What jobs pay in Washington, DC
Typical yearly pay for 45 common jobs in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area, highest first. The last column ranks each job’s pay here against the 50 largest US metros after taxes and local prices.
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.
| Job | Typical pay | Middle half | Rank after cost of living |
|---|---|---|---|
| IT manager | $195,190 | $171,120–$228,800 | No. 28 |
| Lawyer | $195,190 | $161,470–$309,140 | No. 6 |
| Financial manager | $185,270 | $156,730–$227,220 | No. 26 |
| Marketing manager | $181,260 | $141,220–$233,290 | No. 16 |
| Sales manager | $175,820 | $121,380–$232,760 | No. 15 |
| General and operations manager | $156,460 | $99,840–$201,010 | No. 4 |
| Software developer | $154,930 | $123,720–$176,230 | No. 20 |
| Pharmacist | $150,540 | $135,310–$164,720 | No. 43 |
| Physician assistant | $148,200 | $129,990–$174,280 | No. 36 |
| Nurse practitioner | $134,840 | $119,660–$158,660 | No. 49 |
| Web developer | $134,350 | $106,220–$165,690 | No. 5 |
| Data scientist | $132,200 | $105,700–$172,960 | No. 17 |
| Construction manager | $129,650 | $104,010–$162,410 | No. 28 |
| Project manager | $127,030 | $95,150–$163,550 | No. 4 |
| Mechanical engineer | $126,990 | $100,800–$160,230 | No. 10 |
| Management analyst | $126,830 | $101,400–$156,750 | No. 7 |
| Dental hygienist | $119,170 | $103,340–$125,560 | No. 15 |
| Financial analyst | $108,330 | $86,470–$142,350 | No. 31 |
| Physical therapist | $102,980 | $94,680–$127,020 | No. 49 |
| Registered nurse | $102,710 | $84,610–$119,620 | No. 32 |
| Accountant | $102,140 | $79,990–$133,430 | No. 9 |
| Civil engineer | $101,780 | $84,590–$129,830 | No. 45 |
| HR specialist | $100,830 | $76,070–$131,510 | No. 2 |
| Web and digital interface designer | $97,000 | $73,600–$131,940 | No. 33 |
| Marketing specialist | $87,160 | $65,730–$123,760 | No. 24 |
| Industrial designer | $85,660 | $68,350–$109,870 | No. 40 |
| Graphic designer | $85,420 | $66,620–$107,590 | No. 3 |
| Police officer | $84,000 | $71,910–$98,540 | No. 38 |
| High school teacher | $80,300 | $65,050–$102,320 | No. 28 |
| Elementary school teacher | $79,470 | $64,140–$102,750 | No. 23 |
| IT support specialist | $77,860 | $61,470–$97,070 | No. 7 |
| Electrician | $75,930 | $59,080–$103,270 | No. 23 |
| Licensed practical nurse (LPN) | $75,860 | $65,700–$80,830 | No. 26 |
| Sales representative | $74,730 | $56,600–$103,240 | No. 36 |
| HVAC technician | $71,920 | $57,670–$89,240 | No. 22 |
| Plumber | $71,860 | $55,780–$94,050 | No. 29 |
| Auto mechanic | $61,860 | $47,050–$80,190 | No. 18 |
| Carpenter | $60,800 | $55,380–$73,970 | No. 35 |
| Truck driver | $59,820 | $50,320–$71,490 | No. 42 |
| Administrative assistant | $53,660 | $44,750–$64,090 | No. 23 |
| Medical assistant | $46,640 | $43,480–$51,210 | No. 44 |
| Customer service representative | $46,220 | $38,270–$58,160 | No. 44 |
| Nursing assistant (CNA) | $45,730 | $39,020–$48,980 | No. 28 |
| Warehouse worker | $42,590 | $37,490–$47,430 | No. 41 |
| Retail salesperson | $36,610 | $34,350–$39,730 | No. 34 |