Salaries in District of Columbia: pay for 475 occupations, May 2025

Across all occupations, employees in District of Columbia had a median pay of $91,540 a year ($44.01 an hour) in May 2025, with 701,920 jobs counted. That is 80% above the national median of $50,980.

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Occupation	Median a year	Median an hour	Jobs
Accountants and Auditors	$111,530	$53.62	9,810
Actuaries	$166,230	$79.92	160
Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers	$181,060	$87.05	300
Administrative Services Managers	$128,610	$61.83	1,030
Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors	$62,940	$30.26	570
Advertising Sales Agents	$75,030	$36.07	320
Advertising and Promotions Managers	$143,040	$68.77	80
Aerospace Engineers	$157,600	$75.77	290
Air Traffic Controllers	$47,760	$22.96	820
Amusement and Recreation Attendants	$37,960	$18.25	200
Anesthesiologists	$202,570	$97.39	100
Animal Caretakers	$44,210	$21.25	460
Animal Trainers	$38,200	$18.37	not published
Anthropology and Archeology Teachers, Postsecondary	$106,470	not published	50
Arbitrators, Mediators, and Conciliators	$110,300	$53.03	150
Architects, Except Landscape and Naval	$102,040	$49.06	1,700
Architectural and Civil Drafters	$97,880	$47.06	370
Architectural and Engineering Managers	$185,220	$89.05	1,290
Architecture Teachers, Postsecondary	$84,950	not published	not published
Archivists	$93,040	$44.73	200
Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary	$101,700	not published	230
Art Directors	not published	not published	310
Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary	$96,900	not published	350
Athletic Trainers	$74,450	not published	100
Atmospheric and Space Scientists	$103,860	$49.93	70
Audio and Video Technicians	$78,770	$37.87	830
Audiologists	$102,500	$49.28	40
Audiovisual Equipment Installers and Repairers	$57,620	$27.70	not published
Automotive Body and Related Repairers	$62,640	$30.11	30
Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics	$68,660	$33.01	310
Automotive and Watercraft Service Attendants	$41,750	$20.07	not published
Baggage Porters and Bellhops	$38,170	$18.35	380
Bakers	$44,040	$21.17	1,270
Bartenders	$53,920	$25.92	5,760
Bicycle Repairers	$46,860	$22.53	not published
Bill and Account Collectors	$62,230	$29.92	240
Billing and Posting Clerks	$64,330	$30.93	530
Biochemists and Biophysicists	$120,090	$57.74	70
Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers	$100,920	$48.52	80
Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary	$96,830	not published	350
Biological Scientists, All Other	$84,590	$40.67	850
Biological Technicians	$64,770	$31.14	210
Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks	$65,180	$31.34	1,790
Brickmasons and Blockmasons	$64,450	$30.98	200
Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys	not published	not published	70
Broadcast Technicians	$108,270	$52.05	290
Brokerage Clerks	$95,450	$45.89	not published
Budget Analysts	$124,590	$59.90	1,490
Bus Drivers, School	$55,450	$26.66	510
Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity	$55,580	$26.72	150
Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists	$65,200	$31.34	110
Business Operations Specialists, All Other	$108,160	$52.00	37,790
Business Teachers, Postsecondary	$128,370	not published	630
Butchers and Meat Cutters	$48,760	$23.44	150
Buyers and Purchasing Agents	$124,090	$59.66	1,880
Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film	$98,300	$47.26	240
Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians	$99,380	$47.78	280
Career/Technical Education Teachers, Postsecondary	$59,220	$28.47	not published
Cargo and Freight Agents	$76,250	$36.66	60
Carpenters	$61,710	$29.67	1,540
Cashiers	$38,880	$18.69	6,060
Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers	$61,680	$29.65	320
Chefs and Head Cooks	$76,420	$36.74	2,020
Chemical Technicians	$56,530	$27.18	30
Chemistry Teachers, Postsecondary	$103,370	not published	100
Chemists	$149,860	$72.05	280
Child, Family, and School Social Workers	$73,550	$35.36	2,430
Childcare Workers	$47,340	$22.76	1,350
Civil Engineers	$103,880	$49.94	1,650
Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators	$101,150	$48.63	360
Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment	$42,710	$20.53	350
Clergy	$64,800	$31.15	310
Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians	$76,560	$36.81	960
Clinical and Counseling Psychologists	$107,000	$51.44	220
Coaches and Scouts	$65,360	not published	630
Communications Teachers, Postsecondary	$83,910	not published	180
