District of Columbia Teacher Salary

Average and starting teacher pay in the District of Columbia for 2024-25, ranked among all states.

District of Columbia teacher salary at a glance

In 2024-25 the average public school teacher in the District of Columbia earned $95,077, according to NEA. That ranks 4th among the 50 states and D.C. and is $20,582 above the national average of $74,495. A year earlier the average was $86,663, so pay changed by 9.7%. NEA marks this state's 2024-25 average as an estimate.

New teachers start lower. NEA's benchmark report puts the starting salary in the District of Columbia at $64,640, which ranks 1st of 51. The national average starting salary is $48,112.

District of ColumbiaUnited States
Average salary 2024-25$95,077$74,495
Average salary 2023-24$86,663$71,985
Starting salary 2024-25$64,640$48,112
Average salary rank4 of 51
Starting salary rank1 of 51

States close to the District of Columbia in the ranking

New York (2nd, $98,655), Washington (3rd, $96,589), Massachusetts (5th, $93,554), Connecticut (6th, $89,593). See all states ranked or compare the District of Columbia with another state.

Average salary covers all public school teachers and is what NEA reports for 2024-25. Starting salary is the pay at the bottom of a bachelor's-degree salary schedule, as collected in NEA's benchmark report. Salary figures do not include benefits and are not adjusted for cost of living. Source: NEA, Rankings of the States 2025 and Estimates of School Statistics 2026 (average salary, Table B-6, April 2026) and NEA, 2024-2025 Teacher Salary Benchmark Report (starting salary, April 2026). Ranks are among the 50 states and the District of Columbia. Reviewed 2026-10-03.

Frequently asked questions

What is the average teacher salary in the District of Columbia?

NEA reports an average public school teacher salary of $95,077 in the District of Columbia for 2024-25, which ranks 4th of 51 (the 50 states and D.C.). NEA marks this state's 2024-25 average as an estimate.

What is the starting teacher salary in the District of Columbia?

NEA's benchmark report lists a starting salary of $64,640 in the District of Columbia for 2024-25, ranking 1st of 51.

How does the District of Columbia compare with the national average?

The national average teacher salary is $74,495. the District of Columbia is $20,582 above it. For starting pay, the national average is $48,112 and the District of Columbia is $16,528 above.

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