Average Position Cost
DCPS budgets for all school-based staff based on the average salary cost of the position. For the portion of resources allocated in a staffing model, DCPS provides the school the exact amount of funding required to purchase the position (average salary, benefits, and add-ons). The actual staff member who is hired may receive a salary that is greater than or less than the average, based on their qualifications. Using average salaries protects schools against fluctuations due to staff changes and maintains schools’ ability to hire teachers based on quality.
Calculating Salary and Benefits
DCPS determines the average salary collaboratively with the Office of the Chief Financial Officer based on an analysis of payroll data. Typically, the average salary increases every year due to cost of living increases and rising healthcare costs, among other reasons. The benefits rate is determined through a similar process and each year, it is budgeted at approximately 15-19% of the base salary.
Administrative Add-Ons
In addition to salary and benefits, DCPS adds the costs of certain expenses related to each union (e.g., the Washington Teachers’ Union, or WTU) and/or position type to the average salary and benefits. These additional costs are called “administrative add-ons.” For example, each teacher receives a $250 teacher supply card to purchase classroom supplies as part of the WTU contract. This $250 is added on top of the salary and benefits of every WTU position that is budgeted. Other examples of these add-ons include the costs of employee fingerprinting, ensuring compliance with disability accommodations required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and cost of IMPACT teacher performance bonuses. The total costs are distributed across each position in a “per unit cost” during the budget development process and combined into one “add-on,” which is combined with average salary and benefits to determine the total average cost of the position. The total “add on” cost will vary based on position types since the expenses that they pay for can vary by position types. The total “add on” budget is centrally managed. To see the unit cost for each position, please see the item catalog in the Additional Information section of the Budget Development Guide.
Average Position Costs (FY23-FY26)
Below shows average position costs and its year over year changes for select role categories. You will also find union-specific add-on costs. To see a full list of position unit costs, please see the Item Catalog. *Given updates made through union contract negotiations, there were cost increases that were applied retroactively resulting in a spike in year-over-year changes.*
WTU 10mo.
This includes all 10 month positions within the Washington Teachers’ Union, including teachers, librarians, social workers, instructional coaches, reading specialists, counselors, and TLIs.
Cost | FY23 (SY22-23) | FY24 (SY23-24) | FY25 (SY24-25)* | FY26 (SY25-26) | FY23-FY24 diff. (%) | FY24-FY25* diff. (%) | FY25-FY26 diff. (%) |
Average Salary | $93,171 | $94,474 | $107,995 | $109,802 | +1.4% | +14.3% | +1.7% |
Average Benefits | $15,280 | $15,116 | $18,575 | $20,951 | -1.1% | +22.9% | +12.8% |
Administrative Add-ons | $5,381 | $5,572 | $7,151 | $7,972 | +3.5% | +28.3% | +11.5% |
Total Unit Cost | $113,832 | $115,162 | $133,722 | $138,725 | +1.2% | +16.1% | +3.7% |
Benefits rate (% of salary) | 16.4% | 16.0% | 17.2% | 19.1% |
Aides, 10mo.
Cost | FY23 (SY22-23) | FY24 (SY23-24) | FY25 (SY24-25)* | FY26 (SY25-26) | FY23-FY24 diff. (%) | FY24-FY25* diff. (%) | FY25-FY26 diff. (%) |
Average Salary | $31,182 | $30,832 | $32,744 | $33,715 | -1.1% | +6.2% | +3.0% |
Average Benefits | $5,114 | $4,933 | $5,632 | $6,434 | -3.5% | +14.2% | +14.2% |
Add-ons for AFSCME | $2,871 | $3,146 | $4,316 | $5,095 | +9.6% | +37.2% | +18.0% |
Total Unit Cost | $39,167 | $38,911 | $42,692 | $45,244 | -0.7% | +9.7% | +6.0% |
Benefits rate (% of salary) | 16.4% | 16.0% | 17.2% | 19.1% |
Coordinators (10)
