Preschool Teacher, Except Special Education Salary in Washington (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education in Washington, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Washington Median
$45,660
per year
Hourly Rate
$21.95
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+20% vs US median
US median $38,140
State Rank
#12 of 51
13,210 employed here

How much does a Preschool Teacher, Except Special Education make in Washington?

Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education in Washington take home a median of $45,660 annually — roughly $21.95 an hour — which runs 20% above the national median of $38,140.

Within Washington, entry-level pay starts around $38,080 while the top 10% make $60,130 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $42,800 and $48,490 a year.

Preschool Teacher, Except Special Education salary range in Washington

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$38,080$18.31
25th percentile (early career)$42,800$20.58
50th percentile (median)$45,660$21.95
75th percentile (experienced)$48,490$23.31
90th percentile (top earners)$60,130$28.91

How Washington compares

Washington ranks 12th out of 51 states and territories for Preschool Teacher, Except Special Education pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1District of Columbia$62,150
2Vermont$49,730
3Hawaii$48,780
4New Jersey$48,220
5Kansas$47,750

Working as a Preschool Teacher, Except Special Education in Washington

Nationally, about 479,000 people work as Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.

Considering a move? Compare Washington pay ($45,660) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Preschool Teacher, Except Special Education make in Washington?
The median Preschool Teacher, Except Special Education salary in Washington is $45,660 per year, or about $21.95 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $38,080 at the entry level to $60,130 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Washington pay compare to the national average?
Washington pays Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education about 20% more than the national median of $38,140. Washington ranks 12th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Washington a good state for Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education?
Yes on pay — Washington pays above the national median for this occupation, at $45,660 a year. About 13,210 Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education are employed in Washington. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Washington?
The highest-paying occupations in Washington include Cardiologist ($656,330), Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($553,310), Dermatologist ($526,170), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Preschool Teacher, Except Special Education salary report

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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.