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State profile · NCES F-33 FY2023

Teacher Salary in Washington

Washington's top-to-bottom district pay ratio (4.28x) ranks #2 of 47, upper-third dispersion. According to the NCES Common Core of Data finance survey, estimated teacher pay and per-pupil spending are available for every public school district in Washington.

$88,556
Est. state avg salary

Well above benchmark

+26.1%
vs national
#6
National rank
294
Districts

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$88,556/year (est.)

Washington's top-to-bottom district pay ratio (4.28x) ranks #2 of 47, upper-third dispersion. Estimated average teacher salary is $88,556, meaningfully above the national average of $70,245, ranking #6 of 49, across 229 public school districts with reliable data (NCES CCD F-33, FY2023).

  • Wide district pay spread: Washington's top-to-bottom district pay ratio (4.28x) ranks #2 of 47, upper-third dispersion.
  • upper third nationally (#6 of 49)
  • Washington ranks #6 of 49 on the salary estimate and #12 of 49 on enrollment in the same reliable-district pool.
  • $101,190 spread between its highest- and lowest-paying districts
  • #2 of 47 states for pay dispersion (widest decile, 4.28x top/bottom ratio)
  • +26.1% vs the national average
  • +21.1% estimated-basis panel FY2019→FY2023 (balanced cohort, not the FTE average above)
  • #6 of 49 purchasing-power-adjusted (BEA RPP 108.4)

The distinguishing axis

How wide is the district pay spread in Washington?

Lopez School District sits at $132,000 and Quillayute Valley School District at $30,810 among reliable-salary districts. That 4.28x top-to-bottom ratio ranks #2 of 47 comparable states, in the widest decile.

This describes the observed F-33 distribution, not why it exists. The comparison excludes service agencies and states with fewer than five reliable district estimates; see the dispersion method.

Washington purchasing-power check on upper-third pay

Washington's nominal average teacher salary ranks #6 of the 49 states and territories that report teacher salaries. Adjusted by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis's 2023 Regional Price Parity (108.4, US = 100, a relative state-level price-level index, not a district or metro cost-of-living figure), the estimate becomes $91,089, ranking #6 of 49 , unchanged from the nominal rank. This purchasing-power view is not published by NEA's teacher-pay rankings or the aggregator sites; it comes from combining our own F-33-derived salary estimate with BEA's public RPP series. See the full 51-state release for methodology and download. BEA Regional Price Parities · NCES CCD F-33

Washington in the teacher-salary distribution

FY2023 estimated state averages from the same NCES-derived ranking

$88,556 Top 12% higher than 88% of 49 reporting states and territories

Show national distribution $0–$5,000: 0 reporting states and territories (0%). Below this entry. $5,000–$10,000: 0 reporting states and territories (0%). Below this entry. $10,000–$15,000: 0 reporting states and territories (0%). Below this entry. $15,000–$20,000: 0 reporting states and territories (0%). Below this entry. $20,000–$25,000: 0 reporting states and territories (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$30,000: 0 reporting states and territories (0%). Below this entry. $30,000–$35,000: 0 reporting states and territories (0%). Below this entry. $35,000–$40,000: 0 reporting states and territories (0%). Below this entry. $40,000–$45,000: 1 reporting states and territories (2%). Below this entry. $45,000–$50,000: 2 reporting states and territories (4%). Below this entry. $50,000–$55,000: 6 reporting states and territories (12%). Below this entry. $55,000–$60,000: 5 reporting states and territories (10%). Below this entry. $60,000–$65,000: 9 reporting states and territories (18%). Below this entry. $65,000–$70,000: 7 reporting states and territories (14%). Below this entry. $70,000–$75,000: 2 reporting states and territories (4%). Below this entry. $75,000–$80,000: 4 reporting states and territories (8%). Below this entry. $80,000–$85,000: 5 reporting states and territories (10%). Below this entry. $85,000–$90,000: 5 reporting states and territories (10%). This entry sits in this band. $90,000–$95,000: 1 reporting states and territories (2%). Above this entry. $95,000–$100,000: 0 reporting states and territories (0%). Above this entry. $100,000–$105,000: 0 reporting states and territories (0%). Above this entry. $105,000–$110,000: 0 reporting states and territories (0%). Above this entry. $110,000–$115,000: 1 reporting states and territories (2%). Above this entry. $115,000–$120,000: 0 reporting states and territories (0%). Above this entry. $120,000–$125,000: 1 reporting states and territories (2%). Above this entry. Washington $0 $125,000 reporting state salary estimates, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $5K-wide band; taller bars hold more reporting states and territories. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source NCES CCD F-33 Finance Survey; state estimates derived from reported instructional-salary expenditure and teacher FTE · FY2023

Washington's comparable salary trend

Same reporting-district cohort, FY2019-FY2023

FY2023 estimated average
$85,354 21.142613615699766% vs FY2019
258 districts held in the panel
$65,000$70,000$75,000$80,000$85,000$90,000 FY2019FY2020FY2021FY2022FY2023 Washington est. avg teacher salary, FY2019: $70,458Washington est. avg teacher salary, FY2020: $72,252Washington est. avg teacher salary, FY2021: $77,370Washington est. avg teacher salary, FY2022: $80,486Washington est. avg teacher salary, FY2023: $85,354 $70,458 $85,354 ▲ +21.1%
Read the chart as text
Period Washington est. avg teacher salary
FY2019 $70,458
FY2020 $72,252
FY2021 $77,370
FY2022 $80,486
FY2023 $85,354

Highest-paying districts in Washington

Estimated average teacher salary, enrolling districts (200+ students)

Est. avg salary

What this shows Lopez School District leads Washington on the F-33 instructional-salary estimate. Service entities (CTCs, county offices) are excluded, their enrollment-based ratios are not reliable salary figures.

