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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 61 | Information Security Analysts | Technology | $135K | $64.95/hr |
| 62 | Optometrists | Healthcare | $135K | $64.83/hr |
| 63 | First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | Public Safety | $135K | $64.79/hr |
| 64 | Veterinarians | Healthcare | $135K | $64.68/hr |
| 65 | Law Teachers, Postsecondary | Education | $134K | N/A |
| 66 | Mechanical Engineers | Engineering | $133K | $64.09/hr |
| 67 | Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | Science | $133K | $63.76/hr |
| 68 | Credit Analysts | Business & Finance | $133K | $63.74/hr |
| 69 | Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers | Management | $132K | $63.55/hr |
| 70 | Writers and Authors | Arts & Media | $129K | $62.16/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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Side-by-side salary and cost of living comparison
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After federal and state taxes
Can you afford a 2-bedroom in District of Columbia?
Salary thresholds by HUD rent data
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Monthly budget breakdown with HUD and BLS data