Secondary School Teachers in Washington. BLS OES + DOL OFLC + reader-reported submissions. How this is built →
What the numbers say
Washington's median secondary school teacher earned $99,640 in 2024, about 38% above the national median of $72,150. That gap is unusually wide for a teaching role. Most states land within 10 to 20 percent of the national figure. Washington sits well outside that range.
The spread within the state tells a similar story. A teacher at the 10th percentile earned $62,570. One at the 90th earned $123,250, almost double. That range reflects how much district, seniority, and union contract structure can move a teacher's pay. Entry-level salaries in smaller districts look much closer to what a peer would earn in Ohio or Tennessee. Senior salaries in larger metro districts do not.
Washington's cost-of-living index is 108.9, meaning prices here run about 9% above the national baseline. After adjusting for that, the effective premium over the national median narrows from 38% to roughly 27%. Still a real advantage, but smaller than the headline number suggests. The average wage of $95,830 sitting below the median is worth noting. It means the lower end of the pay scale drags the average down, not the top.
On outlook, BLS projects a 1.6% decline in secondary school teacher employment between 2024 and 2034. BLS classifies that as a decline. Enrollment trends and demographic shifts in some regions are driving that picture nationally. Washington's own trajectory may differ by district, but the state shares the same demographic headwinds as most of the country.
Salary distribution
Where Washington secondary school teachers fall on the wage curve.
Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)
The middle 50% of workers earn between $81,360 and $121,100, with a median of $102,670.
Secondary School Teachers in Washington: actual employer-disclosed pay
Public records from 5 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. Median offered wage: $81,494. Every figure below is an actual offered salary an employer attested to under federal law.
By DOL wage level
DOL classifies every offer into one of four wage levels based on the role's experience and skill requirements.
| Level | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|
| Level I — entry | 2 | $72,610 |
| Level II — qualified | 1 | $85,063 |
Top employers filing for this role
Companies with the most certified filings for Secondary School Teachers in Washington. Median offer is across all of that employer's filings.
| Employer | Most-filed title | Filings | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| EASTSIDE PREPARATORY SCHOOL | HUMANITIES TEACHER | 1 | $85,063 |
| Enlightium Academy LLC | Media Arts Teacher | 1 | $65,370 |
| Forest Ridge School of the Sacred Heart | Upper School Math Teacher | 1 | $79,850 |
| Richland School District 400 | Teacher | 1 | $81,494 |
| Seattle School District No. 1 | Spanish Immersion Teacher | 1 | $143,506 |
Recent sample filings
A snapshot of recent certified offers. Each line is a real, public, verifiable record.
- Spanish Immersion Teacher at Seattle School District No. 1$143,506SeattleDecided Mar 10, 2026I-200-26062-677140
- Upper School Math Teacher at Forest Ridge School of the Sacred Heart$79,850BellevueWage Level IDecided Nov 17, 2025I-200-25311-389443
- Media Arts Teacher at Enlightium Academy LLC$65,370SpokaneWage Level IDecided Jul 29, 2025I-200-25203-191491
- Teacher at Richland School District 400$81,494RichlandDecided Jun 12, 2025I-200-25156-059028
- HUMANITIES TEACHER at EASTSIDE PREPARATORY SCHOOL$85,063KIRKLANDWage Level IIDecided Nov 14, 2024I-200-24311-457768
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Foreign Labor Certification. Disclosed wages reflect what employers attested to pay; actual paid wages may differ. Only certified filings are shown — denied and withdrawn cases are excluded.
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Secondary School Teachers pay by experience level in Washington
Each band reflects DOL Wage Levels I-IV mapped onto a four-step ladder. Click a level to see the disclosed-wage range for that segment.
Wage trend
Median annual wage in Washington over the past 3 BLS OES releases. Real values are CPI-adjusted to 2025 dollars.
Typical entry
Education
Bachelor's degree
Experience
None
On-the-job training
Internship/residency
Top skills (O*NET)
- 4.6 / 5
English Language
Knowledge
- 4.5 / 5
Education and Training
Knowledge
- 4.3 / 5
Oral Expression
Ability
- 4.1 / 5
Speaking
Basic skill
- 4.1 / 5
Instructing
Technical
- 4.1 / 5
Oral Comprehension
Ability
- 4.0 / 5
Learning Strategies
Cross-functional
- 4.0 / 5
Reading Comprehension
Basic skill
Common tasks (O*NET)
- 01
Prepare materials and classrooms for class activities.
- 02
Instruct through lectures, discussions, and demonstrations in one or more subjects, such as English, mathematics, or social studies.
- 03
Establish clear objectives for all lessons, units, and projects, and communicate those objectives to students.
- 04
Establish and enforce rules for behavior and procedures for maintaining order among students.
- 05
Adapt teaching methods and instructional materials to meet students' varying needs and interests.
- 06
Maintain accurate and complete student records as required by laws, district policies, and administrative regulations.
- 07
Observe and evaluate students' performance, behavior, social development, and physical health.
- 08
Plan and conduct activities for a balanced program of instruction, demonstration, and work time that provides students with opportunities to observe, question, and investigate.
10-year outlook
Growth 2024 → 2034
-1.6%
Projected annual openings
—
BLS outlook
Declining
Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034 cycle.
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Explore coursesTop metros in Washington
Metro-level salary data for secondary school teachers in major Washington metropolitan areas.
- Seattle$102,670
Compare Secondary School Teachers pay across nearby states
Considering a move? Compare Washington with another state
Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Secondary School Teachers in Washington?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, the median annual wage for Secondary School Teachers in Washington is $102,670.
- How does Washington compare to the national median for Secondary School Teachers?
- The Washington median is +37.7% versus the BLS national figure of $74,587.
- What is the salary range for Secondary School Teachers in Washington?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $62,950 and the 90th-percentile at $128,410, which captures most full-time workers in the role.
- Is Secondary School Teachers a growing field?
- BLS Employment Projections show employment declining by -1.6% over the projection cycle. See the 10-year outlook section above for details.
- What education is required for Secondary School Teachers?
- BLS lists the typical entry-level education as Bachelor's degree. Many employers also weigh prior experience and credentials.
Information on this page is for general educational purposes only. It is not career, financial, or tax advice. Wage data reflects BLS estimates for the reference year shown and may not match individual offers, employer-specific ranges, or current market conditions. Confirm with a licensed professional before making career or compensation decisions.