SOC 25-2021 · Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro

Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education Salary in Washington, DC

The average salary for elementary school teachers (except special education) in Washington, Washington, D.C. is $84,370 a year, according to BLS estimates for May 2025. The median is $79,470: half of the 30,940 people in this job in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn more than that, half earn less. That average is 16% more than the U.S. average for this job ($72,650).

$84,370average per year

Median $79,470Take-home ≈ $63,981

  • $61K10th
  • $64K25th
  • $79KMedian
  • $103K75th
  • $123K90th

median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it

30,940people in this job
+16%vs U.S. average
109cost of living (U.S. = 100)
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Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education pay range in Washington

New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $60,790 a year or less, while the top 10% make $122,580 or more. The middle half of elementary school teachers (except special education) in Washington earn between $64,140 and $102,750.

  • $61K10th
  • $64K25th
  • $79KMedian
  • $103K75th
  • $123K90th

median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it

Pay levelPer yearPer monthPer hour*
Average$84,370$7,031—
Median$79,470$6,622—
Entry level (25th percentile)$64,140$5,345—
Experienced (75th percentile)$102,750$8,562—

*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year (BLS publishes this job's pay as annual only). Hourly to annual salary.

Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education pay in Washington vs. Washington, D.C. and the U.S.

Elementary school teachers (except special education) in Washington earn 10% less than the Washington, D.C. average ($93,910) and 16% more than the U.S. average ($72,650). At the median the gap is +24% against the U.S. median of $63,970.

AreaAverageMedian10th pct.90th pct.Jobs
Washington$84,370$79,470$60,790$122,58030,940
Washington, D.C.$93,910$96,580$63,950$128,3703,750
United States$72,650$63,970$47,960$104,3401,388,390

State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.

Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education salary after taxes in Washington

On the average salary of $84,370, a single filer in Washington takes home about $63,981 a year, or $5,332 a month and $2,461 every two weeks. Taxes take 24% of gross pay.

The Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area crosses state lines, so take-home pay depends on the state where you work:

StatePer yearPer month
Working in WV$65,209$5,434
Working in MD$64,388$5,366
Working in VA$64,147$5,346
Working in DC$63,981$5,332

Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules).

Washington, D.C. paycheck calculator: try your own salary

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Is Washington a good place for elementary school teachers (except special education)? Pay vs. cost of living

Prices in the Washington area are 9% above the U.S. average (BEA price parity 108.9), so the average $84,370 buys what about $77,486 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 1.1 times the median wage of all jobs in Washington ($71,060). A typical home costs $583,013, or 6.9 years of this average salary before tax.

See what $84,370 is worth in another city

Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education salary in nearby metro areas

Highest-paying cities for elementary school teachers (except special education)

Mount Vernon, WA pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($106,760).

Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education salary by city

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Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education salary in Washington: questions

What is the entry-level elementary school teachers (except special education) salary in Washington?

The lowest-paid 10% earn about $60,790 a year and the 25th percentile is $64,140, a fair guide to starting pay.

What is the elementary school teachers (except special education) take-home pay in Washington?

About $63,981 a year ($5,332 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $84,370.

Do elementary school teachers (except special education) earn more in Washington than elsewhere?

The average here is 16% more than the U.S. average for this job ($72,650).

Sources and how to read this page

  • Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 25-2021; area Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV (47900). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 1.2%.
  • U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
  • Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
  • Home value: Zillow Home Value Index. Typical-wage figure: OEWS all occupations, same metro.
  • Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules).
  • Job concentration: location quotient 1.10, this job is about as common as in the U.S. overall.

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