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Teaching in Washington Snapshot
$71,690
Secondary School Teacher Salary
$69,390
Elementary School Teacher Salary
$11,989
Public School Spending Per Student
All career and salary information pulled from theBureau of Labor Statistics2019 pupil expenditure information was provided byGoverning
WASHINGTON OFFICE OF SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION
Old Capitol Building
PO Box 47200
Olympia, WA
600 Washington St. S.E.
(360) 725-6000
University of Southern California (USC)
USC Rossier School of Education
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Master of Arts in Teaching online
The Master of Arts in Teaching online (MAT online) from the USC Rossier School of Education prepares aspiring teachers for diverse and high-needs educational settings and can be completed in as few as 12 months.
- Fieldwork placement
- Complete in 12-36 months
- GRE scores not required
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Steps to Becoming a Teacher in Washington
Important Note: Education licensure requirements, statistics and other information are subject to change. Teach.com makes its best effort to keep content accurate; however, the official sources are the state education departments. Please confirm licensing requirements with your state before applying for licensure or renewal. (Last update: 04/30/2020)
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Prerequisite Coursework in Washington
Washington requires that certified teachers have, at a minimum, a Bachelor’s degree. Although some states have undergraduate credit hour requirements for certification in specialty areas, Washington does not list specific course or credit hour requirements. However, every college or university teacher preparation program will have requirements of its own. Contact your teacher preparation program or theWashington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction.
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Washington Teacher Certification Programs
In the State of Washington, prospective teachers must complete a state-approved teacher preparation program at an accredited college or university, or they must complete a state-approved alternative certification program. A list of state-approved teacher preparation programs can be found on theProfessional Educator Standards Boardwebsite.
Typically teacher education programs consist of a combination of courses on foundational knowledge and skills, pedagogy (the art and science of teaching), research, design, and implementation of learning experiences in their field of study, along with hands-on fieldwork. The fieldwork component can include observations, student teaching, and an internship.
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Required Tests for Washington
To become a certified teacher in Washington, you must satisfactorily complete the Basic Skill Test and any Subject Area Competence assessments needed for your desired area of instruction. Learn more about Washington’s exam requirement on Washington State’sProfessional Educator Standards Board page. The Basic Skills Test can be fulfilled with the
The Subject Area Competence is measured by the
Test required depends on the certification area.
You can learn more about the Praxis exams by visiting Teach.com’sGuide to the Praxis Examsandread more about teacher certification tests on Teach.com.
Initial Teaching Certifications
New teachers in Washington State start out with a Residency Certificate and move to a Professional Certificate by completing a Professional Certification Program at a Washington college or university and submitting aProTeach Portfolio of professional development activities. In order to earn your Washington state teaching credential, you must complete required coursework, fieldwork and standardized testing requirements. If you already have a teaching credential from another state, you may qualify for interstate credential reciprocity. Visit theState of Washington’s Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction website for more on earning your Washington teaching credential.
Learn more about getting yourteaching credentialon Teach.com.
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Discover an 8-week Online Teaching Short Course from Harvard’s Bok Center
Derek Bok Center for Teaching and Learning
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Higher Education Teaching Certificate
Deepen your understanding of higher-order teaching practices and broaden your skill set while creating a unique and inclusive strategy for your specific context.
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Alternative Certification in Washington
Graduates of accredited colleges or universities who do not have a Bachelor’s in education and who have not yet received a teaching certificate can still obtain an alternative teaching certificate by satisfying certain requirements. Washington State offers four alternative certification routes, two of which are for people already employed as paraprofessionals in the school system.
Visit Washington State’sProfessional Educator Standards Board to learn more about these options and which one might be the best fit for you. Washington also participates in theTroops to Teachers program. There are also a number of differentConditional Certificates that a school district may be able to request if they need you to teach in shortage areas or areas where you have expertise.
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Transferring Your Certification
Certification Reciprocity in Washington
Washington will accept some teaching credentials from other states if the accrediting program meets or exceeds Washington’s requirements. Washington’s rules allow it to recognize any state-approved educator preparation program and degree from an accredited institution to meet basic requirements. Contact theWashington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction to inquire about your specific situation.
To find out what other state teaching licenses can be used in Washington, check out ourTeacher Certification Reciprocitypage on Teach.com.
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Jobs, Benefits, and Opportunities for Teachers in Washington
Washington Teaching Jobs
According to 2019data from theBureau of Labor Statistics, Washington teachers on average earn about $69,000 to $72,000 depending on grade level taught. This is above the national average, making teaching in Washington particularly rewarding. Salaries and benefits for Washington teaching jobs hinge both on experience and on qualifications.
Learn more aboutteacher salarieson Teach.com.
Washington Teacher Benefits and Retirement
Retirement benefits for education jobs in Washington are handled by theTeachers’ Retirement System (TRS). TRS provides benefits for teachers depending on when they established membership. There are three different plans, one for employees who were TRS members before October 1, 1977, and two for employees who became members after this date.
The WashingtonTRS website includes a series of helpful resources, including a benefits calculator, important forms, and additional information. Learn more aboutbenefits for teacherson Teach.com.
The United States Department of Education defines a Teacher Shortage Area (TSA) as a subject matter or grade level within a state in which there is an inadequate supply of elementary or secondary teachers. The shortage may be caused by teaching positions that are unfilled or are filled by teachers who have temporary certification or teach in in academic subject other than their area of preparation. According to a report by theUSDE Department of Education, Washington has the following Teacher Shortage Areas:
- Career and Technical Education
- Elementary Education
- English as a Second Language
- Health and Physical Fitness
- Language Arts
- Mathematics
- Science
- Special Education
Financial Aid in Washington
Washington residents are eligible for theApplegate/Jackson/Parks Future Teacher Scholarship, as well as theTEACH Grant, which gives financial aid to students in return for an agreement to teach in a high-need school.
