Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

High School Teacher Salary in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV

In the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metropolitan area, high school teachers earned a median annual wage of $82,000 ($39.42/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $50,300/year and the 90th was $127,000/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and District of Columbia tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $62,422 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 108.9 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$82,000$39.42 per hour · $6,833 monthly
10th Percentile$50,300$24.18/hr base
25th Percentile$65,900$31.68/hr base
75th Percentile$101,400$48.75/hr base
90th Percentile$127,000$61.06/hr base

Run the numbers on your own pay

Same U.S. tax tables as the rest of the site. Change the salary, state, or filing status.

Take-Home Pay Explorer

$82,000
$30,000$165,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$82,000
Net 76%
Fed 11%
DC 5%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$62,422After all taxes
Monthly deposit$5,202Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$2,401Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate23.9%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$9,210 / yr
District of Columbia state income tax$4,095 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$6,273 / yr

Secondary School Teachers Wage Percentiles in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV

Official survey estimates from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Full-time calculations assume standard 2,080 annual working hours.

Wage Distribution for Secondary School Teachers in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (DC)
10th Percentile$24.18/hr$4,192$50,300$40,678
25th Percentile$31.68/hr$5,492$65,900$52,222
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$39.42/hr$6,833$82,000$62,422
75th Percentile$48.75/hr$8,450$101,400$74,421
90th Percentile$61.06/hr$10,583$127,000$90,151

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$82,000 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$126,684Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index108.98.9% above national average
Individual vs Household Ratio64.7%of area median income

Compare high school teachers salaries statewide and examine overall earnings in District of Columbia:

Frequently Asked Questions About Secondary School Teachers Pay in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV

What is the median salary for high school teachers in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?

The official BLS median annual wage for high school teachers in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV is $82,000, which equates to approximately $6,833 per month or $39.42 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for high school teachers in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?

The median hourly wage for high school teachers in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV is $39.42 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $24.18/hour and one in ten earned more than $61.06/hour.

What is the pay range for high school teachers in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?

BLS wage estimates for high school teachers in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV span from $50,300 at the 10th percentile to $65,900 at the 25th, $101,400 at the 75th, and $127,000 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do high school teachers take home after taxes in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?

On a median gross salary of $82,000, an estimated $62,422 lands in net take-home pay per year ($2,401 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in District of Columbia in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $19,578 (an effective rate of 23.9%).

How much do high school teachers make per month in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?

On the median annual salary of $82,000, gross monthly income is $6,833. After federal, FICA, and District of Columbia state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $5,202 per month (or $2,401 every two weeks).

Is $82,000 a good salary in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?

At $82,000, the median salary for high school teachers is 64.7% of the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV median household income ($126,684). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 108.9, making regional consumer goods and services 8.9% more expensive than the U.S. average.