📊 Understanding "Average" Teacher Salary
Moses Lake School District Teacher Compensation Explained
⚠️ Important Context About Current Data
The Moses Lake School District employed 419 core classroom teachers in 2023-2024. Due to budget challenges in 2024, the district was forced to reduce staffing significantly, cutting 108 teaching positions. Current preliminary data for 2024-25 shows 374 teachers. Some positions have been restored after levy passage in February 2025, but staffing remains below 2023-24 levels. This data was collected before the December 2025 teacher strike. Final year-end data will be published by OSPI in late 2025.
What Does "Average" Salary Really Mean?
The $89,360 average salary shown for 2023-2024 is calculated across all 419 classroom teachers from that school year. This does NOT mean every teacher made this amount.
💰 Starting Salary vs. Average Salary
A new hire, first-year teacher in the Moses Lake School District starts at $60,792 for their base annual salary (2024-25 actual data from OSPI for teachers with a Bachelor's degree and 0-2 years experience). This is approximately 62% of the $97,470 average, demonstrating how much the average is influenced by experienced teachers with advanced degrees.
Recent starting salaries: $55,824 (2022-23), $57,890 (2023-24), $60,792 (2024-25)
Why Is There a Gap?
Just like any profession:
- Entry-level teachers (Bachelor's degree, Year 1) start at a lower salary
- Experienced teachers (10-20+ years) with Master's degrees or additional certifications earn significantly more
- This is exactly like an accountant who starts at entry-level wages, earns raises over time, and eventually gets a CPA certification becoming more valuable to their employer
📈 Real Example: Teacher Career Progression
- Year 1 (BA degree): $60,792 (actual 2024-25 starting salary)
- Year 10 (BA degree): ~$78,000 (with annual step increases)
- Year 10 (MA degree): ~$88,000 (Master's adds ~$10k)
- Year 20 (MA + National Board Cert): ~$105,000+
Note: Year 1 is actual OSPI data (2024-25). Later years are estimates based on typical salary schedules and step increases.
How Teachers Earn Higher Salaries
Teachers increase their compensation through:
- Years of experience - Typically annual step increases (around $2,000-$3,000 per year)
- Advanced degrees - Master's degree, Master's +45 credits, Master's +90 credits, Doctorate
- Additional certifications - National Board Certification (adds $5,000+ annually)
- Professional development - Ongoing training and continuing education credits
- Extra responsibilities - Department heads, mentoring, curriculum development
The Math Behind "Average"
The average exists because the 374 teachers in 2024-25 (preliminary) are at different career stages:
- Some teachers are just starting out at lower salaries ($60,792 for first-year with BA)
- Some teachers are mid-career at moderate salaries (~$88,000)
- Some teachers are experienced veterans with advanced degrees earning higher salaries (~$108,000)
When you add all 374 teacher salaries together and divide by 374, you get $97,470 as the average.
📚 Budget Context
Moses Lake School District faced significant budget challenges beginning in 2024:
- Failed levy attempts led to a $20M budget shortfall
- District eliminated approximately 268 total positions
- 108 positions from MLEA (teacher union) were cut
- Levy eventually passed in February 2025 (59% approval)
- Some positions have been restored for 2024-25, though staffing remains below 2023-24 levels
- December 2025 teacher strike occurred over wages and working conditions
Data Source: Washington State Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI)
Report: S-275 Personnel Database (2023-2024 Final Report)
Analysis Date: January 15, 2026
Questions: Contact OSPI SAFS at ross.bunda@k12.wa.us or 360-725-6308