Communications Teachers, Postsecondary Salary in Washington, DC
Communications Teachers, Postsecondary in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn a median $83,810 a year — 7% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $63,635 take-home, or $5,303 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median communications teachers, postsecondary salary in Washington, DC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$9,608
- Social Security (6.2%)$5,196
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,215
- District of Columbia income tax$4,155
- Take-home pay$63,635
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 8.50% state
The Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro spans District of Columbia, Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Communications Teachers, Postsecondary pay by experience in Washington, DC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $49,440 | $23.77 | $40,105 | $3,342 |
| 25th percentile | $65,720 | $31.60 | $52,161 | $4,347 |
| Median (50th) | $83,810 | $40.29 | $63,635 | $5,303 |
| 75th percentile | $103,830 | $49.92 | $76,017 | $6,335 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $160,480 | $77.15 | $110,282 | $9,190 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, District of Columbia resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $83,810 buys in Washington, DC
Prices in Washington, DC are 8.9% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.51× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median communications teachers, postsecondary's $63,635 take-home pay has the buying power of $58,443 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Communications Teachers, Postsecondary jobs are about as common in Washington, DC as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.82).
Best-paying cities for communications teachers, postsecondary, adjusted for cost of living
Washington, DC ranks #7 of 10 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Los Angeles, CA | $130,160 | $90,663 | $79,833 |
| 2 | Austin, TX | $79,710 | $64,906 | $66,186 |
| 3 | Houston, TX | $78,310 | $63,921 | $64,810 |
| 4 | New York, NY | $97,760 | $72,877 | $64,743 |
| 5 | Dallas, TX | $77,050 | $63,035 | $61,145 |
| 6 | Philadelphia, PA | $79,870 | $62,567 | $61,008 |
| 7 | Washington, DC | $83,810 | $63,635 | $58,443 |
| 8 | Boston, MA | $80,890 | $61,912 | $57,185 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 10 metros →
Frequently asked questions
How much does a communications teachers, postsecondary make in Washington, DC?
The median communications teachers, postsecondary salary in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area is $83,810 a year, or about $40.29 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $65,720 and $103,830.
What is a communications teachers, postsecondary’s take-home pay in Washington, DC?
On the median $83,810 salary, a single filer living in District of Columbia takes home about $63,635 a year ($5,303 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $4,155 in District of Columbia taxes in 2026.
Is Washington, DC a good place to work as a communications teachers, postsecondary?
Pay here is 7% above the national median of $78,580. Local prices are 8.9% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $58,443 would in a typical U.S. city. Washington, DC ranks #7 of 10 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a communications teachers, postsecondary afford rent in Washington, DC?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Washington, DC is $1,990 a month ($2,223 for two bedrooms) — 38% of a median communications teachers, postsecondary’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
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