Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education Salary
In Washington, kindergarten teachers, except special educations earn $99,960 at the median. The range runs from $65K at the entry level to $126K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 102.01), that's roughly $97,990 in purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,830/month, or 27.3% 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 $100K get you in Washington?
About kindergarten teachers, except special educations
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What this looks like in Washington
Washington sits well above the national pay line for kindergarten teachers, except special education, local pay runs about 59% higher than the U.S. median of $63K. Rent runs $1,830/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 27.9% 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 kindergarten teachers, except special educations (10th percentile) start around $65K. Mid-career wages sit at $100K. Top earners bring in $126K or more, a $61K spread from bottom to top.
Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education salary by metro in Washington
11 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater | $104K | +4% | 240 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue | $102K | +2% | 2,530 |
| Walla Walla | $100K | -0% | 40 |
| Bellingham | $98K | -2% | 170 |
| Mount Vernon-Anacortes | $98K | -2% | 90 |
| Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard | $97K | -3% | 150 |
| Wenatchee-East Wenatchee | $90K | -10% | 80 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley | $90K | -10% | 440 |
| Kennewick-Richland | $86K | -14% | 270 |
| Yakima | $85K | -15% | 260 |
| Longview-Kelso | $81K | -19% | 100 |
Showing 1–10 of 11 metros
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BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Washington numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a kindergarten teachers, except special education afford a 2BR apartment alone in Washington?
Yes — at the median salary of $100K, rent takes 27.9% 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 kindergarten teachers, except special educations in Washington?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new kindergarten teachers, except special educations typically earn — is $65K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $3,924/month. At HUD’s $1,830/month FMR, rent would take 47% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is kindergarten teachers, except special education a high-paying job in Washington?
Local pay is 59% above the national median — $100K here vs. $63K nationally.
How does Washington compare to the national average for kindergarten teachers, except special educations?
Washington pays $100K median vs. the U.S. average of $63K — that’s +59%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 102.01), the purchasing-power equivalent is $98K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do kindergarten teachers, except special educations make in Washington?
The median is $99,960 a year. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $65,400, and experienced kindergarten teachers, except special educations can clear $125,990. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $100K enough to live in Washington?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $6,559/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,830/month, which eats 27.9% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a kindergarten teachers, except special education 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 kindergarten teachers, except special education salary is worth about $97,990 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do kindergarten teachers, except special educations 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.