Based on the latest Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data — updated August 12, 2026.
| District of Columbia | National | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median annual salary | $136,880 | $142,991 | -4% |
| Median hourly wage | $65.81 | $68.75 | -4% |
Adjusted for local price levels (100 = national average), the cost-adjusted median is $124,550.
| City | Median | Entry Level | Experienced | Cost of Living |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $171,951 | $123,500 | $227,500 | 152 |
The median annual salary for a Software Engineer in District of Columbia is $136,880, or about $65.81 per hour, according to BLS OEWS data.
The national median for Software Engineers is $142,991. District of Columbia is -4% below the national median.
Entry-level software engineers in District of Columbia typically earn from $123,500 depending on the city and employer.
With 6,120 software engineer jobs on record and a median salary of $136,880, District of Columbia offers competitive pay compared to the rest of the country.