Industrial designer pay in Washington, DC
Industrial designers in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn a typical $85,660 a year. The middle half earn $68,350 to $109,870, and the top 10% earn more than $130,690. About 120 people do this job there.
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 (occupation: Commercial and Industrial Designers, SOC 27-1021).
Pay range
| Bottom 10% earn less than | $43,940 |
| 25th percentile | $68,350 |
| Median (typical) | $85,660 |
| 75th percentile | $109,870 |
| Top 10% earn more than | $130,690 |
Typical pay here ranks No. 21 of 48 large metros for industrial designers before taxes and prices.
After taxes and cost of living
At the typical $85,660, a single filer keeps about $64,800 a year after federal, Social Security, Medicare, and D.C. state income tax. Prices in Washington are 9% above the US average, so that take-home buys what $59,500 would in a typical US city. That ranks Washington No. 40 of 48 large metros for industrial designers after cost of living.
Where industrial designers’ pay goes furthest
- San Jose, CA$141,310 typical · worth $89.6k
- Austin, TX$100,520 typical · worth $81.1k
- Chicago, IL$112,950 typical · worth $80k
- Detroit, MI$108,180 typical · worth $77.8k
All 48 metros for industrial designers →
Where does your salary land?
Add your salary and experience to see your percentile among industrial designers in Washington. Free and private. (Different city? Use the main checker.)
Common questions
How much does a industrial designer make in Washington, DC?
The typical (median) industrial designer in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earns $85,660 a year. The middle half earn between $68,350 and $109,870, and the top 10% earn more than $130,690. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.
What is a good salary for a industrial designer in Washington?
Anything above $85,660 pays more than half of industrial designers in Washington. $109,870 or more puts you in the top quarter, and $130,690 in the top 10%. Experience and employer move where you should be in that range.
How much does a industrial designer in Washington take home after taxes?
At the typical $85,660, a single filer keeps about $64,800 a year ($5,400 a month) after federal, Social Security, Medicare, D.C. state income tax. With local prices 9% above the US average, that buys what $59,500 would in a typical US city.
Where do industrial designers get paid the most after cost of living?
Among the 48 largest US metros, typical industrial designer pay goes furthest after taxes and prices in San Jose, CA, Austin, TX, Chicago, IL. Washington, DC ranks No. 40.
More: Industrial designer pay in every large metro · Pay for other jobs in Washington, DC
Local prices: BEA regional price parities, 2024. Updated November 2026.