SOC 25-2057 · Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA metro

Special Education Teachers, Middle School Salary in Olympia, WA

The average salary for special education teachers, middle school in Olympia, Washington is $97,640 a year, according to BLS estimates for May 2025. The median is $103,880: half of the 70 people in this job in the Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA metro area earn more than that, half earn less. That average is 32% more than the U.S. average for this job ($73,780).

$97,640average per year

Median $103,880Take-home ≈ $77,520

  • $76K10th
  • $80K25th
  • $104KMedian
  • $108K75th
  • $122K90th

median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it

70people in this job
+32%vs U.S. average
#4 of 7Washington metros
104cost of living (U.S. = 100)
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Special Education Teachers, Middle School pay range in Olympia

New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $75,590 a year or less, while the top 10% make $121,550 or more. The middle half of special education teachers, middle school in Olympia earn between $79,790 and $107,840.

  • $76K10th
  • $80K25th
  • $104KMedian
  • $108K75th
  • $122K90th

median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it

Pay levelPer yearPer monthPer hour*
Average$97,640$8,137—
Median$103,880$8,657—
Entry level (25th percentile)$79,790$6,649—
Experienced (75th percentile)$107,840$8,987—

*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year (BLS publishes this job's pay as annual only). Hourly to annual salary.

Special Education Teachers, Middle School pay in Olympia vs. Washington and the U.S.

Special education teachers, middle school in Olympia earn about the same as the Washington average ($97,240) and 32% more than the U.S. average ($73,780). At the median the gap is +55% against the U.S. median of $66,810.

AreaAverageMedian10th pct.90th pct.Jobs
Olympia$97,640$103,880$75,590$121,55070
Washington$97,240$99,520$67,650$127,3901,550
United States$73,780$66,810$49,420$102,51095,200

State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.

Special Education Teachers, Middle School salary after taxes in Olympia

On the average salary of $97,640, a single filer in Olympia takes home about $77,520 a year, or $6,460 a month and $2,982 every two weeks. Taxes take 21% of gross pay.

Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and no state income tax. Washington's WA Cares (0.58%) and Paid Family and Medical Leave payroll premiums are not included.

Washington paycheck calculator: try your own salary

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Is Olympia a good place for special education teachers, middle school? Pay vs. cost of living

Prices in the Olympia area are 4% above the U.S. average (BEA price parity 103.7), so the average $97,640 buys what about $94,183 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 1.7 times the median wage of all jobs in Olympia ($61,960). A typical home costs $533,918, or 5.5 years of this average salary before tax.

See what $97,640 is worth in another city

Special Education Teachers, Middle School salary in other Washington cities

Olympia ranks 4th of 7 Washington metro areas for this job; Bremerton pays the most ($104,860).

All Special Education Teachers, Middle School salaries in Washington

Highest-paying cities for special education teachers, middle school

San Jose, CA pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($112,040).

Special Education Teachers, Middle School salary by city

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Special Education Teachers, Middle School salary in Olympia: questions

What is the entry-level special education teachers, middle school salary in Olympia?

The lowest-paid 10% earn about $75,590 a year and the 25th percentile is $79,790, a fair guide to starting pay.

What is the special education teachers, middle school take-home pay in Olympia?

About $77,520 a year ($6,460 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $97,640. Washington has no state income tax; Washington's WA Cares (0.58%) and Paid Family and Medical Leave payroll premiums are not included.

Do special education teachers, middle school earn more in Olympia than elsewhere?

The average here is 32% more than the U.S. average for this job ($73,780).

Sources and how to read this page

  • Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 25-2057; area Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA (36500). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 0.2%.
  • U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
  • Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
  • Home value: Zillow Home Value Index. Typical-wage figure: OEWS all occupations, same metro.
  • Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and no state income tax. Washington's WA Cares (0.58%) and Paid Family and Medical Leave payroll premiums are not included.
  • Job concentration: location quotient 0.88, this job is about as common as in the U.S. overall.

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