District of Columbia

State · BLS OEWS 2023

In District of Columbia, BLS OEWS tracks wages for 471 detailed occupations covering about 656,920 jobs. Across occupations, local pay runs 21.2% above the national median on average.

Highest-Paying Occupations (2023)

"vs National" compares this area's median for each occupation to the U.S. national median — a positive number means the area pays a premium for that role.

Highest-paying occupations in District of Columbia, BLS OEWS 2023.
Occupation Median Annual vs National Employment
Physicians, Pathologists $234,320 40
Chief Executives $206,690 +137.9% 1,350
Obstetricians and Gynecologists $199,010 30
Lawyers $183,500 +25.9% 34,660
Public Relations Managers $183,500 +36.2% 8,220
Computer and Information Systems Managers $181,650 +7.2% 4,550
Financial Examiners $180,290 +113.9% 460
Emergency Management Directors $176,450 +110.2% 140
Art Directors $175,440 +64.7% 600
Nuclear Engineers $174,390 +39% 260
Financial Managers $172,060 +53.6% 7,570
Architectural and Engineering Managers $171,270 +3.6% 1,390
Human Resources Managers $171,220 +25.6% 2,160
Aerospace Engineers $166,310 +27.2% 410
Compensation and Benefits Managers $164,980 +21% 170
Database Architects $164,720 +22.3% 560
Marine Engineers and Naval Architects $164,420 +64% 240
Purchasing Managers $163,240 +19.7% 1,220
Managers, All Other $163,240 +22.2% 18,450
General and Operations Managers $162,990 +60.9% 34,580
Life Scientists, All Other $160,140 +84.2%
Engineers, All Other $158,830 +41.9% 2,640
Economists $158,830 +37.2% 3,290
Marketing Managers $156,750 -12.7% 3,330
Physical Scientists, All Other $154,420 +37.5% 750

Largest Occupations by Employment (2023)

Largest occupations by employment in District of Columbia, BLS OEWS 2023.
Occupation Employment Median Annual
Business Operations Specialists, All Other 38,250 $103,590
Lawyers 34,660 $183,500
General and Operations Managers 34,580 $162,990
Management Analysts 18,570 $119,480
Managers, All Other 18,450 $163,240
Public Relations Specialists 17,320 $96,510
Computer Occupations, All Other 16,960 $131,980
Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners 14,640 $37,660
Security Guards 14,570 $51,110
Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive 12,260 $54,790
Waiters and Waitresses 11,640 $37,390
Accountants and Auditors 11,310 $101,940
Registered Nurses 10,810 $105,220
Software Developers 8,470 $140,360
Fast Food and Counter Workers 8,420 $37,010
Public Relations Managers 8,220 $183,500
Human Resources Specialists 7,740 $100,980
Financial Managers 7,570 $172,060
Cooks, Restaurant 6,960 $38,120
Cashiers 6,820 $36,070
Office Clerks, General 6,500 $50,630
Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists 6,320 $79,630
Project Management Specialists 5,780 $101,920
Customer Service Representatives 5,680 $50,820
Paralegals and Legal Assistants 5,340 $95,480
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