Best Paying Jobs in Washington, D.C., United States (2026)

Currency: USD · Capital city· Salaries estimated from national data

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Top 10 Highest Paying Jobs in Washington, D.C.

1

Surgeons / Doctors

Salary Range: from 32,892 USD to 107,584 USD

Surgeons top the list of the highest paying careers due to the critical nature of their job. A surgeon's profession involves high risk and requires extensive knowledge and a long learning path; the necessary ingredients for a high paying career.

2

Judges

Salary Range: from 27,638 USD to 90,452 USD

Judges earn quite high salaries because of the huge responsibilities associated with their job. Deciding people's fates is not an easy task and the high wage is perfectly justified.

3

Lawyers

Salary Range: from 22,385 USD to 73,322 USD

The main reason that lawyers earn big wages is because of their high perceived value in the eyes of their clients. A successful lawyer can save/earn you tons of money or can possibly spare you a death sentence.

4

Bank Managers

Salary Range: from 21,083 USD to 68,982 USD

Being in charge of hundreds of millions in funds and investments with all the associated risks that come along makes managing a bank an extremely critical task worthy of a large salary.

5

Chief Executive Officers

Salary Range: from 19,758 USD to 64,641 USD

CEOs are primarily responsible for the success or failure of complete organizations. Their huge remuneration is due to the vast scope of impact as well as the risks involved.

6

Chief Financial Officers

Salary Range: from 18,433 USD to 60,301 USD

Any job that is about managing money automatically qualifies for high pay. CFOs manage budgets, spending, costs, and revenue which directly impacts the operations of the organization.

7

Orthodontists

Salary Range: from 17,771 USD to 58,246 USD

Orthodontists operate in an industry where people are willing to pay high costs for a service, which directly makes Orthodontists among the best paying jobs.

8

College Professors

Salary Range: from 15,807 USD to 51,622 USD

College professors are among the top-earning and most prestigious careers. Becoming a professor is not easy and requires persistence which is partly why they earn so high.

9

Pilots

Salary Range: from 13,180 USD to 43,171 USD

Probably the only career on the list that involves some kind of excitement, nevertheless; pilots undergo rigorous training programs and they are responsible for the safety of thousands of people every day.

10

Marketing Directors

Salary Range: from 11,854 USD to 38,831 USD

Marketing directors are in charge of increasing the revenue of their organizations. They are directly responsible for generating business and they are well paid for that reason.

Best paying jobs in Washington, D.C., United States

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Job Categories in Washington, D.C.

Highest Paying Jobs in AI & Machine Learning in Washington, D.C. 2026

10 roles in Washington, D.C.

  • 1AI Research Scientist
    USD 41,11541,115
  • 2Machine Learning Engineer
    USD 38,37438,374
  • 3Deep Learning Engineer
    USD 35,63335,633
  • 4Computer Vision Engineer
    USD 32,89232,892
  • 5NLP Engineer
    USD 31,52131,521
  • 6AI Product Manager
    USD 30,15130,151
  • 7Data Scientist
    USD 28,78028,780
  • 8AI Ethics Officer
    USD 27,41027,410
  • 9ML Operations Engineer
    USD 26,03926,039
  • 10Business Intelligence Developer
    USD 24,66924,669

Highest Paying Jobs in Finance & Accounting in Washington, D.C. 2026

10 roles in Washington, D.C.

  • 1Finance Director
    USD 38,14638,146
  • 2Financial Manager
    USD 36,31836,318
  • 3Investment Advisor
    USD 34,49134,491
  • 4Risk Management Director
    USD 31,06531,065
  • 5Economist
    USD 30,15130,151
  • 6Tax Director
    USD 29,92329,923
  • 7Audit Director
    USD 29,69429,694
  • 8Investment Fund Manager
    USD 28,78028,780
  • 9Accounting Manager
    USD 27,41027,410
  • 10Auditing Manager
    USD 26,95326,953

Highest Paying Jobs in Business Administration in Washington, D.C. 2026

10 roles in Washington, D.C.

