Updated November 2026 · 2026 tax rules · Data: IRS, BLS, BEA, HUD · How we calculate

Cost of Living in Washington, DC

Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV — prices, rents and what jobs really pay here after taxes.

Salary comparison calculator

What would you need to earn in Washington, DC to keep the same lifestyle — after taxes — as in another city?

Prices in Washington, DC vs. the U.S. average

Source: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.

Rent in Washington, DC

HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026, population-weighted across the metro's counties.

Take-home pay in Washington, DC

Highest-paying jobs in Washington, DC

*In U.S.-average dollars after adjusting for local prices.

Frequently asked questions

Top salaries by field in Washington, DC

Management Occupations

• Computer and Information Systems Manager — $195,190
• Public Relations Manager — $195,190
• Financial Manager — $185,270
• Architectural and Engineering Manager — $185,220
• Marketing Manager — $181,260
• Human Resources Manager — $177,960
• Sales Manager — $175,820
• Purchasing Manager — $172,150

Business and Financial Operations Occupations

• Project Management Specialist — $127,030
• Management Analyst — $126,830
• Budget Analyst — $125,050
• Financial Specialists, All Other — $120,580
• Financial and Investment Analyst — $108,330
• Personal Financial Advisor — $106,230
• Buyer and Purchasing Agent — $104,880
• Business Operations Specialists, All Other — $104,770

Computer and Mathematical Occupations

• Database Architect — $162,870
• Computer and Information Research Scientist — $161,090
• Computer Network Architect — $159,820
• Software Developer — $154,930
• Information Security Analyst — $148,950
• Statistician — $136,660
• Web Developer — $134,350
• Data Scientist — $132,200

Architecture and Engineering Occupations

• Aerospace Engineer — $166,420
• Engineers, All Other — $151,340
• Electronics Engineers, Except Computer — $140,000
• Mechanical Engineer — $126,990
• Electrical Engineer — $126,420
• Architects, Except Landscape and Naval — $102,080
• Civil Engineer — $101,780
• Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologist and Technician — $84,090

Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations

• Physical Scientists, All Other — $170,980
• Economist — $156,750
• Political Scientist — $156,730
• Chemist — $144,680
• Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other — $138,250
• Biological Scientists, All Other — $114,920
• Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health — $108,160
• Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists — $107,110

Community and Social Service Occupations

• Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors — $77,420
• Child, Family, and School Social Workers — $75,550
• Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors — $65,270
• Social and Human Service Assistant — $48,370
• Rehabilitation Counselor — $48,290

Legal Occupations

• Lawyer — $195,190
• Legal Support Workers, All Other — $169,690
• Paralegal and Legal Assistant — $81,590

Educational Instruction and Library Occupations

• Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary — $135,670
• Instructional Coordinator — $105,220
• Postsecondary Teachers, All Other — $99,240
• Teachers and Instructors, All Other — $97,920
• Librarian and Media Collections Specialist — $95,480
• Special Education Teachers, Secondary School — $85,000
• Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education — $80,300
• Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School — $79,880

Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations

• Public Relations Specialist — $101,680
• News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists — $101,020
• Producer and Director — $100,270
• Technical Writer — $99,910
• Graphic Designer — $85,420
• Editor — $84,800
• Coach and Scout — $50,680

Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations

• Physicians, All Other — $208,710
• Dentists, General — $184,540
• Healthcare Diagnosing or Treating Practitioners, All Other — $166,230
• Pharmacist — $150,540
• Physician Assistant — $148,200
• Nurse Practitioner — $134,840
• Physical Therapist — $102,980
• Occupational Therapist — $102,960

Healthcare Support Occupations

• Dental Assistant — $47,540
• Medical Assistant — $46,640
• Nursing Assistant — $45,730
• Veterinary Assistant and Laboratory Animal Caretaker — $45,320
• Home Health and Personal Care Aide — $38,530

Protective Service Occupations

• Detective and Criminal Investigator — $156,750
• First-Line Supervisor of Police and Detectives — $125,960
• First-Line Supervisor of Firefighting and Prevention Workers — $118,570
• Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officer — $84,000
• First-Line Supervisor of Security Workers — $73,490
• Correctional Officer and Jailer — $70,570
• Firefighter — $66,980
• Security Guard — $46,830

Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations

• Chef and Head Cook — $74,900
• Bartender — $48,030
• First-Line Supervisor of Food Preparation and Serving Workers — $47,580
• Waiter and Waitress — $46,040
• Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria — $44,880
• Cooks, Restaurant — $42,920
• Cooks, Short Order — $39,650
• Food Preparation Worker — $37,630

Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance Occupations

• First-Line Supervisors of Landscaping, Lawn Service, and Groundskeeping Workers — $60,460
• First-Line Supervisor of Housekeeping and Janitorial Workers — $50,840
• Landscaping and Groundskeeping Worker — $42,700
• Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners — $37,840
• Maid and Housekeeping Cleaner — $37,840

Personal Care and Service Occupations

• First-Line Supervisor of Personal Service Workers — $53,310
• Residential Advisor — $47,010
• Exercise Trainer and Group Fitness Instructor — $46,190
• Recreation Worker — $42,800
• Manicurist and Pedicurist — $42,040
• Concierge — $38,810
• Amusement and Recreation Attendant — $38,000
• Animal Caretaker — $37,710

Sales and Related Occupations

• Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products — $120,140
• First-Line Supervisor of Non-Retail Sales Workers — $101,410
• Real Estate Sales Agent — $78,160
• Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel — $78,110
• Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products — $74,730
• Insurance Sales Agent — $65,260
• Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents — $64,300
• First-Line Supervisor of Retail Sales Workers — $50,530

Office and Administrative Support Occupations

• Executive Secretary and Executive Administrative Assistant — $90,320
• Legal Secretary and Administrative Assistant — $77,220
• First-Line Supervisor of Office and Administrative Support Workers — $76,400
• Postal Service Mail Carrier — $64,250
• Information and Record Clerks, All Other — $61,760
• Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks — $60,990
• Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks — $59,290
• Office and Administrative Support Workers, All Other — $57,160

Construction and Extraction Occupations

• First-Line Supervisor of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers — $83,540
• Construction and Building Inspector — $80,150
• Electrician — $75,930
• Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters — $71,860
• Operating Engineer and Other Construction Equipment Operator — $61,660
• Carpenter — $60,800
• Cement Mason and Concrete Finisher — $58,350
• Painters, Construction and Maintenance — $50,560

Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations

• Telecommunications Line Installer and Repairer — $95,560
• First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers — $86,370
• Bus and Truck Mechanic and Diesel Engine Specialist — $72,580
• Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers — $71,920
• Telecommunications Equipment Installers and Repairers, Except Line Installers — $69,800
• Automotive Service Technician and Mechanic — $61,860
• Maintenance and Repair Workers, General — $57,240
• Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers, All Other — $52,000

Production Occupations

• First-Line Supervisor of Production and Operating Workers — $77,990
• Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers — $61,820
• Miscellaneous Assembler and Fabricator — $46,400
• Baker — $38,650
• Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Worker — $36,300

Transportation and Material Moving Occupations

• Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers — $209,750
• First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors — $67,960
• Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity — $65,220
• Flight Attendant — $63,580
• Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Driver — $59,820
• Bus Drivers, School — $57,610
• Industrial Truck and Tractor Operator — $49,710
• Refuse and Recyclable Material Collector — $46,530

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