Special Education Teacher, Secondary School Salary in District of Columbia (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Special Education Teachers, Secondary School in District of Columbia, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
District of Columbia Median
$99,670
per year
Hourly Rate
$47.92
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+34% vs US median
US median $74,260
State Rank
#3 of 51
440 employed here

How much does a Special Education Teacher, Secondary School make in District of Columbia?

Special Education Teachers, Secondary School in District of Columbia take home a median of $99,670 annually — roughly $47.92 an hour — which runs 34% above the national median of $74,260.

Within District of Columbia, entry-level pay starts around $80,640 while the top 10% make $127,940 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $82,460 and $127,940 a year.

Special Education Teacher, Secondary School salary range in District of Columbia

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$80,640$38.77
25th percentile (early career)$82,460$39.64
50th percentile (median)$99,670$47.92
75th percentile (experienced)$127,940$61.51
90th percentile (top earners)$127,940$61.51

How District of Columbia compares

District of Columbia ranks 3rd out of 51 states and territories for Special Education Teacher, Secondary School pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1Washington$101,120
2California$101,060
3District of Columbia$99,670
4Maryland$93,530
5Rhode Island$92,990

Working as a Special Education Teacher, Secondary School in District of Columbia

Nationally, about 164,000 people work as Special Education Teachers, Secondary School in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.

Considering a move? Compare District of Columbia pay ($99,670) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Special Education Teacher, Secondary School make in District of Columbia?
The median Special Education Teacher, Secondary School salary in District of Columbia is $99,670 per year, or about $47.92 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $80,640 at the entry level to $127,940 for the top 10% of earners.
How does District of Columbia pay compare to the national average?
District of Columbia pays Special Education Teachers, Secondary School about 34% more than the national median of $74,260. District of Columbia ranks 3rd out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is District of Columbia a good state for Special Education Teachers, Secondary School?
Yes on pay — District of Columbia pays above the national median for this occupation, at $99,670 a year. About 440 Special Education Teachers, Secondary School are employed in District of Columbia. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in District of Columbia?
The highest-paying occupations in District of Columbia include Neurologist ($332,000), Emergency Medicine Physician ($318,200), Podiatrist ($265,740), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Special Education Teacher, Secondary School salary report

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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.