Updated May 2026 · BLS OEWS 2025 reference period
64 Highest Paying Jobs in Washington, DC (2026)
The highest-paying job in Washington, DC, Washington, DC is Family Medicine Physician with a median salary of $225,140 as of 2026, based on Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data. Across all 64 tracked occupations the average median is $125,961, with 49 occupations paying a six-figure ($100K+) median. Washington, DC has a cost-of-living index of 152.8 (national average = 100), so a $125,961 nominal salary equals $82,435 in average-cost-metro buying power.
The 64 occupations below are ranked by median wage in Washington, DC, DC, from BLS OEWS data. Washington, DC's cost-of-living index runs 152.8 (national baseline = 100), which shapes the headline-wage interpretation. Top-paying occupations in any U.S. metro typically cluster around physicians, dentists, executives, tech specialists, and licensed professionals. The specific top of the list varies with local industry concentration: tech-heavy metros boost software-engineering ranks, finance-heavy metros boost banking ranks.
Each role on the ranking links to the per-role-and-city page with full percentile distribution (p10 to p90), employment count, and cost-adjusted wage. For workers comparing offers within Washington, DC, the percentile data is the most decision-relevant.
Top 10 Highest-Paying Jobs in Washington, DC
Ranked by median (50th percentile) salary. The COL-Adjusted column rebases each nominal salary to Washington, DC's cost-of-living index of 152.8 so you can compare buying power against an average-cost U.S. metro.
Median $225,140 · 10th–90th $125,150–$329,200 · 1,470 jobs in metro
Family Medicine Physicians in Washington, DC earn $225,140 median, with top earners (90th percentile) over $329,200. Adjusted for the local cost of living, that median equals $147,343 of buying power in an average-cost U.S. metro.
Median $195,190 · 10th–90th $133,100–$295,960 · 20,800 jobs in metro
Computer and Information Systems Managers in Washington, DC earn $195,190 median, with top earners (90th percentile) over $295,960. Adjusted for the local cost of living, that median equals $127,742 of buying power in an average-cost U.S. metro.
Median $195,190 · 10th–90th $106,520–$382,890 · 46,840 jobs in metro
Lawyers in Washington, DC earn $195,190 median, with top earners (90th percentile) over $382,890. Adjusted for the local cost of living, that median equals $127,742 of buying power in an average-cost U.S. metro.
Median $185,270 · 10th–90th $122,670–$327,470 · 26,430 jobs in metro
Financial Managers in Washington, DC earn $185,270 median, with top earners (90th percentile) over $327,470. Adjusted for the local cost of living, that median equals $121,250 of buying power in an average-cost U.S. metro.
Median $184,540 · 10th–90th $105,610–$324,370 · 3,040 jobs in metro
Dentists in Washington, DC earn $184,540 median, with top earners (90th percentile) over $324,370. Adjusted for the local cost of living, that median equals $120,772 of buying power in an average-cost U.S. metro.
Median $181,260 · 10th–90th $106,860–$296,500 · 8,900 jobs in metro
Marketing Managers in Washington, DC earn $181,260 median, with top earners (90th percentile) over $296,500. Adjusted for the local cost of living, that median equals $118,626 of buying power in an average-cost U.S. metro.
Median $177,960 · 10th–90th $111,720–$282,330 · 6,280 jobs in metro
Human Resources Managers in Washington, DC earn $177,960 median, with top earners (90th percentile) over $282,330. Adjusted for the local cost of living, that median equals $116,466 of buying power in an average-cost U.S. metro.
Median $175,820 · 10th–90th $83,560–$306,700 · 8,780 jobs in metro
Sales Managers in Washington, DC earn $175,820 median, with top earners (90th percentile) over $306,700. Adjusted for the local cost of living, that median equals $115,065 of buying power in an average-cost U.S. metro.
Median $172,520 · 10th–90th $79,240–$354,030 · 550 jobs in metro
Pediatricians in Washington, DC earn $172,520 median, with top earners (90th percentile) over $354,030. Adjusted for the local cost of living, that median equals $112,906 of buying power in an average-cost U.S. metro.
Median $161,090 · 10th–90th $103,440–$223,800 · 3,420 jobs in metro
Software Quality Assurance Analysts in Washington, DC earn $161,090 median, with top earners (90th percentile) over $223,800. Adjusted for the local cost of living, that median equals $105,425 of buying power in an average-cost U.S. metro.
