Receptionist and Information Clerk Salary in Washington, DC
Receptionists and Information Clerks in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn a median $41,240 a year — 8% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $34,008 take-home, or $2,834 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median receptionist and information clerk salary in Washington, DC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,769
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,557
- Medicare (1.45%)$598
- District of Columbia income tax$1,308
- Take-home pay$34,008
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 6.00% 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 →
Receptionist and Information Clerk pay by experience in Washington, DC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $33,600 | $16.15 | $28,328 | $2,361 |
| 25th percentile | $36,410 | $17.50 | $30,417 | $2,535 |
| Median (50th) | $41,240 | $19.83 | $34,008 | $2,834 |
| 75th percentile | $46,560 | $22.38 | $37,963 | $3,164 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $54,790 | $26.34 | $44,082 | $3,674 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, District of Columbia resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $41,240 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 receptionist and information clerk's $34,008 take-home pay has the buying power of $31,233 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Receptionist and Information Clerk jobs are about as common in Washington, DC as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.98).
Best-paying cities for receptionists and information clerks, adjusted for cost of living
Washington, DC ranks #53 of 68 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Madison, WI | $43,600 | $36,075 | $37,081 |
| 2 | Milwaukee, WI | $42,920 | $35,559 | $36,682 |
| 3 | Sioux Falls, SD | $38,560 | $33,163 | $36,591 |
| 4 | Spokane, WA | $41,800 | $35,766 | $35,643 |
| 5 | Omaha, NE | $38,740 | $32,424 | $35,278 |
| 6 | Seattle, WA | $45,820 | $38,996 | $35,090 |
| 7 | San Jose, CA | $47,130 | $38,559 | $34,919 |
| 8 | San Francisco, CA | $49,450 | $40,254 | $34,818 |
| 53 | Washington, DC | $41,240 | $34,008 | $31,233 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 68 metros →
About the job: receptionists and information clerks
Answer inquiries and provide information to the general public, customers, visitors, and other interested parties regarding activities conducted at establishment and location of departments, offices, and employees within the organization.
- Typical education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Short-term on-the-job training
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- -1.7% (declining)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a receptionist and information clerk make in Washington, DC?
The median receptionist and information clerk salary in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area is $41,240 a year, or about $19.83 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $36,410 and $46,560.
What is a receptionist and information clerk’s take-home pay in Washington, DC?
On the median $41,240 salary, a single filer living in District of Columbia takes home about $34,008 a year ($2,834 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,308 in District of Columbia taxes in 2026.
Is Washington, DC a good place to work as a receptionist and information clerk?
Pay here is 8% above the national median of $38,010. Local prices are 8.9% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $31,233 would in a typical U.S. city. Washington, DC ranks #53 of 68 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a receptionist and information clerk 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) — 70% of a median receptionist and information clerk’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Washington, DC
- Executive Secretary and Executive Administrative Assistant — $90,320
- Legal Secretary and Administrative Assistant — $77,220
- First-Line Supervisor of Office and Administrative Support Workers — $76,400
- Postal Service Mail Carrier — $64,250
- Information and Record Clerks, All Other — $61,760
- Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks — $60,990
- Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks — $59,290
- Office and Administrative Support Workers, All Other — $57,160
- Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance — $57,160
- Billing and Posting Clerk — $55,920
- Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive — $53,660
- Office Clerks, General — $51,880