Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School Salary in Washington (2026)

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Washington Median
$95,040
per year
Hourly Rate
$45.69
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+46% vs US median
US median $65,120
State Rank
#3 of 51
3,450 employed here

How much do Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School make in Washington?

Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School working in Washington earn a median salary of $95,040 per year, or about $45.69 per hour. That is 46% above the national median of $65,120 for this occupation.

Within Washington, entry-level pay starts around $65,950 while the top 10% make $126,570 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $78,960 and $106,330 a year.

Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School salary range in Washington

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$65,950$31.71
25th percentile (early career)$78,960$37.96
50th percentile (median)$95,040$45.69
75th percentile (experienced)$106,330$51.12
90th percentile (top earners)$126,570$60.85

How Washington compares

Washington ranks 3rd out of 51 states and territories for Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1District of Columbia$97,910
2California$97,170
3Washington$95,040
4Massachusetts$91,350
5Rhode Island$84,300

Working as Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School in Washington

Nationally, about 261,000 people work as Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.

Considering a move? Compare Washington pay ($95,040) 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 do Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School make in Washington?
The median Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School salary in Washington is $95,040 per year, or about $45.69 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $65,950 at the entry level to $126,570 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Washington pay compare to the national average?
Washington pays Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School about 46% more than the national median of $65,120. Washington ranks 3rd out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Washington a good state for Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School?
Yes on pay — Washington pays above the national median for this occupation, at $95,040 a year. About 3,450 Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School 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 Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School salary report

Related salaries

Elementary School Teacher, Except Special Education

$63,970
median pay · 1,388,000 employed

Curator

$63,420
median pay · 12,000 employed

Archivist

$64,550
median pay · 8,000 employed

Special Education Teacher, Preschool

$64,830
median pay · 30,000 employed

Communication Teachers, Postsecondary

$78,580
median pay · 29,000 employed

Educational Instruction and Library Workers, All Other

$50,890
median pay · 119,000 employed
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.