Full Ranking (64 Occupations)
| Rank | Role | Category | Median | 10th–90th | COL-Adjusted | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Family Medicine Physician | Healthcare | $225,140 | $125,150–$329,200 | $147,343 | 1,470 |
| 2 | Computer and Information Systems Manager | Technology | $195,190 | $133,100–$295,960 | $127,742 | 20,800 |
| 3 | Lawyer | Legal | $195,190 | $106,520–$382,890 | $127,742 | 46,840 |
| 4 | Financial Manager | Finance | $185,270 | $122,670–$327,470 | $121,250 | 26,430 |
| 5 | Dentist | Healthcare | $184,540 | $105,610–$324,370 | $120,772 | 3,040 |
| 6 | Marketing Manager | Management | $181,260 | $106,860–$296,500 | $118,626 | 8,900 |
| 7 | Human Resources Manager | Management | $177,960 | $111,720–$282,330 | $116,466 | 6,280 |
| 8 | Sales Manager | Management | $175,820 | $83,560–$306,700 | $115,065 | 8,780 |
| 9 | Pediatrician | Healthcare | $172,520 | $79,240–$354,030 | $112,906 | 550 |
| 10 | Software Quality Assurance Analyst | Technology | $161,090 | $103,440–$223,800 | $105,425 | 3,420 |
| 11 | Computer Network Architect | Technology | $159,820 | $102,110–$216,560 | $104,594 | 9,370 |
| 12 | Financial Examiner | Finance | $157,560 | $77,630–$254,090 | $103,115 | 890 |
| 13 | Computer Occupations (Other) | Technology | $156,640 | $93,040–$203,390 | $102,513 | 0 |
| 14 | General and Operations Manager | Management | $156,460 | $67,600–$291,420 | $102,395 | 112,530 |
| 15 | Software Developer | Technology | $154,930 | $96,450–$213,660 | $101,394 | 69,060 |
| 16 | Optometrist | Healthcare | $154,690 | $54,120–$224,040 | $101,237 | 770 |
| 17 | Veterinarian | Healthcare | $154,350 | $79,360–$271,770 | $101,014 | 1,740 |
| 18 | Engineers (Other) | Engineering | $151,340 | $83,700–$195,190 | $99,045 | 9,230 |
| 19 | Pharmacist | Healthcare | $150,540 | $121,420–$179,230 | $98,521 | 5,260 |
| 20 | Information Security Analyst | Technology | $148,950 | $96,550–$209,290 | $97,480 | 16,560 |
| 21 | Physician Assistant | Healthcare | $148,200 | $108,030–$213,750 | $96,990 | 3,020 |
| 22 | Medical and Health Services Manager | Healthcare | $140,670 | $98,220–$242,480 | $92,062 | 11,730 |
| 23 | Statistician | Technology | $136,660 | $97,160–$178,400 | $89,437 | 3,220 |
| 24 | Nurse Practitioner | Healthcare | $134,840 | $101,340–$175,440 | $88,246 | 4,050 |
| 25 | Web Designer | Technology | $134,350 | $84,580–$184,050 | $87,925 | 3,840 |
| 26 | Data Scientist | Technology | $132,200 | $85,250–$212,320 | $86,518 | 9,260 |
| 27 | Computer Programmer | Technology | $130,390 | $67,010–$184,660 | $85,334 | 2,680 |
| 28 | Business Professor (Postsecondary) | Education | $128,370 | $50,830–$265,940 | $84,012 | 1,590 |
| 29 | Operations Research Analyst | Technology | $127,600 | $69,910–$194,900 | $83,508 | 8,080 |
| 30 | Computer Systems Analyst | Technology | $127,040 | $77,910–$195,120 | $83,141 | 18,620 |
| 31 | Mechanical Engineer | Engineering | $126,990 | $85,760–$195,190 | $83,109 | 5,390 |
| 32 | Management Analyst | Management | $126,830 | $78,970–$181,280 | $83,004 | 62,360 |
| 33 | Electrical Engineer | Engineering | $126,420 | $84,820–$195,190 | $82,736 | 4,450 |
| 34 | Software Quality Assurance Tester | Technology | $126,350 | $81,360–$175,240 | $82,690 | 8,460 |
| 35 | Network Architect | Technology | $125,430 | $78,450–$180,360 | $82,088 | 9,920 |
| 36 | Dental Hygienist | Healthcare | $119,170 | $94,290–$132,000 | $77,991 | 2,200 |
| 37 | Industrial Engineer | Engineering | $117,600 | $82,140–$173,400 | $76,963 | 2,000 |
| 38 | Database Architect | Technology | $108,750 | $66,560–$171,170 | $71,171 | 3,730 |
| 39 | Writer/Author | Creative | $108,460 | $69,090–$171,410 | $70,982 | 2,060 |
| 40 | Financial Analyst | Finance | $108,330 | $74,190–$195,190 | $70,897 | 10,930 |
| 41 | Personal Financial Advisor | Finance | $106,230 | $58,790–$389,430 | $69,522 | 4,330 |
| 42 | Physical Therapist | Healthcare | $102,980 | $79,080–$137,070 | $67,395 | 4,540 |
| 43 | Occupational Therapist | Healthcare | $102,960 | $79,650–$138,150 | $67,382 | 2,640 |
| 44 | Registered Nurse | Healthcare | $102,710 | $80,750–$132,900 | $67,219 | 46,830 |
| 45 | Audiologist | Healthcare | $102,500 | $76,240–$134,340 | $67,081 | 150 |
| 46 | Accountant | Finance | $102,140 | $67,530–$170,980 | $66,846 | 41,470 |
| 47 | Architect | Engineering | $102,080 | $75,650–$166,190 | $66,806 | 3,020 |
| 48 | Civil Engineer | Engineering | $101,780 | $77,970–$159,990 | $66,610 | 8,470 |
| 49 | Public Relations Specialist | Creative | $101,680 | $61,520–$195,990 | $66,545 | 22,810 |
| 50 | Speech-Language Pathologist | Healthcare | $99,960 | $72,800–$135,830 | $65,419 | 3,140 |
| 51 | Loan Officer | Finance | $97,800 | $46,790–$169,540 | $64,005 | 5,000 |
| 52 | Web Developer | Technology | $97,000 | $57,580–$170,790 | $63,482 | 1,900 |
