Computer Systems Analysts Salary
Computer Systems Analysts in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV make a median of $127,040 a year, or about $61.08 an hour. The range runs from $78K at the entry level to $195K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 108.88), so that salary is closer to $116,679 in real purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $2,246/month, or 29.9% of estimated take-home pay.
So what does $127K get you in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria?
Groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare scaled from national averages by Washington-Arlington-Alexandria’s Regional Price Parity (108.88). Rent from HUD Fair Market Rents. Taxes estimated for single filer, standard deduction. * Healthcare is the employee-paid share only (premiums + out-of-pocket). Actual costs vary by coverage type: employer-sponsored, ACA marketplace, or uninsured.
About computer systems analysts
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What this looks like in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria sits well above the national pay line for computer systems analysts, local pay runs about 20% higher than the U.S. median of $106K. Rent runs $2,246/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 30.1% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Cost-of-living overall is 9% above the national average (BEA RPP 108.88), so groceries and services cost more too. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compared to nearby metros
Median pay for computer systems analysts in metros near Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, adjusted for local cost of living.
| Metro | Median pay | COL-adjusted |
|---|---|---|
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson | $109K | $104K |
| Richmond | $105K | $107K |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk | $104K | $106K |
| Lexington Park | $102K | $101K |
COL-adjusted = median salary ÷ (BEA Regional Price Parity ÷ 100). Expresses purchasing power in national-average dollars.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
Entry-level computer systems analysts (10th percentile) start around $78K. Mid-career wages sit at $127K. Top earners bring in $195K or more, a $117K spread from bottom to top.
Computer Systems Analysts pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
View Computer Systems Analysts salary in all states
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rhode Island | $135K | +27% | 1,850 |
| Washington | $129K | +22% | 24,120 |
| Massachusetts | $128K | +21% | 22,160 |
| Colorado | $128K | +21% | 6,230 |
| California | $128K | +21% | 59,060 |
| New Jersey | $123K | +16% | 16,520 |
| Oregon | $122K | +15% | 5,640 |
| Virginia | $121K | +14% | 23,190 |
| District of Columbia | $117K | +10% | 2,480 |
| Maryland | $114K | +7% | 15,340 |
| Delaware | $111K | +4% | 2,140 |
| Wyoming | $110K | +4% | 310 |
| New York | $110K | +4% | 24,100 |
| Connecticut | $110K | +4% | 4,800 |
| New Hampshire | $108K | +2% | 2,090 |
| Texas | $107K | +1% | 47,990 |
| North Carolina | $107K | +1% | 20,910 |
| Minnesota | $106K | +0% | 11,330 |
| Georgia | $106K | +0% | 11,640 |
| North Dakota | $105K | -0% | 280 |
| Nevada | $104K | -2% | 2,540 |
| Arizona | $104K | -2% | 11,330 |
| Michigan | $103K | -2% | 14,070 |
| Ohio | $102K | -3% | 19,190 |
| Florida | $102K | -4% | 35,270 |
| Alabama | $102K | -4% | 6,560 |
| Illinois | $102K | -4% | 20,610 |
| Kansas | $101K | -5% | 3,740 |
| Wisconsin | $100K | -5% | 8,340 |
| South Dakota | $100K | -6% | 1,110 |
| Vermont | $100K | -6% | 590 |
| Indiana | $99K | -7% | 9,660 |
| Utah | $99K | -7% | 2,950 |
| Pennsylvania | $99K | -7% | 19,450 |
| South Carolina | $98K | -7% | 7,700 |
| New Mexico | $98K | -7% | 2,290 |
| Oklahoma | $96K | -9% | 3,710 |
| Iowa | $96K | -9% | 4,760 |
| Maine | $96K | -9% | 2,480 |
| Louisiana | $96K | -10% | 2,980 |
| Tennessee | $96K | -10% | 10,220 |
| Kentucky | $95K | -10% | 5,930 |
| Missouri | $92K | -13% | 7,730 |
| Nebraska | $92K | -13% | 2,440 |
| Montana | $91K | -14% | 850 |
| Hawaii | $89K | -16% | 1,670 |
| Alaska | $89K | -16% | 420 |
| Mississippi | $86K | -18% | 1,990 |
| Arkansas | $82K | -23% | 4,100 |
| Idaho | $75K | -29% | 1,650 |
Showing 1–10 of 50 states with published data
BLS does not publish data for every state when sample sizes are too small
Track computer systems analysts salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Washington-Arlington-Alexandria numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a computer systems analyst afford a 2BR apartment alone in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria?
It’s a stretch — at the median salary of $127K, rent takes 30.1% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $2,246/month. The 30% guideline puts the comfortable ceiling at roughly $2,200/month in rent — so roommates or a 1-bedroom would ease the math significantly.
What’s the entry-level salary for computer systems analysts in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new computer systems analysts typically earn — is $78K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $4,675/month. At HUD’s $2,246/month FMR, rent would take 48% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is computer systems analyst a high-paying job in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria?
Local pay is 20% above the national median — $127K here vs. $106K nationally. Keep in mind cost of living here is 9% above the national average, which offsets some of that premium.
How does Washington-Arlington-Alexandria compare to the national average for computer systems analysts?
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria pays $127K median vs. the U.S. average of $106K — that’s +20%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 108.88), the purchasing-power equivalent is $117K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do computer systems analysts make in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
The median is $127,040 a year, that works out to about $61 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $77,910, and experienced computer systems analysts can clear $195,120. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $127K enough to live in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $7,469/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,246/month, which eats 30.1% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb, housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a computer systems analysts salary go in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria?
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria has a Regional Price Parity of 108.88 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median computer systems analysts salary is worth about $116,679 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do computer systems analysts get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.