Average and median wage in Washington, D.C.
Half of the 701,920 workers in Washington, D.C. earn less than $91,540 a year, the median wage, while the average pay is $111,010, or $53.37 an hour. The lowest-paid 10% make $39,650 or less and the top 10% $195,190 or more. The average is 59% more than the U.S. average ($69,770) and the median 80% more than the U.S. median ($50,980).
- $40K10th
- $55K25th
- $92KMedian
- $145K75th
- $195K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Washington, D.C. per year | Per hour* | U.S. per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $111,010 | $53.37 | $69,770 |
| Median | $91,540 | $44.01 | $50,980 |
| 10th percentile | $39,650 | $19.06 | $31,200 |
| 25th percentile | $55,460 | $26.66 | $37,590 |
| 75th percentile | $144,680 | $69.56 | $80,520 |
| 90th percentile | $195,190 | $93.84 | $128,560 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Statewide figures include every employer in the state, metro and rural. Median vs. average salary · reading percentiles.
Average salary by city in Washington, D.C.
- Washington$91,930
Map of Washington, D.C. metro areas
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Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
Salary, take-home pay and cost of living by city
| City | Average | Median | Take-home* | Cost of living | Home value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $91,930 | $71,060 | $68,657 | 109 | $583,013 |
*Average salary after federal and state income tax and payroll taxes for a single filer. Cost of living: BEA price parity, U.S. = 100.
Highest-paying jobs in Washington, D.C.
- Radiologists · Washington$412,760
- Dermatologists · Washington$352,880
- Anesthesiologists · Washington$326,660
- Cardiologists · Washington$325,320
- Orthodontists · Washington$285,910
- Physicians, Pathologists · Washington$253,240
- Surgeons, All Other · Washington$252,380
- Nurse Anesthetists · Washington$252,210
- Family Medicine Physicians · Washington$237,070
- Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers · Washington$235,100
Most common jobs in Washington, D.C.
| Job | Jobs statewide | Average | Median | Highest city average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | 37,790 | $118,300 | $108,160 | $113,390 |
| General and Operations Managers | 36,150 | $179,130 | $168,000 | $163,620 |
| Lawyers | 33,070 | $242,800 | $195,190 | $226,780 |
| Management Analysts | 19,000 | $130,350 | $126,140 | $145,310 |
| Managers, All Other | 18,570 | $181,010 | $175,720 | $176,670 |
| Computer Occupations, All Other | 17,200 | $151,310 | $156,590 | $150,420 |
| Public Relations Specialists | 16,720 | $120,200 | $102,740 | $116,930 |
| Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners | 16,400 | $40,640 | $38,520 | $39,660 |
| Security Guards | 15,880 | $60,720 | $64,210 | $54,430 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | 12,810 | $42,540 | $42,700 | $39,110 |
Jobs, average and median: BLS statewide estimates. Highest city average: best-paid metro area we cover in the state.
Average salary by job family in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C. income tax and take-home pay
Take-home figures on these pages apply Washington, D.C.'s 2026 income tax rules for a single filer with the standard deduction, plus federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security and Medicare.
Washington, D.C. at a glance
Average salary in other states
- Alabama
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- California
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- Delaware
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- Hawaii
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- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
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- South Carolina
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- Tennessee
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- Washington
- West Virginia
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Salary in Washington, D.C.: questions
What is the average salary in Washington, D.C.?
$111,010 a year across all jobs, according to BLS statewide estimates (OEWS, May 2025). That is 59% more than the U.S. average ($69,770).
What is the median salary in Washington, D.C.?
$91,540 a year: half of Washington, D.C. workers earn more and half earn less. The median is lower than the average because a minority of high earners lifts the average.
What is the average hourly wage in Washington, D.C.?
$53.37 an hour on average, and $44.01 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
Which city in Washington, D.C. pays the most?
Washington, with an average of $91,930 a year among the metro areas we cover.
Is Washington, D.C. expensive to live in?
BEA puts Washington, D.C. prices 10% above the U.S. average (price parity 109.9). Within the state, Washington 109 are the most expensive metros.
Sources and how to read this page
- Statewide figures: BLS OEWS state estimates, May 2025, all occupations and every employer in the state (metro and rural areas).
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. City figures: the metro areas we cover in Washington, D.C..
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
- Population and median household income: Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates, 2023.
- Crime: FBI Crime Data Explorer, violent and property crimes reported by agencies statewide, latest 12 months available.
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