Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education Salary in Washington, DC
Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn a median $77,200 a year — 23% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $59,547 take-home, or $4,962 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median kindergarten teachers, except special education salary in Washington, DC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$8,154
- Social Security (6.2%)$4,786
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,119
- District of Columbia income tax$3,594
- Take-home pay$59,547
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 →
Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education pay by experience in Washington, DC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $56,590 | $27.21 | $45,418 | $3,785 |
| 25th percentile | $61,910 | $29.76 | $49,347 | $4,112 |
| Median (50th) | $77,200 | $37.12 | $59,547 | $4,962 |
| 75th percentile | $97,410 | $46.83 | $72,047 | $6,004 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $107,100 | $51.49 | $78,040 | $6,503 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, District of Columbia resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $77,200 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 kindergarten teachers, except special education's $59,547 take-home pay has the buying power of $54,688 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education jobs are about as common in Washington, DC as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.09).
Best-paying cities for kindergarten teachers, except special education, adjusted for cost of living
Washington, DC ranks #3 of 6 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seattle, WA | $101,580 | $80,292 | $72,248 |
| 2 | Atlanta, GA | $75,690 | $58,772 | $58,738 |
| 3 | Washington, DC | $77,200 | $59,547 | $54,688 |
| 4 | New York, NY | $77,400 | $59,698 | $53,035 |
| 5 | Chicago, IL | $70,250 | $54,918 | $53,012 |
| 6 | Miami, FL | $57,300 | $48,221 | $42,241 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 6 metros →
About the job: kindergarten teachers, except special education
Teach academic and social skills to kindergarten students.
- Typical education
- Bachelor's degree
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- None
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- -0.3% (slower than average)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a kindergarten teachers, except special education make in Washington, DC?
The median kindergarten teachers, except special education salary in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area is $77,200 a year, or about $37.12 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $61,910 and $97,410.
What is a kindergarten teachers, except special education’s take-home pay in Washington, DC?
On the median $77,200 salary, a single filer living in District of Columbia takes home about $59,547 a year ($4,962 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $3,594 in District of Columbia taxes in 2026.
Is Washington, DC a good place to work as a kindergarten teachers, except special education?
Pay here is 23% above the national median of $62,680. Local prices are 8.9% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $54,688 would in a typical U.S. city. Washington, DC ranks #3 of 6 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a kindergarten 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) — 40% of a median kindergarten 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
- Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education — $79,470
- Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education — $77,350
- Special Education Teachers, Middle School — $77,050
- Self-Enrichment Teacher — $59,760