Community Health Workers	$62,510	$30.05	280
Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other	$69,130	$33.24	440
Compensation and Benefits Managers	$160,990	$77.40	130
Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists	$86,710	$41.69	650
Compliance Officers	$111,030	$53.38	4,380
Computer Hardware Engineers	$163,360	$78.54	210
Computer Network Architects	$137,670	$66.19	1,490
Computer Network Support Specialists	$91,370	$43.93	450
Computer Occupations, All Other	$156,590	$75.29	17,200
Computer Programmers	not published	not published	230
Computer Science Teachers, Postsecondary	$101,380	not published	210
Computer Systems Analysts	$116,820	$56.16	2,480
Computer User Support Specialists	$80,950	$38.92	3,140
Computer and Information Research Scientists	$144,190	$69.32	330
Computer and Information Systems Managers	$195,190	$93.84	5,690
Concierges	$38,230	$18.38	3,000
Conservation Scientists	$99,400	$47.79	110
Construction Laborers	$50,020	$24.05	2,090
Construction Managers	$126,430	$60.78	1,250
Construction and Building Inspectors	$86,200	$41.44	370
Control and Valve Installers and Repairers, Except Mechanical Door	$98,810	$47.50	50
Cooks, Fast Food	$44,670	$21.48	2,760
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria	$45,450	$21.85	1,500
Cooks, Restaurant	$46,130	$22.18	7,720
Cooks, Short Order	$42,450	$20.41	1,910
Cost Estimators	$82,730	$39.77	270
Costume Attendants	$53,290	$25.62	60
Counselors, All Other	$93,720	$45.06	90
Counter and Rental Clerks	$53,760	$25.85	480
Couriers and Messengers	$45,210	$21.74	120
Court, Municipal, and License Clerks	$66,130	$31.79	50
Credit Analysts	$132,590	$63.74	50
Credit Counselors	$63,580	$30.57	110
Crossing Guards and Flaggers	$40,800	$19.61	520
Curators	$93,310	$44.86	140
Customer Service Representatives	$48,250	$23.20	7,550
Data Entry Keyers	$55,170	$26.53	200
Data Scientists	$126,490	$60.81	2,680
Database Administrators	$118,540	$56.99	560
Database Architects	$150,010	$72.12	790
Demonstrators and Product Promoters	$39,750	$19.11	150
Dental Assistants	$60,580	$29.13	630
Dental Hygienists	$137,220	$65.97	320
Dentists, General	not published	not published	340
Detectives and Criminal Investigators	$160,760	$77.29	2,980
Diagnostic Medical Sonographers	$112,020	$53.86	160
Dietetic Technicians	$40,810	$19.62	190
Dietitians and Nutritionists	$82,150	$39.50	270
Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers	$39,080	$18.79	4,130
Directors, Religious Activities and Education	$61,870	$29.74	170
Dishwashers	$38,670	$18.59	3,580
Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance	$72,260	$34.74	300
Driver/Sales Workers	$41,600	$20.00	1,020
Economics Teachers, Postsecondary	$161,860	not published	220
Economists	$167,590	$80.57	3,000
Editors	$83,920	$40.35	3,310
Education Administrators, All Other	$140,670	$67.63	740
Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary	$137,470	not published	1,930
Education Administrators, Postsecondary	$107,390	$51.63	1,880
Education Teachers, Postsecondary	$80,810	not published	230
Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare	$77,850	$37.43	410
Educational Instruction and Library Workers, All Other	$83,130	$39.97	310
Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors	$80,470	$38.69	1,690
Electrical Engineers	$143,000	$68.75	330
Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers	$101,240	$48.67	150
Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians	$97,620	$46.93	240
Electricians	$78,970	$37.97	2,440
Electronics Engineers, Except Computer	$157,040	$75.50	400
Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education	$96,580	not published	3,750
Elevator and Escalator Installers and Repairers	$122,570	$58.93	not published
Eligibility Interviewers, Government Programs	$74,080	$35.61	640
Emergency Management Directors	$184,350	$88.63	150
Emergency Medical Technicians	$46,650	$22.43	370
Emergency Medicine Physicians	$318,200	$152.98	120
Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary	$101,970	not published	140
Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other	not published	not published	470
Engineers, All Other	$151,920	$73.04	3,560
English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary	$82,300	not published	410
Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling	$113,930	$54.77	30
Environmental Science Teachers, Postsecondary	$99,300	not published	not published
Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health	$132,620	$63.76	1,270
Epidemiologists	$112,370	$54.02	90
Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants	$90,850	$43.68	4,560
Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors	$39,210	$18.85	1,480
Facilities Managers	$115,770	$55.66	930
Family Medicine Physicians	$233,390	$112.21	150
Fast Food and Counter Workers	$37,430	$18.00	5,500
Film and Video Editors	$98,830	$47.51	370
Financial Examiners	$198,720	$95.54	470
Financial Managers	$188,880	$90.81	8,930
Financial Risk Specialists	$99,230	$47.71	210
Financial Specialists, All Other	$125,110	$60.15	2,460
Financial and Investment Analysts	$105,780	$50.86	3,670
Firefighters	$75,870	$36.48	1,480
First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers	$86,520	$41.60	1,420
First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services	$62,090	$29.85	290
First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers	$126,560	$60.85	380
First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers	$57,170	$27.49	2,830
First-Line Supervisors of Housekeeping and Janitorial Workers	$47,950	$23.05	1,460
First-Line Supervisors of Landscaping, Lawn Service, and Groundskeeping Workers	$68,300	$32.84	80
First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers	$83,460	$40.13	1,260
First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers	$88,420	$42.51	580
First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers	$79,200	$38.08	4,080
First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers	$56,670	$27.24	260
First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives	$134,760	$64.79	1,230
First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers	$80,030	$38.47	350
First-Line Supervisors of Protective Service Workers, All Other	$97,640	$46.94	100
First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers	$58,470	$28.11	1,470
First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers	$83,710	$40.24	710
First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors	$60,310	$28.99	920
Floral Designers	$42,950	$20.65	70
Food Preparation Workers	$39,600	$19.04	3,970
Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other	$38,580	$18.55	40
Food Servers, Nonrestaurant	$37,920	$18.23	1,260
Food Service Managers	$81,680	$39.27	1,000
Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary	$78,930	not published	360
Foresters	$74,710	$35.92	not published
Fundraisers	$80,840	$38.87	2,350
Fundraising Managers	$141,720	$68.14	800
General Internal Medicine Physicians	$223,250	$107.33	490
General and Operations Managers	$168,000	$80.77	36,150
Genetic Counselors	$100,380	$48.26	40
Glaziers	$78,390	$37.69	200
Graphic Designers	$87,920	$42.27	1,150
Grounds Maintenance Workers, All Other	$44,470	$21.38	30
Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists	$54,570	$26.23	870
Hazardous Materials Removal Workers	$60,240	$28.96	50
Health Education Specialists	$103,330	$49.68	680
Health Information Technologists and Medical Registrars	$75,460	$36.28	80
Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary	$167,520	not published	1,460
Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other	$55,920	$26.88	1,380
Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors	not published	not published	180
Healthcare Diagnosing or Treating Practitioners, All Other	$151,990	$73.07	490
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Workers, All Other	$113,640	$54.64	130
Healthcare Social Workers	$94,100	$45.24	420
Healthcare Support Workers, All Other	$73,590	$35.38	400
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers	$84,390	$40.57	400
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers	$64,170	$30.85	830
Helpers--Brickmasons, Blockmasons, Stonemasons, and Tile and Marble Setters	$41,430	$19.92	not published
Helpers--Electricians	$48,300	$23.22	330
Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers	$54,860	$26.38	110
Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters	$45,440	$21.85	not published
Historians	$118,290	$56.87	250
History Teachers, Postsecondary	$85,550	not published	180
Home Health and Personal Care Aides	$42,700	$20.53	12,810
Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop	$37,570	$18.06	2,450
Hotel, Motel, and Resort Desk Clerks	$47,060	$22.62	1,170
Human Resources Assistants, Except Payroll and Timekeeping	$59,050	$28.39	610
Human Resources Managers	$184,350	$88.63	2,250
Human Resources Specialists	$110,970	$53.35	6,910
Industrial Engineers	$103,300	$49.66	160
Industrial Machinery Mechanics	$87,670	$42.15	200
Industrial Production Managers	$124,420	$59.82	50
Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators	$83,720	$40.25	not published
