Top Paying Jobs in District of Columbia
District of Columbia has 100 tracked occupation categories totaling 224,500 jobs. The highest-paying occupations include Neurologists ($332,000), Emergency Medicine Physicians ($318,200), Podiatrists ($265,740). The cost of living index is 108.88 (national average = 100). Median 2-bedroom rent is $2,146/month.
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State-level averages. Salaries, rent, and cost of living vary significantly between metros. For more accurate data, select a metro area from the list below or browse all metros.
$153K
Avg. median salary
108.88
Cost of living index
$2,146
Median 2BR rent
683,154
Population
Highest paying careers in District of Columbia
| Rank | Occupation | Category | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Neurologists | Healthcare | $332K | $159.62/hr |
| 2 | Emergency Medicine Physicians | Healthcare | $318K | $152.98/hr |
| 3 | Podiatrists | Healthcare | $266K | $127.76/hr |
| 4 | Family Medicine Physicians | Healthcare | $233K | $112.21/hr |
| 5 | General Internal Medicine Physicians | Healthcare | $223K | $107.33/hr |
| 6 | Anesthesiologists | Healthcare | $203K | $97.39/hr |
| 7 | Financial Examiners | Business & Finance | $199K | $95.54/hr |
| 8 | Public Relations Managers | Management | $198K | $95/hr |
| 9 | Lawyers | Legal | $195K | $93.84/hr |
| 10 | Nuclear Engineers | Engineering | $195K | $93.84/hr |
Affordability snapshot: District of Columbia
These are statewide averages. Costs vary widely between metros, click into a specific city for precise numbers.
Cost of living vs. national average+8.9% more expensive
2-bedroom apartment (FMR)$2,146/mo
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Metro areas in District of Columbia
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Salary thresholds by HUD rent data
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Monthly budget breakdown with HUD and BLS data