A Comprehensive Comparison of Occupations in Our Community
When we talk about fair wages, it helps to see the whole picture. This page shows what people across different occupations actually earn in Washington State and the Moses Lake area. These aren't abstract numbers—they represent real families in our community trying to make ends meet.
You'll see teachers alongside nurses, electricians, servers, barbers, farmworkers, and small business owners. Some have college degrees, some have vocational training, some have decades of on-the-job experience. All of them contribute essential work to our community.
Why this matters: When evaluating teacher compensation or any public employee wages, understanding what other working people earn provides important context. This isn't about ranking jobs or saying one type of work is more valuable than another. It's about seeing the economic reality that families across Moses Lake face every day.
| Occupation | Training/Education Required | Typical Work Hours | Average Annual Income (WA) | Benefits & Job Characteristics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EDUCATION & PUBLIC SERVICE | ||||
| K-12 Teacher | Bachelor's degree + teaching certification (often Master's within 5 years) Cost: $40,000-$80,000 |
Contract: 180 days/year Actual: 50-60 hrs/week including unpaid prep, grading, meetings |
$86,800 statewide average $91,390 (Elementary) Starting: $54,000-$60,000 |
✓ Health insurance ✓ State pension (TRS) ✓ Summer break (often working other jobs) ✓ Continuing education required • Must maintain certification |
| School Counselor | Master's degree + certification Cost: $50,000-$100,000 |
Contract: 190-200 days/year 40-50 hrs/week |
$75,000-$95,000 | ✓ Health insurance ✓ State pension ✓ Similar to teachers • Often requires crisis response |
| School Administrator | Master's + administrative cert Cost: $60,000-$100,000 |
220-240 days/year 50-60 hrs/week |
$90,000-$135,000 | ✓ Health insurance ✓ State pension ✓ Year-round position • High accountability |
| HEALTHCARE | ||||
| Registered Nurse (RN) | Bachelor's degree (BSN) or Associate + RN license Cost: $30,000-$70,000 |
36-40 hrs/week Shift work including nights, weekends, holidays |
$96,980-$101,670 Entry: $74,000-$80,000 |
✓ Health insurance ✓ Retirement plans ✓ Shift differentials • Physical demands • Emotional stress • Mandatory overtime |
| Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) | Certificate program (1 year) Cost: $10,000-$25,000 |
36-40 hrs/week Shift work |
$69,950 ($33.63/hour) |
✓ Health insurance ✓ Some retirement • Physical demands • Similar stress to RNs |
| Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) | Training program (4-12 weeks) Cost: $1,000-$3,000 |
32-40 hrs/week Shift work |
$42,430 ($20.40/hour) |
± Health insurance (varies) ± Retirement (varies) • High physical demands • Entry to healthcare |
| SKILLED TRADES | ||||
| Licensed Electrician | Apprenticeship (4-5 years) + license Cost: Training often paid, exam fees ~$500 |
40 hrs/week Overtime common Some weekend/on-call |
$64,900 (entry) $76,600 (senior) Some earn $100,000+ with OT |
✓ Union benefits (many) ✓ Health insurance ✓ Pension/401k • Physical demands • Weather exposure • Safety risks |
| Plumber | Apprenticeship (4-5 years) + license Cost: Similar to electrician |
40 hrs/week On-call rotation common Emergency calls |
$55,800 (entry) $75,800 (senior) $70,000-$80,000 typical |
✓ Union benefits (many) ✓ Health insurance ✓ Retirement plans • Physical demands • Unpleasant conditions • Emergency calls |
| HVAC Technician | Trade school (6 months-2 years) + certification Cost: $5,000-$20,000 |
40-50 hrs/week Seasonal peaks On-call work |
$58,000 (entry) $63,000-$77,200 (experienced) |
± Health insurance (varies) ± Retirement (varies) • Physical work • Extreme temperatures • Seasonal demand |
| SERVICE INDUSTRY | ||||
| Restaurant Server/Waiter | On-the-job training No formal education required Cost: $0 |
25-40 hrs/week Split shifts common Nights, weekends, holidays |
$31,912 annual average Base wage: $16.66/hr (WA minimum) Plus tips: varies widely |
× Often no health insurance × No retirement × No paid time off • Unpredictable income • Must stay on feet all day • Tips depend on customers |
| Restaurant Cook/Prep Cook | On-the-job training Culinary training helpful but not required Cost: $0-$20,000 |
35-45 hrs/week Evenings, weekends, holidays |
$30,000-$38,000 ($14-$18/hour) |
± Sometimes health insurance × Rarely retirement • Hot, stressful conditions • Physical demands • Irregular hours |
| Retail Sales Associate | High school diploma On-the-job training Cost: $0 |
20-35 hrs/week Part-time common Weekends, holidays required |
$28,000-$35,000 ($13.50-$17/hour) |
± Part-time often no benefits × Rarely retirement • Standing all day • Customer service stress • Irregular schedules |
| PERSONAL SERVICES | ||||
| Barber | Barber program (9-12 months) + state license Cost: $10,000-$20,000 |
35-45 hrs/week Tuesday-Saturday typical Client-dependent |
$28.38/hour average $59,000 annual Highly variable with tips |
± If self-employed: no benefits ± If salon employee: may have some benefits • Income depends on clientele • Build-your-own-business • Standing all day |
| Cosmetologist/Hair Stylist | Cosmetology program (9-18 months) + state license Cost: $10,000-$25,000 |
30-40 hrs/week Client-dependent Evenings, weekends |
$31,801-$55,575 ($15-$27/hour) Tips add significantly |
± If booth rental: no benefits ± If salon employee: some benefits • Income highly variable • Build own clientele • Physical demands |
| AGRICULTURE (Critical to Grant County Economy) | ||||
| Agricultural Worker (Field) | No formal education required On-the-job training Cost: $0 |
Seasonal: 40-60 hrs/week during harvest 8-10 months/year employment Physical labor in all weather |
$16.66/hour minimum ~$28,000-$35,000 annually (seasonal) Piece rate can earn more |