Information Security Analysts	$135,090	$64.95	1,510
Information and Record Clerks, All Other	$70,490	$33.89	1,080
Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers	$59,730	$28.71	70
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers, All Other	$59,320	$28.52	130
Instructional Coordinators	$105,990	$50.96	1,220
Insurance Sales Agents	$84,530	$40.64	not published
Insurance Underwriters	$82,070	$39.46	not published
Interior Designers	$98,450	$47.33	620
Interpreters and Translators	$109,970	$52.87	280
Interviewers, Except Eligibility and Loan	$49,730	$23.91	640
Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners	$38,520	$18.52	16,400
Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education	$81,500	not published	180
Labor Relations Specialists	$115,600	$55.58	160
Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand	$45,740	$21.99	1,200
Landscape Architects	$85,100	$40.91	170
Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers	$48,790	$23.46	800
Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers	$37,790	$18.17	320
Law Teachers, Postsecondary	$134,090	not published	670
Lawyers	$195,190	$93.84	33,070
Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants	$99,280	$47.73	1,940
Legal Support Workers, All Other	$88,480	$42.54	1,770
Librarians and Media Collections Specialists	$96,550	$46.42	960
Library Assistants, Clerical	$59,390	$28.55	100
Library Technicians	$61,040	$29.35	390
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses	$75,740	$36.42	1,040
Life Scientists, All Other	$167,640	$80.60	50
Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other	$79,230	$38.09	150
Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers	$60,400	$29.04	290
Light Truck Drivers	$49,330	$23.72	540
Loan Interviewers and Clerks	$77,080	$37.06	140
Loan Officers	$92,890	$44.66	370
Locker Room, Coatroom, and Dressing Room Attendants	$50,440	$24.25	40
Locksmiths and Safe Repairers	$76,740	$36.89	not published
Lodging Managers	$75,610	$36.35	260
Logisticians	$104,770	$50.37	1,350
Machinists	$72,900	$35.05	160
Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists	$128,710	$61.88	150
Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners	$42,260	$20.32	3,800
Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operators, Except Postal Service	$49,240	$23.68	310
Maintenance Workers, Machinery	$62,520	$30.06	80
Maintenance and Repair Workers, General	$60,310	$29.00	4,860
Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance	$95,730	$46.02	60
Management Analysts	$126,140	$60.65	19,000
Managers, All Other	$175,720	$84.48	18,570
Manicurists and Pedicurists	$36,620	$17.61	not published
Marine Engineers and Naval Architects	$172,330	$82.85	490
Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists	$98,090	$47.16	6,340
Marketing Managers	$177,170	$85.18	3,470
Massage Therapists	$64,110	$30.82	120
Materials Scientists	$137,600	$66.16	not published
Mathematical Science Teachers, Postsecondary	$81,880	not published	260
Mechanical Engineers	$133,300	$64.09	510
Media and Communication Workers, All Other	$67,450	$32.43	100
Medical Assistants	$51,050	$24.54	2,260
Medical Equipment Preparers	$48,670	$23.40	310
Medical Equipment Repairers	$59,780	$28.74	130
Medical Records Specialists	$72,040	$34.63	270
Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists	$101,940	$49.01	670
Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants	$49,180	$23.64	1,930
Medical Transcriptionists	$45,110	$21.69	70
Medical and Health Services Managers	$155,140	$74.59	2,010
Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners	$76,970	$37.01	2,360
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers	$73,310	$35.25	510
Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers	$39,460	$18.97	250
Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education	$79,900	not published	1,540
Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators	$50,330	$24.20	80
Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines	$70,780	$34.03	130
Motor Vehicle Operators, All Other	$69,870	$33.59	980
Museum Technicians and Conservators	$76,110	$36.59	520
Music Directors and Composers	$84,040	$40.41	140
Musicians and Singers	not published	not published	200
Natural Sciences Managers	$156,730	$75.35	1,540
Network and Computer Systems Administrators	$110,970	$53.35	1,320
Neurologists	$332,000	$159.62	50
New Accounts Clerks	$60,990	$29.32	not published
News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists	$105,390	$50.67	1,720
Nuclear Engineers	$195,190	$93.84	230
Nuclear Medicine Technologists	$116,630	$56.07	30
