Designers, All Other Salary in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
The median pay for a designers, all other in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV is $81,450/year ($39.16/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $44K at the entry level to $118K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 108.88), so that salary is closer to $74,807 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $2,246/month — about 43.9% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $81K get you in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria?
About designers, all others
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
Entry-level designers, all others (10th percentile) start around $44K. Mid-career wages sit at $81K.Top earners bring in $118K or more - a $74K spread from bottom to top.
Designers, All Other pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Illinois | $98K | +49% | 60 |
| Minnesota | $84K | +27% | 90 |
| South Carolina | $83K | +25% | 50 |
| Hawaii | $81K | +23% | 40 |
| Virginia | $81K | +23% | 100 |
| California | $80K | +21% | 2,850 |
| New York | $78K | +18% | 990 |
| Iowa | $74K | +12% | N/A |
| Georgia | $71K | +7% | 540 |
| Nevada | $69K | +5% | 50 |
| Pennsylvania | $68K | +3% | 170 |
| Maryland | $65K | -1% | 130 |
| Rhode Island | $65K | -2% | 60 |
| Oregon | $65K | -3% | 260 |
| Louisiana | $64K | -3% | 650 |
Track designers, all other salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Washington-Arlington-Alexandria numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do designers, all others make in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
The median is $81,450 a year - that works out to about $39.16 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $43,890, and experienced designers, all others can clear $118,020. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $81K enough to live in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,134/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,246/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 43.7% 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 designers, all other 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 designers, all other salary is worth about $74,807 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do designers, all others 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.