growth in Spokane over the same period.

Issaquah, WA

+14.4%

$86,967 (2024) → $99,471 (2025)

Spokane, WA

+43.5%

$68,840 (2019) → $98,800 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays elementary school teachers more: Issaquah or Spokane?

Issaquah has a higher median elementary school teacher salary at $100,446/year, compared to Spokane at $99,768/year — a difference of $678 (0.68%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Issaquah and Spokane?

Issaquah elementary school teachers earn $48.29/hr while Spokane hygienists earn $47.97/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Issaquah to Spokane as a elementary school teacher?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Issaquah and Spokane. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Issaquah = $93,525, Spokane = $99,424), job availability (9 vs 2,340 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level elementary school teachers earn in Issaquah vs Spokane?

Entry-level (10th percentile) elementary school teachers earn $76,755 in Issaquah and $61,769 in Spokane. The Issaquah area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

JL

Written by Jordan Lee, M.Ed.

Career Analyst

Jordan Lee has over 10 years of experience in elementary education. They focus on curriculum development and teaching methodologies. Their experience includes working in public schools.

Clinically reviewed by Maria Gonzalez, MAData verified by David Kim, Ed.D.

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 0.98% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, M.Ed., a licensed elementary school teacher with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov