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Salaries in Washington, D.C. by Occupation

Average pay by occupation in the Washington, D.C. metro area: 36 jobs ranked by annual salary from official U.S. BLS OEWS wage data. Figures cover the whole Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metropolitan area, not just city centers.

Source: U.S. BLS OEWS metro data (Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV) · Last verified: 2026-10-08 · Methodology

Washington, D.C. pay by occupation

OccupationHourlyYearly
Financial Managers$91.85$191,040
Marketing Managers$86.70$180,340
Software Developers$71.38$148,480
Information Security Analysts$68.34$142,150
Data Scientists$66.87$139,080
Project Management Specialists$59.29$123,330
Web Developers$56.77$118,080
Accountants and Auditors$50.41$104,850
Registered Nurses$47.60$99,000
Human Resources Specialists$46.90$97,560
Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education$40.62$84,490
Graphic Designers$40.49$84,210
Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education$39.21$81,560
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers$38.55$80,190
Electricians$36.47$75,850
Computer User Support Specialists$35.66$74,180
Chefs and Head Cooks$33.54$69,770
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters$33.52$69,720
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers$32.89$68,420
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses$32.50$67,590
Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers$30.10$62,600
Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics$29.33$61,010
Carpenters$28.81$59,920
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers$28.49$59,250
Firefighters$28.33$58,930
Maintenance and Repair Workers, General$26.32$54,740
Phlebotomists$24.96$51,910
Light Truck Drivers$24.46$50,880
Office Clerks, General$24.01$49,940
Customer Service Representatives$23.01$47,860
Medical Assistants$22.49$46,770
Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand$20.16$41,930
Nursing Assistants$20.16$41,930
Receptionists and Information Clerks$19.16$39,850
Retail Salespersons$18.81$39,130
Stockers and Order Fillers$18.67$38,840

Highest-paying occupations in Washington, D.C.

  1. Financial Managers — $191,040 a year
  2. Marketing Managers — $180,340 a year
  3. Software Developers — $148,480 a year
  4. Information Security Analysts — $142,150 a year
  5. Data Scientists — $139,080 a year

Wages above cover the whole Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro. For statewide context, see the District Of Columbia salary page, or browse all 36 salary guides.

Frequently asked questions

Which occupation pays the most in Washington, D.C.?

Financial Managers leads, at about $191,040 a year in the latest BLS OEWS release (Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro).

Where does the data come from?

Official U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS wages for the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metropolitan statistical area, verified on 2026-10-08. Each occupation links to its full state-by-state table.

Is this pay for the city or the whole metro?

Pay covers the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV MSA — the city plus surrounding counties — which is exactly how the BLS publishes local wage data. Neighborhood-level pay varies.

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