Elementary School Teacher Hourly Pay in Lacey, WA: $50.39 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a elementary school teacher working in Lacey, WA runs $50.39 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $104,809 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 25-2021). Weighted against Lacey's regional price level (BEA RPP 107.4, 7% above national), each hour of work buys what $46.92 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $62,885 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Elementary school teacher hourly pay in Lacey, WA, is projected at a median of $50.39 for 2026, significantly surpassing the national median of $31.06. This competitive hourly rate is particularly beneficial for part-time educators, such as those working three days a week, who can find opportunities in diverse settings including K-12 classrooms, special education environments, summer school programs, and tutoring sessions. The hourly pay range in Lacey varies from $39.26 for entry-level positions to as high as $78.11 for top earners. Such flexibility allows teachers to engage in per-diem work, whether as day-to-day substitutes or as specialists in after-school tutoring programs, thereby making a substantial impact on student learning while also addressing the varying needs of the local education system.
About the Lacey 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) | $39.26 | $314.09 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $46.24 | $369.91 |
| Median (P50) | $50.39 | $403.11 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $62.81 | $502.48 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $78.11 | $624.86 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Lacey
Based on $50.39/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $50.39/hr, a elementary school teacher working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Lacey, WA can expect to earn approximately $104,809 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $60,467. With a cost-of-living index of 107.40 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Lacey.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Lacey
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,015.56 | $8,734 | $104,809 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,209.34 | $5,240 | $62,885 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $806.22 | $3,494 | $41,924 |
Compare Teacher Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Elementary School Teacher (Lacey) | $50.39 |
| 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 Lacey, WA earn a median of $104,809 per year (2026 est.), which is 62.25% higher than the national median of $64,597 and 3.00% above the Washington state average of $101,756.
Elementary School Teacher Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $50.39/hr = $62,885/year (purchasing power: $58,553).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $104,809/year (purchasing power: $97,588).
CoL index: 107.4 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$46.55/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$49.90/hr
2026 Current Est.
$50.39/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+9.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Elementary School Teachers in Lacey (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $46.55/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $47.54/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $47.90/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $48.12/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $49.67/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $41.57/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $49.90/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $50.39/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $50.88/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for elementary school teachers in Lacey grew 7.2% from $46.55/hr (2019) to $49.90/hr (2025). At a 0.98% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $50.88/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 Lacey 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 Lacey
For part-time teachers in Lacey, a typical 24-hour work week can yield an annual income that is markedly lower than full-time positions, making financial sustainability a common concern. Per diem elementary school teacher pay in Lacey varies widely; substitutes earn between $100 to $200 per day, with long-term roles commanding higher rates from $140 to $250. Independent tutoring platforms also provide flexible earning opportunities, with hourly rates ranging from $30 to $80. In a high-cost-of-living market like Lacey, the trade-off between hourly wages and benefits is significant. Teachers may choose lower hourly earnings if they can secure comprehensive health benefits, whereas others might prioritize higher wages available in per-diem roles without such perks. Negotiating pay can be crucial for hourly workers; understanding local market rates and leveraging one's specific area of expertise can position candidates favorably in the competitive educational landscape.
More salary data for Lacey, WA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 Lacey. 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 Lacey 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