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What is the average salary in Washington, DC?

The average salary in Washington, DC is $98,389 per year.

Washington, DC offers competitive salaries across various industries. The average yearly salary stands at $98,389, providing a good income for many job seekers. Professionals in the top-paying sectors can earn significantly more. This makes Washington, DC an attractive place for those looking to advance their careers.


Job sectors with the highest salaries include:

  • Finance and Insurance: 21.62% of jobs
  • Educational Services: 14.18% of jobs
  • Health Care and Social Assistance: 12.63% of jobs
  • Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services: 12.62% of jobs
  • Government: 9.15% of jobs
  • Information: 8.69% of jobs
  • Real Estate and Rental and Leasing: 6.33% of jobs
  • Other Services: 4.16% of jobs
  • Manufacturing: 2.85% of jobs
  • Utilities: 1.65% of jobs
  • Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing, and Hunting: 1.11% of jobs
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What are the best paying jobs in Washington, DC?

In Washington, DC, several professions offer top-tier salaries, making them highly attractive to job seekers. Physicians, including Primary Care Physicians, are among the highest earners, with average annual salaries surpassing $250,000. Leadership roles such as Chief Operating Officer and Director of Enterprise Strategy also command high pay, reflecting their critical impact on business operations. Other well-paid jobs in the area include General Dentists, General Counsels, and Regulatory Affairs Directors. These roles, which blend specialized skills with strategic importance, offer competitive compensation packages. Professionals in these fields enjoy not only high earnings but also the respect and recognition that come with their expertise. Job seekers in Washington, DC, find these opportunities particularly appealing due to their potential for both financial success and professional fulfillment.
Graph displaying best paying job salaries in Washington, DC, highlighting Physician with the highest at $255,688 and Business Director with the lowest at $181,939.
  1. Physician
    Average Salary: $255,688
    This role includes diagnosing illnesses and creating treatment plans. Physicians work in hospitals and private practices. Institutions such as Johns Hopkins and MedStar offer these roles. Their focus is on patient care and medical expertise.
    Find Physician jobs in Washington, DC


  2. Primary Care Physician
    Average Salary: $253,498
    This role involves providing general medical care to patients. They manage chronic diseases and preventive care. They work in hospitals and clinics. Providers like Kaiser Permanente and MedStar Health offer these roles. Their focus is on patient wellness and disease prevention.
    Find Primary Care Physician jobs in Washington, DC


  3. Chief Operating Officer
    Average Salary: $231,015
    This executive role oversees daily operations. It includes strategic planning and resource management. Companies such as IBM and Deloitte look for these leaders. Their focus is on efficiency and business performance.
    Find Chief Operating Officer jobs in Washington, DC


  4. General Dentist
    Average Salary: $228,419
    This role involves diagnosing and treating dental issues. They perform cleanings and procedures. They work in private practices. Firms like Aspen Dental offer these roles. Their focus is on oral health and patient care.
    Find General Dentist jobs in Washington, DC


  5. General Counsel
    Average Salary: $221,656
    This position provides legal advice to the organization. They manage legal issues and compliance. Companies like Amazon and Google seek these experts. Their focus is on risk management and legal strategy.
    Find General Counsel jobs in Washington, DC


  6. Regulatory Affairs Director
    Average Salary: $207,274
    This role ensures compliance with laws and regulations. They work with government agencies. Companies like Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson look for these professionals. Their focus is on regulatory compliance and risk management.
    Find Regulatory Affairs Director jobs in Washington, DC


  7. Technical Programs Manager
    Average Salary: $200,029
    This role oversees technical projects. They manage teams and resources. Tech firms like Microsoft and Oracle offer these roles. Their focus is on project delivery and technical expertise.
    Find Technical Programs Manager jobs in Washington, DC


  8. Counsel
    Average Salary: $197,838
    This role provides legal advice to clients. They handle contracts and litigation. Firms like WilmerHale and Akin Gump offer these positions. Their focus is on client service and legal representation.
    Find Counsel jobs in Washington, DC