Source NCES CCD F-33 Finance Survey, FY2023 As of FY2023

Top 3 districts

1 $132,000

Lopez School District

Est. avg teacher salary
2 $123,009

Everett School District

Est. avg teacher salary
3 $122,133

Shoreline School District

Est. avg teacher salary

Districts by Estimated Teacher Salary

District Est. Avg Salary Enrollment Per-Pupil Exp
Lopez School District $132,000 228 $32,662
Everett School District $123,009 20,359 $20,535
Shoreline School District $122,133 9,564 $20,106
Mukilteo School District $120,075 15,131 $24,719
Issaquah School District $118,478 19,524 $20,278
Edmonds School District $116,842 20,459 $20,588
Snohomish School District $115,958 9,418 $19,611
Marysville School District $115,433 10,196 $19,658
Bellevue School District $113,250 19,089 $27,190
Lake Stevens School District $113,160 9,687 $17,724
Arlington School District $112,784 5,506 $18,500
Tahoma School District $112,191 9,112 $19,286
Seattle School District No. 1 $111,621 51,238 $27,288
Stanwood-Camano School District $110,910 4,812 $19,775
Tacoma School District $110,691 28,311 $24,274
Northshore School District $110,559 22,944 $21,857
Lake Washington School District $110,467 30,991 $19,927
Anacortes School District $108,140 2,606 $19,285
Highline School District $107,741 18,048 $23,768
Vashon Island School District $107,575 1,539 $19,304
Richland School District $107,434 13,948 $17,685
Dieringer School District $107,128 1,402 $20,442
Bainbridge Island School District $106,775 3,594 $20,307
Conway School District $106,423 444 $18,764
Fife School District $105,778 3,893 $22,342
Kent School District $105,486 25,586 $20,993
Tukwila School District $104,788 2,715 $25,759
Mercer Island School District $104,352 4,057 $20,696
Central Kitsap School District $103,916 11,206 $21,151
Pasco School District $103,077 18,515 $18,553
Moses Lake School District $102,940 8,686 $19,407
Quilcene School District $102,345 726 $14,614
Coupeville School District $102,058 1,055 $18,674
Evergreen School District (Clark) $101,682 22,591 $23,573
Sultan School District $101,661 2,074 $21,074
Monroe School District $101,649 5,734 $18,092
Puyallup School District $101,459 23,104 $18,642
Sumner-Bonney Lake School District $100,505 10,414 $19,716
Tumwater School District $100,254 6,461 $17,979
La Conner School District $99,926 536 $30,366
Riverview School District $99,627 3,111 $18,556
Renton School District $99,558 15,230 $28,208
Steilacoom Hist. School District $99,438 3,098 $18,208
Sedro-Woolley School District $98,988 4,593 $18,799
Peninsula School District $98,497 8,969 $21,098
Montesano School District $98,407 1,430 $18,412
North Thurston Public Schools $98,215 15,119 $22,316
University Place School District $97,943 5,619 $17,217
Snoqualmie Valley School District $97,942 7,086 $19,872
Mead School District $97,866 10,320 $16,771
Bremerton School District $97,786 4,383 $23,439
Sequim School District $97,654 2,602 $18,337
Washougal School District $97,156 2,865 $19,210
Enumclaw School District $96,809 4,436 $17,773
Ferndale School District $96,664 4,651 $27,551
Federal Way School District $96,509 21,606 $22,859
La Center School District $96,462 1,769 $16,437
Orcas Island School District $96,193 701 $20,000
Blaine School District $96,183 2,081 $20,768
South Whidbey School District $96,180 1,202 $21,364
Camas School District $96,155 7,324 $16,974
Chehalis School District $96,022 3,012 $18,924
Lakewood School District $95,924 2,627 $18,880
Mount Vernon School District $95,757 6,545 $22,613
Mount Baker School District $95,678 1,692 $21,845
Elma School District $95,400 1,708 $17,010
Bellingham School District $95,138 11,614 $22,482
South Kitsap School District $94,771 9,196 $20,095
Central Valley School District $94,549 14,688 $17,117
North Kitsap School District $94,530 5,418 $20,497
Granger School District $94,037 1,501 $19,823
Granite Falls School District $93,629 2,326 $18,183
Griffin School District $93,427 577 $18,459
Auburn School District $93,409 17,857 $24,850
Burlington-Edison School District $93,376 3,351 $21,675
Kennewick School District $93,311 19,311 $17,380
Clover Park School District $92,534 12,566 $20,468
Vancouver School District $92,276 22,003 $20,934
Battle Ground School District $92,107 12,393 $18,080
Hockinson School District $91,879 2,000 $16,077
Prosser School District $91,812 2,414 $25,978
Oak Harbor School District $91,804 5,730 $19,504
Yakima School District $91,705 15,553 $20,338
East Valley School District (Spokane) $91,672 3,670 $19,921
Pe Ell School District $91,419 271 $23,391
Toutle Lake School District $90,979 690 $18,130
Ellensburg School District $90,510 3,238 $18,526
Bethel School District $90,395 21,156 $20,305
Franklin Pierce School District $90,316 7,425 $23,381
San Juan Island School District $90,217 782 $21,143
West Valley School District (Yakima) $90,194 5,490 $16,450
East Valley School District (Yakima) $90,124 3,334 $17,449
Eatonville School District $90,029 1,944 $18,562
Shelton School District $89,987 4,540 $18,904
Ephrata School District $89,975 2,807 $19,226
Wahluke School District $89,822 2,536 $20,736
West Valley School District (Spokane) $89,554 3,483 $18,768
Toppenish School District $89,470 4,246 $21,477
Hood Canal School District $89,435 346 $26,228
Olympia School District $89,061 9,633 $19,588

