Software Developer Salary in District of Columbia (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Software Developers in District of Columbia, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
District of Columbia Median
$136,880
per year
Hourly Rate
$65.81
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+1% vs US median
US median $135,980
State Rank
#9 of 50
6,120 employed here

How much does a Software Developer make in District of Columbia?

A Software Developer working in District of Columbia earns a median salary of $136,880 per year, or about $65.81 per hour. That is 1% above the national median of $135,980 for this occupation.

Within District of Columbia, entry-level pay starts around $85,140 while the top 10% make $197,000 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $117,120 and $169,580 a year.

Software Developer salary range in District of Columbia

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$85,140$40.93
25th percentile (early career)$117,120$56.31
50th percentile (median)$136,880$65.81
75th percentile (experienced)$169,580$81.53
90th percentile (top earners)$197,000$94.71

How District of Columbia compares

District of Columbia ranks 9th out of 50 states and territories for Software Developer pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1California$174,410
2Washington$166,540
3New York$166,180
4Massachusetts$165,210
5Oregon$142,720

Working as a Software Developer in District of Columbia

Nationally, about 1,688,000 people work as Software Developers in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.

Considering a move? Compare District of Columbia pay ($136,880) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Software Developer make in District of Columbia?
The median Software Developer salary in District of Columbia is $136,880 per year, or about $65.81 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $85,140 at the entry level to $197,000 for the top 10% of earners.
How does District of Columbia pay compare to the national average?
District of Columbia pays Software Developers about 1% more than the national median of $135,980. District of Columbia ranks 9th out of 50 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is District of Columbia a good state for Software Developers?
Yes on pay — District of Columbia pays above the national median for this occupation, at $136,880 a year. About 6,120 Software Developers are employed in District of Columbia. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in District of Columbia?
The highest-paying occupations in District of Columbia include Neurologist ($332,000), Emergency Medicine Physician ($318,200), Podiatrist ($265,740), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Software Developer salary report

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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.