Elementary School Teacher · Salary Comparison · 2026
Elementary School Teacher Salary: Washington, DC vs New York, NY
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Elementary School Teachers in Washington, DC and New York, NY, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ New York, NY
$56,000 vs $62,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Washington, DC
$36,842 vs $33,155
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Washington, DC
$31,830 vs $28,537
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Washington, DC | New York, NY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $56,000 | $62,000▲ | -$6,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $43,120 | $47,740▲ | -$4,620 |
| 75th Percentile | $71,680 | $79,360▲ | -$7,680 |
| 90th Percentile | $89,600 | $99,200▲ | -$9,600 |
| Cost of Living Index | 152 | 187 | -35 |
| State Income Tax | 6.5%▲ | 6.85% | -0.34999999999999964% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $36,842▲ | $33,155 | +$3,687 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $48,381 | $53,364▲ | -$4,983 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $31,830▲ | $28,537 | +$3,293 |
| Total Employment | 112,500 | 170,000 | -57,500 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Washington, DC minus New York, NY.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $6,000 more (median: $56,000 vs $62,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 152 vs 187), Washington, DC provides better purchasing power ($36,842 vs $33,155 equivalent). Washington, DC has the lower state tax rate (6.5% vs 6.85%).
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.