Elementary School Teacher Salary in Pullman, WA: $97,619 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time elementary school teacher in Pullman, WA earns a median $97,619/year (≈ $46.94/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 25-2021). Once you factor in Pullman's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.4), that paycheck buys what $90,893 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.0% below the Washington state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the median annual salary for elementary school teachers in Pullman, Washington, is projected to be $97,619, significantly higher than the national median of $64,597. This figure reflects not only the competitive nature of the local job market but also adjustments made for the cost of living, with local salary data derived from BLS estimates. The salary range for these educators varies markedly, from $78,137 at the 10th percentile to as much as $151,310 at the 90th percentile. This wide range suggests that those who specialize in high-need areas such as special education, STEM, and bilingual education can command additional stipends, which enhance their overall compensation in Pullman.
About the Pullman Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($82,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $78,137 | $37.56 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $90,660 | $43.58 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $97,619 | $46.94 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $124,953 | $60.07 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $151,310 | $72.75 |
Median Salary Position
51.12% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Pullman
In Pullman, WA, the elementary school teacher salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $73,173 (2026 est.). At $97,619, the local median is 51.12% above the national median of $64,597.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Pullman: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Pullman Elementary School Teacher Pay Compares
Pullman median: $97,619/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Pullman Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $101,687 | -4.00% less |
| National Average | $64,597 | +51.12% more |
Elementary School Teachers in Pullman, WA earn a median of $97,619 per year (2026 est.), which is 51.12% higher than the national median of $64,597 and 4.00% below the Washington state average of $101,687.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Pullman has a cost of living 7.40% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Pullman, WA has a cost-of-living index of 107.4 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $97,619 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $90,893 — a 6.89% reduction.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$90,174
2025 BLS Actual
$96,672
2026 Current Est.
$97,619
2019–2027 Growth
+9.3%
Salary Trajectory for Elementary School Teachers in Pullman (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $90,174 | Actual |
| 2020 | $92,093 | Actual |
| 2021 | $92,788 | Actual |
| 2022 | $93,226 | Actual |
| 2023 | $96,234 | Actual |
| 2024 | $84,520 | Actual |
| 2025 | $96,672 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $97,619 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $98,576 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Pullman metropolitan area, the median elementary school teacher salary grew 7.2% from $90,174 (2019) to $96,672 (2025). At a 0.98% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $98,576 by 2027 — a total increase of $8,402 (9.32%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Pullman metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 0.98% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $78,137 – $90,660 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $90,660 – $97,619 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $97,619 – $124,953 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $124,953 – $151,310 |
Teacher salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual elementary school teacher compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Elementary School Teacher Job Market in Pullman
While there are only six elementary school teachers currently employed in Pullman, the job market remains robust, driven by community support for education. The cost of living index stands at 107.4, indicating that while salaries are above the national median, purchasing power can be affected. Notably, K-12 public school districts typically offer structured pay based on years of experience and education levels, while some charter schools may provide different wage scales influenced by specific operational models. The spread between lower and higher salaries in Pullman can be attributed to factors such as incentive stipends for hard-to-fill positions, summer programs, and opportunities for advancement through additional training and certification. For educators seeking to maximize their income, pursuing advanced degrees or National Board Certification can prove beneficial, alongside actively seeking roles in high-demand areas.
More salary data for Pullman, WA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do elementary school teachers make in Pullman, WA in 2026?
Is Pullman, WA a good place to work as a elementary school teacher?
Can elementary school teachers make $100K in Pullman?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted elementary school teacher salary in Pullman?
How much does a elementary school teacher make per hour in Pullman?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Washington
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.
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $96,672 for elementary school teachersin the Pullman metropolitan area. A 0.98% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Pullman is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 0.98%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for elementary school teachers (SOC 25-2021).
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