Software Engineer Salary in Washington DC, DC
Annual base compensation · May 2026 · BLS OES Survey Data
What is the average Software Engineer salary in Washington DC?+
The median Software Engineer salary in Washington DC, DC is $160,000 per year as of May 2026. The middle 50% of earners fall between $120,000 and $200,000.
What is the entry-level Software Engineer salary in Washington DC?+
Entry-level Software Engineer positions in Washington DC typically start around $120,000 per year (25th percentile). With 2–4 years of experience, compensation climbs toward the market median of $160,000.
What do senior Software Engineers earn in Washington DC?+
Senior Software Engineers in Washington DC earn $200,000 at the 75th percentile and up to $255,000 at the 90th percentile, reflecting 6+ years of experience and management responsibilities.
How has the Software Engineer market changed in Washington DC?+
Year-over-year salary growth for Software Engineers in Washington DC stands at 3.2% as of May 2026, indicating moderate demand in the local market.
| Market | 25th Pct. | Median | 75th Pct. | YoY |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | $140,000 | $190,000 | $240,000 | +3.2% |
| New York, NY | $130,000 | $175,000 | $225,000 | +3.2% |
| Seattle, WA | $125,000 | $165,000 | $205,000 | +3.2% |
| Boston, MA | $120,000 | $155,000 | $200,000 | +3.2% |
| Austin, TX | $105,000 | $135,000 | $175,000 | +3.2% |
| Denver, CO | $105,000 | $135,000 | $175,000 | +3.2% |
| Chicago, IL | $105,000 | $140,000 | $180,000 | +3.2% |
| Los Angeles, CA | $125,000 | $170,000 | $215,000 | +3.2% |
| Role | 25th Pct. | Median | 75th Pct. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Data Analyst | $75,000 | $100,000 | $130,000 |
| Data Scientist | $105,000 | $145,000 | $190,000 |
| Product Manager | $110,000 | $150,000 | $195,000 |
| DevOps Engineer | $115,000 | $155,000 | $195,000 |
| UX Designer | $85,000 | $110,000 | $150,000 |
| Marketing Manager | $75,000 | $105,000 | $145,000 |