Exploring Teaching Jobs in Washington State
There’s no time like the present to invest in your teaching career and invest in the next generation of American students.
An master’s degree in education prepares you to be an excellent teacher, offers you greater opportunity and flexibility long-term, and allows you to create a career and a life of deep impact, one child and one classroom at a time.
If you’re thinking about securing a teaching job in Washington State, here’s what you need to know about the field.
Understanding the shortage of teachers in Washington state (and beyond):
The field of teaching promises you great opportunities for employment and professional growth. There is a national shortage of qualified teachers across disciplines, and the shortage is especially acute in STEM fields.
That said, Washington state specifically is experiencing a shortage of teachers in a variety of subjects. According to a report by the USDE 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
- STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics)
- Special Education
Note: Interested in bridging the gap between STEM and education? Read our recent article — What is the Demand for STEM Teachers?
What is the salary for teachers in Washington state?
According to the National Education Association (NEA), the average teacher’s salary in Washington state during 2020-21 was approximately $72,000. This is about $10,000 more than the national average salary for teachers, which is about $62,000 — according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
According to the same source, the overall national salary for teachers is about $62,000, which means that teachers in Washington state can expect to make thousands more than most teachers seeking employment elsewhere in the United States.
Note: Learn more about how to become a teacher in Washington state with our blog — How to Become a Teacher in Washington State.
Learn how to become a teacher at PLU
PLU offers three paths to a Master of Arts in Education (MAE), and you can hear from a few students who pursed their MAE at PLU here!
One Year to a Master of Arts in Education
Our one year teacher certification + MAE is available for elementary or secondary education. It is an intensive, full time program that begins each summer in June and concludes the following June.
Alternate Routes to Certification – Master of Arts in Education
This alternate program is available for elementary or secondary education and is designed to allow students to become certified and begin teaching, with the option to continue working on their master’s degree. The certification component of the program takes about a year; after certification, students have up to three years to complete the rest of their MAE coursework if they choose to. This program is a good option for anyone with previous education experience, anyone who is interested in working in a subject shortage area, or career changers who are transitioning into a high-need subject area from a topical career.
Non-Certification for International Students – Master of Arts in Education
This path to a Master of Arts in Education is available for international students only, and does not lead to Washington state teacher certification. It is designed to prepare international students with a strong theoretical foundation and with classroom experience in US schools.
Note: Interested in learning about financial aid options for teachers? Check out our blog — Understanding Loan Forgiveness, Grants and Scholarships for Future Teachers.
If you are interested in learning more about joining a community of education experts at PLU, we encourage you to schedule a one-on-one appointment with us! You can also request more information or start your application today. Lastly, you can sign up to attend an MAE information session at PLU.
