Average Salary in DC: Median Income by Job & City
Median annual wage, all jobs
$91,540
Half of workers in District of Columbia earn more than $91,540 a year and half earn less, 80% above the U.S. median of $50,980. The average (mean) wage is $111,010.
Wages in District of Columbia vs. the U.S.
| Measure | District of Columbia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Median annual wage | $91,540 | $50,980 |
| Mean annual wage | $111,010 | $69,770 |
| Median hourly wage | $44.01 | $24.51 |
| 10th percentile (annual) | $39,650 | $31,200 |
| 25th percentile (annual) | $55,460 | $37,590 |
| 75th percentile (annual) | $144,680 | $80,520 |
| 90th percentile (annual) | $195,190 | $128,560 |
| Jobs counted | 701,920 | 155,495,730 |
All occupations combined. Wages exclude self-employed workers and owners. BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
What is a good salary in District of Columbia?
In District of Columbia, the lowest-paid 10% of workers earn under $39,650 a year and the top 10% earn over $195,190. A salary above the median of $91,540 puts you in the upper half of earners there.
The mean ($111,010) is higher than the median because a smaller number of very high earners pulls the average up. The median is the better guide to what a typical worker earns.
Median pay by occupation group in District of Columbia
| Occupation group | Median annual | U.S. median | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Legal | $195,190 | $102,500 | 41,700 |
| Management | $169,990 | $126,520 | 105,590 |
| Computer and Mathematical | $133,010 | $109,280 | 43,050 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science | $128,610 | $82,530 | 17,790 |
| Architecture and Engineering | $125,650 | $99,520 | 11,790 |
| Business and Financial Operations | $109,990 | $82,660 | 110,570 |
| Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media | $101,750 | $62,750 | 33,970 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical | $100,400 | $86,530 | 29,790 |
| Educational Instruction and Library | $79,890 | $60,570 | 32,790 |
| Protective Service | $73,950 | $50,080 | 29,670 |
| Installation, Maintenance, and Repair | $72,000 | $59,620 | 10,740 |
| Farming, Fishing, and Forestry | $70,990 | $36,630 | 120 |
| Construction and Extraction | $70,110 | $59,540 | 12,770 |
| Community and Social Service | $69,130 | $58,300 | 11,360 |
| Office and Administrative Support | $60,660 | $47,450 | 53,960 |
| Production | $59,750 | $46,990 | 4,990 |
| Transportation and Material Moving | $49,460 | $44,350 | 18,490 |
| Sales and Related | $46,870 | $38,530 | 20,510 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related | $44,390 | $35,050 | 56,970 |
| Healthcare Support | $43,060 | $38,340 | 20,950 |
| Personal Care and Service | $40,350 | $36,410 | 11,720 |
| Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance | $39,430 | $37,680 | 22,640 |
Groups follow the Standard Occupational Classification. Each group mixes many jobs, so a single job can pay well above or below its group. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
Highest and lowest paying fields in District of Columbia
The best-paid occupation groups by median wage are legal ($195,190), management ($169,990), computer and mathematical ($133,010), life, physical, and social science ($128,610), architecture and engineering ($125,650).
The lowest-paid groups are building and grounds cleaning and maintenance ($39,430), personal care and service ($40,350), healthcare support ($43,060).
Where these numbers come from
The Bureau of Labor Statistics surveys employers about the wages they pay each job. The figures are pre-tax and count wage and salary workers only, so they leave out self-employed people and business owners. They also do not include benefits such as health insurance.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average salary in District of Columbia?
The median annual wage for all jobs is $91,540 and the mean is $111,010.
What is the median hourly wage in District of Columbia?
$44.01 an hour, across all occupations.
Do people in District of Columbia earn more than the national average?
The median wage in District of Columbia is 80% above the U.S. median of $50,980.
Which jobs pay the most in District of Columbia?
Among broad occupation groups, legal jobs have the highest median wage, at $195,190 a year.