  • 1Chief Executive Officer
    USD 41,11541,115
  • 2Chairman of The Board
    USD 39,97339,973
  • 3Chief Financial Officer
    USD 37,91737,917
  • 4Regional Director
    USD 36,54736,547
  • 5Executive Manager
    USD 33,34933,349
  • 6Chief Corporate Officer
    USD 33,12033,120
  • 7Managing Director
    USD 32,89232,892
  • 8General Manager
    USD 31,97831,978
  • 9Risk and Capital Manager
    USD 31,06531,065
  • 10Chief Operating Officer
    USD 30,83630,836

Highest Paying Jobs in Advertising in Washington, D.C. 2026

10 roles in Washington, D.C.

  • 1Advertising Sales Director
    USD 31,52131,521
  • 2Events Director
    USD 30,83630,836
  • 3Advertising Manager
    USD 29,46529,465
  • 4Product and Brand Manager
    USD 28,78028,780
  • 5Sales Promotion Manager
    USD 28,55228,552
  • 6Media Production Manager
    USD 24,66924,669
  • 7Media Sales Executive
    USD 23,52723,527
  • 8Social Media Manager
    USD 23,29823,298
  • 9Digital Media Strategist
    USD 22,49922,499
  • 10Advertising Account Manager
    USD 21,95121,951

Highest Paying Jobs in Architecture in Washington, D.C. 2026

10 roles in Washington, D.C.

  • 1Architectural Manager
    USD 32,89232,892
  • 2Architecture Consultant
    USD 31,52131,521
  • 3Assistant Architectural Manager
    USD 31,06531,065
  • 4Facilities and Project Manager
    USD 30,15130,151
  • 5Design Manager
    USD 29,69429,694
  • 6Landscape Architect
    USD 25,58325,583
  • 7Architecture Estimating Manager
    USD 24,66924,669
  • 8Architect
    USD 21,95121,951
  • 9Architectural Designer
    USD 20,85420,854
  • 10CAD Manager
    USD 20,58020,580

Highest Paying Jobs in Automotive & Car Industry in Washington, D.C. 2026

10 roles in Washington, D.C.

  • 1Regional Manager
    USD 35,63335,633
  • 2Automotive General Manager
    USD 34,26234,262
  • 3Automotive Branch Manager
    USD 28,78028,780
  • 4Automotive Purchase Manager
    USD 26,95326,953
  • 5Purchasing Project Manager
    USD 25,58325,583
  • 6Automotive Project Manager
    USD 24,44124,441
  • 7Auto Parts Manager
    USD 23,29823,298
  • 8Automotive Assembly Manager
    USD 21,40321,403
  • 9Service Manager
    USD 20,58020,580
  • 10Used Car Manager
    USD 18,38718,387

Highest Paying Jobs in Aviation in Washington, D.C. 2026

10 roles in Washington, D.C.

  • 1Aviation Manager
    USD 38,37438,374
  • 2Airport Services Manager
    USD 37,91737,917
  • 3Airlines Sales Director
    USD 37,00437,004
  • 4Aviation Safety Manager
    USD 35,63335,633
  • 5Chief Pilot
    USD 32,89232,892
  • 6Aircraft Pilot
    USD 31,52131,521
  • 7Fleet Controller
    USD 29,69429,694
  • 8Airfield Management Specialist
    USD 28,32328,323
  • 9Aviation Analyst
    USD 24,66924,669
  • 10Aerospace Engineer
    USD 23,29823,298

Highest Paying Jobs in Banking in Washington, D.C. 2026

10 roles in Washington, D.C.

  • 1International Banking Manager
    USD 41,11541,115
  • 2Group Branch Manager
    USD 40,65840,658
  • 3Bank Regional Manager
    USD 39,97339,973
  • 4Bank Operations Head
    USD 39,28739,287
  • 5Capital Risk Manager
    USD 38,14638,146
  • 6Credit Portfolio Manager
    USD 37,68937,689
  • 7Internal Bank Audit Manager
    USD 36,54736,547
  • 8Cash Management Manager
    USD 35,17635,176
  • 9Online Banking Manager
    USD 33,57733,577
  • 10Mortgage Operations Manager
    USD 32,89232,892

Highest Paying Jobs in Construction in Washington, D.C. 2026

10 roles in Washington, D.C.

