Software Developer Salary in District of Columbia
Based on 6K+ workers in District of Columbia
Median Annual Salary (DC)
$136,880
$65.81/hr
vs National Average
$127,401
+7.4% vs national median
Salary Range (10th–90th)
$85K – $197K
6K employed in District of Columbia
The median software developer salary in District of Columbia is $136,880 per year, positioning the region as a competitive tech hub. With approximately 6,120 software developers employed in the area, this median sits 7% above the national average, reflecting strong demand for tech talent in the nation's capital and surrounding areas.
Several factors influence software developer salary in District of Columbia, including experience level, educational background, and specific technical expertise. The region's proximity to federal agencies, established tech companies, and venture-backed startups creates diverse employment opportunities that can affect compensation packages. Cost of living, company size, and industry specialization also play significant roles in determining individual salaries within this competitive market.
Salary Distribution — Software Developer in District of Columbia
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $85,140 |
| 25th percentile | $117,120 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $136,880 |
| 75th percentile | $169,580 |
| 90th percentile | $197,000 |
Top H-1B Employers for Software Developer in District of Columbia
Companies that filed the most H-1B (LCA) applications for this role in District of Columbia — ranked by application count.
| # | Employer | Applications | Median Wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oracle America, Inc. | 9 | $165,331 |
| 2 | National Railroad Passenger Corporation | 5 | $130,900 |
| 3 | PricewaterhouseCoopers Advisory Services LLC | 4 | $161,000 |
| 4 | Deloitte Consulting LLP | 4 | $136,179 |
| 5 | COMPUNNEL SOFTWARE GROUP, INC | 4 | $153,300 |
Source: U.S. Department of Labor OFLC LCA Disclosure Data, FY2026.
Software Developer H-1B Salary by Wage Level in District of Columbia
DOL prevailing wage levels approximate seniority — Level I is entry-level, Level IV is senior/expert. Based on certified H-1B (LCA) filings in District of Columbia.
| Wage Level | Experience | Median Salary | Filings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level I | Entry-level | $101,423 | 18 |
| Level II | Qualified | $126,100 | 60 |
| Level III | Experienced | $160,000 | 23 |
| Level IV | Senior / Expert | $175,427 | 15 |
Source: U.S. Department of Labor OFLC LCA Disclosure Data, FY2026. Based on certified filings with a disclosed wage level.
Top-Paying Industries for Software Developer (U.S.)
Which industries pay Software Developers the most — nationwide figures (industry-level data is not available by state). Software Developers in District of Columbia tend to follow these industry patterns.
| Industry (U.S.) | Median Salary | Employed (U.S.) |
|---|---|---|
| Information | $166,400 | 347K |
| Transportation and Warehousing | $147,010 | 18K |
| Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction | $139,270 | 810 |
| Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation | $136,610 | 3K |
| Manufacturing | $136,330 | 136K |
Source: U.S. BLS OEWS National Industry-Specific estimates, May 2025. National figures (not state-specific).
Historical Salary Trend — Software Developer in District of Columbia vs National
| Year | Median Salary (District of Columbia) |
|---|---|
| 2022 | $135,230 |
| 2023 | $140,360 |
| 2024 | $136,040 |
| 2025 | $136,880 |
| 2026 (projected) | $137,725 |
The latest year is a projection based on recent wage trends — BLS has not yet released that year’s data.
| Year | District of Columbia Median | National Median |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | $135,230 | $111,597 |
| 2023 | $140,360 | $118,750 |
| 2024 | $136,040 | $121,352 |
| 2025 | $136,880 | $127,401 |
| 2026 (projected) | $137,725 | $128,188 |
Software Developer Salary by Experience Level in District of Columbia
| Experience Level | Years | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Junior | 0-2 yrs | $117,120 |
| Mid-level | 3-5 yrs | $136,880 |
| Senior | 6-9 yrs | $169,580 |
| Staff / Lead | 10+ yrs | $197,000 |
Software Developer Salary in Other States
Related Software Developer Salaries in District of Columbia
How other high-demand occupations in District of Columbia compare to Software Developer ($136,880 median).
| Occupation | Median Salary | vs Software Developer | Hourly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer and Information Systems Manager in DC | $195,190 | +42.6% | $93.84/hr |
| Computer Hardware Engineer in DC | $163,360 | +19.3% | $78.54/hr |
| Software Engineer in DC | $156,590 | +14.4% | $75.28/hr |
| Database Administrator in DC | $150,010 | +9.6% | $72.12/hr |
| Computer and Information Research Scientist in DC | $144,190 | +5.3% | $69.32/hr |
| Statistician in DC | $140,670 | +2.8% | $67.63/hr |
| Computer Network Architect in DC | $137,670 | +0.6% | $66.19/hr |
| Information Security Analyst in DC | $135,090 | -1.3% | $64.95/hr |
| Data Scientist in DC | $126,490 | -7.6% | $60.81/hr |
| Computer Systems Analyst in DC | $116,820 | -14.7% | $56.16/hr |
| Web Developer in DC | $114,690 | -16.2% | $55.14/hr |
| Network Administrator in DC | $110,970 | -18.9% | $53.35/hr |
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do software developers make in Washington DC?
- Software developers in the District of Columbia earn a median salary of $136,880 per year, or $66 per hour. This is 7.4% higher than the national average for the role.
What is the salary range for software developers in DC?
- Software developer salaries in District of Columbia range from $85,140 at the lower end to $197,000 at the higher end, reflecting variation based on experience and specialization.
How many software developers work in the District of Columbia?
- There are approximately 6,120 software developers currently employed in the District of Columbia.
Is DC a good market for software developer salaries compared to the national average?
- Yes, DC offers above-average compensation for software developers, with a median salary of $136,880 representing a 7.4% premium over the national average salary for this position.