Teacher Salary

Kennewick vs Shoreline: Elementary School Teacher Salary (2026)

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

Kennewick, WA
$101,364
$48.73/hr
Shoreline, WA
$102,025
$49.05/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricKennewick, WAShoreline, WA
Median Salary$101,364$102,025
Hourly Rate$48.73$49.05
Entry Level (P10)$67,031$74,930
25th Percentile$80,380$90,106
75th Percentile$112,785$129,713
Top Earner (P90)$117,117$158,139
Total Employed1,4108
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Kennewick ($101,364) and Shoreline ($102,025) elementary school teacher salaries.KennewickShorelineMedian Salary$101,364$102,025Entry Level (P10)$67,031$74,930Top Earner (P90)$117,117$158,139US Median $64,597

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Kennewick and Shoreline is $661 (0.65%). Shoreline's median is +57.94% compared to the US national median of $64,597.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Kennewick spans $50,086,Shoreline spans $83,209. Shoreline has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced elementary school teachers.

Kennewick
P10 (Entry)$67,031
P25$80,380
Median$101,364
P75$112,785
P90 (Top)$117,117
Shoreline
P10 (Entry)$74,930
P25$90,106
Median$102,025
P75$129,713
P90 (Top)$158,139

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Kennewick ($101,284 effective) pays 6.62% more than Shoreline ($94,995 effective).

Kennewick
Nominal: $101,364
CoL Index: 100.079
Adjusted: $101,284
Shoreline
Nominal: $102,025
CoL Index: 107.4
Adjusted: $94,995

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Kennewick if…

  • Larger job market (1,410 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $101,284)
  • You prefer the Washington area and lifestyle

Choose Shoreline if…

  • Higher median salary ($102,025/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($158,139)
  • You prefer the Washington area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, elementary school teacher salaries in Kennewick grew 53.6% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 14.4% growth in Shoreline over the same period.

Kennewick, WA

+53.6%

$65,340 (2019) → $100,380 (2025)

Shoreline, WA

+14.4%

$88,335 (2024) → $101,035 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays elementary school teachers more: Kennewick or Shoreline?

Shoreline has a higher median elementary school teacher salary at $102,025/year, compared to Kennewick at $101,364/year — a difference of $661 (0.65%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Kennewick and Shoreline?

Kennewick elementary school teachers earn $48.73/hr while Shoreline hygienists earn $49.05/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Kennewick to Shoreline as a elementary school teacher?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Kennewick and Shoreline. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Kennewick = $101,284, Shoreline = $94,995), job availability (1,410 vs 8 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level elementary school teachers earn in Kennewick vs Shoreline?

Entry-level (10th percentile) elementary school teachers earn $67,031 in Kennewick and $74,930 in Shoreline. The Shoreline 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