Elementary School Teacher Salary in Vancouver, WA: $83,672 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time elementary school teacher in Vancouver, WA earns a median $83,672/year (≈ $40.23/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 25-2021). Once you factor in Vancouver's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.4), that paycheck buys what $77,907 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 17.7% below the Washington state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the projected median annual salary for elementary school teachers in Vancouver, WA, is $83,672, significantly exceeding the national median of $64,597 by approximately 29.53%. Teacher salaries in the area range from $59,364 at the 10th percentile to $129,692 at the 90th percentile. These figures are derived from BLS state-level data combined with regional price parity estimates. Notably, some local school districts offer shortage stipends in areas such as special education, STEM, and bilingual education, which can boost base pay and attract qualified candidates. This competitive compensation landscape highlights the demand for educators in these specialized fields, complementing an otherwise strong salary baseline.
About the Vancouver Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($82,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $59,364 | $28.54 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $75,659 | $36.37 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $83,672 | $40.23 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $107,100 | $51.49 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $129,692 | $62.36 |
Median Salary Position
29.53% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Vancouver
In Vancouver, WA, the elementary school teacher salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $70,328 (2026 est.). At $83,672, the local median is 29.53% above the national median of $64,597.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Vancouver: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Vancouver Elementary School Teacher Pay Compares
Vancouver median: $83,672/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Vancouver Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $101,667 | -17.70% less |
| National Average | $64,597 | +29.53% more |
Elementary School Teachers in Vancouver, WA earn a median of $83,672 per year (2026 est.), which is 29.53% higher than the national median of $64,597 and 17.70% below the Washington state average of $101,667.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Vancouver has a cost of living 7.40% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Vancouver, WA has a cost-of-living index of 107.4 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $83,672 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $77,907 — a 6.89% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$77,290
2025 BLS Actual
$82,860
2026 Current Est.
$83,672
2019–2027 Growth
+9.3%
Salary Trajectory for Elementary School Teachers in Vancouver (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $77,290 | Actual |
| 2020 | $78,935 | Actual |
| 2021 | $79,531 | Actual |
| 2022 | $79,907 | Actual |
| 2023 | $82,484 | Actual |
| 2024 | $89,522 | Actual |
| 2025 | $82,860 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $83,672 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $84,492 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Vancouver metropolitan area, the median elementary school teacher salary grew 7.2% from $77,290 (2019) to $82,860 (2025). At a 0.98% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $84,492 by 2027 — a total increase of $7,202 (9.32%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Vancouver 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) | $59,364 – $75,659 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $75,659 – $83,672 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $83,672 – $107,100 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $107,100 – $129,692 |
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 Vancouver
With 37 elementary school teachers currently employed in the Vancouver area, the local job market shows modest growth potential, marked by a 0.98% annual increase in salaries. However, the cost of living index at 107.4 suggests that while salaries are competitive, teachers should consider the impact on their purchasing power. Public school districts generally offer the most competitive pay, particularly those aligned with step-and-lane salary structures, which reward experience and advanced degrees. Teachers looking to maximize their elementary school teacher pay in Vancouver, WA, should seek out opportunities that provide shortage area stipends or additional compensation through summer programs, after-school tutoring, and National Board Certification. The strategic pursuit of positions in higher-paying districts and schools can yield a significant return on investment over time.
More salary data for Vancouver, WA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Related Pages
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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 $82,860 for elementary school teachersin the Vancouver 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 Vancouver 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