Special Education Teachers, Middle School Salary in Washington, DC
Special Education Teachers, Middle School in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn a median $77,050 a year — 15% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $59,454 take-home, or $4,954 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median special education teachers, middle school salary in Washington, DC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$8,121
- Social Security (6.2%)$4,777
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,117
- District of Columbia income tax$3,581
- Take-home pay$59,454
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 →
Special Education Teachers, Middle School pay by experience in Washington, DC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $59,120 | $28.42 | $47,287 | $3,941 |
| 25th percentile | $65,000 | $31.25 | $51,629 | $4,302 |
| Median (50th) | $77,050 | $37.04 | $59,454 | $4,954 |
| 75th percentile | $100,010 | $48.08 | $73,655 | $6,138 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $122,710 | $59.00 | $87,676 | $7,306 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, District of Columbia resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $77,050 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 special education teachers, middle school's $59,454 take-home pay has the buying power of $54,603 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 1.3× the national concentration of special education teachers, middle school jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for special education teachers, middle school, adjusted for cost of living
Washington, DC ranks #5 of 6 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cleveland, OH | $79,890 | $63,618 | $67,734 |
| 2 | New York, NY | $94,740 | $70,930 | $63,014 |
| 3 | Philadelphia, PA | $78,860 | $61,887 | $60,346 |
| 4 | Chicago, IL | $77,840 | $59,882 | $57,804 |
| 5 | Washington, DC | $77,050 | $59,454 | $54,603 |
| 6 | Dallas, TX | $65,870 | $55,107 | $53,455 |
*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: special education teachers, middle school
Teach academic, social, and life skills to middle school students with learning, emotional, or physical disabilities.
- 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 special education teachers, middle school make in Washington, DC?
The median special education teachers, middle school salary in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area is $77,050 a year, or about $37.04 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $65,000 and $100,010.
What is a special education teachers, middle school’s take-home pay in Washington, DC?
On the median $77,050 salary, a single filer living in District of Columbia takes home about $59,454 a year ($4,954 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $3,581 in District of Columbia taxes in 2026.
Is Washington, DC a good place to work as a special education teachers, middle school?
Pay here is 15% above the national median of $66,810. Local prices are 8.9% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $54,603 would in a typical U.S. city. Washington, DC ranks #5 of 6 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a special education teachers, middle school 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 special education teachers, middle school’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Washington, DC
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- 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
- Self-Enrichment Teacher — $59,760