Elementary School Teacher Salary in Des Moines, WA: $100,777 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time elementary school teacher in Des Moines, WA earns a median $100,777/year (≈ $48.45/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 25-2021). Once you factor in Des Moines's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.4), that paycheck buys what $93,833 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.9% below the Washington state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Elementary school teachers in Des Moines, WA, enjoy a competitive median annual salary of $100,777 in 2026, which significantly exceeds the national median of $64,597 by over 56%. The salary range for this role is quite broad, extending from $77,247 at the 10th percentile to $156,204 at the 90th percentile. These figures, based on 2025 BLS data, projected to 2026, reflect local market conditions and account for the cost-of-living index of 107.4, indicating that Des Moines is a higher-cost area. Given this compensation structure, it is crucial for prospective educators to understand the financial landscape and how Des Moines's competitive pay fits within the wider state and national context to inform their career decisions.
About the Des Moines Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($82,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $77,247 | $37.14 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $91,382 | $43.94 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $100,777 | $48.45 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $127,171 | $61.14 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $156,204 | $75.10 |
Median Salary Position
56.01% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Des Moines
In Des Moines, WA, the elementary school teacher salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $78,957 (2026 est.). At $100,777, the local median is 56.01% above the national median of $64,597.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Des Moines: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Des Moines Elementary School Teacher Pay Compares
Des Moines median: $100,777/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Des Moines Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $101,692 | -0.90% less |
| National Average | $64,597 | +56.01% more |
Elementary School Teachers in Des Moines, WA earn a median of $100,777 per year (2026 est.), which is 56.01% higher than the national median of $64,597 and 0.90% below the Washington state average of $101,692.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Des Moines has a cost of living 7.40% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Des Moines, WA has a cost-of-living index of 107.4 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $100,777 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $93,833 — a 6.89% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$93,091
2025 BLS Actual
$99,799
2026 Current Est.
$100,777
2019–2027 Growth
+9.3%
Salary Trajectory for Elementary School Teachers in Des Moines (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $93,091 | Actual |
| 2020 | $95,072 | Actual |
| 2021 | $95,790 | Actual |
| 2022 | $96,242 | Actual |
| 2023 | $99,347 | Actual |
| 2024 | $87,254 | Actual |
| 2025 | $99,799 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $100,777 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $101,765 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Des Moines metropolitan area, the median elementary school teacher salary grew 7.2% from $93,091 (2019) to $99,799 (2025). At a 0.98% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $101,765 by 2027 — a total increase of $8,674 (9.32%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Des Moines 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) | $77,247 – $91,382 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $91,382 – $100,777 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $100,777 – $127,171 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $127,171 – $156,204 |
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 Des Moines
In terms of employment opportunities, Des Moines employs a modest number of elementary school teachers—only seven in the local district. The relatively high cost of living can impact take-home purchasing power, so educators should be aware of how their salary correlates with living expenses in the area. Among various educational employers, K-12 public school districts typically offer the most stable pay structures, often adhering to the district's step-and-lane pay scale influenced by years of experience and educational attainment. Additional compensation opportunities arise in high-need areas such as special education and STEM fields. For teachers aiming to boost their earnings, pursuing advanced degrees or National Board Certification can yield significant financial rewards. Moreover, taking up summer school contracts or after-school tutoring roles can also provide a pathway to enhance overall compensation within Des Moines's educational market.
More salary data for Des Moines, 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
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 $99,799 for elementary school teachersin the Des Moines 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
Salary data for Des Moines 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