Nurse Midwives	$101,450	$48.77	70
Nurse Practitioners	$135,880	$65.33	680
Nursing Assistants	$47,700	$22.93	3,490
Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary	$107,770	not published	110
Obstetricians and Gynecologists	$239,200 or more	$115.00 or more	70
Occupational Health and Safety Specialists	$111,530	$53.62	280
Occupational Therapists	$109,170	$52.49	540
Occupational Therapy Aides	$39,620	$19.05	not published
Occupational Therapy Assistants	$66,390	$31.92	60
Office Clerks, General	$55,040	$26.46	5,670
Office Machine Operators, Except Computer	$41,460	$19.93	170
Office and Administrative Support Workers, All Other	$68,600	$32.98	1,030
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators	$74,610	$35.87	620
Operations Research Analysts	$96,030	$46.17	2,250
Ophthalmic Medical Technicians	$50,790	$24.42	not published
Opticians, Dispensing	$61,310	$29.48	80
Optometrists	$134,840	$64.83	50
Order Clerks	$49,150	$23.63	170
Orderlies	$39,250	$18.87	120
Orthotists and Prosthetists	$44,080	$21.19	170
Packers and Packagers, Hand	$40,910	$19.67	170
Painters, Construction and Maintenance	$59,520	$28.61	500
Paralegals and Legal Assistants	$89,750	$43.15	6,400
Paramedics	$78,550	$37.77	90
Parking Attendants	$37,220	$17.89	1,900
Passenger Attendants	$52,730	$25.35	710
Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators	$91,280	$43.88	70
Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks	$74,670	$35.90	270
Pediatricians, General	$79,240	$38.10	not published
Personal Care and Service Workers, All Other	$43,880	$21.10	not published
Personal Financial Advisors	$104,990	$50.48	480
Pharmacists	$153,400	$73.75	850
Pharmacy Aides	$59,960	$28.83	120
Pharmacy Technicians	$47,410	$22.79	1,130
Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary	$79,310	not published	290
Phlebotomists	$51,980	$24.99	180
Photographers	$110,970	$53.35	260
Physical Scientists, All Other	$156,730	$75.35	790
Physical Therapist Aides	$38,950	$18.72	30
Physical Therapist Assistants	$63,400	$30.48	40
Physical Therapists	$101,640	$48.87	610
Physician Assistants	$135,140	$64.97	470
Physicians, All Other	$77,430	$37.23	1,960
Physicists	$157,040	$75.50	480
Physics Teachers, Postsecondary	$85,190	not published	130
Pipelayers	$55,470	$26.67	110
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters	$101,020	$48.57	1,010
Podiatrists	$265,740	$127.76	not published
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers	$88,650	$42.62	4,720
Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary	$102,310	not published	1,120
Political Scientists	$152,530	$73.33	3,070
Postal Service Clerks	$67,790	$32.59	110
Postal Service Mail Carriers	$64,250	$30.89	930
Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators	$66,750	$32.09	400
Postsecondary Teachers, All Other	$78,890	not published	400
Prepress Technicians and Workers	$100,980	$48.55	180
Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education	$62,150	$29.88	2,350
Print Binding and Finishing Workers	$108,080	$51.96	200
Printing Press Operators	$116,630	$56.07	350
Private Detectives and Investigators	$72,720	$34.96	not published
Procurement Clerks	$62,880	$30.23	220
Producers and Directors	$104,270	$50.13	2,640
Production Workers, All Other	$109,470	$52.63	70
Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks	$72,660	$34.93	430
Project Management Specialists	$104,900	$50.43	5,170
Proofreaders and Copy Markers	$68,120	$32.75	50
Property Appraisers and Assessors	$107,980	$51.92	110
Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers	$94,080	$45.23	2,040
Protective Service Workers, All Other	$88,570	$42.58	80
Psychiatric Technicians	$67,430	$32.42	380
Psychiatrists	$183,080	$88.02	310
Psychologists, All Other	$125,110	$60.15	230
Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary	$101,250	not published	340
Public Relations Managers	$197,600	$95.00	7,410
Public Relations Specialists	$102,740	$49.40	16,720
Public Safety Telecommunicators	$59,080	$28.40	60
Purchasing Managers	$175,720	$84.48	1,110
Radiation Therapists	$100,250	$48.20	70
Radiologic Technologists and Technicians	$102,770	$49.41	660
Radiologists	$182,450	$87.72	80
Real Estate Sales Agents	$123,770	$59.51	590
Receptionists and Information Clerks	$49,060	$23.59	2,000
Recreation Workers	$46,460	$22.34	470
Recreational Therapists	$95,640	$45.98	50
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors	$55,490	$26.68	540
Registered Nurses	$102,540	$49.30	11,440
Rehabilitation Counselors	$49,680	$23.89	not published
Religious Workers, All Other	$47,430	$22.80	110
