Elementary School Teacher Salary in Bellingham, WA: $102,222 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time elementary school teacher in Bellingham, WA earns a median $102,222/year (≈ $49.15/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 25-2021). Once you factor in Bellingham's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 103.3), that paycheck buys what $98,924 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.5% above the Washington state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Bellingham, WA, the projected median annual salary for elementary school teachers stands at $102,222 for 2026, which significantly exceeds the national median of $64,597, highlighting a robust compensation structure within the district. The salary range for teachers here varies from $64,294 at the 10th percentile to $128,739 at the 90th percentile, indicating a competitive pay scale that accommodates various experience levels and educational backgrounds. Teachers in Bellingham who attain advanced degrees, like a master's or master's plus 30 credits, may find themselves positioned more favorably within this salary spectrum, reflecting the district’s adherence to a step-and-lane pay structure based on years of service and educational attainment. This compensation framework is essential in attracting qualified educators, aligning with the area’s commitment to high educational standards.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $64,294 | $30.91 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $80,804 | $38.85 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $102,222 | $49.15 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $127,861 | $61.48 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $128,739 | $61.89 |
Median Salary Position
58.25% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bellingham
In Bellingham, WA, the elementary school teacher salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $64,445 (2026 est.). At $102,222, the local median is 58.25% above the national median of $64,597.
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How Bellingham Elementary School Teacher Pay Compares
Bellingham median: $102,222/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bellingham Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $101,713 | +0.50% more |
| National Average | $64,597 | +58.25% more |
Elementary School Teachers in Bellingham, WA earn a median of $102,222 per year (2026 est.), which is 58.25% higher than the national median of $64,597 and 0.50% above the Washington state average of $101,713.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bellingham has a cost of living 3.33% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bellingham, WA has a cost-of-living index of 103.334 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $102,222 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $98,924 — a 3.23% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$67,770
2025 BLS Actual
$101,230
2026 Current Est.
$102,222
2019–2027 Growth
+52.3%
Salary Trajectory for Elementary School Teachers in Bellingham (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $67,770 | Actual |
| 2020 | $77,450 | Actual |
| 2021 | $78,470 | Actual |
| 2022 | $80,760 | Actual |
| 2023 | $83,340 | Actual |
| 2024 | $93,560 | Actual |
| 2025 | $101,230 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $102,222 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $103,224 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bellingham metropolitan area, the median elementary school teacher salary grew 49.4% from $67,770 (2019) to $101,230 (2025). At a 0.98% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $103,224 by 2027 — a total increase of $35,454 (52.32%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bellingham 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $64,294 – $80,804 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $80,804 – $102,222 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $102,222 – $127,861 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $127,861 – $128,739 |
Teacher salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual elementary school teacher compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Elementary School Teacher Job Market in Bellingham
Within the Bellingham job market, approximately 790 elementary school teachers are employed, contributing to a strong community of educators. However, cost-of-living considerations, with an index of 103.334, present a unique challenge when it comes to take-home purchasing power. Factors influencing salary variations include funding levels from local K-12 public school districts versus charter networks, as well as the presence of stipends for teachers in areas such as special education, STEM, or bilingual education due to noted shortages. The pay disparities among different educational institutions can also be driven by advanced salary increments for National Board Certified teachers or additional duties such as summer school and after-school tutoring. By targeting positions in high-need specialties and pursuing further qualifications, educators can strategically maximize their elementary school teacher pay in Bellingham, WA.
More salary data for Bellingham, 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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $101,230 for elementary school teachersin the Bellingham metropolitan area. A 0.98% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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