Economics Teachers, Postsecondary Salary
In Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV, economics teachers, postsecondaries earn $155,060 at the median. The range runs from $83K at the entry level to $264K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 108.88), so that salary is closer to $142,414 in real purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $2,246/month, or 24.5% of estimated take-home pay.
So what does $155K get you in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria?
Groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare scaled from national averages by Washington-Arlington-Alexandria’s Regional Price Parity (108.88). Rent from HUD Fair Market Rents. Taxes estimated for single filer, standard deduction. * Healthcare is the employee-paid share only (premiums + out-of-pocket). Actual costs vary by coverage type: employer-sponsored, ACA marketplace, or uninsured.
About economics teachers, postsecondaries
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What this looks like in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria sits well above the national pay line for economics teachers, postsecondary, local pay runs about 25% higher than the U.S. median of $124K. Rent runs $2,246/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 25.3% 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.
Compared to nearby metros
Median pay for economics teachers, postsecondaries in metros near Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, adjusted for local cost of living.
| Metro | Median pay | COL-adjusted |
|---|---|---|
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson | $134K | $128K |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk | $129K | $132K |
| Richmond | $128K | $131K |
COL-adjusted = median salary ÷ (BEA Regional Price Parity ÷ 100). Expresses purchasing power in national-average dollars.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
Entry-level economics teachers, postsecondaries (10th percentile) start around $83K. Mid-career wages sit at $155K. Top earners bring in $264K or more, a $180K spread from bottom to top.
Economics Teachers, Postsecondary pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
View Economics Teachers, Postsecondary salary in all states
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Hampshire | $202K | +63% | 80 |
| Massachusetts | $164K | +33% | 750 |
| District of Columbia | $162K | +31% | 220 |
| Connecticut | $156K | +26% | 300 |
| California | $137K | +11% | 770 |
| Arizona | $137K | +11% | 100 |
| Oregon | $136K | +10% | 180 |
| Vermont | $135K | +9% | 80 |
| Maryland | $134K | +8% | 200 |
| Louisiana | $133K | +7% | 70 |
| Nebraska | $131K | +6% | 90 |
| Michigan | $129K | +4% | 350 |
| Virginia | $129K | +4% | 460 |
| Utah | $128K | +4% | 150 |
| New York | $128K | +3% | 1,240 |
| Maine | $126K | +2% | 70 |
| Illinois | $125K | +1% | 460 |
| Texas | $119K | -4% | 770 |
| Pennsylvania | $118K | -5% | 610 |
| Georgia | $118K | -5% | 370 |
| Missouri | $117K | -6% | 150 |
| North Carolina | $114K | -8% | 490 |
| New Mexico | $110K | -11% | 60 |
| New Jersey | $110K | -11% | 410 |
| South Carolina | $109K | -12% | 110 |
| Minnesota | $108K | -12% | 250 |
| Oklahoma | $107K | -13% | 110 |
| Kentucky | $106K | -14% | 120 |
| Ohio | $106K | -15% | 410 |
| Indiana | $105K | -15% | 150 |
| Tennessee | $105K | -16% | 250 |
| Kansas | $103K | -16% | 130 |
| Alabama | $101K | -18% | 90 |
| Wisconsin | $100K | -19% | 310 |
| Colorado | $99K | -20% | 270 |
| Washington | $97K | -22% | 190 |
| West Virginia | $91K | -26% | 40 |
| Florida | $91K | -26% | 150 |
| Mississippi | $88K | -29% | 70 |
| South Dakota | $86K | -31% | 40 |
| Iowa | $85K | -31% | 80 |
| Arkansas | $77K | -38% | 40 |
Showing 1–10 of 42 states with published data
BLS does not publish data for every state when sample sizes are too small
Track economics teachers, postsecondary salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Washington-Arlington-Alexandria numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a economics teachers, postsecondary afford a 2BR apartment alone in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria?
Yes — at the median salary of $155K, rent takes 25.3% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $2,246/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for economics teachers, postsecondaries in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new economics teachers, postsecondaries typically earn — is $83K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $5,007/month. At HUD’s $2,246/month FMR, rent would take 45% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is economics teachers, postsecondary a high-paying job in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria?
Local pay is 25% above the national median — $155K here vs. $124K nationally. Keep in mind cost of living here is 9% above the national average, which offsets some of that premium.
How does Washington-Arlington-Alexandria compare to the national average for economics teachers, postsecondaries?
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria pays $155K median vs. the U.S. average of $124K — that’s +25%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 108.88), the purchasing-power equivalent is $142K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do economics teachers, postsecondaries make in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
The median is $155,060 a year. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $83,450, and experienced economics teachers, postsecondaries can clear $263,880. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $155K enough to live in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $8,867/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,246/month, which eats 25.3% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a economics teachers, postsecondary salary go in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria?
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria 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 economics teachers, postsecondary salary is worth about $142,414 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do economics 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.