Salaries › Special Education Teacher › District of Columbia
Special Education Teacher Salary in District of Columbia (2026)
— per hour · take-home ≈ $72,356/year ($6,030/month) for a single filer
District of Columbia is the highest-paying state in the country for Special Education Teachers, with a median about 37% above the national average. Of the 1,070 Special Education Teacher jobs BLS counts in District of Columbia, the typical worker earns $97,910 a year — though pay ranges from $65,450 for newcomers to $128,370 at the top.
Special Education Teacher pay range in District of Columbia
| Percentile | Annual wage | Meaning |
| 10th percentile (entry) | $65,450 | Lowest-paid 10% earn less than this |
| 25th percentile | $79,880 | A quarter earn less |
| Median (50th) | $97,910 | Half earn more, half earn less |
| 75th percentile | $103,510 | Top quarter starts here |
| 90th percentile (top) | $128,370 | Highest-paid 10% earn more than this |
BLS reports 1,070 Special Education Teacher jobs in District of Columbia (occupation code 25-2052, “Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School”).
Gross vs. take-home in District of Columbia
A median Special Education Teacher salary of $97,910 doesn’t all reach your bank account. After federal income tax, Social Security, and Medicare, plus District of Columbia state income tax, a single filer keeps about $72,356 — an effective tax rate of 26.1%.
| Gross (median) | $97,910 |
| Federal income tax | −$12,710 |
| Social Security + Medicare | −$7,490 |
| District of Columbia state income tax | −$5,354 |
| Take-home (annual) | $72,356 |
| Take-home (monthly) | $6,030 |
Want your exact numbers — married, 401(k), different salary? Use the free District of Columbia paycheck calculator on PaycheckTally.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a Special Education Teacher make in District of Columbia?
- The median Special Education Teacher salary in District of Columbia is $97,910 per year (— per hour) according to the latest BLS data. The middle 50% earn between $79,880 and $103,510.
- What is the take-home pay for a Special Education Teacher in District of Columbia?
- On the median salary of $97,910, a single filer in District of Columbia takes home about $72,356 per year ($6,030 per month) after federal tax, FICA, and state income tax — an effective tax rate of 26.1%.
- How many Special Education Teacher jobs are there in District of Columbia?
- BLS counts 1,070 Special Education Teacher jobs in District of Columbia in the latest survey (May 2025).
Top-paying states for Special Education Teachers
Other salaries in District of Columbia
Sources and methodology
Wage and employment figures: BLS OEWS May 2025 (state file, released April 2026) — the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey, the most authoritative public salary dataset. Take-home estimate: 2026 federal brackets, FICA, and verified District of Columbia state tax rules (single filer, standard deduction, no credits or local taxes). Estimates only — not financial advice.
- BLS OEWS — official occupational wage data.
- PaycheckTally — interactive 2026 take-home calculator for District of Columbia.