Reservation and Transportation Ticket Agents and Travel Clerks	$46,550	$22.38	100
Residential Advisors	$38,480	$18.50	670
Respiratory Therapists	$111,950	$53.82	430
Retail Salespersons	$38,500	$18.51	4,660
Roofers	$61,750	$29.69	100
Sales Managers	$141,800	$68.18	1,930
Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel	$76,770	$36.91	3,120
Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products	$80,010	$38.47	560
Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products	$92,940	$44.68	600
Sales and Related Workers, All Other	not published	not published	100
School Bus Monitors	$41,720	$20.06	not published
School Psychologists	$107,500	$51.68	250
Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education	$82,750	not published	2,800
Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive	$59,910	$28.80	11,800
Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents	$72,010	$34.62	1,500
Security Guards	$64,210	$30.87	15,880
Security and Fire Alarm Systems Installers	$58,460	$28.11	210
Self-Enrichment Teachers	$66,430	$31.94	600
Set and Exhibit Designers	$76,900	$36.97	190
Shampooers	$38,870	$18.69	210
Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks	$49,660	$23.87	680
Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs	$45,700	$21.97	440
Skincare Specialists	$77,480	$37.25	200
Social Science Research Assistants	$65,330	$31.41	1,560
Social Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary, All Other	not published	not published	80
Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other	$128,440	$61.75	2,480
Social Workers, All Other	$96,380	$46.34	350
Social and Community Service Managers	$106,700	$51.30	640
Social and Human Service Assistants	$59,460	$28.59	2,080
Sociology Teachers, Postsecondary	$103,160	not published	70
Software Developers	$136,880	$65.81	6,120
Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers	$103,340	$49.68	760
Soil and Plant Scientists	$107,140	$51.51	60
Sound Engineering Technicians	$106,630	$51.26	90
Special Education Teachers, All Other	$71,130	not published	130
Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School	$97,910	not published	1,070
Special Education Teachers, Middle School	$79,170	not published	520
Special Education Teachers, Secondary School	$99,670	not published	440
Speech-Language Pathologists	$109,380	$52.59	390
Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators	$90,470	$43.50	620
Statisticians	$140,670	$67.63	550
Stockers and Order Fillers	$39,640	$19.06	3,150
Structural Iron and Steel Workers	$61,240	$29.44	210
Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors	$60,450	$29.06	1,260
Substitute Teachers, Short-Term	$49,790	$23.94	750
Surgeons, All Other	not published	not published	140
Surgical Assistants	$123,390	$59.32	90
Surgical Technologists	$77,520	$37.27	340
Survey Researchers	$102,390	$49.23	150
Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service	$54,700	$26.30	230
Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers	$57,720	$27.75	80
Teachers and Instructors, All Other	$93,040	not published	1,050
Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary	$46,920	not published	3,950
Teaching Assistants, Postsecondary	$43,160	not published	130
Technical Writers	$117,810	$56.64	440
Telecommunications Equipment Installers and Repairers, Except Line Installers	$73,130	$35.16	300
Telecommunications Line Installers and Repairers	$97,600	$46.92	500
Telephone Operators	$49,330	$23.71	50
Tellers	$45,590	$21.92	700
Therapists, All Other	$127,010	$61.06	80
Tour and Travel Guides	$49,210	$23.66	380
Training and Development Managers	$141,710	$68.13	210
Training and Development Specialists	$80,980	$38.93	1,900
Transportation Inspectors	$89,960	$43.25	150
Transportation Workers, All Other	$51,730	$24.87	340
Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers	$132,180	$63.55	610
Travel Agents	$61,560	$29.60	160
Urban and Regional Planners	$137,000	$65.87	120
Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers	$37,930	$18.24	770
Veterinarians	$134,530	$64.68	190
Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers	$49,080	$23.60	240
Veterinary Technologists and Technicians	$61,270	$29.46	120
Waiters and Waitresses	$47,850	$23.01	11,530
Web Developers	$114,690	$55.14	430
Web and Digital Interface Designers	$107,650	$51.76	480
Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers	$60,180	$28.93	280
Word Processors and Typists	$49,180	$23.64	120
Writers and Authors	$129,300	$62.16	1,050
Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists	$107,050	$51.46	140