  9. Director of Enterprise Strategy
    Average Salary: $185,019
    This role develops long-term business strategies. They analyze market trends and growth opportunities. Companies like Accenture and Deloitte seek these strategists. Their focus is on business growth and competitive advantage.
    Find Director of Enterprise Strategy jobs in Washington, DC


  10. Business Director
    Average Salary: $181,939
    This role leads business operations. They set goals and manage budgets. Firms like IBM and PwC look for these leaders. Their focus is on operational efficiency and business success.
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What are the best paying jobs in Washington, DC without a degree?

Explore high-paying jobs in Washington, DC that do not require a college degree. Canvassers lead the pack with an average salary of $71,667. This job involves gathering information and promoting causes door-to-door. Other well-paying jobs include concrete finishers, banquet housepersons, and irrigation technicians. Concrete finishers shape and finish concrete surfaces for buildings, earning around $55,531. Banquet housepersons prepare event spaces and assist during events, with an average salary of $51,317. Irrigation technicians manage water systems for crops and lawns, earning about $48,909. These roles offer good pay and can provide stable career opportunities.
Graph displaying best paying job salaries in Washington, DC without a degree, highlighting Canvasser with the highest at $71,667 and Service Team Member with the lowest at $42,796.
  1. Canvasser
    Average Salary: $71,667
    Promoting a cause or product by speaking to the public. Often working for political campaigns, charities, or companies in the city. Flexible hours allow for good balance. Earn tips and bonuses.
    Find Canvasser jobs in Washington, DC


  2. Concrete Finisher
    Average Salary: $55,531
    Smoothing and finishing concrete surfaces in construction sites. Working with builders and construction companies. Good pay with chances to learn new skills. Opportunities for overtime.
    Find Concrete Finisher jobs in Washington, DC


  3. Banquet Houseperson
    Average Salary: $51,317
    Setting up and cleaning banquet areas at events. Working in high-end hotels and event spaces. Offers flexible scheduling and tips. Great for social individuals.
    Find Banquet Houseperson jobs in Washington, DC


  4. Irrigation Technician
    Average Salary: $48,909
    Installing and maintaining irrigation systems. Working for landscaping companies and golf courses. Combines outdoor work with steady income. Opportunity for growth into management.
    Find Irrigation Technician jobs in Washington, DC


  5. Food Service Aide
    Average Salary: $48,604
    Assisting kitchen staff in preparing meals. Working in busy restaurants and catering services. Good for those who love food and teamwork. Opportunities to learn about kitchen operations.
    Find Food Service Aide jobs in Washington, DC


  6. Housekeeping
    Average Salary: $46,750
    Cleaning rooms in hotels and other lodging facilities. Working long hours, often with flexible shifts. Requires attention to detail and cleanliness. Opportunity for overtime pay.
    Find Housekeeping jobs in Washington, DC


  7. Landscaper
    Average Salary: $46,688
    Maintaining and creating outdoor spaces in residential and commercial properties. Working for landscaping companies. Combines physical work with creativity. Opportunity for steady income.
    Find Landscaper jobs in Washington, DC


  8. Bus Person
    Average Salary: $43,335
    Clearing tables and cleaning dining areas in restaurants. Working in fast-paced environments. Good for those who enjoy serving others. Tips can increase earnings.
    Find Bus Person jobs in Washington, DC


  9. Meat Cutter
    Average Salary: $42,898
    Cutting and preparing meat for sale in grocery stores. Working in supermarkets and butcher shops. Requires precision and attention to safety. Good for those who enjoy food preparation.
    Find Meat Cutter jobs in Washington, DC


  10. Service Team Member
    Average Salary: $42,796
    Providing customer service in various retail settings. Working in stores and service-oriented businesses. Offers a chance to meet new people. Opportunities for tips and overtime.
    Find Service Team Member jobs in Washington, DC

Which companies offer the top salaries in Washington, DC?

