Elementary School Teacher Salary in Lake Stevens, WA: $98,378 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time elementary school teacher in Lake Stevens, WA earns a median $98,378/year (≈ $47.30/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 25-2021). Once you factor in Lake Stevens's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.4), that paycheck buys what $91,600 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.3% below the Washington state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the median annual salary for elementary school teachers in Lake Stevens, Washington, is projected to reach an impressive $98,378, significantly above the national median of $64,597. The salary range for this role spans from $79,575 at the 10th percentile to an upper-tier $151,579 at the 90th percentile. These figures are based on estimates derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted to reflect local cost of living conditions. Furthermore, shortage stipends for positions in special education, STEM, and bilingual teaching can add valuable increments to base salaries, enhancing earning potential within this community. Given these dynamics, Lake Stevens presents a robust opportunity for educators considering both the competitive pay and the advantageous job market for elementary school teachers.
About the Lake Stevens Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($82,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $79,575 | $38.26 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $92,285 | $44.37 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $98,378 | $47.30 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $121,315 | $58.33 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $151,579 | $72.88 |
Median Salary Position
52.29% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lake Stevens
In Lake Stevens, WA, the elementary school teacher salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $72,004 (2026 est.). At $98,378, the local median is 52.29% above the national median of $64,597.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lake Stevens: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lake Stevens Elementary School Teacher Pay Compares
Lake Stevens median: $98,378/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lake Stevens Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $101,735 | -3.30% less |
| National Average | $64,597 | +52.29% more |
Elementary School Teachers in Lake Stevens, WA earn a median of $98,378 per year (2026 est.), which is 52.29% higher than the national median of $64,597 and 3.30% below the Washington state average of $101,735.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lake Stevens has a cost of living 7.40% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lake Stevens, WA has a cost-of-living index of 107.4 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $98,378 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $91,600 — a 6.89% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$90,874
2025 BLS Actual
$97,423
2026 Current Est.
$98,378
2019–2027 Growth
+9.3%
Salary Trajectory for Elementary School Teachers in Lake Stevens (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $90,874 | Actual |
| 2020 | $92,808 | Actual |
| 2021 | $93,509 | Actual |
| 2022 | $93,951 | Actual |
| 2023 | $96,981 | Actual |
| 2024 | $85,177 | Actual |
| 2025 | $97,423 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $98,378 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $99,342 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lake Stevens metropolitan area, the median elementary school teacher salary grew 7.2% from $90,874 (2019) to $97,423 (2025). At a 0.98% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $99,342 by 2027 — a total increase of $8,468 (9.32%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lake Stevens 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) | $79,575 – $92,285 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $92,285 – $98,378 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $98,378 – $121,315 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $121,315 – $151,579 |
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 Lake Stevens
Currently, there are 9 elementary school teachers employed in Lake Stevens, with a cost-of-living index that stands at 107.4, indicating that while salaries are higher, so are living expenses. This premium suggests that take-home purchasing power may be balanced by the town's higher costs, which is essential for prospective educators to consider. Among local employers, K-12 public school districts generally offer the most stable salaries compared to private or charter schools. Compensation is typically influenced by a step-and-lane pay scale that factors in years of experience and level of education, along with additional stipends for teaching in shortage areas. For educators looking to maximize earnings, pursuing advanced degrees, obtaining National Board Certification, or considering summer positions can enhance overall compensation significantly. In this way, prospective teachers in Lake Stevens can effectively plan their career pathways to achieve optimal salary outcomes.
More salary data for Lake Stevens, 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 $97,423 for elementary school teachersin the Lake Stevens 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 Lake Stevens 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