Teaching Assistants, Postsecondary Salary in Washington, DC
Teaching Assistants, Postsecondary in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn a median $58,330 a year — 36% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $46,703 take-home, or $3,892 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median teaching assistants, postsecondary salary in Washington, DC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$4,820
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,616
- Medicare (1.45%)$846
- District of Columbia income tax$2,345
- Take-home pay$46,703
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 6.50% 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 →
Teaching Assistants, Postsecondary pay by experience in Washington, DC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $52,930 | $25.45 | $42,699 | $3,558 |
| 25th percentile | $58,330 | $28.04 | $46,703 | $3,892 |
| Median (50th) | $58,330 | $28.04 | $46,703 | $3,892 |
| 75th percentile | $65,570 | $31.52 | $52,050 | $4,337 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $75,980 | $36.53 | $58,790 | $4,899 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, District of Columbia resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $58,330 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 teaching assistants, postsecondary's $46,703 take-home pay has the buying power of $42,893 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 teaching assistants, postsecondary jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for teaching assistants, postsecondary, adjusted for cost of living
Washington, DC ranks #4 of 14 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | College Station, TX | $57,790 | $48,614 | $53,451 |
| 2 | Sacramento, CA | $61,780 | $49,261 | $46,181 |
| 3 | Champaign, IL | $50,110 | $40,108 | $43,264 |
| 4 | Washington, DC | $58,330 | $46,703 | $42,893 |
| 5 | Madison, WI | $47,990 | $39,409 | $40,508 |
| 6 | Phoenix, AZ | $49,810 | $41,166 | $39,845 |
| 7 | Boston, MA | $49,760 | $39,894 | $36,848 |
| 8 | Houston, TX | $38,490 | $33,107 | $33,567 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 14 metros →
About the job: teaching assistants, postsecondary
Assist faculty or other instructional staff in postsecondary institutions by performing instructional support activities, such as developing teaching materials, leading discussion groups, preparing and giving examinations, and grading examinations or papers. Graduate students who teach one or more full courses should be classified in the 25-1000 minor group.
- Typical education
- Bachelor's degree
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- None
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +2.7% (about average)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a teaching assistants, postsecondary make in Washington, DC?
The median teaching assistants, postsecondary salary in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area is $58,330 a year, or about $28.04 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $58,330 and $65,570.
What is a teaching assistants, postsecondary’s take-home pay in Washington, DC?
On the median $58,330 salary, a single filer living in District of Columbia takes home about $46,703 a year ($3,892 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $2,345 in District of Columbia taxes in 2026.
Is Washington, DC a good place to work as a teaching assistants, postsecondary?
Pay here is 36% above the national median of $42,910. Local prices are 8.9% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $42,893 would in a typical U.S. city. Washington, DC ranks #4 of 14 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a teaching assistants, postsecondary 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) — 51% of a median teaching assistants, postsecondary’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