Elementary School Teacher Salary in Moses Lake, WA: $98,125 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time elementary school teacher in Moses Lake, WA earns a median $98,125/year (≈ $47.18/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 25-2021). Once you factor in Moses Lake's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.4), that paycheck buys what $91,364 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.5% below the Washington state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Moses Lake, Washington, is projected to offer an enticing median annual salary of $98,125 for elementary school teachers in 2026, significantly outpacing the national median of $64,597 by 51.90%. Salaries in this region range from $79,267 at the lower end (10th percentile) to a high of $152,094 (90th percentile). These figures are derived from 2025 BLS estimates, adjusted for local cost of living, which is currently above the national average. For educators in special education, STEM, or bilingual teaching, shortage stipends can add substantially to base salaries, enhancing overall compensation and reflecting the demand for these skill sets in the local market.
About the Moses Lake Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($82,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $79,267 | $38.11 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $91,741 | $44.11 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $98,125 | $47.18 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $124,465 | $59.84 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $152,094 | $73.12 |
Median Salary Position
51.90% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Moses Lake
In Moses Lake, WA, the elementary school teacher salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $72,827 (2026 est.). At $98,125, the local median is 51.9% above the national median of $64,597.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Moses Lake: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Moses Lake Elementary School Teacher Pay Compares
Moses Lake median: $98,125/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Moses Lake Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $101,684 | -3.50% less |
| National Average | $64,597 | +51.90% more |
Elementary School Teachers in Moses Lake, WA earn a median of $98,125 per year (2026 est.), which is 51.90% higher than the national median of $64,597 and 3.50% below the Washington state average of $101,684.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Moses Lake has a cost of living 7.40% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Moses Lake, WA has a cost-of-living index of 107.4 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $98,125 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $91,364 — a 6.89% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$90,641
2025 BLS Actual
$97,173
2026 Current Est.
$98,125
2019–2027 Growth
+9.3%
Salary Trajectory for Elementary School Teachers in Moses Lake (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $90,641 | Actual |
| 2020 | $92,570 | Actual |
| 2021 | $93,269 | Actual |
| 2022 | $93,710 | Actual |
| 2023 | $96,732 | Actual |
| 2024 | $84,958 | Actual |
| 2025 | $97,173 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $98,125 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $99,087 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Moses Lake metropolitan area, the median elementary school teacher salary grew 7.2% from $90,641 (2019) to $97,173 (2025). At a 0.98% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $99,087 by 2027 — a total increase of $8,446 (9.32%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Moses Lake 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) | $79,267 – $91,741 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $91,741 – $98,125 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $98,125 – $124,465 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $124,465 – $152,094 |
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 Moses Lake
In terms of employment context, Moses Lake only has four elementary school teachers currently employed, suggesting a tight-knit community where educators are in short supply. With a cost of living index at 107.4, teachers may find their take-home pay slightly affected, although the salary remains competitive for the region. Among local employers, K-12 public school districts tend to be the primary payers, with compensation following a structured step-and-lane scale that rewards years of service and educational attainment. Opportunities to bolster earnings exist through summer school programs, tutoring, and acquiring National Board Certification. Teachers here should emphasize special education and STEM qualifications, as these often command higher pay due to the specialized nature of the work.
More salary data for Moses Lake, 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 $97,173 for elementary school teachersin the Moses Lake 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 Moses Lake 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