Secondary School Teachers in District of Columbia. BLS OES + DOL OFLC + reader-reported submissions. How this is built →
What the numbers say
Secondary school teachers in DC earned a median of $78,770 in 2024, about 9% above the national median of $72,150. The average came in higher at $82,310, which means a portion of teachers at the senior end are pulling that figure up.
The spread across the pay range is wide. The bottom 10% earned around $43,620, while the top 10% reached $123,360. That gap of roughly $80,000 reflects how much experience, subject specialty, and union step placement can matter in a single district.
DC's cost-of-living index sits at 117.7, meaning prices run about 18% above the national baseline. After adjusting for that, the nominal premium over the US median largely disappears. In purchasing terms, a DC teacher at the median is roughly on par with the national figure, not ahead of it.
BLS projects employment for secondary school teachers to decline by 1.6% between 2024 and 2034, placing the occupation in the decline category nationally. DC is a single district rather than a state-wide labor market, so the local picture can move differently from national trends, but the projection signals modest contraction in the broader occupation.
Salary distribution
Where District of Columbia secondary school teachers fall on the wage curve.
Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)
The middle 50% of workers earn between $66,480 and $102,320, with a median of $82,750.
Secondary School Teachers in District of Columbia: actual employer-disclosed pay
Public records from 87 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. Median offered wage: $65,000. Every figure below is an actual offered salary an employer attested to under federal law.
By DOL wage level
DOL classifies every offer into one of four wage levels based on the role's experience and skill requirements.
| Level | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|
| Level I — entry | 81 | $65,000 |
| Level III — experienced | 1 | $90,868 |
| Level IV — fully competent | 3 | $107,507 |
Top employers filing for this role
Companies with the most certified filings for Secondary School Teachers in District of Columbia. Median offer is across all of that employer's filings.
| Employer | Most-filed title | Filings | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA PUBLIC SCHOOLS | SECONDARY TEACHER | 79 | $65,000 |
| FRIENDSHIP PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL | HIGH SCHOOL CHEMISTRY TEACHER | 4 | $107,507 |
| Washington International School | Upper School Computer Science Teacher | 2 | $63,700 |
| Corporation of the Washington Latin School - A Public Charter School, The | Math Teacher | 1 | $56,530 |
| Digital Pioneers Academy Public Charter School | Computer Science Teacher | 1 | $90,868 |
Recent sample filings
A snapshot of recent certified offers. Each line is a real, public, verifiable record.
- SECONDARY TEACHER at DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA PUBLIC SCHOOLS$65,000WASHINGTONWage Level IDecided Mar 31, 2026I-200-26083-726006
- Math Teacher at Corporation of the Washington Latin School - A Public Charter School, The$56,530WashingtonWage Level IDecided Mar 24, 2026I-200-26076-709328
- HIGH SCHOOL BIOLOGY TEACHER at FRIENDSHIP PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL$115,509WashingtonWage Level IVDecided Mar 2, 2026I-200-26054-657172
- Computer Science Teacher at Digital Pioneers Academy Public Charter School$90,868WashingtonWage Level IIIDecided Nov 7, 2025I-200-25273-344808
- SECONDARY TEACHER at DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA PUBLIC SCHOOLS$65,000WASHINGTONWage Level IDecided Nov 7, 2025I-200-25273-344814
- SECONDARY TEACHER at DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA PUBLIC SCHOOLS$65,000WASHINGTONWage Level IDecided Nov 7, 2025I-200-25273-344798
- SECONDARY TEACHER at DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA PUBLIC SCHOOLS$65,000WASHINGTONWage Level IDecided Nov 7, 2025I-200-25273-344993
- SECONDARY TEACHER at DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA PUBLIC SCHOOLS$65,000WASHINGTONWage Level IDecided Sep 22, 2025I-200-25258-308659
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Foreign Labor Certification. Disclosed wages reflect what employers attested to pay; actual paid wages may differ. Only certified filings are shown — denied and withdrawn cases are excluded.
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Secondary School Teachers pay by experience level in District of Columbia
Each band reflects DOL Wage Levels I-IV mapped onto a four-step ladder. Click a level to see the disclosed-wage range for that segment.
Wage trend
Median annual wage in District of Columbia over the past 3 BLS OES releases. Real values are CPI-adjusted to 2025 dollars.
Typical entry
Education
Bachelor's degree
Experience
None
On-the-job training
Internship/residency
Top skills (O*NET)
- 4.6 / 5
English Language
Knowledge
- 4.5 / 5
Education and Training
Knowledge
- 4.3 / 5
Oral Expression
Ability
- 4.1 / 5
Speaking
Basic skill
- 4.1 / 5
Instructing
Technical
- 4.1 / 5
Oral Comprehension
Ability
- 4.0 / 5
Learning Strategies
Cross-functional
- 4.0 / 5
Reading Comprehension
Basic skill
Common tasks (O*NET)
- 01
Prepare materials and classrooms for class activities.
- 02
Instruct through lectures, discussions, and demonstrations in one or more subjects, such as English, mathematics, or social studies.
- 03
Establish clear objectives for all lessons, units, and projects, and communicate those objectives to students.
- 04
Establish and enforce rules for behavior and procedures for maintaining order among students.
- 05
Adapt teaching methods and instructional materials to meet students' varying needs and interests.
- 06
Maintain accurate and complete student records as required by laws, district policies, and administrative regulations.
- 07
Observe and evaluate students' performance, behavior, social development, and physical health.
- 08
Plan and conduct activities for a balanced program of instruction, demonstration, and work time that provides students with opportunities to observe, question, and investigate.
10-year outlook
Growth 2024 → 2034
-1.6%
Projected annual openings
—
BLS outlook
Declining
Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034 cycle.
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Explore coursesTop metros in District of Columbia
Metro-level salary data for secondary school teachers in major District of Columbia metropolitan areas.
- Washington, D.C.$80,300
Compare Secondary School Teachers pay across nearby states
Considering a move? Compare District of Columbia with another state
Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Secondary School Teachers in District of Columbia?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, the median annual wage for Secondary School Teachers in District of Columbia is $82,750.
- How does District of Columbia compare to the national median for Secondary School Teachers?
- The District of Columbia median is +10.9% versus the BLS national figure of $74,587.
- What is the salary range for Secondary School Teachers in District of Columbia?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $50,750 and the 90th-percentile at $128,170, which captures most full-time workers in the role.
- Is Secondary School Teachers a growing field?
- BLS Employment Projections show employment declining by -1.6% over the projection cycle. See the 10-year outlook section above for details.
- What education is required for Secondary School Teachers?
- BLS lists the typical entry-level education as Bachelor's degree. Many employers also weigh prior experience and credentials.
Information on this page is for general educational purposes only. It is not career, financial, or tax advice. Wage data reflects BLS estimates for the reference year shown and may not match individual offers, employer-specific ranges, or current market conditions. Confirm with a licensed professional before making career or compensation decisions.