Special Education Teachers, Secondary School Salary
The median pay for a special education teachers, secondary school in Washington is $101,120/year, per BLS data. The range runs from $68K at the entry level to $128K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 102.01), that's roughly $99,128 in purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,830/month, or 27% 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 $101K get you in Washington?
About special education teachers, secondary schools
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What this looks like in Washington
Washington sits well above the national pay line for special education teachers, secondary school, local pay runs about 36% higher than the U.S. median of $74K. Rent runs $1,830/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 27.6% 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, secondary schools (10th percentile) start around $68K. Mid-career wages sit at $101K. Top earners bring in $128K or more, a $60K spread from bottom to top.
Special Education Teachers, Secondary School salary by metro in Washington
10 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mount Vernon-Anacortes | $103K | +2% | 60 |
| Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard | $103K | +2% | 80 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue | $102K | +1% | 1,270 |
| Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater | $101K | -0% | 90 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley | $98K | -4% | 220 |
| Bellingham | $97K | -4% | 70 |
| Wenatchee-East Wenatchee | $93K | -8% | 30 |
| Kennewick-Richland | $90K | -11% | 120 |
| Yakima | $86K | -15% | 90 |
| Longview-Kelso | $82K | -19% | 40 |
Compare to other states
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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 special education teachers, secondary school afford a 2BR apartment alone in Washington?
Yes — at the median salary of $101K, rent takes 27.6% 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, secondary schools in Washington?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new special education teachers, secondary schools typically earn — is $68K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $4,073/month. At HUD’s $1,830/month FMR, rent would take 45% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is special education teachers, secondary school a high-paying job in Washington?
Local pay is 36% above the national median — $101K here vs. $74K nationally.
How does Washington compare to the national average for special education teachers, secondary schools?
Washington pays $101K median vs. the U.S. average of $74K — that’s +36%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 102.01), the purchasing-power equivalent is $99K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do special education teachers, secondary schools make in Washington?
The median is $101,120 a year. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $67,880, and experienced special education teachers, secondary schools can clear $128,090. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $101K enough to live in Washington?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $6,627/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,830/month, which eats 27.6% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a special education teachers, secondary 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, secondary school salary is worth about $99,128 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do special education teachers, secondary 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.