| 53 | Computer Network Support Specialist | Technology | $92,400 | $61,190–$147,590 | $60,471 | 5,100 |
| 54 | Market Research Analyst | Management | $87,160 | $50,500–$162,020 | $57,042 | 21,090 |
| 55 | Graphic Designer | Creative | $85,420 | $48,580–$131,810 | $55,903 | 4,420 |
| 56 | Paralegal | Legal | $81,590 | $57,160–$126,020 | $53,397 | 12,990 |
| 57 | Secondary School Teacher | Education | $80,300 | $57,290–$117,160 | $52,552 | 20,400 |
| 58 | Elementary School Teacher | Education | $79,470 | $60,790–$122,580 | $52,009 | 30,940 |
| 59 | Electrician | Trades | $75,930 | $44,690–$121,570 | $49,692 | 16,580 |
| 60 | Plumber | Trades | $71,860 | $47,480–$114,400 | $47,029 | 9,420 |
| 61 | Clinical Laboratory Technologist | Healthcare | $70,300 | $43,460–$104,290 | $46,008 | 5,680 |
| 62 | Automotive Technician | Trades | $61,860 | $38,110–$97,460 | $40,484 | 12,030 |
| 63 | Carpenter | Trades | $60,800 | $47,150–$90,590 | $39,791 | 13,280 |
| 64 | Welder | Trades | $60,670 | $45,150–$114,440 | $39,705 | 2,000 |
Why These Roles Pay the Most in Washington, DC
Washington, DC's pay distribution reflects a federal-government and federal-contractor concentration. Management, legal, and policy roles pay well above national averages; the city's high cost of living offsets some of that premium.
An average median salary above $90K places this metro in the top tier of U.S. cities for nominal pay. Most of that premium accrues to the upper percentiles of skilled and managerial occupations; entry-level and service-sector pay is closer to national norms.
Washington, DC's cost-of-living index of 152.8 is among the highest tracked anywhere. Roughly 50% of nominal salary gains relative to a national-average metro are absorbed by housing alone; an additional 5–15% is consumed by transportation, food, and services. The COL-Adjusted column in the table above translates each nominal salary back to "what would buy this much in an average-cost metro" — that is the right benchmark for a cross-city comparison.
How to Use This Ranking
For salary negotiation, the median is a starting anchor — not the ceiling. A Family Medicine Physician with five-plus years of experience in Washington, DC should be benchmarking against the 75th percentile ($277,170) or 90th percentile ($329,200), not the $225,140 median. Use the salary percentile calculator to place any specific salary into the BLS distribution for any role-and-city pair.
For cross-city comparisons, ignore the nominal Median column and look at COL-Adjusted. A $225K Family Medicine Physician salary in Washington, DC (COL 152.8) translates to $147K of buying power in an average-cost metro — that is the apples-to-apples figure when weighing a relocation. Read the methodology behind these adjustments in our methodology page.
For job hunting, focus on the top-10 ranking above and on the role-by-role detail pages — each links through to a Family Medicine Physician in Washington, DC page with full percentile breakdowns, year-over-year change, and prevailing-wage references for H-1B / PERM applicants.
Frequently Asked Questions
The highest paying job in Washington, DC is Family Medicine Physician with a median salary of $225,140 and a 90th-percentile reading of $329,200. The role employs roughly 1,470 workers in this metro according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics' 2025 OEWS data.
49 of the 64 BLS-tracked occupations in Washington, DC have a median salary of $100,000 or higher. That is well above what most U.S. metros offer. See the full list ranked by median salary above.
Across 64 BLS-tracked occupations, the average median salary in Washington, DC is $125,961. The cost-of-living index is 152.8, so adjusted to a national-average baseline, the average is $82,435 in equivalent purchasing power.
Washington, DC offers high nominal salaries — the average median is $125,961 — but the cost of living index of 152.8 consumes a meaningful share of that premium. The COL-adjusted average is $82,435, which is the right comparison when weighing offers in lower-cost metros.
Every wage figure on this page is sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program at bls.gov/oes — public domain federal survey data covering about 1.2 million U.S. employers across all industries. The OEWS publishes 10th, 25th, 50th (median), 75th, and 90th percentile wages by Metropolitan Statistical Area and Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code. The same data is used by the Department of Labor for prevailing wage determinations.
Related Pages
Rankings based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2025 reference period. COL adjustments use a composite cost-of-living index calibrated to U.S. average = 100.
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2026.