Experienced educators know the benefits that come with advancing their careers. Graduate-level educational options like the online education programs from Eastern Washington University (EWU) can provide key advantages. Students in EWU’s online education programs are equipped to do the following:
- Gain advanced knowledge and skills to enhance student learning
- Learn and apply current research to improve instructional practices
- Develop expertise with evolving and innovative educational technologies
- Mentor others and work collaboratively to build learning communities
- Specialize in a high-demand field of education
- Move into educational leadership positions
- Pursue expanded career options
Generally, obtaining a master’s degree is also seen as a path to higher pay. In Washington State, the numbers confirm that to be true for educators.
How Much Do Teachers Make in Washington State?
According to the National Education Association (NEA), the average teacher salary in Washington was $91,720 for the 2023-2024 school year, compared to the national average of $72,030. In terms of income, Washington is a good place to work as a teacher.
Salaries for Washington teachers vary widely depending on where they work, their level of education and how many years they have been on the job. The state budget allocates a certain amount of money to school districts for teacher salaries. However, districts adjust the amount per teacher depending on the local cost of living and salary agreements.
Does the Average Teacher Salary in Washington Vary by District and Experience?
School districts (and local teacher bargaining units) have some control over budget distribution. They allocate funds based on base salary, education, experience and additional incentives called time, responsibility and incentive (TRI) pay.
For instance, the 2022-2023 starting base salary for Seattle teachers with only a bachelor’s degree (and no additional semester hours of graduate study) was $57,097. When you include pay for contractual days, tech days, and TRI, starting teachers in Seattle with only a bachelor’s degree earn an annual salary of $67,603. The 2022-2023 starting base salary for first-year Seattle teachers with a 45-credit-hour master’s degree is $66,175. Seattle teachers with a master’s degree qualify for higher TRI pay, raising their actual annual salary to $79,500, which is nearly $12,000 more than teachers with only a bachelor’s and an equivalent amount of experience.
Salaries of Washington teachers increase with more years of service. The salary schedule for Washington teachers caps pay for those with only a bachelor’s degree at step six out of 15 in terms of pay increases, which equates to a total salary ceiling of $71,856 for 2022-2023. Teachers with a master’s degree and sufficient experience can rise to step 12 on the salary schedule, resulting in a total salary ceiling of $98,049.
This is one example of how salaries differ according to educational level. salaries and individual compensation are determined in local negotiations. However, one thing is clear: In Washington, as elsewhere, educators with advanced degrees can expect to earn more money, even in their first year on the job.
Pursuing a Master’s Degree Online with Eastern Washington University
Educators who want to earn a master’s degree while still working full time have an affordable and flexible option with the 100% online education programs offered by EWU. The online format and multiple start dates throughout the year make it easy to pursue one’s goals of achieving an advanced degree.
EWU offers 13 specialized Master of Education (M.Ed.) online programs. Students can complete these M.Ed. programs in as few as 12-16 months:
- Career and Technical Education (CTE)
- Career and Technical Education with Administrator Certificate
- English Language Learners (ELL)
- Health and Physical Education
- Library Media
- Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)
- Adult Education
- Curriculum & Instruction
- Early Childhood Education
- Educational Leadership
- Educational Leadership Principal Certificate
- Literacy
- Special Education
In addition, EWU offers an education-oriented online Master of Arts (MA) – History, an online Master of Music – Music Education, and a wide variety of online graduate certificate programs in education specializations. For those who already have a master’s degree, EWU offers a 32-credit-hour online program developed to prepare qualified candidates for principal certification.
Learn more about Eastern Washington University’s online education programs.