  • 1Construction Manager
    USD 31,52131,521
  • 2Construction Project Manager
    USD 30,15130,151
  • 3Construction Operations Manager
    USD 28,78028,780
  • 4Site Leader
    USD 27,41027,410
  • 5Building Contracts Manager
    USD 26,03926,039
  • 6Tender Manager
    USD 24,89724,897
  • 7Building Sales Manager
    USD 24,44124,441
  • 8Construction Quality Control Manager
    USD 22,77322,773
  • 9Purchasing Manager
    USD 20,58020,580
  • 10Installation Manager
    USD 20,03220,032

Highest Paying Jobs in Counseling in Washington, D.C. 2026

10 roles in Washington, D.C.

  • 1Psychologist
    USD 30,15130,151
  • 2Director of Rehabilitation Services
    USD 28,78028,780
  • 3Youth Development Manager
    USD 27,41027,410
  • 4Guidance Director
    USD 26,95326,953
  • 5Adoption Services Director
    USD 25,81125,811
  • 6Mental Health Counselor
    USD 24,66924,669
  • 7Supervising Counselor
    USD 23,52723,527
  • 8Family Support Specialist
    USD 23,29823,298
  • 9Youth Care Counselor
    USD 23,07023,070
  • 10Employment Counselor
    USD 21,95121,951

Highest Paying Jobs in Customer Service in Washington, D.C. 2026

10 roles in Washington, D.C.

  • 1Customer Service Manager
    USD 24,66924,669
  • 2Service Delivery Manager
    USD 24,21224,212
  • 3Regional Account Manager
    USD 23,29823,298
  • 4Customer Success Manager
    USD 22,49922,499
  • 5Call Center Manager
    USD 21,95121,951
  • 6Client Relationship Executive
    USD 21,40321,403
  • 7Operations Support Manager
    USD 20,58020,580
  • 8Customer Service Executive
    USD 16,46916,469
  • 9Customer Service Team Leader
    USD 15,37215,372
  • 10Customer Service Advisor
    USD 15,09815,098

Highest Paying Jobs in Education & Teaching in Washington, D.C. 2026

10 roles in Washington, D.C.

  • 1College Dean
    USD 35,63335,633
  • 2Dean of Faculty
    USD 33,57733,577
  • 3Professor
    USD 32,89232,892
  • 4Lecturer
    USD 26,03926,039
  • 5Head of School
    USD 25,12525,125
  • 6Post Doctoral Researcher
    USD 23,98323,983
  • 7Educational Psychologist
    USD 23,75623,756
  • 8Academic Manager
    USD 23,07023,070
  • 9Clinical School Psychologist
    USD 22,40822,408
  • 10Principal
    USD 21,95121,951

Highest Paying Jobs in Energy in Washington, D.C. 2026

10 roles in Washington, D.C.

  • 1Operations Manager
    USD 38,37438,374
  • 2Geophysicist
    USD 30,83630,836
  • 3Engineering Geologist
    USD 30,15130,151
  • 4Exploration Manager
    USD 29,46529,465
  • 5Energy Dispatch Director
    USD 29,00929,009
  • 6Geothermal Production Manager
    USD 28,32328,323
  • 7Mining Project Manager
    USD 27,86727,867
  • 8Service Delivery Manager
    USD 26,95326,953
  • 9Sustainability Specialist
    USD 26,03926,039
  • 10Energy Advisor
    USD 24,66924,669

Highest Paying Jobs in Engineering in Washington, D.C. 2026

10 roles in Washington, D.C.

  • 1Director of Engineering
    USD 32,89232,892
  • 2Engineering Production Manager
    USD 28,78028,780
  • 3Field Engineering Manager
    USD 27,41027,410
  • 4Electrical Engineering Manager
    USD 24,66924,669
  • 5Engineering Key Account Manager
    USD 24,21224,212
  • 6Engineering Project Manager
    USD 22,77322,773
  • 7Mechanical Engineering Manager
    USD 21,95121,951
  • 8Engineering Sales Manager
    USD 21,40321,403
  • 9Engineering Consultant
    USD 20,58020,580
  • 10Chief Engineer
    USD 20,16920,169

Highest Paying Jobs in Manufacturing in Washington, D.C. 2026

10 roles in Washington, D.C.

