Elementary School Teacher · Salary Comparison · 2026
Elementary School Teacher Salary: Washington, DC vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Elementary School Teachers in Washington, DC and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$56,000 vs $57,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Washington, DC
$36,842 vs $35,185
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Washington, DC
$31,830 vs $30,886
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Washington, DC | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $56,000 | $57,000▲ | -$1,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $43,120 | $43,890▲ | -$770 |
| 75th Percentile | $71,680 | $72,960▲ | -$1,280 |
| 90th Percentile | $89,600 | $91,200▲ | -$1,600 |
| Cost of Living Index | 152 | 162 | -10 |
| State Income Tax | 6.5% | 5%▲ | +1.5% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $36,842▲ | $35,185 | +$1,657 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $48,381 | $50,035▲ | -$1,654 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $31,830▲ | $30,886 | +$944 |
| Total Employment | 112,500 | 105,000 | +7,500 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Washington, DC minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $1,000 more (median: $56,000 vs $57,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 152 vs 162), Washington, DC provides better purchasing power ($36,842 vs $35,185 equivalent). Boston, MA has the lower state tax rate (5% vs 6.5%).
Data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS · 2026 · Cost-of-living indices from composite metro area data. Take-home estimates approximate only — consult a tax professional for accurate figures.