Software Developer Salary in Washington, DC
Software Developers in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn a median $154,930 a year — 14% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $106,960 take-home, or $8,913 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median software developer salary in Washington, DC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$25,917
- Social Security (6.2%)$9,606
- Medicare (1.45%)$2,246
- District of Columbia income tax$10,201
- Take-home pay$106,960
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.
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Software Developer pay by experience in Washington, DC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $96,450 | $46.37 | $71,453 | $5,954 |
| 25th percentile | $123,720 | $59.48 | $88,281 | $7,357 |
| Median (50th) | $154,930 | $74.49 | $106,960 | $8,913 |
| 75th percentile | $176,230 | $84.73 | $119,708 | $9,976 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $213,660 | $102.72 | $143,795 | $11,983 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, District of Columbia resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $154,930 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 software developer's $106,960 take-home pay has the buying power of $98,233 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Washington, DC has 2.0× the national concentration of software developer jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for software developers, adjusted for cost of living
Washington, DC ranks #31 of 72 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Jose, CA | $213,110 | $140,222 | $126,987 |
| 2 | Manchester, NH | $162,090 | $122,055 | $115,520 |
| 3 | Seattle, WA | $167,280 | $125,602 | $113,019 |
| 4 | Boulder, CO | $164,560 | $117,211 | $111,415 |
| 5 | Boston, MA | $166,090 | $116,704 | $107,794 |
| 6 | Bridgeport, CT | $162,650 | $114,828 | $107,453 |
| 7 | San Francisco, CA | $186,640 | $123,413 | $106,747 |
| 8 | Austin, TX | $134,120 | $102,937 | $104,967 |
| 31 | Washington, DC | $154,930 | $106,960 | $98,233 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 72 metros →
About the job: software developers
Research, design, and develop computer and network software or specialized utility programs. Analyze user needs and develop software solutions, applying principles and techniques of computer science, engineering, and mathematical analysis. Update software or enhance existing software capabilities. May work with computer hardware engineers to integrate hardware and software systems, and develop specifications and performance requirements. May maintain databases within an application area, working individually or coordinating database development as part of a team.
- Typical education
- Bachelor's degree
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- None
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +10.2% (much faster than average)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a software developer make in Washington, DC?
The median software developer salary in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area is $154,930 a year, or about $74.49 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $123,720 and $176,230.
What is a software developer’s take-home pay in Washington, DC?
On the median $154,930 salary, a single filer living in District of Columbia takes home about $106,960 a year ($8,913 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $10,201 in District of Columbia taxes in 2026.
Is Washington, DC a good place to work as a software developer?
Pay here is 14% above the national median of $135,980. Local prices are 8.9% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $98,233 would in a typical U.S. city. Washington, DC ranks #31 of 72 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a software developer 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) — 22% of a median software developer’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
- Information Security Analyst — $148,950
- Statistician — $136,660
- Web Developer — $134,350
- Data Scientist — $132,200
- Computer Programmer — $130,390
- Operations Research Analyst — $127,600
- Computer Systems Analyst — $127,040
- Software Quality Assurance Analyst and Tester — $126,350
- Network and Computer Systems Administrator — $125,430