Elementary School Teacher Salary in Seattle, WA: $103,929 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time elementary school teacher in Seattle, WA earns a median $103,929/year (≈ $49.96/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 25-2021). Once you factor in Seattle's price level (11% above national, BEA RPP 111.1), that paycheck buys what $93,518 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.2% above the Washington state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Elementary school teachers in Seattle, WA can expect a competitive salary landscape in 2026, with a median annual salary projected at $103,929. This figure represents a substantial premium compared to the national median, aligning with the city's high cost of living and emphasis on educational attainment. The salary range for Seattle educators spans from $68,212 at the 10th percentile to $133,284 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the influences of experience, educational achievements, and specific district pay scales. The local step-and-lane structure, which allows for incremental pay increases based on years of service and advanced degrees, significantly contributes to variations in compensation among teachers. This makes Seattle an attractive market for prospective educators looking for above-average pay relative to their peers nationwide.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $68,212 | $32.80 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $82,188 | $39.51 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $103,929 | $49.96 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $127,881 | $61.48 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $133,284 | $64.08 |
Median Salary Position
60.89% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Seattle
In Seattle, WA, the elementary school teacher salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $65,072 (2026 est.). At $103,929, the local median is 60.89% above the national median of $64,597.
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At 40 hours/week in Seattle: You'd be above the median
How Seattle Elementary School Teacher Pay Compares
Seattle median: $103,929/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Seattle Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $101,691 | +2.20% more |
| National Average | $64,597 | +60.89% more |
Elementary School Teachers in Seattle, WA earn a median of $103,929 per year (2026 est.), which is 60.89% higher than the national median of $64,597 and 2.20% above the Washington state average of $101,691.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Seattle has a cost of living 11.13% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Seattle, WA has a cost-of-living index of 111.133 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $103,929 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $93,518 — a 10.02% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$69,600
2025 BLS Actual
$102,920
2026 Current Est.
$103,929
2019–2027 Growth
+50.8%
Salary Trajectory for Elementary School Teachers in Seattle (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $69,600 | Actual |
| 2020 | $74,120 | Actual |
| 2021 | $80,060 | Actual |
| 2022 | $91,790 | Actual |
| 2023 | $99,410 | Actual |
| 2024 | $99,970 | Actual |
| 2025 | $102,920 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $103,929 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $104,947 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Seattle metropolitan area, the median elementary school teacher salary grew 47.9% from $69,600 (2019) to $102,920 (2025). At a 0.98% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $104,947 by 2027 — a total increase of $35,347 (50.79%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Seattle 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) | $68,212 – $82,188 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $82,188 – $103,929 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $103,929 – $127,881 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $127,881 – $133,284 |
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 Seattle
In Washington state, approximately 14,560 elementary school teachers are employed, representing a strong job market for educators. However, the cost of living index of 111.133 indicates that expenses are higher than the national average, which can affect take-home pay and purchasing power. Notably, public school districts typically adhere to fixed salary schedules, whereas charter schools and private institutions may offer additional incentives or stipends, especially in high-demand areas such as special education or STEM. The spread in compensation also results from factors such as district-specific step-and-lane scales, summer school or tutoring opportunities, and additional certification allowances like the National Board Certification stipend. For teachers looking to maximize their earnings in Seattle, pursuing advanced degrees or certifications and actively engaging in specialized programs can leverage their pay potential effectively.
More salary data for Seattle, 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 $102,920 for elementary school teachersin the Seattle 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