Average Salary in District of Columbia

District of United States · Data verified 2025-01-01

Minimum wage

$17.95 /hr

Average salary $7,200 /mo

+ 148% vs United States national rate #1 of 56 state Since 2025-07-01

With a population of 702,000, District of Columbia is a district of United States whose economy centers on government and professional services. Its minimum wage of $17.95 per hour is 148% above the national rate. Workers earn an average gross salary of $7,200 per month. The cost of living is 10% above the national average. The median household income is $101,722 per year.

• AT A GLANCE

Rank: #1 of 56; state
vs National: +148%; United States floor
Annual (est.): $37,336; full-time, before tax
Change Since 2019: +25%; nominal wage

Wage Breakdown

Hourly: $17.95
Monthly: $3,111.27 Based on 173.33 hours/month (40 hrs/week)
Annual: $37,336 Based on 2,080 hours/year

Annual CPI adjustment under D.C. Wage Act of 2016 raised the minimum wage to $17.95/hr effective July 1, 2025 (from $17.50). Initiative 82 was amended by the DC FY2026 Budget Support Act. The tipped cash wage is frozen at $10.00/hr through June 30, 2026, then rises to 56% of the full minimum wage on July 1, 2026, and is capped at 75% of the full minimum wage by 2034. It does not reach full parity with the standard minimum wage in 2027.

Tipped wage : $10 /hr. Tipped cash wage frozen at $10.00/hr through June 30, 2026 under the DC FY2026 Budget Support Act amendment to Initiative 82. Rises to 56% of full minimum on July 1, 2026; capped at 75% of full minimum by 2034. Employers must make up the difference if tips do not bring total pay to the full minimum wage.

At this rate, a full-time worker earns approximately $37,336 /yr before tax. Whether that covers living costs depends on local prices. See United States purchasing power context.