Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education Salary
The median pay for a secondary school teachers, except special and career/technical education in Washington is $102,670/year, per BLS data. The range runs from $63K at the entry level to $128K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 102.01), that's roughly $100,647 in purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,830/month, or 26.6% 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 $103K get you in Washington?
About secondary school teachers, except special and career/technical educations
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What this looks like in Washington
Washington sits well above the national pay line for secondary school teachers, except special and career/technical education, local pay runs about 43% higher than the U.S. median of $72K. Rent runs $1,830/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 27.2% 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 secondary school teachers, except special and career/technical educations (10th percentile) start around $63K. Mid-career wages sit at $103K. Top earners bring in $128K or more, a $65K spread from bottom to top.
Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education salary by metro in Washington
11 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mount Vernon-Anacortes | $121K | +18% | 240 |
| Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater | $105K | +2% | 490 |
| Walla Walla | $105K | +2% | 120 |
| Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard | $104K | +1% | 420 |
| Longview-Kelso | $104K | +1% | 200 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue | $103K | +0% | 7,720 |
| Kennewick-Richland | $103K | -0% | 720 |
| Bellingham | $102K | -0% | 430 |
| Wenatchee-East Wenatchee | $101K | -2% | 260 |
| Yakima | $101K | -2% | 600 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley | $99K | -3% | 1,180 |
Showing 1–10 of 11 metros
Compare to other states
Track secondary school teachers, except special and career/technical education salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Washington numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a secondary school teachers, except special and career/technical education afford a 2BR apartment alone in Washington?
Yes — at the median salary of $103K, rent takes 27.2% 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 secondary school teachers, except special and career/technical educations in Washington?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new secondary school teachers, except special and career/technical educations typically earn — is $63K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $3,777/month. At HUD’s $1,830/month FMR, rent would take 48% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is secondary school teachers, except special and career/technical education a high-paying job in Washington?
Local pay is 43% above the national median — $103K here vs. $72K nationally.
How does Washington compare to the national average for secondary school teachers, except special and career/technical educations?
Washington pays $103K median vs. the U.S. average of $72K — that’s +43%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 102.01), the purchasing-power equivalent is $101K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do secondary school teachers, except special and career/technical educations make in Washington?
The median is $102,670 a year. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $62,950, and experienced secondary school teachers, except special and career/technical educations can clear $128,410. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $103K enough to live in Washington?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $6,718/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,830/month, which eats 27.2% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a secondary school teachers, except special and career/technical 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 secondary school teachers, except special and career/technical education salary is worth about $100,647 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do secondary school teachers, except special and career/technical 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.