Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School salary in Washington
Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School in Washington earn a median of $95,040 a year, based on BLS data for 3,450 workers.
Pay ranges from $65,950 for the lowest-paid 10% to $126,570 for the top 10%. That is 46% higher than the national median of $65,120. Washington ranks 3rd of 51 states for special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.97 special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.58). The average (mean) salary is $93,970, close to the median.
Pay range for special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school in Washington
| Pay level | Yearly |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $65,950 |
| 25th percentile | $78,960 |
| Median | $95,040 |
| 75th percentile | $106,330 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $126,570 |
| Average (mean) | $93,970 |
Half of special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $7,920 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,960 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,655.38 |
| Weekly | $1,827.69 |
BLS publishes only yearly pay for this job, because special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school are usually paid a salary and may not work a full 2,080-hour year. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $95,040 salary, see how much house you can afford in Washington at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School salary in cities in Washington
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $100,150 | 1,740 |
| Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA | $99,840 | 60 |
| Bellingham, WA | $95,610 | 110 |
| Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA | $95,040 | 130 |
| Kennewick-Richland, WA | $85,000 | 170 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $83,140 | 890 |
| Yakima, WA | $82,790 | 140 |
| Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA | $81,150 | 140 |
| Longview-Kelso, WA | $80,800 | 60 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA | $79,220 | 260 |
| Wenatchee-East Wenatchee, WA | $74,860 | 60 |
Highest-paying states for special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $97,910 |
| California | $97,170 |
| Washington | $95,040 |
| Massachusetts | $91,350 |
| Rhode Island | $84,300 |
| Connecticut | $82,950 |
| New York | $81,260 |
| Alaska | $80,230 |
| Maryland | $78,850 |
| Illinois | $77,960 |
See Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School pay in every state.
Related jobs in Washington
More: Educational Instruction and Library Occupations · all salaries in Washington
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 25-2052. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school make in Washington?
The median salary for special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school in Washington is $95,040 a year. Pay ranges from $65,950 for the lowest-paid 10% to $126,570 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school make in Washington?
The top 10% of special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school in Washington earn at least $126,570 a year. The top 25% earn $106,330 or more.
What is the starting pay for special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school in Washington?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $65,950 a year, and a quarter of special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school earn $78,960 or less.
How many special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school work in Washington?
About 3,450 special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school are employed in Washington, not counting the self-employed.