Companies in Washington, DC, offer some of the best salaries for job seekers looking for top-tier compensation. Leading employers like OpenAI and Palo Alto Networks are among those providing the highest average salaries, with figures reaching up to $256,683. These companies value their employees and are ready to invest in talent. Aside from tech giants, prestigious organizations like the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) also stand out for their competitive pay. Other notable companies include Okta, Salesforce, and ServiceNow, all consistently offering salaries that exceed $190,000 on average. This data highlights the significant opportunities available in Washington, DC, for professionals seeking rewarding careers.
Graph displaying company salaries in Washington, DC, highlighting OpenAI with the highest at $256,683 and Meta with the lowest at $185,269.
  1. OpenAI
    Average Salary: $256,683
    OpenAI is a leading research organization in artificial intelligence. The company aims to ensure that AI benefits all of humanity.


  2. Palo Alto Networks
    Average Salary: $234,954
    Palo Alto Networks is a cybersecurity company. It offers next-generation firewalls and cloud-based security.


  3. U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission
    Average Salary: $208,950
    The SEC protects investors and maintains fair, orderly, and efficient markets. It ensures that the markets operate transparently.


  4. Okta
    Average Salary: $206,898
    Okta is an identity management company. It offers a range of identity and access management solutions.


  5. Salesforce
    Average Salary: $196,691
    Salesforce is a cloud-based software company. It provides customer relationship management services.


  6. Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB)
    Average Salary: $192,654
    PCAOB is an independent organization. It oversees the audits of public companies to protect investors.


  7. ServiceNow
    Average Salary: $191,226
    ServiceNow delivers cloud-based software for enterprise workflow automation. It helps businesses run workflows more efficiently.


  8. Apple
    Average Salary: $188,630
    Apple is a technology company. It designs, manufactures, and markets consumer electronics and computer software.


  9. Anduril Industries
    Average Salary: $187,066
    Anduril Industries focuses on autonomous systems and technology. It develops technologies for defense and security.


  10. Meta
    Average Salary: $185,269
    Meta is a company that owns Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and more. It connects people and helps them share and grow.

How does the cost of living in Washington, DC compare to the national average?

The cost of living in Washington, DC, exceeds the nationwide average in several key areas. Housing costs, for instance, are 75% higher than the national average, with an index of 175. This makes securing affordable housing particularly challenging. Groceries also show a significant increase, with costs 15% above the national average, indexed at 115. Utilities and healthcare each reflect a rise of 5% over the nationwide average, with indices of 105 and 120, respectively. Transportation costs are 30% higher, indexed at 130, while miscellaneous expenses also surpass the national average by 10%, indexed at 110. This data highlights that living in Washington, DC, entails higher expenses across multiple categories.
Cost of living comparison graph for Washington, DC vs. Nationwide: housing 75% higher, groceries 15% higher, utilities 5% higher, transportation 30% higher, healthcare 20% higher, miscellaneous 10% higher.

The cost of living in Washington, DC, stands notably higher than the nationwide average, as indicated by the various indices. Housing costs are particularly striking, with an index of 175. This figure means that housing expenses in DC are 75% higher than the average costs across the nation. The high housing index significantly impacts overall living expenses, making DC one of the more expensive cities to live in.


In addition to housing, other categories show increased costs compared to the nationwide average of 100. Groceries, for instance, have an index of 115, meaning that food costs are 15% higher in DC. Transportation costs follow closely with an index of 130, indicating a 30% increase. Utilities and healthcare also show higher costs, with indices of 105 and 120, respectively, which means these expenses are 5% and 20% higher than average. Miscellaneous costs are at an index of 110, adding another 10% to the overall cost of living. These figures illustrate that many aspects of daily life in Washington, DC, cost more than the national average.

There are 10,044 job openings in Washington, DC, today!

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City
Overview
Washington, DC
10,044 Job Openings