Teacher Salary

Kennewick vs Mount Vernon: Elementary School Teacher Salary (2026)

Compare elementary school teacher salaries between Kennewick, WA and Mount Vernon, WA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Kennewick, WA
$101,364
$48.73/hr
Mount Vernon, WA
$101,717
$48.90/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricKennewick, WAMount Vernon, WA
Median Salary$101,364$101,717
Hourly Rate$48.73$48.90
Entry Level (P10)$67,031$80,168
25th Percentile$80,380$100,192
75th Percentile$112,785$127,841
Top Earner (P90)$117,117$134,142
Total Employed1,410500
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Kennewick ($101,364) and Mount Vernon ($101,717) elementary school teacher salaries.KennewickMount VernonMedian Salary$101,364$101,717Entry Level (P10)$67,031$80,168Top Earner (P90)$117,117$134,142US Median $64,597

Verdict

Mount Vernon, WA offers better overall compensation for elementary school teachers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Kennewick.

The salary gap between Kennewick and Mount Vernon is $353 (0.35%). Mount Vernon's median is +57.46% compared to the US national median of $64,597.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Kennewick spans $50,086,Mount Vernon spans $53,974. Mount Vernon has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced elementary school teachers.

Kennewick
P10 (Entry)$67,031
P25$80,380
Median$101,364
P75$112,785
P90 (Top)$117,117
Mount Vernon
P10 (Entry)$80,168
P25$100,192
Median$101,717
P75$127,841
P90 (Top)$134,142

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Kennewick ($101,284 effective) pays 2.01% more than Mount Vernon ($99,291 effective).

Kennewick
Nominal: $101,364
CoL Index: 100.079
Adjusted: $101,284
Mount Vernon
Nominal: $101,717
CoL Index: 102.443
Adjusted: $99,291

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Kennewick if…

  • Larger job market (1,410 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $101,284)
  • You prefer the Washington area and lifestyle

Choose Mount Vernon if…

  • Higher median salary ($101,717/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($134,142)
  • You prefer the Washington area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, elementary school teacher salaries in Kennewick grew 53.6% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 35.9% growth in Mount Vernon over the same period.

Kennewick, WA

+53.6%

$65,340 (2019) → $100,380 (2025)

Mount Vernon, WA

+35.9%

$74,110 (2019) → $100,730 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays elementary school teachers more: Kennewick or Mount Vernon?

Mount Vernon has a higher median elementary school teacher salary at $101,717/year, compared to Kennewick at $101,364/year — a difference of $353 (0.35%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Kennewick and Mount Vernon?

Kennewick elementary school teachers earn $48.73/hr while Mount Vernon hygienists earn $48.90/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Kennewick to Mount Vernon as a elementary school teacher?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Kennewick and Mount Vernon. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Kennewick = $101,284, Mount Vernon = $99,291), job availability (1,410 vs 500 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level elementary school teachers earn in Kennewick vs Mount Vernon?

Entry-level (10th percentile) elementary school teachers earn $67,031 in Kennewick and $80,168 in Mount Vernon. The Mount Vernon area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

JL

Written by Jordan Lee, M.Ed.

Career Analyst

Jordan Lee has over 10 years of experience in elementary education. They focus on curriculum development and teaching methodologies. Their experience includes working in public schools.

Clinically reviewed by Maria Gonzalez, MAData verified by David Kim, Ed.D.

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 0.98% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, M.Ed., a licensed elementary school teacher with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov