Economics Teachers, Postsecondary Salary
In Washington, economics teachers, postsecondaries earn $96,500 at the median. The range runs from $62K at the entry level to $171K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 102.01), that's roughly $94,599 in purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,830/month, or 28.3% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Washington. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $97K get you in Washington?
About economics teachers, postsecondaries
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What this looks like in Washington
Pay for economics teachers, postsecondary in Washington runs about 22% below the U.S. median of $124K. Rent runs $1,830/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 28.8% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Cost of living (RPP 102.01) is near the national average, so spending patterns here track the typical American budget fairly closely. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Washington
Entry-level economics teachers, postsecondaries (10th percentile) start around $62K. Mid-career wages sit at $97K. Top earners bring in $171K or more, a $109K spread from bottom to top.
Economics Teachers, Postsecondary salary by metro in Washington
1 metro area with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue | $104K | +8% | 100 |
Compare to other states
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Frequently asked questions
Can a economics teachers, postsecondary afford a 2BR apartment alone in Washington?
Yes — at the median salary of $97K, rent takes 28.8% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,830/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for economics teachers, postsecondaries in Washington?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new economics teachers, postsecondaries typically earn — is $62K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $3,709/month. At HUD’s $1,830/month FMR, rent would take 49% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is economics teachers, postsecondary a high-paying job in Washington?
Local pay runs 22% below the national median — $97K here vs. $124K nationally.
How does Washington compare to the national average for economics teachers, postsecondaries?
Washington pays $97K median vs. the U.S. average of $124K — that’s -22%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 102.01), the purchasing-power equivalent is $95K — below the national median.
How much do economics teachers, postsecondaries make in Washington?
The median is $96,500 a year. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $61,810, and experienced economics teachers, postsecondaries can clear $170,710. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $97K enough to live in Washington?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $6,356/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,830/month, which eats 28.8% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a economics teachers, postsecondary salary go in Washington?
Washington has a Regional Price Parity of 102.01 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median economics teachers, postsecondary salary is worth about $94,599 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do economics teachers, postsecondaries get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.