Elementary School Teacher Salary in Wenatchee, WA: $101,323 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time elementary school teacher in Wenatchee, WA earns a median $101,323/year (≈ $48.71/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 25-2021). Once you factor in Wenatchee's price level (4% above national, BEA RPP 103.9), that paycheck buys what $97,562 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.4% below the Washington state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Wenatchee, WA, the projected median annual salary for elementary school teachers in 2026 is $101,323, reflecting a significant advantage over the national median of $64,597. The salary range is notable as well, with entry-level earnings starting at $62,022 up to $103,383 for those in more experienced roles. This data is sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) surveys and highlights the city's commitment to competitive teacher compensation. For educators with advanced qualifications, such as a master's degree or even a master's plus 30 credits, placement within the district's step-and-lane pay scale can lead to greater salary opportunities, enhancing the appeal of teaching in this region amid a growing job market.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $62,022 | $29.82 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $78,108 | $37.55 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $101,323 | $48.71 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $103,383 | $49.70 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $103,383 | $49.70 |
Median Salary Position
56.85% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Wenatchee
In Wenatchee, WA, the elementary school teacher salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $41,361 (2026 est.). At $101,323, the local median is 56.85% above the national median of $64,597.
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How Wenatchee Elementary School Teacher Pay Compares
Wenatchee median: $101,323/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Wenatchee Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $101,730 | -0.40% less |
| National Average | $64,597 | +56.85% more |
Elementary School Teachers in Wenatchee, WA earn a median of $101,323 per year (2026 est.), which is 56.85% higher than the national median of $64,597 and 0.40% below the Washington state average of $101,730.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Wenatchee has a cost of living 3.86% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Wenatchee, WA has a cost-of-living index of 103.855 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $101,323 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $97,562 — a 3.71% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$71,620
2025 BLS Actual
$100,340
2026 Current Est.
$101,323
2019–2027 Growth
+42.9%
Salary Trajectory for Elementary School Teachers in Wenatchee (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $71,620 | Actual |
| 2020 | $73,800 | Actual |
| 2021 | $77,150 | Actual |
| 2022 | $77,020 | Actual |
| 2023 | $81,410 | Actual |
| 2024 | $81,320 | Actual |
| 2025 | $100,340 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $101,323 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $102,316 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wenatchee metropolitan area, the median elementary school teacher salary grew 40.1% from $71,620 (2019) to $100,340 (2025). At a 0.98% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $102,316 by 2027 — a total increase of $30,696 (42.86%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wenatchee 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) | $62,022 – $78,108 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $78,108 – $101,323 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $101,323 – $103,383 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $103,383 – $103,383 |
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 Wenatchee
With 510 elementary school teachers currently employed in the area, Wenatchee's job market demonstrates a healthy demand for educators. The local cost-of-living index stands at 103.855, indicating that while salaries are higher than the national average, expenses may also be elevated, slightly impacting take-home pay. Among employers, K-12 public school districts tend to offer the most competitive salaries, along with stipends for difficult-to-fill positions such as special education or STEM teachers. This pay variability is influenced by factors such as experience, education level, and certifications like the National Board Certification. To maximize earnings in Wenatchee, teachers should consider roles in schools with robust salary scales, seek out additional certifications, or take advantage of tutoring and summer opportunities that provide extra income.
More salary data for Wenatchee, 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 $100,340 for elementary school teachersin the Wenatchee 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