Financial Risk Specialist Salary in Washington, DC
Financial Risk Specialists in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn a median $126,510 a year — 8% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $89,951 take-home, or $7,496 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median financial risk specialist salary in Washington, DC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$19,096
- Social Security (6.2%)$7,844
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,834
- District of Columbia income tax$7,785
- Take-home pay$89,951
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.
Financial Risk Specialist pay by experience in Washington, DC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $80,810 | $38.85 | $61,779 | $5,148 |
| 25th percentile | $99,230 | $47.71 | $73,172 | $6,098 |
| Median (50th) | $126,510 | $60.82 | $89,951 | $7,496 |
| 75th percentile | $163,170 | $78.45 | $111,892 | $9,324 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $194,480 | $93.50 | $131,250 | $10,937 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, District of Columbia resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $126,510 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 financial risk specialist's $89,951 take-home pay has the buying power of $82,612 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Financial Risk Specialist jobs are about as common in Washington, DC as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.09).
Best-paying cities for financial risk specialists, adjusted for cost of living
Washington, DC ranks #10 of 27 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Jose, CA | $166,240 | $111,499 | $100,975 |
| 2 | Charlotte, NC | $133,530 | $97,715 | $100,377 |
| 3 | San Francisco, CA | $167,440 | $112,192 | $97,041 |
| 4 | Philadelphia, PA | $130,880 | $96,704 | $94,296 |
| 5 | Seattle, WA | $134,330 | $103,081 | $92,754 |
| 6 | New York, NY | $139,670 | $99,530 | $88,422 |
| 7 | Boston, MA | $132,580 | $95,475 | $88,186 |
| 8 | San Antonio, TX | $103,990 | $81,987 | $86,561 |
| 10 | Washington, DC | $126,510 | $89,951 | $82,612 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 27 metros →
Frequently asked questions
How much does a financial risk specialist make in Washington, DC?
The median financial risk specialist salary in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area is $126,510 a year, or about $60.82 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $99,230 and $163,170.
What is a financial risk specialist’s take-home pay in Washington, DC?
On the median $126,510 salary, a single filer living in District of Columbia takes home about $89,951 a year ($7,496 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $7,785 in District of Columbia taxes in 2026.
Is Washington, DC a good place to work as a financial risk specialist?
Pay here is 8% above the national median of $117,330. Local prices are 8.9% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $82,612 would in a typical U.S. city. Washington, DC ranks #10 of 27 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a financial risk specialist 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) — 27% of a median financial risk specialist’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Washington, DC
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