Cashier Salary in Washington, DC
Cashiers in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn a median $35,470 a year — 8% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $29,718 take-home, or $2,476 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median cashier salary in Washington, DC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,076
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,199
- Medicare (1.45%)$514
- District of Columbia income tax$962
- Take-home pay$29,718
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 6.00% 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 →
Cashier pay by experience in Washington, DC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $30,330 | $14.58 | $25,896 | $2,158 |
| 25th percentile | $32,340 | $15.55 | $27,391 | $2,283 |
| Median (50th) | $35,470 | $17.05 | $29,718 | $2,476 |
| 75th percentile | $37,950 | $18.25 | $31,562 | $2,630 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $44,710 | $21.50 | $36,588 | $3,049 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, District of Columbia resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $35,470 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 cashier's $29,718 take-home pay has the buying power of $27,293 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Cashier jobs are about as common in Washington, DC as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.81).
Best-paying cities for cashiers, adjusted for cost of living
Washington, DC ranks #107 of 202 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seattle, WA | $44,210 | $37,703 | $33,926 |
| 2 | Rochester, MN | $34,960 | $29,219 | $32,172 |
| 3 | San Jose, CA | $42,960 | $35,432 | $32,088 |
| 4 | Fargo, ND | $33,420 | $29,033 | $31,950 |
| 5 | Kennewick, WA | $36,610 | $31,596 | $31,571 |
| 6 | Duluth, MN | $33,020 | $27,764 | $31,277 |
| 7 | Spokane, WA | $36,290 | $31,339 | $31,231 |
| 8 | St. Cloud, MN | $32,480 | $27,359 | $31,220 |
| 107 | Washington, DC | $35,470 | $29,718 | $27,293 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 202 metros →
About the job: cashiers
Receive and disburse money in establishments other than financial institutions. May use electronic scanners, cash registers, or related equipment. May process credit or debit card transactions and validate checks.
- Typical education
- No formal educational credential
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Short-term on-the-job training
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- -6.5% (declining)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cashier make in Washington, DC?
The median cashier salary in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area is $35,470 a year, or about $17.05 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $32,340 and $37,950.
What is a cashier’s take-home pay in Washington, DC?
On the median $35,470 salary, a single filer living in District of Columbia takes home about $29,718 a year ($2,476 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $962 in District of Columbia taxes in 2026.
Is Washington, DC a good place to work as a cashier?
Pay here is 8% above the national median of $32,880. Local prices are 8.9% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $27,293 would in a typical U.S. city. Washington, DC ranks #107 of 202 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a cashier 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) — 80% of a median cashier’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
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