Is Washington a Good State for Teachers?
Published: | by Hannah Sparling
If you’re considering a teaching career in Washington State, you might be excited by the high teacher pay. Maybe you’re looking forward to the fact Washington does not have a state income tax or eagerly scanning job postings that would put you in the mountains, on the coast, or in a big city like Seattle or Spokane.
There’s a lot to love about a teaching career in Washington. However, Washington is a diverse state, and a teaching job in Seattle will look a lot different than a job in Yakima. This post breaks down some of the pros and cons of teaching in Washington, including pay, benefits, and quality of life by region.
Competitive Compensation & Benefits
The average teacher in Washington makes $96,589 a year, according to the National Education Association. That’s the third-highest rate in the nation and more than $20,000 a year higher than the national average. When you factor in that Washington doesn’t have a state income tax, that take-home pay is even more impressive.
However, a reality check: That nearly six-figure salary is an average, and pay can vary widely by region in Washington. The higher teacher salaries are more likely to be found in areas that also come with a higher cost of living. (Seattle, for example, has a cost of living 45% higher than the national average, according to Payscale.)
Beyond the initial salary, Washington educators are also part of the Teacher’s Retirement System (TRS), which involves a pension and investment fund. Your employer contributes to the pension, which, once you meet the requirements, guarantees you a monthly benefit for the rest of your life. You contribute to the investment account, which can lead to even greater income in retirement.
Recruitment Incentives & Financial Support
The U.S. Department of Labor is projecting an 8% increase in jobs for elementary, middle, and secondary school teachers in Washington from 2024 through 2034. That equates to more than 5,400 open jobs every year.
The Washington Student Achievement Council (WSAC) runs several scholarship programs for aspiring teachers, especially those training to teach in shortage areas like special education, elementary education, math, computer science, and bilingual education. There are also specific scholarship programs for paraeducators wanting to become certified teachers and those taking an alternative route to certification.
Washington’s Grow Your Own initiative, run through the Professional Educator Standards Board (PESB), helps paraeducators, career changers, and people already working in their communities become certified teachers, often with financial support built in.
On the federal side, teachers can look into Teacher Loan Forgiveness (TLF) and Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF), along with other loan-forgiveness programs.
Career Advancement & Professional Development
Washington has more than 11,000 National Board Certified Teachers, the third-largest group in the nation, according to the Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction. The state prioritizes this kind of professional development and growth, even giving a bonus to all eligible K-12 board-certified teachers.
In the 2026-27 school year, the NBCT bonus in Washington was $6,514, according to OSPI. Board-certified teachers in high-poverty schools could get an extra $5,000 on top of that, for a total bonus of up to $11,514.
Base pay is always going to vary district by district, but in general, teachers earn more through years of service and by earning national board certification or another type of advanced certification or degree. If you’re looking to increase your teacher salary in Washington, Moreland University offers 12-month master’s degree programs, 100% online.
Quality of Life
Washington teachers can choose from a wide range of cities, from tech-hub Seattle to quiet agricultural towns further east. Pay and cost of living shift with each. Here’s a high-level look at some popular Washington cities:
| Cost of Living | Median Home Value | Average Commute | Population | Community | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Statewide | 24% higher than the national average | $543,333 | Varies | 8 million | Mix of urban, rural, and suburban |
| Seattle | 45% higher than the national average | $920,614 | 23 minutes | 794,955 | Big-city, tech-driven, outdoorsy |
| Everett | 27% higher | $607,920 | 21 minutes | 114,898 | Aerospace hub, waterfront, growing community |
| Tacoma | 20% higher | $506,872 | 22 minutes | 230,564 | Port city, artsy, diverse |
| Yakima | 2% higher | $322,056 | 15 minutes | 98,760 | Apple country, agricultural, small-town feel |
| Spokane | 2% lower | $395,808 | 19 minutes | 230,407 | Outdoorsy, small-town feel, growing community |
| Kennewick | 4% lower | $404,489 | 17 minutes | 87,790 | Wine country, sunny and dry |
Sources: U.S. News & World Report, RentCafe
Mobility & Flexibility
Washington doesn’t push every teacher down the same path. Alongside traditional university teacher-prep programs, the state backs four alternative routes to certification built for career changers, paraeducators, and school staff who already have a foot in the classroom.
Depending on the route you choose, you could go from a bachelor’s degree to a certified teacher in less than a year, with student teaching built into that timeframe rather than tacked on the end.
That flexibility carries over to where you can teach, too. Most Washington teachers work in traditional public schools, but the state also has a small charter school sector plus private schools, if that’s the direction you’d rather go.
Become a Teacher in Washington with Moreland University
Moreland University supports Washington teachers through our 9-month teacher certification program, 12-month master’s degrees, and ongoing professional development.
To learn more, join an upcoming information session. Or click here to book a 1:1 chat with our team. We’re happy to answer your questions and talk through your options.
