Sales Engineers Salary in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
The median pay for a sales engineers in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV is $148,020/year ($71.16/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $90K at the entry level to $206K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 108.88), so that salary is closer to $135,948 in real purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $2,246/month, or 25.7% of estimated take-home pay.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $148K get you in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria?
About sales engineers
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
Entry-level sales engineers (10th percentile) start around $90K. Mid-career wages sit at $148K.Top earners bring in $206K or more - a $116K spread from bottom to top.
Sales Engineers pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $179K | +48% | N/A |
| Arizona | $169K | +39% | 1,220 |
| Delaware | $166K | +37% | 100 |
| New Jersey | $145K | +20% | 1,960 |
| Tennessee | $144K | +19% | 1,040 |
| New York | $138K | +13% | 2,970 |
| Virginia | $135K | +11% | 1,190 |
| California | $135K | +11% | 6,980 |
| Montana | $135K | +11% | 40 |
| West Virginia | $133K | +9% | N/A |
| Texas | $127K | +4% | 8,870 |
| Nevada | $125K | +3% | 350 |
| Maryland | $124K | +2% | 470 |
| Louisiana | $122K | +1% | N/A |
| Washington | $122K | +1% | 760 |
Track sales engineers 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 sales engineers make in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
The median is $148,020 a year - that works out to about $71.16 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $89,980, and experienced sales engineers can clear $205,760. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $148K enough to live in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $8,515/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,246/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 26.4% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a sales engineers 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 sales engineers salary is worth about $135,948 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do sales engineers 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.