Tacoma Public Schools pays certificated teachers between $77,010 and $153,896 a year, in a state that just earned the top spot nationally for how it supports educators.

Washington ranked No. 1 in WalletHub's 2026 study of the best states for teachers, scoring 61.6 out of 100, the Tacoma News Tribune reported. The state climbed two spots from its third-place finish in 2025, leading the nation in the "opportunity and competition" category and placing 11th for academic and work environment.

The personal finance site compared all 50 states and the District of Columbia across 24 metrics, including starting salaries, income growth, pensions and public school enrollment.

"States that invest in their teachers are also more likely to retain experienced educators and reduce turnover," WalletHub financial writer Adam McCann wrote Monday, Sept. 14.

Locally, those investments are visible in the numbers. The Tacoma Public Schools salary range for certificated teachers in 2025-26 is set by a contract covering 2025 through 2028, according to the district's bargaining page. The district says it leads surrounding districts and the state's 10 largest in teacher pay.

Tacoma Public Schools, Washington's fourth-largest district with 28,847 students across 67 schools, reported a 93.2% teacher retention rate for the 2025-26 school year.

WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo said the top-ranked states share common traits, including strong compensation, heavy investment in educational resources and supportive conditions that reduce turnover. The study's methodology weighted salaries, pensions, tenure protections and job prospects more heavily than classroom-environment measures.

Ian Chow-Miller, a career and technical education teacher who leads the robotics program at Mason Middle School in Tacoma, was featured in the News Tribune's coverage of the ranking. Mason serves 639 students in grades six through eight.

New York, Virginia, Illinois and Utah rounded out the top five. Washington's current teacher contract in Tacoma runs through 2028.