Computer Programmer Salary in Washington, DC
Computer Programmers in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn a median $130,390 a year — 30% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $92,273 take-home, or $7,689 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median computer programmer salary in Washington, DC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$20,028
- Social Security (6.2%)$8,084
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,891
- District of Columbia income tax$8,115
- Take-home pay$92,273
Marginal rate: 24% 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.
Computer Programmer pay by experience in Washington, DC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $67,010 | $32.22 | $53,062 | $4,422 |
| 25th percentile | $93,490 | $44.95 | $69,622 | $5,802 |
| Median (50th) | $130,390 | $62.69 | $92,273 | $7,689 |
| 75th percentile | $163,340 | $78.53 | $111,993 | $9,333 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $184,660 | $88.78 | $124,763 | $10,397 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, District of Columbia resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $130,390 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 computer programmer's $92,273 take-home pay has the buying power of $84,744 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 computer programmer jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for computer programmers, adjusted for cost of living
Washington, DC ranks #5 of 34 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fayetteville, AR | $136,880 | $99,698 | $109,135 |
| 2 | Hartford, CT | $141,920 | $101,903 | $99,180 |
| 3 | San Jose, CA | $154,920 | $104,962 | $95,054 |
| 4 | Boston, MA | $128,900 | $93,144 | $86,033 |
| 5 | Washington, DC | $130,390 | $92,273 | $84,744 |
| 6 | San Diego, CA | $134,130 | $92,956 | $83,080 |
| 7 | Kansas City, MO | $101,830 | $76,619 | $82,793 |
| 8 | Minneapolis, MN | $118,000 | $85,342 | $81,416 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 34 metros →
Frequently asked questions
How much does a computer programmer make in Washington, DC?
The median computer programmer salary in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area is $130,390 a year, or about $62.69 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $93,490 and $163,340.
What is a computer programmer’s take-home pay in Washington, DC?
On the median $130,390 salary, a single filer living in District of Columbia takes home about $92,273 a year ($7,689 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $8,115 in District of Columbia taxes in 2026.
Is Washington, DC a good place to work as a computer programmer?
Pay here is 30% above the national median of $100,390. Local prices are 8.9% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $84,744 would in a typical U.S. city. Washington, DC ranks #5 of 34 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a computer programmer 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) — 26% of a median computer programmer’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Washington, DC
- 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
- Actuary — $144,680
- Statistician — $136,660
- Web Developer — $134,350
- Data Scientist — $132,200
- Operations Research Analyst — $127,600
- Computer Systems Analyst — $127,040
- Software Quality Assurance Analyst and Tester — $126,350