Project Management Specialist Salary in Washington, DC
Project Management Specialists in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn a median $127,030 a year — 24% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $90,262 take-home, or $7,522 a month.
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Pre-filled with the median project management specialist salary in Washington, DC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$19,221
- Social Security (6.2%)$7,876
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,842
- District of Columbia income tax$7,829
- Take-home pay$90,262
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.
Project Management Specialist pay by experience in Washington, DC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $74,110 | $35.63 | $57,596 | $4,800 |
| 25th percentile | $95,150 | $45.75 | $70,649 | $5,887 |
| Median (50th) | $127,030 | $61.07 | $90,262 | $7,522 |
| 75th percentile | $163,550 | $78.63 | $112,119 | $9,343 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $192,450 | $92.52 | $129,909 | $10,826 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, District of Columbia resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $127,030 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 project management specialist's $90,262 take-home pay has the buying power of $82,897 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 1.8× the national concentration of project management specialist jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for project management specialists, adjusted for cost of living
Washington, DC ranks #16 of 209 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Peoria, IL | $123,730 | $89,856 | $98,492 |
| 2 | Kennewick, WA | $125,940 | $97,346 | $97,269 |
| 3 | Seattle, WA | $130,380 | $100,381 | $90,325 |
| 4 | Huntsville, AL | $112,130 | $82,372 | $88,503 |
| 5 | Beaumont, TX | $100,470 | $79,511 | $88,300 |
| 6 | Davenport, IA | $102,880 | $77,948 | $87,505 |
| 7 | Rochester, MN | $106,270 | $77,888 | $85,760 |
| 8 | Boulder, CO | $122,040 | $90,019 | $85,568 |
| 16 | Washington, DC | $127,030 | $90,262 | $82,897 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 209 metros →
Frequently asked questions
How much does a project management specialist make in Washington, DC?
The median project management specialist salary in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area is $127,030 a year, or about $61.07 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $95,150 and $163,550.
What is a project management specialist’s take-home pay in Washington, DC?
On the median $127,030 salary, a single filer living in District of Columbia takes home about $90,262 a year ($7,522 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $7,829 in District of Columbia taxes in 2026.
Is Washington, DC a good place to work as a project management specialist?
Pay here is 24% above the national median of $102,320. Local prices are 8.9% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $82,897 would in a typical U.S. city. Washington, DC ranks #16 of 209 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a project management 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) — 26% of a median project management specialist’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Washington, DC
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