Elementary School Teacher Salary in Walla Walla, WA: $103,989 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time elementary school teacher in Walla Walla, WA earns a median $103,989/year (≈ $50.00/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 25-2021). Once you factor in Walla Walla's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.5), that paycheck buys what $105,552 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.2% above the Washington state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Walla Walla, WA, the typical annual compensation for elementary school teachers in 2026 is projected to be $103,989, significantly higher than the national average of $64,597. The salary range for educators in this district spans from a lower threshold of $62,608 to an upper ceiling of $108,018, reflecting a robust salary framework that supports varying levels of experience and education. This compensation model is largely influenced by the district's step-and-lane salary schedule that recognizes additional credentials, such as a master's degree or advanced graduate coursework. Teachers holding master's plus 30 credits find themselves positioned near the top of this structure, which enhances the attractiveness of teaching in Walla Walla compared to broader national metrics.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $62,608 | $30.10 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $79,037 | $38.00 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $103,989 | $50.00 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $106,302 | $51.11 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $108,018 | $51.93 |
Median Salary Position
60.98% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Walla Walla
In Walla Walla, WA, the elementary school teacher salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $45,410 (2026 est.). At $103,989, the local median is 60.98% above the national median of $64,597.
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How Walla Walla Elementary School Teacher Pay Compares
Walla Walla median: $103,989/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Walla Walla Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $101,751 | +2.20% more |
| National Average | $64,597 | +60.98% more |
Elementary School Teachers in Walla Walla, WA earn a median of $103,989 per year (2026 est.), which is 60.98% higher than the national median of $64,597 and 2.20% above the Washington state average of $101,751.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Walla Walla has a cost of living 1.48% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Walla Walla, WA has a cost-of-living index of 98.519 (below the national average of 100). A elementary school teacher earning $103,989 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $105,552 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.5% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$68,270
2025 BLS Actual
$102,980
2026 Current Est.
$103,989
2019–2027 Growth
+53.8%
Salary Trajectory for Elementary School Teachers in Walla Walla (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $68,270 | Actual |
| 2020 | $69,600 | Actual |
| 2021 | $79,120 | Actual |
| 2022 | $82,580 | Actual |
| 2023 | $87,720 | Actual |
| 2024 | $84,740 | Actual |
| 2025 | $102,980 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $103,989 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $105,008 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Walla Walla metropolitan area, the median elementary school teacher salary grew 50.8% from $68,270 (2019) to $102,980 (2025). At a 0.98% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $105,008 by 2027 — a total increase of $36,738 (53.81%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Walla Walla 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) | $62,608 – $79,037 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $79,037 – $103,989 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $103,989 – $106,302 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $106,302 – $108,018 |
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 Walla Walla
With 220 elementary school teachers currently employed locally, Walla Walla's job market for educators remains competitive. The cost of living index, at 98.519, suggests that housing and daily expenses are below the national average, allowing educators to utilize their earnings effectively. In terms of compensation, K-12 public school districts typically provide the most competitive wages, especially for teachers engaged in STEM or special education roles, which come with additional stipends due to high demand. Factors contributing to the variance in salaries include adherence to the district's step-and-lane scale, various stipends for summer school and after-school programs, as well as bonuses tied to certifications and advanced degrees. To maximize earning potential in Walla Walla, teachers should consider pursuing continued education and certification while actively seeking roles in areas experiencing personnel shortages, thus increasing their marketability and financial rewards.
More salary data for Walla Walla, 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 $102,980 for elementary school teachersin the Walla Walla 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