Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:
What does a Special Education Teachers, Preschool 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 Special Education Teachers, Preschool earning $86,580 in Washington has the equivalent purchasing power of $78,852 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) | $65,240 | $59,417 | $-5,822 |
| 25th Percentile (P25) | $76,760 | $69,908 | $-6,851 |
| Median (P50) | $86,580 | $78,852 | $-7,727 |
| 75th Percentile (P75) | $104,970 | $95,601 | $-9,368 |
| 90th Percentile (P90) | $125,040 | $113,879 | $-11,160 |
While $86,580 sounds high, Washington's elevated cost of living erases 9% of that salary's purchasing power. Your real buying power is $78,852. 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 Special Education Teachers, Preschool needs that premium in nominal pay just to maintain the same purchasing power as an average-cost state.
After applying Washington's RPP, the $86,580 median salary translates to $78,852 in real terms — a 8.9% loss. That difference can cover several months of expenses over a year for a Special Education Teachers, Preschool.
Ranked on COL-adjusted median pay for Special Education Teachers, Preschool, Washington places #7 of 45 states — top quartile. Either nominal wages run high, cost of living runs low, or both.
Where does Special Education Teachers, Preschool salary stretch the furthest? Top 10 states ranked by COL-adjusted median salary.
Washington ranks #7 out of 45 states for Special Education Teachers, Preschool after cost-of-living adjustment.
How much do you actually take home? See Special Education Teachers, Preschool take-home pay in Washington after taxes →
A Special Education Teachers, Preschool in Washington earns a median salary of $86,580 per year. After adjusting for Washington's cost of living (RPP=109.8), the real purchasing power is $78,852 — 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 Special Education Teachers, Preschool in Washington: $86,580 x (100 / 109.8) = $78,852. This represents what the salary would be worth in a state with average living costs.
Partially — a Special Education Teachers, Preschool's nominal salary of $86,580 in Washington has 8.9% less purchasing power due to higher living costs. The real value is $78,852. However, Washington may offer better career opportunities, networking, and industry access.
Some links are affiliate links. See our disclosure.