School Bus Monitor Salary in Washington, DC
School Bus Monitors in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn a median $41,720 a year — 19% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $34,365 take-home, or $2,864 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median school bus monitor salary in Washington, DC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,826
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,587
- Medicare (1.45%)$605
- District of Columbia income tax$1,337
- Take-home pay$34,365
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.
School Bus Monitor pay by experience in Washington, DC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,930 | $15.35 | $27,086 | $2,257 |
| 25th percentile | $35,710 | $17.17 | $29,896 | $2,491 |
| Median (50th) | $41,720 | $20.06 | $34,365 | $2,864 |
| 75th percentile | $45,520 | $21.88 | $37,190 | $3,099 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $47,560 | $22.87 | $38,707 | $3,226 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, District of Columbia resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $41,720 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 school bus monitor's $34,365 take-home pay has the buying power of $31,561 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 1.4× the national concentration of school bus monitor jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for school bus monitors, adjusted for cost of living
Washington, DC ranks #1 of 27 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington, DC | $41,720 | $34,365 | $31,561 |
| 2 | Syracuse, NY | $35,950 | $29,722 | $31,043 |
| 3 | St. Louis, MO | $34,880 | $29,504 | $31,028 |
| 4 | Pittsburgh, PA | $34,970 | $29,205 | $30,849 |
| 5 | Minneapolis, MN | $38,670 | $32,001 | $30,529 |
| 6 | Baltimore, MD | $38,590 | $31,718 | $30,356 |
| 7 | Detroit, MI | $36,240 | $30,009 | $29,920 |
| 8 | Buffalo, NY | $34,460 | $28,605 | $29,845 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 27 metros →
Frequently asked questions
How much does a school bus monitor make in Washington, DC?
The median school bus monitor salary in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area is $41,720 a year, or about $20.06 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $35,710 and $45,520.
What is a school bus monitor’s take-home pay in Washington, DC?
On the median $41,720 salary, a single filer living in District of Columbia takes home about $34,365 a year ($2,864 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,337 in District of Columbia taxes in 2026.
Is Washington, DC a good place to work as a school bus monitor?
Pay here is 19% above the national median of $35,100. Local prices are 8.9% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $31,561 would in a typical U.S. city. Washington, DC ranks #1 of 27 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a school bus monitor 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) — 69% of a median school bus monitor’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Washington, DC
- Detective and Criminal Investigator — $156,750
- First-Line Supervisor of Police and Detectives — $125,960
- First-Line Supervisor of Firefighting and Prevention Workers — $118,570
- First-Line Supervisor of Correctional Officers — $99,510
- Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officer — $84,000
- First-Line Supervisor of Security Workers — $73,490
- Correctional Officer and Jailer — $70,570
- Transportation Security Screener — $69,910
- Firefighter — $66,980
- Private Detective and Investigator — $62,300
- Protective Service Workers, All Other — $58,780
- First-Line Supervisors of Protective Service Workers, All Other — $57,950