Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education Salary in Seattle, WA
Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area earn a median $101,580 a year — 62% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $80,292 take-home, or $6,691 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median kindergarten teachers, except special education salary in Seattle, WA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$13,518
- Social Security (6.2%)$6,298
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,473
- Washington income tax$0
- Take-home pay$80,292
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 0.00% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education pay by experience in Seattle, WA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $76,360 | $36.71 | $62,549 | $5,212 |
| 25th percentile | $81,670 | $39.26 | $66,285 | $5,524 |
| Median (50th) | $101,580 | $48.84 | $80,292 | $6,691 |
| 75th percentile | $124,970 | $60.08 | $96,683 | $8,057 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $129,940 | $62.47 | $100,080 | $8,340 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Washington resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $101,580 buys in Seattle, WA
Prices in Seattle, WA are 11.1% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.51× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median kindergarten teachers, except special education's $80,292 take-home pay has the buying power of $72,248 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Seattle, WA has 1.7× the national concentration of kindergarten teachers, except special education jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for kindergarten teachers, except special education, adjusted for cost of living
Seattle, WA ranks #1 of 6 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seattle, WA | $101,580 | $80,292 | $72,248 |
| 2 | Atlanta, GA | $75,690 | $58,772 | $58,738 |
| 3 | Washington, DC | $77,200 | $59,547 | $54,688 |
| 4 | New York, NY | $77,400 | $59,698 | $53,035 |
| 5 | Chicago, IL | $70,250 | $54,918 | $53,012 |
| 6 | Miami, FL | $57,300 | $48,221 | $42,241 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 6 metros →
About the job: kindergarten teachers, except special education
Teach academic and social skills to kindergarten students.
- Typical education
- Bachelor's degree
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- None
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- -0.3% (slower than average)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a kindergarten teachers, except special education make in Seattle, WA?
The median kindergarten teachers, except special education salary in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area is $101,580 a year, or about $48.84 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $81,670 and $124,970.
What is a kindergarten teachers, except special education’s take-home pay in Seattle, WA?
On the median $101,580 salary, a single filer living in Washington takes home about $80,292 a year ($6,691 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare in 2026.
Is Seattle, WA a good place to work as a kindergarten teachers, except special education?
Pay here is 62% above the national median of $62,680. Local prices are 11.1% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $72,248 would in a typical U.S. city. Seattle, WA ranks #1 of 6 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a kindergarten teachers, except special education afford rent in Seattle, WA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Seattle, WA is $2,022 a month ($2,379 for two bedrooms) — 30% of a median kindergarten teachers, except special education’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Seattle, WA
- Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary — $164,860
- Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education — $102,920
- Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education — $102,670
- Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education — $102,560
- Instructional Coordinator — $97,130
- Substitute Teachers, Short-Term — $60,070
- Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary — $53,950
- Self-Enrichment Teacher — $48,530
- Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education — $46,380