Elementary School Teacher Hourly Pay in Bellevue, WA: $50.46 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a elementary school teacher working in Bellevue, WA runs $50.46 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $104,948 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 25-2021). Weighted against Bellevue's regional price level (BEA RPP 107.4, 7% above national), each hour of work buys what $46.98 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $62,974 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Bellevue, Washington, the average elementary school teacher earns an hourly median pay of $50.46, significantly higher than the national median of $31.06. This difference in pay highlights Bellevue's competitive job market for educators, making it an attractive location for both full-time and part-time positions. For those seeking part-time opportunities, such as three days a week, this hourly rate can provide a viable income while balancing personal commitments. Hourly rates vary considerably among elementary school teachers in Bellevue, with entry-level positions starting around $35.86 (P10) and top earners reaching up to $78.21 (P90). The varied environments where teachers work, including K-12 classrooms, special education settings, after-school programs, and summer school, utilize this hourly pay estimation derived from annual salary data, reflecting the diverse roles teachers undertake.
About the Bellevue Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($82,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Elementary School Teacher Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $35.86 | $286.86 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $43.92 | $351.33 |
| Median (P50) | $50.46 | $403.68 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $64.58 | $516.61 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $78.21 | $625.67 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Bellevue
Based on $50.46/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $50.46/hr, a elementary school teacher working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Bellevue, WA can expect to earn approximately $104,956 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $60,552. With a cost-of-living index of 107.40 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Bellevue.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Bellevue
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,018.39 | $8,746 | $104,956 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,211.03 | $5,248 | $62,974 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $807.36 | $3,499 | $41,982 |
Compare Teacher Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Elementary School Teacher (Bellevue) | $50.46 |
| Middle School Teacher (National Avg) | $32.16 |
| High School Teacher (National Avg) | $33.55 |
| Preschool Teacher (National Avg) | $18.53 |
| Special Education Teacher (National Avg) | $32.74 |
Elementary School Teachers in Bellevue, WA earn a median of $104,948 per year (2026 est.), which is 62.47% higher than the national median of $64,597 and 3.20% above the Washington state average of $101,693.
Elementary School Teacher Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $50.46/hr = $62,974/year (purchasing power: $58,635).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $104,956/year (purchasing power: $97,725).
CoL index: 107.4 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$46.61/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$49.97/hr
2026 Current Est.
$50.46/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+9.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Elementary School Teachers in Bellevue (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $46.61/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $47.60/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $47.96/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $48.19/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $49.74/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $43.18/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $49.97/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $50.46/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $50.95/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for elementary school teachers in Bellevue grew 7.2% from $46.61/hr (2019) to $49.97/hr (2025). At a 0.98% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $50.95/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem elementary school teachers can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bellevue metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 0.98% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Elementary School Teacher in Bellevue
The potential for earnings in this field varies based on work arrangements and school types within Bellevue. A part-time elementary school teacher who works just three days a week may expect to make around $39,387 annually, considerably less than a full-time teacher, but still reflective of the city's high cost of living. Per-diem arrangements for those in the profession present even more financial flexibility, with substitute teachers typically earning between $100 and $200 per day, and long-term substitutes making $140 to $250. Tutoring opportunities also exist, with rates ranging from $30 to $80 per hour through platforms like Wyzant and Outschool. Compared to K-12 public districts, private, charter, and special education schools may offer different pay structures, prompting educators to weigh the benefits of jobs offering lower hourly rates that bundle comprehensive health insurance against roles with higher hourly rates but fewer benefits. When negotiating, it’s wise for teachers in Bellevue to emphasize their unique qualifications, such as National Board Certification or specializations in high-demand areas, which can support a stronger hourly rate.
More salary data for Bellevue, WA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Related Pages
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 0.98% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for elementary school teachers in Bellevue. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Bellevue is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 0.98%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for elementary school teachers (SOC 25-2021).
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