School Psychologist Salary in Washington, DC
School Psychologists in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn a median $106,550 a year — 11% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $77,700 take-home, or $6,475 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median school psychologist salary in Washington, DC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$14,611
- Social Security (6.2%)$6,606
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,545
- District of Columbia income tax$6,088
- Take-home pay$77,700
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.
School Psychologist pay by experience in Washington, DC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $66,570 | $32.00 | $52,781 | $4,398 |
| 25th percentile | $85,670 | $41.19 | $64,785 | $5,399 |
| Median (50th) | $106,550 | $51.23 | $77,700 | $6,475 |
| 75th percentile | $138,240 | $66.46 | $96,971 | $8,081 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $141,440 | $68.00 | $98,886 | $8,241 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, District of Columbia resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $106,550 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 psychologist's $77,700 take-home pay has the buying power of $71,360 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 school psychologist jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for school psychologists, adjusted for cost of living
Washington, DC ranks #12 of 24 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Riverside, CA | $139,400 | $95,999 | $90,189 |
| 2 | Denver, CO | $129,340 | $94,687 | $89,512 |
| 3 | Sacramento, CA | $131,920 | $91,679 | $85,947 |
| 4 | San Diego, CA | $131,070 | $91,189 | $81,501 |
| 5 | Seattle, WA | $115,570 | $90,133 | $81,104 |
| 6 | Baltimore, MD | $114,520 | $84,299 | $80,679 |
| 7 | San Francisco, CA | $130,540 | $90,882 | $78,609 |
| 8 | New York, NY | $117,540 | $85,625 | $76,068 |
| 12 | Washington, DC | $106,550 | $77,700 | $71,360 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 24 metros →
Frequently asked questions
How much does a school psychologist make in Washington, DC?
The median school psychologist salary in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area is $106,550 a year, or about $51.23 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $85,670 and $138,240.
What is a school psychologist’s take-home pay in Washington, DC?
On the median $106,550 salary, a single filer living in District of Columbia takes home about $77,700 a year ($6,475 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $6,088 in District of Columbia taxes in 2026.
Is Washington, DC a good place to work as a school psychologist?
Pay here is 11% above the national median of $95,990. Local prices are 8.9% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $71,360 would in a typical U.S. city. Washington, DC ranks #12 of 24 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a school psychologist 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) — 31% of a median school psychologist’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
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