Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School · Washington

Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School Salary in Washington

Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School in Washington earn a median annual wage of $95,040 —45.9% above the national median of $65,120. That ranks WA #3 of 51 covered states and territories for this occupation.

Median annual
$95,040
Median hourly
—
Entry level (P10)
$65,950
10th percentile
Top 10% (P90)
$126,570
90th percentile
Employment
3,450
1.0 per 1,000 jobs
vs U.S. median
+45.9%
U.S. $65,120

Wage distribution

How earnings are spread across workers in this occupation, from the 10th to the 90th percentile.

10th percentile90th percentile
$65,950
$78,960
$95,040
$106,330
$65,950$95,040$126,570
Annual wage distribution. Highlighted segment contains the median of $95,040.

Employment is only 0.58× as concentrated as the national average — this occupation is relatively scarce in Washington.

Highest-paying states for special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school

All 51 states ranked by median annual wage. Washington is highlighted.

#StateMedian annual Median hourlyEmploymentLocation quotient
1District of Columbia$97,910—1,0700.91
2California$97,170—23,2800.76
3Washington$95,040—3,4500.58
4Massachusetts$91,350—7,2201.18
5Rhode Island$84,300—1,0701.28
6Connecticut$82,950—2,8100.99
7New York$81,260—21,1301.30
8Alaska$80,230—3200.58
9Maryland$78,850—2,7600.60
10Illinois$77,960—14,0401.37

Related occupations in Washington

Occupations in the same job family, compared within Washington.

Frequently asked questions

How much do special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school make in Washington?

The median annual wage for special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school in Washington is $95,040, or — per hour. That is 45.9% above the national median of $65,120.

What is the entry-level special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school salary in Washington?

Workers at the 10th percentile earn $65,950 per year (—/hour). The 25th percentile is $78,960.

How many people work as special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school in Washington?

About 3,450 people work in this occupation in Washington, or 1.0 per 1,000 jobs statewide.

Is Washington a good state for special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school?

Washington ranks #3 of 51 states by median wage for this occupation. Employment is only 0.58x as concentrated as the national average, so this occupation is relatively scarce in Washington.

Which state pays special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school the most?

District of Columbia has the highest median wage at $97,910 per year, followed by California ($97,170) and Washington ($95,040).

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025. Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, cross-industry estimates. Retrieved 2026-10-26. Figures are rounded by BLS to the nearest dollar (annual) and cent (hourly). Percentile wages describe the distribution of workers, not the pay range for a single job posting. bls.gov/oes