Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education Salary in Washington, DC
Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn a median $79,470 a year — 24% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $60,951 take-home, or $5,079 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median elementary school teachers, except special education salary in Washington, DC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$8,653
- Social Security (6.2%)$4,927
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,152
- District of Columbia income tax$3,786
- Take-home pay$60,951
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.
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education pay by experience in Washington, DC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $60,790 | $29.23 | $48,520 | $4,043 |
| 25th percentile | $64,140 | $30.84 | $50,994 | $4,249 |
| Median (50th) | $79,470 | $38.21 | $60,951 | $5,079 |
| 75th percentile | $102,750 | $49.40 | $75,349 | $6,279 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $122,580 | $58.93 | $87,599 | $7,300 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, District of Columbia resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $79,470 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 elementary school teachers, except special education's $60,951 take-home pay has the buying power of $55,978 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education jobs are about as common in Washington, DC as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.10).
Best-paying cities for elementary school teachers, except special education, adjusted for cost of living
Washington, DC ranks #46 of 99 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seattle, WA | $102,920 | $81,234 | $73,096 |
| 2 | Visalia, CA | $98,430 | $71,872 | $71,998 |
| 3 | Modesto, CA | $101,640 | $73,789 | $70,878 |
| 4 | Sacramento, CA | $103,390 | $74,835 | $70,156 |
| 5 | Bridgeport, CT | $98,600 | $74,347 | $69,572 |
| 6 | Dayton, OH | $80,360 | $63,936 | $68,975 |
| 7 | Stockton, CA | $97,400 | $71,256 | $67,805 |
| 8 | Riverside, CA | $98,520 | $71,925 | $67,572 |
| 46 | Washington, DC | $79,470 | $60,951 | $55,978 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 99 metros →
About the job: elementary school teachers, except special education
Teach academic and social skills to students at the elementary school level.
- Typical education
- Bachelor's degree
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- None
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- -0.4% (slower than average)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a elementary school teachers, except special education make in Washington, DC?
The median elementary school teachers, except special education salary in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area is $79,470 a year, or about $38.21 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $64,140 and $102,750.
What is a elementary school teachers, except special education’s take-home pay in Washington, DC?
On the median $79,470 salary, a single filer living in District of Columbia takes home about $60,951 a year ($5,079 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $3,786 in District of Columbia taxes in 2026.
Is Washington, DC a good place to work as a elementary school teachers, except special education?
Pay here is 24% above the national median of $63,970. Local prices are 8.9% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $55,978 would in a typical U.S. city. Washington, DC ranks #46 of 99 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a elementary school teachers, except special education 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) — 39% of a median elementary school teachers, except special education’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Washington, DC
- Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary — $135,670
- Instructional Coordinator — $105,220
- Postsecondary Teachers, All Other — $99,240
- Teachers and Instructors, All Other — $97,920
- Librarian and Media Collections Specialist — $95,480
- Special Education Teachers, Secondary School — $85,000
- Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education — $80,300
- Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School — $79,880
- Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education — $77,350
- Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education — $77,200
- Special Education Teachers, Middle School — $77,050
- Self-Enrichment Teacher — $59,760