  • 1Production Director
    USD 31,52131,521
  • 2Director of Manufacturing
    USD 30,83630,836
  • 3Industrial Production Manager
    USD 29,69429,694
  • 4Operational Excellence General Manager
    USD 28,78028,780
  • 5Technology Development Manager
    USD 28,32328,323
  • 6Manufacturing Manager
    USD 27,41027,410
  • 7Plant Manager
    USD 26,95326,953
  • 8Product Manager
    USD 26,03926,039
  • 9Shipping Manager
    USD 25,58325,583
  • 10Key Account Manager
    USD 24,66924,669

Highest Paying Jobs in Fitness & Sports in Washington, D.C. 2026

10 roles in Washington, D.C.

  • 1Sports Manager
    USD 29,46529,465
  • 2Fitness Manager
    USD 27,41027,410
  • 3Head Coach
    USD 26,03926,039
  • 4Head Gymnastics Instructor
    USD 17,83917,839
  • 5Ski Instructor
    USD 15,37215,372
  • 6Assistant Coach
    USD 15,09815,098
  • 7Swim Instructor
    USD 14,55014,550
  • 8Personal Trainer
    USD 14,00214,002
  • 9Game Manager
    USD 13,45413,454
  • 10Fitness Trainer
    USD 12,90512,905

Highest Paying Jobs in Hospitality in Washington, D.C. 2026

10 roles in Washington, D.C.

  • 1Hospitality Director
    USD 34,26234,262
  • 2Hotel Manager
    USD 32,89232,892
  • 3Fleet Manager
    USD 28,32328,323
  • 4Cluster Director
    USD 27,41027,410
  • 5Regional Restaurant Manager
    USD 26,03926,039
  • 6Assistant Hospitality Manager
    USD 24,89724,897
  • 7Hotel Sales Manager
    USD 24,66924,669
  • 8Food Service Manager
    USD 23,52723,527
  • 9Restaurant Manager
    USD 22,22522,225
  • 10Room Reservations Manager
    USD 21,95121,951

Highest Paying Jobs in Healthcare in Washington, D.C. 2026

10 roles in Washington, D.C.

  • 1Surgeon - Heart Transplant
    USD 82,23082,230
  • 2Chief of Surgery
    USD 79,48979,489
  • 3Surgeon - Orthopedic
    USD 76,74876,748
  • 4Surgeon - Plastic Reconstructive
    USD 74,00774,007
  • 5Invasive Cardiologist
    USD 73,09373,093
  • 6Surgeon - Neurology
    USD 70,80970,809
  • 7Surgeon - Pediatric
    USD 63,95663,956
  • 8Urologist
    USD 60,98760,987
  • 9Internist
    USD 57,10457,104
  • 10Chief of Psychology
    USD 54,36354,363

Highest Paying Jobs in Human Resources in Washington, D.C. 2026

10 roles in Washington, D.C.

  • 1Chief People Officer
    USD 30,15130,151
  • 2Director of Talent Acquisition
    USD 28,78028,780
  • 3Human Resources Vice President
    USD 28,32328,323
  • 4Human Resources Manager
    USD 27,41027,410
  • 5Recruiting Manager
    USD 26,95326,953
  • 6Human Resources Development Manager
    USD 26,03926,039
  • 7Benefits Manager
    USD 23,98323,983
  • 8Labor Relations Director
    USD 22,84122,841
  • 9Human Resources Consultant
    USD 22,22522,225
  • 10Training Executive
    USD 21,95121,951

Highest Paying Jobs in Import & Export in Washington, D.C. 2026

10 roles in Washington, D.C.

  • 1Import and Export Manager
    USD 28,78028,780
  • 2Exports Sales Manager
    USD 28,32328,323
  • 3Export Logistics Manager
    USD 25,35425,354
  • 4Import and Export Consultant
    USD 22,84122,841
  • 5Importation Supervisor
    USD 19,21019,210
  • 6Export Logistics Specialist
    USD 17,01717,017
  • 7Export Supervisor
    USD 16,46916,469
  • 8Logistics Analyst
    USD 15,23515,235
  • 9Logistics Administrator
    USD 14,55014,550
  • 10Global Forwarding Agent
    USD 13,18013,180

Highest Paying Jobs in Insurance in Washington, D.C. 2026

10 roles in Washington, D.C.