Learn more abouthow to finance your Master’s degreeon Teach.com.
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Career Advancement
Professional Development for Washington Teachers
The Washington Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction provides a number of professional development opportunities, as do universities and other organizations around the state. Teachers must complete aProTeach Portfolio of professional development activities to advance to the Professional Certificate and meetcontinuing education clock hour requirements.
Benefits of a Master’s Degree in Washington
Teachers with a Master of Education may enjoy a higher salary in a state which is already above thenational average in terms of teaching salaries.
Learn more about the benefits of a Master of Arts in Teaching vs. Master of Education on Teach.com.
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USC Rossier School of Education
info
Master of Arts in Teaching online
The Master of Arts in Teaching online (MAT online) from the USC Rossier School of Education prepares aspiring teachers for diverse and high-needs educational settings and can be completed in as few as 12 months.
- Fieldwork placement
- Complete in 12-36 months
- GRE scores not required
Derek Bok Center for Teaching and Learning
info
Higher Education Teaching Certificate
Deepen your understanding of higher-order teaching practices and broaden your skill set while creating a unique and inclusive strategy for your specific context.
infoSPONSORED
Last Updated May 2020
FAQs
How long does it take to become a teacher in Washington state? ›
Teacher Certification. This can be accomplished through any approved four-year college or university in Washington, and can be accomplished through an undergraduate program, or through a "fifth year" (post baccalaureate) program, or through a graduate (master's) program.
How do I become a certified teacher in Washington state? ›Washington requires a minimum of a bachelor's degree and a state-approved teacher preparation program. Since you already have a bachelor's degree, you could enroll in a 'cert only' or master's program. Information on programs located in Washington(link is external).
Are teachers in demand in Washington state? ›There's a nationwide teacher shortage, and Washington state is not exempt.
Can you teach without certification in Washington state? ›All educators must receive a residency teacher certificate to teach in Washington State.
How much do teachers get paid in Washington? ›How much does a Public School Teacher make in Washington? The average Public School Teacher salary in Washington is $59,215 as of September 26, 2022, but the range typically falls between $49,455 and $72,200.
What disqualifies you from being a teacher in Washington state? ›Anyone wishing to teach children must be clear of any sexually related offenses. This includes child molestation, sexual battery, or lewd and lascivious conduct against a minor or an adult. A sexual offender or predator need not even apply to teach children.
Can I become a teacher without a degree? ›So yes you can become a teacher without a degree and hold QTLS, which the government states has parity with QTS in maintained primary and secondary schools. There is however no guarantee that the schools you apply for will consider the QTLS qualification as equal to applicants holding QTS.
What do you need to teach in WA? ›...
a four year Bachelor of Education in one of the following areas:
- early childhood education.
- primary education.
- middle years education.
- secondary education.
- other teaching specialisations.
Ed.); a three-or four-year Bachelor's degree, followed by a one-year Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE).
What type of teacher is most in demand? ›- English as a Second Language (ESL). ESL educators are some of the most in demand teachers. ...
- Math Teaching. Another teacher subject in demand is mathematics. ...
- Science Teaching. What about science teachers? ...
- Social Studies Teaching. ...
- Special Education Teaching.
Is Washington a good state to teach in? ›
Washington
Washington's overall score of 56.28 makes it the best state in the U.S. for teachers, ranking second for Opportunity & Competition and tenth for Academic & Work Environment. Teachers in Washington make an average of $72,965 a year, the sixth-highest in the country.
The 11 states in Group 1 have the clearest vacancies. Florida leads the nation with nearly 4,000 unfilled teaching positions for the 2021–22 school year, followed by Illinois with 1,703 and Arizona with 1,699.
What degree is needed to be a teacher? ›Bachelor's Degree
All public schools require teachers to have a bachelor's degree at the very least. Many universities and colleges offer bachelor's degrees in education, including more specific programs such as early childhood education, if you want to become a preschool or elementary school teacher, for example.
It's also worth noting that when teachers pay scales are set, the fact that we have good holidays will be factored in to that to some extent. However, none of that changes the fact that teachers pay is not pro-rata and then spread across the year: we are paid all year round, including receiving 13 weeks paid holidays.
How do I become a primary school teacher in Washington? ›Complete an undergraduate (bachelor's) degree with sufficient units related to the school curriculum. Complete the postgraduate Master of Teaching (Primary). You can apply for a bachelor's degree and a Master of Teaching at the same time with our primary teaching pathways.
How long does it take to become a teacher? ›Prospective teachers must earn, at minimum, a bachelor's degree in order to be eligible for certification. Traditional bachelor's degrees take four years to complete, meaning that at the very least, it takes four years of schooling to become a teacher.
How long does it take to get a teaching certificate? ›Ed.); a three-or four-year Bachelor's degree, followed by a one-year Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE).
What state is the highest paid for teachers? ›Pennsylvania, California and New York have the highest average teacher salaries in the country, compared to all other occupations.
Can I become a teacher without a degree? ›So yes you can become a teacher without a degree and hold QTLS, which the government states has parity with QTS in maintained primary and secondary schools. There is however no guarantee that the schools you apply for will consider the QTLS qualification as equal to applicants holding QTS.