Elementary School Teacher Hourly Pay in Kirkland, WA: $48.73 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a elementary school teacher working in Kirkland, WA runs $48.73 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $101,373 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 25-2021). Weighted against Kirkland's regional price level (BEA RPP 107.4, 7% above national), each hour of work buys what $45.38 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $60,819 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
The projected median hourly pay for elementary school teachers in Kirkland, WA, stands at $48.73, significantly higher than the national hourly median of $31.06. This disparity reflects the city's higher cost of living and the demand for qualified educators across various school types, including K-12 public, private, and charter institutions. For part-time teachers working three days a week, this hourly influx can translate to meaningful earnings, especially in special education and after-school programs. The hourly pay range from $35.24 for entry-level positions to $75.54 for experienced instructors indicates substantial potential, allowing professionals to find varied roles within classroom instruction, tutoring, or summer school programs. Understanding these figures is crucial for teachers negotiating pay within Kirkland’s dynamic educational landscape.
About the Kirkland 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) | $35.24 | $281.94 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $42.66 | $341.31 |
| Median (P50) | $48.73 | $389.86 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $61.61 | $492.86 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $75.54 | $604.35 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Kirkland
Based on $48.73/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $48.73/hr, a elementary school teacher working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Kirkland, WA can expect to earn approximately $101,365 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $58,480. With a cost-of-living index of 107.40 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Kirkland.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Kirkland
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,949.32 | $8,447 | $101,365 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,169.59 | $5,068 | $60,819 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $779.73 | $3,379 | $40,546 |
Compare Teacher Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Elementary School Teacher (Kirkland) | $48.73 |
| 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 Kirkland, WA earn a median of $101,373 per year (2026 est.), which is 56.93% higher than the national median of $64,597 and 0.30% below the Washington state average of $101,678.
Elementary School Teacher Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $48.73/hr = $60,819/year (purchasing power: $56,628).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $101,365/year (purchasing power: $94,380).
CoL index: 107.4 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$45.02/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$48.26/hr
2026 Current Est.
$48.73/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+9.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Elementary School Teachers in Kirkland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $45.02/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $45.97/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $46.32/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $46.54/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $48.04/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $42.20/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $48.26/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $48.73/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $49.21/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for elementary school teachers in Kirkland grew 7.2% from $45.02/hr (2019) to $48.26/hr (2025). At a 0.98% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $49.21/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 Kirkland 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 Kirkland
Exploring part-time earning potential more closely, an elementary school teacher working 24 hours per week could take home around $61,208 annually, markedly less than full-time instructors but still a worthy income for many. Per diem elementary school teacher pay in Kirkland presents another viable pathway, where substitute educators might earn between $100 and $250 per day, depending on the duration and demands of the role. Tutoring opportunities can vary, with platforms offering competitive rates of $30 to $80 per hour. The variation in hourly rates across different school types in Kirkland points to the diverse employment scenarios available within the sector, where public schools often follow a structured pay scale, whereas charter schools may offer flexibility with differing compensation. Teachers often face the trade-off between accepting lower hourly rates with benefits versus higher pay without health coverage. For educators negotiating pay, researching local salary benchmarks and understanding specific school funding and budget constraints can help them secure favorable terms.
More salary data for Kirkland, WA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for elementary school teachers in Kirkland in 2026?
How much do part-time elementary school teachers make in Kirkland?
Are elementary school teachers in Kirkland paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time elementary school teacher make per year in Kirkland?
Do elementary school teachers earn more per hour working part-time in Kirkland?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Washington
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 Kirkland. 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 Kirkland 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