"Not published" means BLS did not release that figure for this state. "$239,200 or more" and "$115.00 or more" are the highest values BLS reports in state tables.

How pay is spread in District of Columbia

By median pay, District of Columbia is number 1 of the 54 states and territories in the figures. The lowest-paid tenth of employees earned less than $39,650 a year and the highest-paid tenth more than $195,190. The middle half, between the 25% and 75% lines, earned from $55,460 to $144,680. For the whole country those outer lines were $31,200 and $128,560. The average (mean) pay was $111,010, 21% above the median, because high earners lift an average more than a median. The 701,920 jobs counted here are 0.5% of all jobs in the national figures.

The kinds of work

Adding up the occupations with a published job count, the largest fields of work in District of Columbia are Business and Financial Operations (110,100 jobs, 16%), Management (104,520 jobs, 15%), Food Preparation and Serving Related (56,960 jobs, 8%) and Office and Administrative Support (53,230 jobs, 8%). Some occupations are far more common here than elsewhere. Set against their share of all jobs in the country, the most concentrated are Political Scientists (122.8 times the national share), Economists (37.3 times the national share) and Public Relations Managers (21.9 times the national share). The table on this page lists 475 occupations; for 11 of them the Bureau released a job count but no pay figure.

Same job, different pay

Among the 135 occupations with at least 1,000 jobs and a yearly median in the state, 125 pay more than the same occupation does nationally, 6 pay less and 4 are within 2%. The widest gaps above the national median are for Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants ($99,280 here, $55,570 nationally), Detectives and Criminal Investigators ($160,760 here, $93,790 nationally) and News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists ($105,390 here, $62,200 nationally). The widest gaps below it are for Physicians, All Other ($77,430 here, $265,930 nationally), Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors ($39,210 here, $47,160 nationally) and Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents ($72,010 here, $78,660 nationally). A gap in pay is not a gap in living standard: prices, housing costs and taxes differ between states, and these statistics do not adjust for them.

Questions about pay in District of Columbia

What is the median salary in District of Columbia?

The median pay of all employees in District of Columbia was $91,540 a year ($44.01 an hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The national median was $50,980.

What is the most common job in District of Columbia?

Business Operations Specialists, All Other, with 37,790 jobs and a median pay of $108,160 a year.

What are the highest-paying jobs in District of Columbia?

The three highest medians published as a figure are Neurologists ($332,000), Emergency Medicine Physicians ($318,200) and Podiatrists ($265,740). Occupations shown as "$239,200 or more" are paid above the highest value the Bureau reports.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Checked in November 2026. Figures are for employees, before tax, and leave out overtime pay and benefits. They are official statistics, not advice or a pay offer; see bls.gov/oes for the original tables.

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