Elementary School Teacher Salary in Olympia, WA: $105,676 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time elementary school teacher in Olympia, WA earns a median $105,676/year (≈ $50.80/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 25-2021). Once you factor in Olympia's price level (4% above national, BEA RPP 103.7), that paycheck buys what $101,935 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.9% above the Washington state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, elementary school teachers in Olympia, Washington, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $105,676, significantly higher than the national median of $64,597, marking a remarkable 63.59% increase. The salary range reflects a broad spectrum from $63,506 at the lower end (10th percentile) to $121,428 at the higher end (90th percentile). This data, based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, highlights the competitive nature of teaching salaries in Olympia, which can be further enhanced by shortage stipends available for positions in special education, STEM, and bilingual education sectors. With the inherent demand for educators in these areas, teachers in Olympia can expect to see their base pay supplemented, creating a more attractive compensation package that can effectively address the area's teaching shortages.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $63,506 | $30.54 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $80,663 | $38.78 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $105,676 | $50.80 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $106,423 | $51.17 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $121,428 | $58.38 |
Median Salary Position
63.59% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Olympia
In Olympia, WA, the elementary school teacher salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $57,922 (2026 est.). At $105,676, the local median is 63.59% above the national median of $64,597.
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At 40 hours/week in Olympia: You'd be above the median
How Olympia Elementary School Teacher Pay Compares
Olympia median: $105,676/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Olympia Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $101,709 | +3.90% more |
| National Average | $64,597 | +63.59% more |
Elementary School Teachers in Olympia, WA earn a median of $105,676 per year (2026 est.), which is 63.59% higher than the national median of $64,597 and 3.90% above the Washington state average of $101,709.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Olympia has a cost of living 3.67% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Olympia, WA has a cost-of-living index of 103.67 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $105,676 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $101,935 — a 3.54% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$70,360
2025 BLS Actual
$104,650
2026 Current Est.
$105,676
2019–2027 Growth
+51.7%
Salary Trajectory for Elementary School Teachers in Olympia (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $70,360 | Actual |
| 2020 | $73,300 | Actual |
| 2021 | $76,910 | Actual |
| 2022 | $79,650 | Actual |
| 2023 | $83,770 | Actual |
| 2024 | $101,170 | Actual |
| 2025 | $104,650 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $105,676 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $106,711 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Olympia metropolitan area, the median elementary school teacher salary grew 48.7% from $70,360 (2019) to $104,650 (2025). At a 0.98% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $106,711 by 2027 — a total increase of $36,351 (51.66%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Olympia 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) | $63,506 – $80,663 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $80,663 – $105,676 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $105,676 – $106,423 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $106,423 – $121,428 |
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 Olympia
As of 2026, Olympia employs approximately 950 elementary school teachers, contributing to a robust local job market in education. Despite the district's favorable pay, the cost of living index at 103.67 indicates that teachers may face a higher financial burden compared to the national average. Various employers in the area, including K-12 public school districts, charter networks, and private institutions, offer competitive salaries with differing benefits. The pay gap between the lowest and highest salaries is influenced heavily by factors such as the step-and-lane scale utilized in public schools and additional stipends for specific subject areas or roles, like National Board Certification. Educators aiming to maximize their earnings in this market should consider pursuing advanced degrees, seeking summer school contracts, and taking on extended school year positions or after-school programs to enhance their overall compensation.
More salary data for Olympia, 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 $104,650 for elementary school teachersin the Olympia 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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