Elementary School Teacher Salary in Maple Valley, WA: $96,767 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time elementary school teacher in Maple Valley, WA earns a median $96,767/year (≈ $46.52/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 25-2021). Once you factor in Maple Valley's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.4), that paycheck buys what $90,100 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.9% below the Washington state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Maple Valley, Washington, the projected median annual salary for elementary school teachers in 2026 is $96,767. This figure reflects a significant premium in a high-cost-of-living district, standing 49.80% higher than the national median of $64,597. The salary range for educators here ranges from $75,973 at the lower 10th percentile to $149,989 at the 90th percentile, illustrating a considerable disparity that is influenced by factors such as experience, education level, and district-specific pay scales. These salary estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data, demonstrate that Maple Valley offers a local funding landscape where teacher compensation can be quite competitive given the area's elevated cost of living, which has an index of 107.4 compared to the national average.
About the Maple Valley Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($82,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $75,973 | $36.52 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $86,699 | $41.68 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $96,767 | $46.52 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $121,168 | $58.26 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $149,989 | $72.11 |
Median Salary Position
49.80% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Maple Valley
In Maple Valley, WA, the elementary school teacher salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $74,016 (2026 est.). At $96,767, the local median is 49.8% above the national median of $64,597.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Maple Valley: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Maple Valley Elementary School Teacher Pay Compares
Maple Valley median: $96,767/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Maple Valley Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $101,753 | -4.90% less |
| National Average | $64,597 | +49.80% more |
Elementary School Teachers in Maple Valley, WA earn a median of $96,767 per year (2026 est.), which is 49.80% higher than the national median of $64,597 and 4.90% below the Washington state average of $101,753.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Maple Valley has a cost of living 7.40% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Maple Valley, WA has a cost-of-living index of 107.4 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $96,767 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $90,100 — a 6.89% reduction.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$89,387
2025 BLS Actual
$95,828
2026 Current Est.
$96,767
2019–2027 Growth
+9.3%
Salary Trajectory for Elementary School Teachers in Maple Valley (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $89,387 | Actual |
| 2020 | $91,289 | Actual |
| 2021 | $91,978 | Actual |
| 2022 | $92,413 | Actual |
| 2023 | $95,394 | Actual |
| 2024 | $83,782 | Actual |
| 2025 | $95,828 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $96,767 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $97,715 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Maple Valley metropolitan area, the median elementary school teacher salary grew 7.2% from $89,387 (2019) to $95,828 (2025). At a 0.98% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $97,715 by 2027 — a total increase of $8,328 (9.32%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Maple Valley 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) | $75,973 – $86,699 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $86,699 – $96,767 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $96,767 – $121,168 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $121,168 – $149,989 |
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 Maple Valley
The local job market in Maple Valley is relatively small, with only six elementary school teachers currently employed in the area. Given the cost of living, this translates into a nuanced situation for take-home purchasing power. Among various educational institutions, the K-12 public school districts typically offer more stability and adherence to traditional salary structures compared to charter or private schools, which may provide variable pay scales. Factors driving the range between lower and higher salaries include the step-and-lane pay scale, which aligns compensation with years of service and educational attainment, as well as stipends for positions in high-need areas like special education or STEM fields. To maximize earnings, educators in Maple Valley might focus on attaining advanced degrees or National Board Certification, both of which can elevate their salary potential within the district's compensation framework. Balancing teaching roles with opportunities for extended summer contracts, after-school programs, or tutoring can also enhance overall pay in this dynamic educational environment.
More salary data for Maple Valley, WA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do elementary school teachers make in Maple Valley, WA in 2026?
Is Maple Valley, WA a good place to work as a elementary school teacher?
Can elementary school teachers make $100K in Maple Valley?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted elementary school teacher salary in Maple Valley?
How much does a elementary school teacher make per hour in Maple Valley?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Washington
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 $95,828 for elementary school teachersin the Maple Valley 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 Maple Valley 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