Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education Salary in Washington, DC
Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn a median $44,660 a year — 17% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $36,551 take-home, or $3,046 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median preschool teachers, except special education salary in Washington, DC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$3,179
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,769
- Medicare (1.45%)$648
- District of Columbia income tax$1,514
- Take-home pay$36,551
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 6.00% 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 →
Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education pay by experience in Washington, DC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,430 | $17.03 | $29,688 | $2,474 |
| 25th percentile | $37,140 | $17.86 | $30,960 | $2,580 |
| Median (50th) | $44,660 | $21.47 | $36,551 | $3,046 |
| 75th percentile | $53,580 | $25.76 | $43,183 | $3,599 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $77,650 | $37.33 | $59,825 | $4,985 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, District of Columbia resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $44,660 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 preschool teachers, except special education's $36,551 take-home pay has the buying power of $33,568 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Washington, DC has 1.2× the national concentration of preschool teachers, except special education jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for preschool teachers, except special education, adjusted for cost of living
Washington, DC ranks #13 of 39 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Jose, CA | $51,190 | $41,525 | $37,605 |
| 2 | San Francisco, CA | $53,810 | $43,439 | $37,573 |
| 3 | New York, NY | $50,230 | $40,424 | $35,913 |
| 4 | Denver, CO | $45,680 | $37,582 | $35,528 |
| 5 | Seattle, WA | $46,380 | $39,446 | $35,495 |
| 6 | Riverside, CA | $46,010 | $37,721 | $35,438 |
| 7 | Minneapolis, MN | $43,960 | $35,969 | $34,314 |
| 8 | Boston, MA | $46,030 | $37,084 | $34,252 |
| 13 | Washington, DC | $44,660 | $36,551 | $33,568 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 39 metros →
About the job: preschool teachers, except special education
Instruct preschool-aged students, following curricula or lesson plans, in activities designed to promote social, physical, and intellectual growth.
- Typical education
- Associate's degree
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- None
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +4.5% (about average)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a preschool teachers, except special education make in Washington, DC?
The median preschool teachers, except special education salary in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area is $44,660 a year, or about $21.47 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $37,140 and $53,580.
What is a preschool teachers, except special education’s take-home pay in Washington, DC?
On the median $44,660 salary, a single filer living in District of Columbia takes home about $36,551 a year ($3,046 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,514 in District of Columbia taxes in 2026.
Is Washington, DC a good place to work as a preschool teachers, except special education?
Pay here is 17% above the national median of $38,140. Local prices are 8.9% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $33,568 would in a typical U.S. city. Washington, DC ranks #13 of 39 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a preschool 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) — 65% of a median preschool 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
- Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education — $77,200
- Special Education Teachers, Middle School — $77,050