Special Education Teachers, Preschool salary in Washington
Special Education Teachers, Preschool in Washington earn a median of $86,580 a year, based on BLS data for 820 workers.
Pay ranges from $65,240 for the lowest-paid 10% to $125,040 for the top 10%. That is 34% higher than the national median of $64,830. Washington ranks 4th of 45 states for special education teachers, preschool pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.23 special education teachers, preschool per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $91,660, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for special education teachers, preschool in Washington
| Pay level | Yearly |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $65,240 |
| 25th percentile | $76,760 |
| Median | $86,580 |
| 75th percentile | $104,970 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $125,040 |
| Average (mean) | $91,660 |
Half of special education teachers, preschool earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $7,215 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,607.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,330 |
| Weekly | $1,665 |
BLS publishes only yearly pay for this job, because special education teachers, preschool are usually paid a salary and may not work a full 2,080-hour year. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $86,580 salary, see how much house you can afford in Washington at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Special Education Teachers, Preschool salary in cities in Washington
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $94,240 | 470 |
| Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA | $82,600 | 50 |
| Kennewick-Richland, WA | $79,840 | 40 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $77,540 | 270 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA | $75,160 | 40 |
Highest-paying states for special education teachers, preschool
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Massachusetts | $99,070 |
| New Jersey | $92,060 |
| Connecticut | $87,960 |
| Washington | $86,580 |
| Maryland | $85,010 |
| Pennsylvania | $83,510 |
| Alaska | $80,390 |
| Vermont | $79,000 |
| Colorado | $78,040 |
| Virginia | $77,570 |
See Special Education Teachers, Preschool pay in every state.
Related jobs in Washington
More: Educational Instruction and Library Occupations · all salaries in Washington
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 25-2051. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a special education teachers, preschool make in Washington?
The median salary for special education teachers, preschool in Washington is $86,580 a year. Pay ranges from $65,240 for the lowest-paid 10% to $125,040 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid special education teachers, preschool make in Washington?
The top 10% of special education teachers, preschool in Washington earn at least $125,040 a year. The top 25% earn $104,970 or more.
What is the starting pay for special education teachers, preschool in Washington?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $65,240 a year, and a quarter of special education teachers, preschool earn $76,760 or less.
How many special education teachers, preschool work in Washington?
About 820 special education teachers, preschool are employed in Washington, not counting the self-employed.