Showing 1–100 of 229 enrolling districts. Specialized non-enrolling agencies (career/technical centers, county offices, service co-ops) are excluded from the salary ranking, their enrollment-based estimates are not reliable.

Lowest-Paying Districts in Washington

District Est. Avg Salary Enrollment
Quillayute Valley School District $30,810 2,473
Goldendale School District $31,031 2,976
Oakville School District $57,620 341
Curlew School District $63,982 249
Selkirk School District $66,868 263
Wahkiakum School District $67,411 431
Colville School District $68,099 1,685
Grapeview School District $68,207 241
Cusick School District $68,458 356
Reardan-Edwall School District $69,147 671

Among enrolling districts (200+ students) with a reliable estimate; service entities excluded, see methodology.

Nationwide peers near Washington's large K-12 scale

Two nationwide peer sets for Washington: closest on estimated average teacher salary ($88,556 here) and closest on total student enrollment (1,084,290 here). Link sets are deduped so each column is a distinct comparison path, not geographic containment.

Similar estimated salary

Nearest other states by unweighted district-mean teacher pay (F-33 derived, ≥5 districts with reliable estimates).

Similar enrollment

Nearest other states by NCES-reported K-12 enrollment. Salary peers above are excluded.

Compare Nearby-Ranked States

Delaware
$92,029
Rank #3
New York
$89,760
Rank #4
Rhode Island
$89,674
Rank #5
New Hampshire
$87,877
Rank #7

Data: NCES CCD F-33 Finance Survey + Staff Universe Survey, FY2023. Salary figures divide instructional expenditure (variable Z33) by each district's reported teacher FTE, or an estimated FTE for the small minority with no reported figure. Not individual salary data. Read our methodology.

Washington teacher salary FAQ

What is the average teacher salary in Washington?

Across 229 Washington public school districts with reliable data, the average teacher salary is $88,556 (NCES CCD F-33 reported teacher salaries divided by CCD Staff Universe Survey teacher headcounts, FY2023). It is a district-level mean derived from finance filings, so it will not match a contract-salary survey exactly, read it as a relative comparison.

Which Washington school district pays teachers the most?

Lopez School District reports the highest average teacher salary in Washington at $132,000, while Quillayute Valley School District sits at the lower end at $30,810.

How does Washington teacher pay compare to the national average?

Washington's average of $88,556 is meaningfully above the national average of $70,245 (+26.1%), ranking #6 of the 49 jurisdictions with a reliable district estimate.

How many school districts are in Washington?

Washington has 294 public school districts in the NCES CCD F-33 Finance Survey, together serving 1,083,523 students.

How much do teachers make in Washington?

District-average teacher pay in Washington runs from $30,810 in Quillayute Valley School District to $132,000 in Lopez School District, with 39 of 229 reliable-data districts at $100,000 or above. Where a teacher lands depends far more on which district employs them than on the statewide figure. These are district-wide averages from NCES CCD F-33 (FY2023), not individual salaries or pay-scale steps.

Can teachers earn $100,000 in Washington?

39 of 229 Washington districts with reliable data report an estimated average teacher salary of $100,000 or more, led by Lopez School District at $132,000. This is a district-wide average, not an individual salary, step, or years-of-experience figure.

How does Washington rank after adjusting for cost of living?

Within the separate enrollment-weighted state comparison, BEA's 2023 Regional Price Parity (108.4, US=100) adjusts Washington's nominal estimate of $98,713 from #4 to $91,089 and #6. The headline uses an unweighted district mean, so this does not replace it. Neither measure is take-home pay, taxes, or district/metro cost of living.

Explore Washington

Disclaimer & data sources

Data sourced from official public datasets. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainTeacher for Washington