Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:
What does a Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education salary really buy you in Washington?
Washington is 9.8% pricier than the US averageData: BLS OEWS 2025 + BEA Regional Price Parities 2022 • Updated 2026-05-19
Washington's Regional Price Parity (RPP) is 109.8, meaning prices are 9.8% higher the national average. A Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education earning $102,140 in Washington has the equivalent purchasing power of $93,023 in an average-cost US state.
Every dollar goes further in low-cost states. Here is how each salary percentile compares after adjusting for Washington's cost of living.
| Percentile | Nominal Salary | COL-Adjusted | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile (P10) | $65,250 | $59,426 | $-5,823 |
| 25th Percentile (P25) | $81,010 | $73,779 | $-7,230 |
| Median (P50) | $102,140 | $93,023 | $-9,116 |
| 75th Percentile (P75) | $118,740 | $108,142 | $-10,597 |
| 90th Percentile (P90) | $128,170 | $116,730 | $-11,439 |
While $102,140 sounds high, Washington's elevated cost of living erases 9% of that salary's purchasing power. Your real buying power is $93,023. Consider whether the higher pay offsets the higher costs.
Washington's RPP of 109.8 puts it 9.8% above the national baseline cost of living. A Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education needs that premium in nominal pay just to maintain the same purchasing power as an average-cost state.
After applying Washington's RPP, the $102,140 median salary translates to $93,024 in real terms — a 8.9% loss. That difference can cover several months of expenses over a year for a Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education.
Ranked on COL-adjusted median pay for Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education, Washington places #1 of 51 states — top quartile. Either nominal wages run high, cost of living runs low, or both.
Where does Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education salary stretch the furthest? Top 10 states ranked by COL-adjusted median salary.
Washington ranks #1 out of 51 states for Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education after cost-of-living adjustment.
How much do you actually take home? See Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education take-home pay in Washington after taxes →
A Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education in Washington earns a median salary of $102,140 per year. After adjusting for Washington's cost of living (RPP=109.8), the real purchasing power is $93,023 — a -8.9% difference.
Washington's cost of living is 9.8% higher than the national average according to the BEA Regional Price Parities (2022). The RPP index for Washington is 109.8 (US average = 100).
Regional Price Parities (RPPs) are price indexes published by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) that measure differences in price levels across states. They are expressed as a percentage of the national average (US = 100). Higher RPP means higher cost of living.
The adjusted salary is calculated as: Nominal Salary x (100 / RPP). For a Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education in Washington: $102,140 x (100 / 109.8) = $93,023. This represents what the salary would be worth in a state with average living costs.
Partially — a Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education's nominal salary of $102,140 in Washington has 8.9% less purchasing power due to higher living costs. The real value is $93,023. However, Washington may offer better career opportunities, networking, and industry access.
Some links are affiliate links. See our disclosure.