BLS Official Data · OEWS May 2025

Software Developers in District of Columbia

$144,430 / year · average (mean) annual wage
$69.44 per hour

▼ 2.5% below U.S. average10th of 50 states

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Dataset: OEWS May 2025 Published: May 2026 Coverage: All 50 States + DC
Average$144,430per year
Median$136,880per year
Hourly$69.44per hour
10th – 90th percentile$85,140 – $197,000per year

Software Developers Pay Range in District of Columbia

Pay distribution across experience levels

  • 10th Percentile — Entry Level$85,140
  • 25th Percentile — Junior$117,120
  • 50th Percentile — Median$136,880
  • 75th Percentile — Senior$169,580
  • 90th Percentile — Top Earners$197,000

Half of Software Developers in District of Columbia earn more than $136,880. The top 10% make $197,000 or more, while entry-level workers start around $85,140.

Software Developers in District of Columbia: Key Facts

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025

  • District of Columbia ranks 10th of 50 states for Software Developers pay, at $144,430 per year (2.5% below the U.S. average of $148,100).
  • 6,120 people work as Software Developers in District of Columbia — 0.4% of all U.S. Software Developers jobs.
  • Location quotient 0.80: Software Developers jobs are less concentrated in District of Columbia than in the U.S. overall.
  • Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $85,140; the top 10% earn over $197,000.
  • Hourly equivalent: $69.44 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
  • The highest-paying state is California at $186,770.
  • Among technology jobs in District of Columbia, Computer and Information Research Scientists pays the most ($148,690).

Software Developers Job Market in District of Columbia

Key factors affecting compensation

District of Columbia's key industries are Government, Finance, Technology, and its job market is rated very strong. Software Developers here earn $144,430 on average, placing the state 10th nationally.

With a cost-of-living index of 1.52 (U.S. = 1.00), a District of Columbia salary of $144,430 is roughly equivalent to $95,020 at the national average cost of living.

Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Colorado ($150,940), Oregon ($149,060), Virginia ($146,340) are the closest alternatives for Software Developers weighing a move.

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025

Related career salary benchmarks

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about this salary

What is the average Software Developers salary in District of Columbia?

The average Software Developers salary in District of Columbia is $144,430 per year (median $136,880), which is 2.5% below the national average of $148,100.

How does District of Columbia rank for Software Developers pay?

District of Columbia ranks 10th out of 50 states. The highest-paying state is California ($186,770/yr).

How much do entry-level Software Developers make in District of Columbia?

The lowest-paid 10% of Software Developers in District of Columbia earn about $85,140 per year and the 25th percentile is $117,120.

How much do Software Developers make per hour in District of Columbia?

About $69.44 per hour, based on the $144,430 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.

How many Software Developers work in District of Columbia?

BLS counts 6,120 Software Developers jobs in District of Columbia (OEWS May 2025).

Explore more salary data