Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School Salary in District of Columbia (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary 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
$97,910
per year
Hourly Rate
$47.07
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+50% vs US median
US median $65,120
State Rank
#1 of 51
1,070 employed here

How much do Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School make in District of Columbia?

Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School working in District of Columbia earn a median salary of $97,910 per year, or about $47.07 per hour. That is 50% above the national median of $65,120 for this occupation.

Within District of Columbia, entry-level pay starts around $65,450 while the top 10% make $128,370 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $79,880 and $103,510 a year.

Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School salary range in District of Columbia

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$65,450$31.47
25th percentile (early career)$79,880$38.40
50th percentile (median)$97,910$47.07
75th percentile (experienced)$103,510$49.76
90th percentile (top earners)$128,370$61.72

How District of Columbia compares

District of Columbia ranks 1st out of 51 states and territories for Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1District of Columbia$97,910
2California$97,170
3Washington$95,040
4Massachusetts$91,350
5Rhode Island$84,300

Working as Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School in District of Columbia

Nationally, about 261,000 people work as Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary 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 ($97,910) 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 do Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School make in District of Columbia?
The median Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School salary in District of Columbia is $97,910 per year, or about $47.07 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $65,450 at the entry level to $128,370 for the top 10% of earners.
How does District of Columbia pay compare to the national average?
District of Columbia pays Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School about 50% more than the national median of $65,120. District of Columbia ranks 1st out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is District of Columbia a good state for Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School?
Yes on pay — District of Columbia pays above the national median for this occupation, at $97,910 a year. About 1,070 Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary 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 Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School salary report

Related salaries

Elementary School Teacher, Except Special Education

$63,970
median pay · 1,388,000 employed

Curator

$63,420
median pay · 12,000 employed

Archivist

$64,550
median pay · 8,000 employed

Special Education Teacher, Preschool

$64,830
median pay · 30,000 employed

Communication Teachers, Postsecondary

$78,580
median pay · 29,000 employed

Educational Instruction and Library Workers, All Other

$50,890
median pay · 119,000 employed
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.