District of Columbia wages
South region · all-occupation average · gross annual wage · BLS OEWS May 2024
Across all occupations, District of Columbia has a median annual wage of $88,000 and a mean of $109,420 (BLS OEWS, May 2024) — +77.8% versus the $49,500 US median. That makes it #1 of 51 states by mean wage. About 708,790 people are employed here. The highest-paying tracked job in District of Columbia is Family Medicine Physicians ($212,830 median). Wages are gross (pre-tax) and vary by employer and experience.
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024. Data as of OEWS May 2024 (BLS), retrieved June 2026.
Common jobs in District of Columbia: pay vs the US
Median annual wage in District of Columbia for widely-searched occupations, next to the national median:
| Occupation | District of Columbia median | US median | District of Columbia jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software Developers | $136,040 | $133,080 | 8,250 |
| Registered Nurses | $104,550 | $93,600 | 9,790 |
| Electricians | $81,950 | $62,350 | 2,130 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $63,610 | $57,440 | 830 |
| Accountants and Auditors | $103,030 | $81,680 | 9,600 |
| Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education | $94,730 | $62,340 | 3,540 |
| Lawyers | $191,880 | $151,160 | 33,430 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $81,950 | $62,970 | 640 |
| Pharmacists | $141,560 | $137,480 | 820 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $88,330 | $76,290 | 4,830 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024. Data as of OEWS May 2024 (BLS), retrieved June 2026.
Software Developers · Registered Nurses · Electricians · Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers · Accountants and Auditors · Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education · Lawyers · Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters · Pharmacists · Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers
Highest-paying tracked jobs in District of Columbia
The best-paid of the 124 curated occupations in District of Columbia, by median wage:
| # | Occupation | Median | Mean |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Family Medicine Physicians | $212,830 | $236,820 |
| 2 | General Internal Medicine Physicians | $209,250 | $194,440 |
| 3 | Computer and Information Systems Managers | $191,880 | $196,180 |
| 4 | Lawyers | $191,880 | $236,700 |
| 5 | Public Relations Managers | $185,810 | $227,370 |
| 6 | Financial Managers | $181,210 | $196,900 |
| 7 | Architectural and Engineering Managers | $176,950 | $178,400 |
| 8 | Aerospace Engineers | $175,350 | $160,830 |
| 9 | Human Resources Managers | $174,400 | $179,990 |
| 10 | Marketing Managers | $168,080 | $183,460 |
| 11 | Economists | $162,610 | $163,820 |
| 12 | Database Architects | $157,080 | $158,550 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024. Data as of OEWS May 2024 (BLS), retrieved June 2026.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average wage in District of Columbia?
The median annual wage across all occupations in District of Columbia is $88,000 and the mean is $109,420 (BLS OEWS, May 2024), which is +77.8% versus the US median of $49,500. District of Columbia ranks #1 of 51 states by mean wage.
What are the highest-paying jobs in District of Columbia?
Among tracked occupations, the highest-paying in District of Columbia include Family Medicine Physicians ($212,830), General Internal Medicine Physicians ($209,250), Computer and Information Systems Managers ($191,880). See the full list on this page.
Are District of Columbia wages before or after tax?
These are gross wages from the BLS OEWS survey, before income and payroll tax. District of Columbia's state income tax (if any), federal tax and deductions reduce take-home pay. Use a paycheck calculator for after-tax figures.
Keep exploring
Sources & accuracy
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024, gross annual wages, U.S. public domain, retrieved June 2026. These are statewide survey estimates before tax; pay varies by metro, employer and experience, and cost of living differs widely within District of Columbia. Information only, not financial advice. See our methodology.
Last updated: 2026-06-20