Data Engineer Salary in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
Data updated · Sources: BLS OEWS May 2025, HUD FY 2027 Fair Market Rents, EPI 2026 Family Budget, 2026 tax tables · Methodology
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Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV Data Engineer Wage Distribution
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) Percentiles & Career Ladders
HUD Fair Market Rent & EPI Living Wage Affordability Index
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Hourly Wage to Annual & Overtime Matrix
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Data Engineer in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV: Compensation & Purchasing Power Briefing (2026)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Wages sourced from US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS OEWS). Rents calibrated to HUD Fair Market Rents. Tax schedules calibrated to IRS IRC Title 26, IRS Pub 15-T, and state statutory revenue codes.
- Federal Standard Deduction (Single) $16,100
- FICA OASDI Wage Base Cap $184,500
- Pre-Tax 401(k) Elective Deferral $24,500
- HSA Individual Annual Limit $4,400
Data Engineer in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV: Market Snapshot
Data Engineer roles in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV report a median annual wage of $162,870, 16.8% above the national median of $139,500. The 10th to 90th percentile band runs from $107,070 to $216,370, and HUD’s $2,204 monthly one-bedroom fair market rent equals 16.2% of that median gross pay. The single-adult living wage benchmark for the area is $35.15 per hour.
Highest-paying metropolitan areas for Data Engineer
| Metropolitan area | Median annual wage | Vs this market |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $197,960 | +21.5% |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $175,860 | +8.0% |
| Reno, NV | $170,390 | +4.6% |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $169,310 | +4.0% |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $168,390 | +3.4% |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $163,590 | +0.4% |
| Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT | $163,350 | +0.3% |
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | $162,640 | -0.1% |
| Springfield, MA | $161,730 | -0.7% |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $161,650 | -0.7% |
Top-paying occupations benchmarked in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
| Occupation | Median annual wage | Median hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Computer and Information Systems Managers | $195,190 | $93.84/hr |
| Public Relations Managers | $195,190 | $93.84/hr |
| Financial Manager | $185,270 | $89.07/hr |
| Architectural and Engineering Managers | $185,220 | $89.05/hr |
| Marketing Managers | $181,260 | $87.14/hr |
| Human Resources Managers | $177,960 | $85.56/hr |
| Sales Managers | $175,820 | $84.53/hr |
| Purchasing Managers | $172,150 | $82.76/hr |
| Compensation and Benefits Managers | $171,950 | $82.67/hr |
| Natural Sciences Managers | $169,060 | $81.28/hr |
Wage data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS May 2025, 132 metropolitan areas publishing this occupation; HUD FY2027 Fair Market Rents; EPI Family Budget Calculator. Taxes use 2026 federal and state rules. Data last updated .
Regional Labor Market & Career Mobility Network
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Related Technology Roles in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
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Other Metros for Data Engineer
Regional metropolitan labor markets within commuter or relocation distance with local BLS wages and living costs.
Data Engineer median pay in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV is $162,870 a year ($78.30/hr). See take-home pay after 2026 taxes, BLS wage. Official 2026 economic data for Data Engineer in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV compiled from Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS surveys, HUD Fair Market Rents, and statutory tax codes.
Quick answers
The median annual wage is $162,870 ($78.30 per hour). The middle 80% of earners make between $107,070 and $216,370. Source: BLS OEWS (May 2025).
On the median wage of $162,870, a single filer with no pre-tax deductions takes home about $111,712 a year ($9,309 a month) after $51,158 in federal, FICA, state and local taxes, an effective rate of 31.41%, using 2026 tax rules.