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

Software Developer Salary in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV

In the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metropolitan area, software developers earned a median annual wage of $135,600 ($65.19/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $84,400/year and the 90th was $195,200/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 $95,298 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 108.9 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$135,600$65.19 per hour · $11,300 monthly
10th Percentile$84,400$40.58/hr base
25th Percentile$116,000$55.77/hr base
75th Percentile$168,000$80.77/hr base
90th Percentile$195,200$93.85/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

$135,600
$50,000$275,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$135,600
Net 70%
Fed 16%
DC 6%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$95,298After all taxes
Monthly deposit$7,941Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$3,665Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate29.7%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$21,278 / yr
District of Columbia state income tax$8,651 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$10,373 / yr

Software Developers 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 Software Developers in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (DC)
10th Percentile$40.58/hr$7,033$84,400$63,906
25th Percentile$55.77/hr$9,667$116,000$83,451
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$65.19/hr$11,300$135,600$95,298
75th Percentile$80.77/hr$14,000$168,000$114,689
90th Percentile$93.85/hr$16,267$195,200$131,632

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 $$135,600 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 Ratio107%of area median income

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Software Developers Pay in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV

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

The official BLS median annual wage for software developers in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV is $135,600, which equates to approximately $11,300 per month or $65.19 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

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

The median hourly wage for software developers in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV is $65.19 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $40.58/hour and one in ten earned more than $93.85/hour.

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

BLS wage estimates for software developers in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV span from $84,400 at the 10th percentile to $116,000 at the 25th, $168,000 at the 75th, and $195,200 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

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

On a median gross salary of $135,600, an estimated $95,298 lands in net take-home pay per year ($3,665 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in District of Columbia in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $40,302 (an effective rate of 29.7%).

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

On the median annual salary of $135,600, gross monthly income is $11,300. After federal, FICA, and District of Columbia state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $7,941 per month (or $3,665 every two weeks).

Is $135,600 a good salary in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?

At $135,600, the median salary for software developers is 107% 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.