Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Receptionist Salary in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV

In the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metropolitan area, receptionists earned a median annual wage of $48,600 ($23.37/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $36,700/year and the 90th was $63,700/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and District of Columbia tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $39,414 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 108.9 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$48,600$23.37 per hour · $4,050 monthly
10th Percentile$36,700$17.64/hr base
25th Percentile$39,500$18.99/hr base
75th Percentile$57,200$27.50/hr base
90th Percentile$63,700$30.63/hr base

Run the numbers on your own pay

Same U.S. tax tables as the rest of the site. Change the salary, state, or filing status.

Take-Home Pay Explorer

$48,600
$15,000$100,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$48,600
Net 81%
Fed 8%
DC 4%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$39,414After all taxes
Monthly deposit$3,285Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,516Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate18.9%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$3,652 / yr
District of Columbia state income tax$1,816 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$3,718 / yr

Receptionists and Information Clerks Wage Percentiles in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV

Official survey estimates from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Full-time calculations assume standard 2,080 annual working hours.

Wage Distribution for Receptionists and Information Clerks in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (DC)
10th Percentile$17.64/hr$3,058$36,700$30,566
25th Percentile$18.99/hr$3,292$39,500$32,648
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$23.37/hr$4,050$48,600$39,414
75th Percentile$27.50/hr$4,767$57,200$45,797
90th Percentile$30.63/hr$5,308$63,700$50,597

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$48,600 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$126,684Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index108.98.9% above national average
Individual vs Household Ratio38.4%of area median income

Compare receptionists salaries statewide and examine overall earnings in District of Columbia:

Frequently Asked Questions About Receptionists and Information Clerks Pay in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV

What is the median salary for receptionists in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?

The official BLS median annual wage for receptionists in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV is $48,600, which equates to approximately $4,050 per month or $23.37 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for receptionists in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?

The median hourly wage for receptionists in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV is $23.37 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $17.64/hour and one in ten earned more than $30.63/hour.

What is the pay range for receptionists in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?

BLS wage estimates for receptionists in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV span from $36,700 at the 10th percentile to $39,500 at the 25th, $57,200 at the 75th, and $63,700 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do receptionists take home after taxes in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?

On a median gross salary of $48,600, an estimated $39,414 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,516 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in District of Columbia in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $9,186 (an effective rate of 18.9%).

How much do receptionists make per month in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?

On the median annual salary of $48,600, gross monthly income is $4,050. After federal, FICA, and District of Columbia state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $3,285 per month (or $1,516 every two weeks).

Is $48,600 a good salary in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?

At $48,600, the median salary for receptionists is 38.4% of the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV median household income ($126,684). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 108.9, making regional consumer goods and services 8.9% more expensive than the U.S. average.