salary$154,930 a year$74 an hour · median pay in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV area
Lower pay (bottom 10%)$96,450per year
Top pay (top 10%)$213,660per year
Jobs in the area69,060people work this job
Can a software developer afford Washington?
Cheap. Rent of $2,370 a month takes 18.4% of the median software developer salary. That is under the 30% rule, so one paycheck covers rent comfortably.
Software Developer pay in similar cities
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Frequently asked questions
How much does a software developer make in Washington, DC?
The median pay for a software developer in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV area is $154,930 a year ($74 an hour). Most earn between $96,450 and $213,660.
Can a software developer afford to live in Washington?
Typical rent of $2,370 a month takes 18.4% of the median software developer salary, which we rate Cheap.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, for the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area.