Coordinator positions that fall into this category include: Coordinator, BCBA; Coordinator, Global Studies; Coordinator, College & Career; Coordinator, Academy including NAF; Coordinator, Athletics & Activities; Coordinator, IB; Coordinator, Pathways; Coordinator, Program; Coordinator, Special Education; Coordinator, Strategy & Logistics; Coordinator, Student Resource; Coordinator, Restorative Justice/Practices
Cost | FY23 (SY22-23) | FY24 (SY23-24) | FY25 (SY24-25)* | FY26 (SY25-26) | FY23-FY24 diff. (%) | FY24-FY25* diff. (%) | FY25-FY26 diff. (%) |
Average Salary | $100,015 | $99,214 | $105,022 | $110,487 | -0.8% | +5.9% | +5.2% |
Average Benefits | $16,402 | $15,874 | $18,064 | $21,081 | -3.2% | +13.8% | +16.8% |
Add-ons for CSO | $3,066 | $3,345 | $5,947 | $5,822 | +9.1% | +77.8% | -2.1% |
Total Unit Cost | $119,483 | $118,433 | $129,033 | $137,390 | -0.9% | +8.9% | +6.5% |
Benefits rate (% of salary) | 16.4% | 16.0% | 17.2% | 19.1% |
Custodians (RW-3)
Cost | FY23 (SY22-23) | FY24 (SY23-24) | FY25 (SY24-25)* | FY26 (SY25-26) | FY23-FY24 diff. (%) | FY24-FY25* diff. (%) | FY25-FY26 diff. (%) |
Average Salary | $40,319 | $41,002 | $42,453 | $43,623 | +1.7% | +3.5% | +2.8% |
Average Benefits | $6,612 | $6,560 | $7,302 | $8,323 | -0.8% | +11.3% | +14.0% |
Add-ons for Teamsters | $4,256 | $4,667 | $4,717 | $4,859 | +9.7% | +1.1% | +3.0% |
Total Unit Cost | $51,187 | $52,229 | $54,472 | $56,805 | +2.0% | +4.3% | +4.3% |
Benefits rate (% of salary) | 16.4% | 16.0% | 17.2% | 19.1% |
Add-ons by Union
FY26 WTU Add-Ons | |||
Description | Line Item | FY26 Cost per WTU | FY26 Budget |
Mutual Consent Excessing Options | Extra Year Option | $55 | $316,800 |
Mutual Consent Excessing Options | Buyout Option | $4 | $25,000 |
IMPACT Bonuses | IMPACT Bonuses | $2,911.85 | $26,600,000 |
Background Checks | Drug & Alcohol Testing | $27.37 | $250,000 |
Background Checks | Fingerprinting Screen | $76.63 | $700,000 |
Background Checks | Fitness for Duty/FMLA Vertification | $2.49 | $22,712 |
Employee Support | Start-Up Supplies | $254 | $1,475,000 |
Employee Support | ADA Accommodations | $79.04 | $722,000 |
Employee Support | WTU Tuition Reimbursement | $14 | $80,000 |
Employee Support | International Visas | $5 | $27,000 |
Employee Support | Employee Assistance Services | $10.34 | $94,500 |
Stipends | DINR Bonus | $34 | $200,000 |
Stipends | Department Chair Stipends | $108 | $625,000 |
Stipends | Hard To Fill Stipends | $603 | $3,500,000 |
Stipends | Key Duties Stipends | $327 | $1,900,000 |
School-Based Costs | Substitutes | $2,671 | $15,500,000 |
School-Based Costs | Enrollment Reserve | $306.51 | $2,800,000 |
School-Based Costs | Backfill | $482 | $2,800,000 |
Add-Ons | $7,972 | ||
FY26 AFSCME Add-Ons | ||
Description | FY26 Cost per AFSCME | FY26 Budget |
IMPACT Bonuses | $2,911.85 | $26,600,000 |
Drug & Alcohol Testing | $27.37 | $250,000 |
Fingerprinting Screen | $76.63 | $700,000 |
Fitness for Duty/FMLA Vertification | $2.49 | $22,712 |
ADA Accommodations | $79.04 | $722,000 |
Employee Assistance Services | $10.34 | $94,500 |
Enrollment Reserve | $306.51 | $2,800,000 |
Legal Fund | $27 | $50,000 |
Metro Pass | $43 | $80,000 |
Educational Aides as Subs | $1,611 | $3,000,000 |
Total Add-Ons | $5,095 | $34,319,212 |
FY26 CSO Add-Ons | ||
Description | FY26 Cost per CSO | FY26 Budget |
IMPACT Bonuses | $2,911.85 | $26,600,000 |
Drug & Alcohol Testing | $27.37 | $250,000 |
Fingerprinting Screen | $76.63 | $700,000 |
Fitness for Duty/FMLA Vertification | $2.49 | $22,712 |
ADA Accommodations | $79.04 | $722,000 |
Employee Assistance Services | $10.34 | $94,500 |
Enrollment Reserve | $306.51 | $2,800,000 |
Professional Development | $160 | $130,000 |
Start-Up Supplies | $210 | $170,000 |
Extra Duty Stipend for Principals and APs | $2,037 | $1,650,000 |
Total Add-Ons | $5,822 | $33,139,212 |
FY26 Teamsters Add-Ons | ||
Description | FY26 Cost per Teamster | FY26 Budget |
IMPACT Bonuses | $2,911.85 | $26,600,000 |
Drug & Alcohol Testing | $27.37 | $250,000 |
Fingerprinting Screen | $76.63 | $700,000 |
Fitness for Duty/FMLA Vertification | $2.49 | $22,712 |
ADA Accommodations | $79.04 | $722,000 |
Employee Assistance Services | $10.34 | $94,500 |
Enrollment Reserve | $306.51 | $2,800,000 |
Attendance Counselor Transportation | $32 | $20,000 |
Shift Differential | $1,334 | $845,000 |
Home Assistance | $79 | $50,000 |
Total Add-Ons | $4,859 | $32,104,212 |
