Architects, Except Landscape and Naval Salary in Washington, DC
Architects, Except Landscape and Naval in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn a median $102,080 a year — 3% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $74,935 take-home, or $6,245 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median architects, except landscape and naval salary in Washington, DC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$13,628
- Social Security (6.2%)$6,329
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,480
- District of Columbia income tax$5,708
- Take-home pay$74,935
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 8.50% state
The Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro spans District of Columbia, Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Architects, Except Landscape and Naval pay by experience in Washington, DC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $75,650 | $36.37 | $58,579 | $4,882 |
| 25th percentile | $81,550 | $39.21 | $62,237 | $5,186 |
| Median (50th) | $102,080 | $49.08 | $74,935 | $6,245 |
| 75th percentile | $130,670 | $62.82 | $92,440 | $7,703 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $166,190 | $79.90 | $113,699 | $9,475 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, District of Columbia resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $102,080 buys in Washington, DC
Prices in Washington, DC are 8.9% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.51× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median architects, except landscape and naval's $74,935 take-home pay has the buying power of $68,821 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Washington, DC has 1.4× the national concentration of architects, except landscape and naval jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for architects, except landscape and naval, adjusted for cost of living
Washington, DC ranks #6 of 9 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Boston, MA | $119,120 | $86,895 | $80,261 |
| 2 | Houston, TX | $97,590 | $77,485 | $78,562 |
| 3 | San Francisco, CA | $126,550 | $88,578 | $76,616 |
| 4 | Dallas, TX | $93,840 | $74,846 | $72,603 |
| 5 | Seattle, WA | $100,610 | $79,609 | $71,634 |
| 6 | Washington, DC | $102,080 | $74,935 | $68,821 |
| 7 | Los Angeles, CA | $104,170 | $75,301 | $66,306 |
| 8 | New York, NY | $99,710 | $74,133 | $65,859 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 9 metros →
About the job: architects, except landscape and naval
Plan and design structures, such as private residences, office buildings, theaters, factories, and other structural property.
- Typical education
- Bachelor's degree
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Internship/residency
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +4.3% (about average)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a architects, except landscape and naval make in Washington, DC?
The median architects, except landscape and naval salary in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area is $102,080 a year, or about $49.08 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $81,550 and $130,670.
What is a architects, except landscape and naval’s take-home pay in Washington, DC?
On the median $102,080 salary, a single filer living in District of Columbia takes home about $74,935 a year ($6,245 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $5,708 in District of Columbia taxes in 2026.
Is Washington, DC a good place to work as a architects, except landscape and naval?
Pay here is 3% above the national median of $99,280. Local prices are 8.9% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $68,821 would in a typical U.S. city. Washington, DC ranks #6 of 9 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a architects, except landscape and naval afford rent in Washington, DC?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Washington, DC is $1,990 a month ($2,223 for two bedrooms) — 32% of a median architects, except landscape and naval’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
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