Elementary School Teacher Salary in Tumwater, WA: $106,644 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time elementary school teacher in Tumwater, WA earns a median $106,644/year (≈ $51.27/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 25-2021). Once you factor in Tumwater's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.4), that paycheck buys what $99,296 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.8% above the Washington state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Tumwater, Washington, the projected median annual salary for elementary school teachers in 2026 is $106,644, significantly higher than the national average of $64,597. This reflects a growing recognition of the value placed on educators, particularly in areas where a step-and-lane compensation structure rewards advanced degrees and years of service. The salary range in this district spans from $79,591 at the 10th percentile to $165,298 at the 90th percentile, indicating a diverse field of earnings based on various factors such as experience and education level. Estimates provided here derive from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for local cost conditions, revealing a robust job market that reflects not only the demand for quality educators but also the localized economic realities affecting salary structures.
About the Tumwater Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($82,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $79,591 | $38.26 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $99,238 | $47.71 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $106,644 | $51.27 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $130,733 | $62.85 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $165,298 | $79.47 |
Median Salary Position
65.09% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Tumwater
In Tumwater, WA, the elementary school teacher salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $85,707 (2026 est.). At $106,644, the local median is 65.09% above the national median of $64,597.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Tumwater: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Tumwater Elementary School Teacher Pay Compares
Tumwater median: $106,644/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Tumwater Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $101,760 | +4.80% more |
| National Average | $64,597 | +65.09% more |
Elementary School Teachers in Tumwater, WA earn a median of $106,644 per year (2026 est.), which is 65.09% higher than the national median of $64,597 and 4.80% above the Washington state average of $101,760.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Tumwater has a cost of living 7.40% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Tumwater, WA has a cost-of-living index of 107.4 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $106,644 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $99,296 — a 6.89% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$98,510
2025 BLS Actual
$105,609
2026 Current Est.
$106,644
2019–2027 Growth
+9.3%
Salary Trajectory for Elementary School Teachers in Tumwater (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $98,510 | Actual |
| 2020 | $100,607 | Actual |
| 2021 | $101,366 | Actual |
| 2022 | $101,845 | Actual |
| 2023 | $105,130 | Actual |
| 2024 | $86,208 | Actual |
| 2025 | $105,609 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $106,644 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $107,689 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Tumwater metropolitan area, the median elementary school teacher salary grew 7.2% from $98,510 (2019) to $105,609 (2025). At a 0.98% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $107,689 by 2027 — a total increase of $9,179 (9.32%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Tumwater 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) | $79,591 – $99,238 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $99,238 – $106,644 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $106,644 – $130,733 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $130,733 – $165,298 |
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 Tumwater
The job market for elementary school teachers in Tumwater is relatively tight, with only six educators employed in this area, which can create competitive salary negotiations. Given the cost of living index at 107.4, teachers might find their purchasing power affected, although the high salaries help offset this reality. The local education landscape features K-12 public schools as the primary employers, but positions in charter schools and private institutions also provide varying compensation levels. Factors such as district step-and-lane pay scales, available stipends for shortage areas like special education and STEM, and additional roles like summer school or after-school programs contribute to the income disparity among teachers. Educators looking to increase their earnings may consider pursuing National Board Certification or advanced degrees, as these credentials can lead to higher placements on the pay scale. Understanding these variables can be crucial for those in Tumwater seeking to maximize their elementary school teacher pay in WA.
More salary data for Tumwater, 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 $105,609 for elementary school teachersin the Tumwater 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 Tumwater 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