Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School Salary
The median pay for a special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school in Washington is $95,040/year, per BLS data. The range runs from $66K at the entry level to $127K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 102.01), that's roughly $93,167 in purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,830/month, or 28.8% 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 $95K get you in Washington?
About special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary schools
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What this looks like in Washington
Washington sits well above the national pay line for special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school, local pay runs about 46% higher than the U.S. median of $65K. Rent runs $1,830/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 29.2% 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 special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary schools (10th percentile) start around $66K. Mid-career wages sit at $95K. Top earners bring in $127K or more, a $61K spread from bottom to top.
Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School salary by metro in Washington
10 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue | $100K | +5% | 1,740 |
| Mount Vernon-Anacortes | $100K | +5% | 60 |
| Bellingham | $96K | +1% | 110 |
| Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard | $95K | +0% | 130 |
| Kennewick-Richland | $85K | -11% | 170 |
| Yakima | $83K | -13% | 140 |
| Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater | $81K | -15% | 140 |
| Longview-Kelso | $81K | -15% | 60 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley | $79K | -17% | 260 |
| Wenatchee-East Wenatchee | $75K | -21% | 60 |
Compare to other states
Track special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Washington numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school afford a 2BR apartment alone in Washington?
Yes — at the median salary of $95K, rent takes 29.2% 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 special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary schools in Washington?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary schools typically earn — is $66K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $3,957/month. At HUD’s $1,830/month FMR, rent would take 46% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school a high-paying job in Washington?
Local pay is 46% above the national median — $95K here vs. $65K nationally.
How does Washington compare to the national average for special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary schools?
Washington pays $95K median vs. the U.S. average of $65K — that’s +46%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 102.01), the purchasing-power equivalent is $93K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary schools make in Washington?
The median is $95,040 a year. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $65,950, and experienced special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary schools can clear $126,570. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $95K enough to live in Washington?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $6,271/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,830/month, which eats 29.2% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school 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 special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school salary is worth about $93,167 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary schools 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.