📊 BLS Official Data · May 2025 Release

Data Engineer Salary in District of Columbia (2026)

District of Columbia · 52.0% above national average · Very High Demand

Average
$179,360
per year
Median
$170,240
per year
Hourly
$86.23
per hour
🏛️ Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
📅 Dataset: OES May 2025
🔄 Published: May 2026
📍 Coverage: All 50 States + DC
📊
Salary Range & Percentiles
Pay distribution across experience levels
10th Percentile — Entry Level$114,760
25th Percentile — Junior$148,200
50th Percentile — Median$170,240
75th Percentile — Senior$223,440
90th Percentile — Top Earners$251,712
💡 Top-earning Data Engineers in District of Columbia make up to $251,712 per year. The job market in District of Columbia is rated very strong, with key industries including Government, Finance, Technology.
📈
Salary Growth Trend (2021–2026)
Six-year compensation trajectory
$126.7k
2021
$135.8k
2022
$145.6k
2023
$156.1k
2024
$167.3k
2025
$179.4k
2026
📈 Data Engineer salaries in District of Columbia have followed the national trend with 7.2% annual growth. The strong demand in District of Columbia's job market supports continued salary increases.
🗺️
Data Engineer Salary by City in District of Columbia
Geographic salary comparison
CityAvg Salaryvs NationalDemand
Washington $272,627 +52.0% Very High
🔍
Data Engineer Job Market in District of Columbia
Key factors affecting compensation

District of Columbia is home to a very strong job market for Data Engineers. The state's key industries — Government, Finance, Technology — generate significant demand for skilled professionals. At $179,360 per year, District of Columbia's Data Engineer salaries are 52.0% higher than the national average.

The cost of living in District of Columbia (index: 1.52) justifies the higher pay scale. Entry-level professionals in District of Columbia can expect to earn $114,760–$148,200, while experienced Data Engineers can command $223,440–$251,712.

Looking ahead, the Data Engineer profession in District of Columbia is projected to grow at 7.2% annually. Major employers are actively hiring, and the state's investment in Government continues to drive new opportunities for qualified candidates.

🏛️ U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
⚖️
Compare with Similar Jobs
Related career salary benchmarks
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
  • The average Data Engineer salary in District of Columbia is $179,360 per year in 2026, which is 52.0% above the national average of $118,000.
  • Major metro areas typically pay Data Engineers the highest wages in District of Columbia due to higher costs of living and competitive job markets.
  • District of Columbia has a very strong job market with major industries in Government, Finance, Technology. This makes it one of the better states for Data Engineer employment.
  • At $179,360/year, District of Columbia Data Engineer salaries are 52.0% higher than the national average of $118,000/year.