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Washington, D.C. engineer salary

Estimate

Updated January 2025

What engineers earn in the Washington–Arlington–Alexandria metro, with a full breakdown by role.

Typical pay

$139,844

Washington, D.C.

Top earners

$214,970

Higher end

vs national

+20% vs national

U.S. $116,537

State

DC

District of Columbia

Engineers in the Washington–Arlington–Alexandria metro earn an estimated $139,844, +20% vs national, with top earners near $214,970. See the full breakdown by role below, or estimate your own total compensation — the number sharpens as local engineers contribute.

Engineering pay by role in Washington, D.C.

Estimated pay for each discipline in Washington, D.C.. Filter the list or open a role for the full picture.

22results

What affects engineering pay in Washington, D.C.

  • ▹Local market. Washington, D.C. pay runs +20% vs national for the typical engineer, usually above the District of Columbia statewide estimate.
  • ▹Industry concentration.A metro's dominant employers (tech, defense, energy, healthcare) shift which engineering disciplines command a premium locally.
  • ▹Experience & specialization. Seniority and in-demand skills swing pay well beyond the metro median — see the role table above and the calculator.
  • ▹Remote work.Remote offers may anchor to a company's HQ market rather than Washington, D.C., raising or lowering local pay.

Engineer salaries in Washington, D.C. — FAQ

How much do engineers make in Washington, D.C.?
Engineers in the Washington–Arlington–Alexandria metro earn an estimated median of $139,844 per year — 20% above the national average — with top earners near $214,970. These are labeled estimates: geographic pay is modeled from BLS OEWS national baselines adjusted by a local cost-of-labor index, not a direct BLS metro/state wage.
What is the highest-paying engineering role in Washington, D.C.?
Engineering Managers have the highest estimated pay in Washington, D.C., around $198,444 (median). Local industry concentration shifts which disciplines command the biggest premium.
How does engineering pay in Washington, D.C. compare to the national average?
The estimated Washington, D.C. engineering median of $139,844 is 20% above the national average of $116,537, and usually runs above the District of Columbia statewide estimate.
Source details

Blended engineering estimate for Washington, D.C.: BLS OEWS national engineering median adjusted by a 1.20× cost-of-labor index.

Benchmarks come from published government wage data via BLS OEWS. Local and emerging-role figures are labeled estimates. Full methodology →

Estimate your salary →All of District of Columbia →

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