Accountant and Auditor Salary in Washington, DC
Accountants and Auditors in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn a median $102,140 a year — 22% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $74,972 take-home, or $6,248 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median accountant and auditor salary in Washington, DC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$13,641
- Social Security (6.2%)$6,333
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,481
- District of Columbia income tax$5,713
- Take-home pay$74,972
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 →
Accountant and Auditor pay by experience in Washington, DC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $67,530 | $32.47 | $53,394 | $4,450 |
| 25th percentile | $79,990 | $38.46 | $61,272 | $5,106 |
| Median (50th) | $102,140 | $49.11 | $74,972 | $6,248 |
| 75th percentile | $133,430 | $64.15 | $94,092 | $7,841 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $170,980 | $82.20 | $116,566 | $9,714 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, District of Columbia resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $102,140 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 accountant and auditor's $74,972 take-home pay has the buying power of $68,855 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 accountant and auditor jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for accountants and auditors, adjusted for cost of living
Washington, DC ranks #14 of 90 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Jose, CA | $121,700 | $85,775 | $77,679 |
| 2 | Charlotte, NC | $92,910 | $70,994 | $72,928 |
| 3 | Sioux Falls, SD | $80,920 | $65,757 | $72,555 |
| 4 | Trenton, NJ | $99,550 | $74,712 | $72,409 |
| 5 | Boulder, CO | $99,990 | $75,482 | $71,749 |
| 6 | Bridgeport, CT | $102,020 | $76,565 | $71,647 |
| 7 | Providence, RI | $95,020 | $72,730 | $71,463 |
| 8 | Denver, CO | $100,020 | $75,502 | $71,375 |
| 14 | Washington, DC | $102,140 | $74,972 | $68,855 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 90 metros →
About the job: accountants and auditors
Examine, analyze, and interpret accounting records to prepare financial statements, give advice, or audit and evaluate statements prepared by others. Install or advise on systems of recording costs or other financial and budgetary data.
- Typical education
- Bachelor's degree
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- None
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +5.0% (faster than average)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a accountant and auditor make in Washington, DC?
The median accountant and auditor salary in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area is $102,140 a year, or about $49.11 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $79,990 and $133,430.
What is a accountant and auditor’s take-home pay in Washington, DC?
On the median $102,140 salary, a single filer living in District of Columbia takes home about $74,972 a year ($6,248 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $5,713 in District of Columbia taxes in 2026.
Is Washington, DC a good place to work as a accountant and auditor?
Pay here is 22% above the national median of $83,680. Local prices are 8.9% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $68,855 would in a typical U.S. city. Washington, DC ranks #14 of 90 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a accountant and auditor 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 accountant and auditor’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
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