Elementary School Teacher Salary in Kent, WA: $101,538 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time elementary school teacher in Kent, WA earns a median $101,538/year (≈ $48.81/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 25-2021). Once you factor in Kent's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.4), that paycheck buys what $94,542 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.2% below the Washington state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the estimated median annual salary for an elementary school teacher in Kent, Washington, is projected to be $101,538, significantly higher than the national median of $64,597, marking a 57.19% increase. Salaries in this district can range from $77,124 at the lower end (10th percentile) to $157,384 at the upper end (90th percentile). These figures reflect adjustments for local cost of living, which is indexed at 107.4, indicating higher-than-average expenses in Kent. Teachers with advanced degrees, such as a master's or master's +30, often find themselves positioned higher on the district's step-and-lane salary scale. The competitive pay for educators in Kent highlights the area's commitment to attracting and retaining qualified professionals to meet the educational needs of its students.
About the Kent Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($82,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $77,124 | $37.08 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $91,833 | $44.15 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $101,538 | $48.81 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $129,969 | $62.49 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $157,384 | $75.66 |
Median Salary Position
57.19% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Kent
In Kent, WA, the elementary school teacher salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $80,260 (2026 est.). At $101,538, the local median is 57.19% above the national median of $64,597.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Kent: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Kent Elementary School Teacher Pay Compares
Kent median: $101,538/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Kent Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $101,742 | -0.20% less |
| National Average | $64,597 | +57.19% more |
Elementary School Teachers in Kent, WA earn a median of $101,538 per year (2026 est.), which is 57.19% higher than the national median of $64,597 and 0.20% below the Washington state average of $101,742.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Kent has a cost of living 7.40% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Kent, WA has a cost-of-living index of 107.4 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $101,538 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $94,542 — a 6.89% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$93,794
2025 BLS Actual
$100,553
2026 Current Est.
$101,538
2019–2027 Growth
+9.3%
Salary Trajectory for Elementary School Teachers in Kent (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $93,794 | Actual |
| 2020 | $95,790 | Actual |
| 2021 | $96,513 | Actual |
| 2022 | $96,969 | Actual |
| 2023 | $100,097 | Actual |
| 2024 | $87,913 | Actual |
| 2025 | $100,553 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $101,538 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $102,533 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Kent metropolitan area, the median elementary school teacher salary grew 7.2% from $93,794 (2019) to $100,553 (2025). At a 0.98% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $102,533 by 2027 — a total increase of $8,739 (9.32%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kent 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) | $77,124 – $91,833 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $91,833 – $101,538 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $101,538 – $129,969 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $129,969 – $157,384 |
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 Kent
In Kent, 33 elementary school teachers contribute to the educational workforce, showcasing a stable job market in the region. However, the cost-of-living reality means that teachers must consider how much they take home after taxes and expenses. The salary differences in elementary school teacher pay in Kent, WA, can be influenced by several factors, including the type of employment setting. Public K-12 school districts tend to adhere closely to the step-and-lane structure based on years of experience and educational attainment, while charter schools and private institutions may offer varying compensation. Driving the disparity between salaries include specialized stipends for shortage area educators, such as those teaching special education or STEM subjects, as well as extra pay for summer school, extended year contracts, or after-school activities. To maximize earnings in Kent, teachers may want to pursue additional certifications like National Board Certification or seek roles in districts that offer the highest base pay along with supplementary stipends.
More salary data for Kent, 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 $100,553 for elementary school teachersin the Kent 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 Kent 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