Elementary School Teacher Salary in Lacey, WA: $104,809 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time elementary school teacher in Lacey, WA earns a median $104,809/year (≈ $50.39/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 25-2021). Once you factor in Lacey's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.4), that paycheck buys what $97,588 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.0% above the Washington state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the elementary school teacher salary in Lacey, WA, is projected to reach a median annual figure of $104,809, significantly surpassing the national average of $64,597. This represents not just a compensation advantage but also accounts for the higher cost of living in the region, indicated by a cost of living index of 107.4. The salary range for teachers is expected to stretch from $81,671 at the 10th percentile to $162,455 at the 90th percentile, reflecting opportunities for experienced educators and those in specialized roles. These figures stem from local estimates based on 2025 BLS data and regional price adjustments, illustrating the competitive landscape for teaching professionals in this part of Washington state.
About the Lacey Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($82,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $81,671 | $39.26 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $96,167 | $46.24 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $104,809 | $50.39 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $130,647 | $62.81 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $162,455 | $78.11 |
Median Salary Position
62.25% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lacey
In Lacey, WA, the elementary school teacher salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $80,784 (2026 est.). At $104,809, the local median is 62.25% above the national median of $64,597.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lacey: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lacey Elementary School Teacher Pay Compares
Lacey median: $104,809/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lacey Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $101,756 | +3.00% more |
| National Average | $64,597 | +62.25% more |
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.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lacey has a cost of living 7.40% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lacey, WA has a cost-of-living index of 107.4 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $104,809 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $97,588 — a 6.89% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$96,815
2025 BLS Actual
$103,792
2026 Current Est.
$104,809
2019–2027 Growth
+9.3%
Salary 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 | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $96,815 | Actual |
| 2020 | $98,876 | Actual |
| 2021 | $99,622 | Actual |
| 2022 | $100,093 | Actual |
| 2023 | $103,321 | Actual |
| 2024 | $86,472 | Actual |
| 2025 | $103,792 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $104,809 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $105,836 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lacey metropolitan area, the median elementary school teacher salary grew 7.2% from $96,815 (2019) to $103,792 (2025). At a 0.98% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $105,836 by 2027 — a total increase of $9,021 (9.32%) from 2019.
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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $81,671 – $96,167 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $96,167 – $104,809 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $104,809 – $130,647 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $130,647 – $162,455 |
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 Lacey
The job market for elementary school teachers in Lacey remains comparatively selective, with only 12 educators currently employed in the area. Given the high cost of living, teachers must be strategic in maximizing their earning potential. Local public school districts generally follow a step-and-lane pay scale, rewarding years of service and educational attainment, while offering additional stipends for hard-to-fill positions in areas like special education and STEM. Among the highest-paying employers are K-12 public school districts, which typically provide the most consistent compensation packages. To effectively enhance their pay, educators should consider obtaining advanced degrees or National Board Certification, engaging in summer school work, or pursuing additional contracts for tutoring and coaching, all of which can significantly elevate their overall earnings in Lacey.
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
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 $103,792 for elementary school teachersin the Lacey 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 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