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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 81 | Financial Specialists, All Other | Business & Finance | $125K | $60.15/hr |
| 82 | Budget Analysts | Business & Finance | $125K | $59.9/hr |
| 83 | Industrial Production Managers | Management | $124K | $59.82/hr |
| 84 | Buyers and Purchasing Agents | Business & Finance | $124K | $59.66/hr |
| 85 | Real Estate Sales Agents | Sales | $124K | $59.51/hr |
| 86 | Surgical Assistants | Healthcare | $123K | $59.32/hr |
| 87 | Elevator and Escalator Installers and Repairers | Construction & Trades | $123K | $58.93/hr |
| 88 | Biochemists and Biophysicists | Science | $120K | $57.74/hr |
| 89 | Database Administrators | Technology | $119K | $56.99/hr |
| 90 | Historians | Science | $118K | $56.87/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