Broadcast Technician Salary in Washington, DC
Broadcast Technicians in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn a median $75,010 a year — 26% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $58,170 take-home, or $4,848 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median broadcast technician salary in Washington, DC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$7,672
- Social Security (6.2%)$4,651
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,088
- District of Columbia income tax$3,429
- Take-home pay$58,170
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 6.50% 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.
Broadcast Technician pay by experience in Washington, DC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $42,520 | $20.44 | $34,960 | $2,913 |
| 25th percentile | $61,990 | $29.80 | $49,406 | $4,117 |
| Median (50th) | $75,010 | $36.06 | $58,170 | $4,848 |
| 75th percentile | $108,270 | $52.05 | $78,763 | $6,564 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $130,580 | $62.78 | $92,387 | $7,699 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, District of Columbia resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $75,010 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 broadcast technician's $58,170 take-home pay has the buying power of $53,424 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 1.7× the national concentration of broadcast technician jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for broadcast technicians, adjusted for cost of living
Washington, DC ranks #6 of 8 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Philadelphia, PA | $103,180 | $78,250 | $76,301 |
| 2 | Chicago, IL | $96,060 | $71,798 | $69,306 |
| 3 | New York, NY | $96,820 | $72,271 | $64,205 |
| 4 | Denver, CO | $78,050 | $61,012 | $57,677 |
| 5 | Miami, FL | $74,490 | $61,234 | $53,641 |
| 6 | Washington, DC | $75,010 | $58,170 | $53,424 |
| 7 | Dallas, TX | $63,500 | $53,202 | $51,608 |
| 8 | San Francisco, CA | $77,790 | $59,533 | $51,493 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 8 metros →
Frequently asked questions
How much does a broadcast technician make in Washington, DC?
The median broadcast technician salary in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area is $75,010 a year, or about $36.06 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $61,990 and $108,270.
What is a broadcast technician’s take-home pay in Washington, DC?
On the median $75,010 salary, a single filer living in District of Columbia takes home about $58,170 a year ($4,848 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $3,429 in District of Columbia taxes in 2026.
Is Washington, DC a good place to work as a broadcast technician?
Pay here is 26% above the national median of $59,570. Local prices are 8.9% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $53,424 would in a typical U.S. city. Washington, DC ranks #6 of 8 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a broadcast technician 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) — 41% of a median broadcast technician’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Washington, DC
- Artists and Related Workers, All Other — $125,050
- Media and Communication Equipment Workers, All Other — $121,680
- Writer and Author — $108,460
- Art Director — $105,990
- Public Relations Specialist — $101,680
- News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists — $101,020
- Producer and Director — $100,270
- Technical Writer — $99,910
- Interpreter and Translator — $94,510
- Film and Video Editor — $91,750
- Graphic Designer — $85,420
- Editor — $84,800