× Usually no health insurance × No retirement × Limited off-season income • Physically demanding • Weather exposure • Essential community work |
| Agricultural Equipment Operator | Training/experience required CDL often required Cost: $1,500-$5,000 |
Seasonal: 50-70 hrs/week during peak Long days during planting/harvest |
$18-$25/hour $40,000-$55,000 annually |
± Sometimes health insurance ± Sometimes retirement • Skilled position • Long hours seasonally • Machinery knowledge |
| Farm Manager/Supervisor | Experience + agricultural knowledge Sometimes degree Cost: $0-$60,000 |
Year-round: 50-60 hrs/week On-call during critical seasons |
$50,000-$80,000 | ✓ Usually health insurance ± Sometimes retirement • High responsibility • Weather-dependent stress • Long hours |
| SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS (Backbone of Community) | ||||
| Restaurant Owner (Small) | Industry experience critical Business knowledge essential Initial capital: $100,000-$500,000+ |
60-80 hrs/week typical 7 days/week common Always on-call |
Highly variable: Loss to $200,000+ Many break even or lose money first 3-5 years Median: $50,000-$70,000 |
× Must self-fund all benefits × No paid time off × No sick leave • High failure rate (60% close within 3 years) • Personal financial risk • Long hours for years |
| Retail Store Owner (Small) | Business knowledge Industry experience helpful Initial capital: $50,000-$250,000+ |
50-70 hrs/week 6-7 days/week Retail hours required |
$40,000-$90,000 First years often minimal income National average: $69,000-$75,000 |
× Must self-fund all benefits × No paid time off × Health insurance expensive • E-commerce competition • Inventory risk • Irregular income |
| Service Business Owner (small - plumbing, HVAC, etc.) | Trade skills + business knowledge Licensing requirements Initial capital: $25,000-$100,000 |
50-70 hrs/week On-call 24/7 for emergencies Physical + administrative work |
$50,000-$150,000 Highly variable by success First years minimal after expenses |
× Must self-fund all benefits × No paid time off × Must cover slow periods • Liability insurance expensive • Seasonal fluctuations • Equipment costs |
| Average Small Business Owner (All Types) | Varies widely by industry Capital: $10,000-$500,000+ |
50-80 hrs/week typical Rarely true days off 24/7 responsibility |
National figures: Median: $69,000-$75,000 Range: Break-even to $200,000+ 86% make under $100,000 |
× All benefits self-funded × No safety net × Personal financial risk • 50% fail within 5 years • Creates jobs for others • Community backbone |
| PROFESSIONAL SERVICES | ||||
| Accountant/CPA | Bachelor's + CPA certification Cost: $50,000-$80,000 |
40-50 hrs/week 60-80 hrs during tax season |
$85,000-$120,000+ | ✓ Health insurance ✓ Retirement plans ✓ Paid time off • Seasonal stress • Continuing education |
| Software Engineer | Bachelor's degree (sometimes self-taught) Cost: $40,000-$100,000 |
40-50 hrs/week Some crunch times Often remote options |
$130,000-$180,000 (WA) Higher in Seattle metro |
✓ Excellent benefits ✓ Stock options (many) ✓ Flexible hours (often) • Competitive field • Constant learning required |
| Civil Engineer | Bachelor's + PE license Cost: $60,000-$100,000 |
40-50 hrs/week Project deadlines can require extra hours |
$95,000-$110,000 | ✓ Health insurance ✓ Retirement plans ✓ Paid time off • Professional liability • Continuing education |
Teachers earn solidly in the middle range compared to other occupations in our community. They earn more than service industry workers, agricultural laborers, and many small business owners, but less than nurses, some skilled trades (especially with overtime), and significantly less than technology and engineering professionals.
Education doesn't guarantee higher pay. Teachers invest $40,000-$80,000 in education but earn comparable wages to electricians who get paid while training through apprenticeships. This isn't a criticism of either profession—it's simply economic reality.
Small business owners often earn less than you think despite working 60-80 hour weeks. Many take minimal salary for years while building their businesses. They take huge financial risks and create jobs for others, but personal income is often modest.
Service industry and agricultural workers face significant challenges: No benefits, variable income, seasonal work, and physically demanding conditions. Many work multiple jobs to make ends meet.
Benefits matter enormously. A teacher making $85,000 with full benefits and pension is in a very different financial position than a small business owner making $85,000 who must fund their own health insurance, retirement, and has no paid time off or sick leave.
Everyone's work has value. The teacher educating our children, the nurse caring for our sick, the electrician keeping our lights on, the server at the local diner, the farmworker harvesting our food, and the small business owner employing our neighbors—all contribute essential value to our community.
When community members discuss teacher compensation, we're often comparing teacher salaries to our own experiences. A small business owner working 70-hour weeks and earning $60,000 might reasonably question why teachers earn $85,000 for 180 days of work. A nurse earning $95,000 for night shifts and physical demands might wonder the same.
These are fair questions. But the full picture includes:
The question isn't whether teachers are overpaid or underpaid compared to specific other occupations. The question is: Does Moses Lake offer competitive compensation to attract and retain quality educators while being responsible with taxpayer dollars?
This comparison helps us see that question in context. Teachers aren't making software engineer money, but they're also not working for restaurant server wages. They're professionals with significant education requirements being paid at a level that reflects both their qualifications and the economic realities of public education funding.