Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary Salary
The median pay for a area, ethnic, and cultural studies teachers, postsecondary in District of Columbia is $101,700/year, per BLS data. The range runs from $65K at the entry level to $224K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 108.88), so that salary is closer to $93,406 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $2,146/month, about 34.3% of take-home, which is tight.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across District of Columbia. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $102K get you in District of Columbia?
About area, ethnic, and cultural studies teachers, postsecondaries
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What this looks like in District of Columbia
District of Columbia sits well above the national pay line for area, ethnic, and cultural studies teachers, postsecondary, local pay runs about 20% higher than the U.S. median of $85K. Rent runs $2,146/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 34.7% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Cost-of-living overall is 9% above the national average (BEA RPP 108.88), so groceries and services cost more too. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, District of Columbia
Entry-level area, ethnic, and cultural studies teachers, postsecondaries (10th percentile) start around $65K. Mid-career wages sit at $102K. Top earners bring in $224K or more, a $159K spread from bottom to top.
Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary salary by metro in District of Columbia
1 metro area with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria | $102K | +0% | 360 |
Compare to other states
Track area, ethnic, and cultural studies teachers, postsecondary salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when District of Columbia numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a area, ethnic, and cultural studies teachers, postsecondary afford a 2BR apartment alone in District of Columbia?
It’s a stretch — at the median salary of $102K, rent takes 34.7% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $2,146/month. The 30% guideline puts the comfortable ceiling at roughly $1,900/month in rent — so roommates or a 1-bedroom would ease the math significantly.
What’s the entry-level salary for area, ethnic, and cultural studies teachers, postsecondaries in District of Columbia?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new area, ethnic, and cultural studies teachers, postsecondaries typically earn — is $65K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $3,903/month. At HUD’s $2,146/month FMR, rent would take 55% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is area, ethnic, and cultural studies teachers, postsecondary a high-paying job in District of Columbia?
Local pay is 20% above the national median — $102K here vs. $85K nationally. Keep in mind cost of living here is 9% above the national average, which offsets some of that premium.
How does District of Columbia compare to the national average for area, ethnic, and cultural studies teachers, postsecondaries?
District of Columbia pays $102K median vs. the U.S. average of $85K — that’s +20%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 108.88), the purchasing-power equivalent is $93K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do area, ethnic, and cultural studies teachers, postsecondaries make in District of Columbia?
The median is $101,700 a year. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $65,050, and experienced area, ethnic, and cultural studies teachers, postsecondaries can clear $224,380. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $102K enough to live in District of Columbia?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $6,177/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,146/month, which eats 34.7% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb, housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a area, ethnic, and cultural studies teachers, postsecondary salary go in District of Columbia?
District of Columbia has a Regional Price Parity of 108.88 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median area, ethnic, and cultural studies teachers, postsecondary salary is worth about $93,406 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do area, ethnic, and cultural studies teachers, postsecondaries get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.