  • 1Risk Management Director
    USD 35,63335,633
  • 2Risk Modeling Manager
    USD 34,26234,262
  • 3Insurance Manager
    USD 32,89232,892
  • 4Insurance Sales Director
    USD 30,15130,151
  • 5Policy Change Director
    USD 28,78028,780
  • 6Auditing Insurance Manager
    USD 27,41027,410
  • 7Loss Prevention Manager
    USD 26,95326,953
  • 8Claims Manager
    USD 26,03926,039
  • 9Actuary
    USD 24,66924,669
  • 10Insurance Program Manager
    USD 24,21224,212

Highest Paying Jobs in Information Technology in Washington, D.C. 2026

10 roles in Washington, D.C.

  • 1Chief Information Officer
    USD 30,15130,151
  • 2Online Banking Manager
    USD 28,78028,780
  • 3Information Technology Project Manager
    USD 27,41027,410
  • 4Enterprise Infrastructure Manager
    USD 26,72526,725
  • 5Director of Application Development
    USD 26,03926,039
  • 6Chief Information Security Officer
    USD 25,58325,583
  • 7Web Security Manager
    USD 25,35425,354
  • 8Business Intelligence Consultant
    USD 24,89724,897
  • 9Technical Project Manager
    USD 24,44124,441
  • 10Information Technology Sales Manager
    USD 24,21224,212

Highest Paying Jobs in Marketing in Washington, D.C. 2026

10 roles in Washington, D.C.

  • 1Brand Director
    USD 34,26234,262
  • 2Chief Marketing Officer
    USD 32,89232,892
  • 3Brand Manager
    USD 31,52131,521
  • 4Marketing Manager
    USD 30,15130,151
  • 5Chief Product Officer
    USD 29,69429,694
  • 6Search Marketing Strategist
    USD 26,95326,953
  • 7Market Development Manager
    USD 26,03926,039
  • 8Product Manager
    USD 25,58325,583
  • 9Digital Marketing Manager
    USD 25,12525,125
  • 10Trade Marketing Executive
    USD 24,66924,669

Highest Paying Jobs in Pharmaceutical & Biotechnology in Washington, D.C. 2026

10 roles in Washington, D.C.

  • 1Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Lead
    USD 43,85543,855
  • 2Pharmaceutical Manager
    USD 41,11541,115
  • 3Molecular and Cellular Biologist
    USD 39,05939,059
  • 4Medical Affairs Director
    USD 37,00437,004
  • 5Pharmaceutical Supply Chain Manager
    USD 36,77536,775
  • 6Bioinformatics Scientist
    USD 35,63335,633
  • 7Pharmaceutical Research Scientist
    USD 35,17635,176
  • 8Pharmaceutical Sales Manager
    USD 34,26234,262
  • 9Clinical Research Manager
    USD 33,80533,805
  • 10Pharmacy Manager
    USD 32,89232,892

Highest Paying Jobs in Public Relations in Washington, D.C. 2026

10 roles in Washington, D.C.

  • 1Head of Public Relations
    USD 30,83630,836
  • 2Public Relations Manager
    USD 27,41027,410
  • 3Director of Communications
    USD 26,26826,268
  • 4Head of Communications
    USD 25,58325,583
  • 5Marketing Communications Executive
    USD 24,89724,897
  • 6Public Relations Executive
    USD 24,21224,212
  • 7Media Relations Specialist
    USD 22,77322,773
  • 8Communications Project Manager
    USD 21,95121,951
  • 9Investor Relations Officer
    USD 19,21019,210
  • 10Government Relations Officer
    USD 17,15517,155

Highest Paying Jobs in Procurement in Washington, D.C. 2026

10 roles in Washington, D.C.

  • 1Supply Chain Director
    USD 34,26234,262
  • 2Procurement Manager
    USD 32,89232,892
  • 3Distribution Manager
    USD 31,52131,521
  • 4Warehouse Manager
    USD 28,78028,780
  • 5Vendor Manager
    USD 26,03926,039
  • 6Wholesale Buyer
    USD 24,66924,669
  • 7Supply Chain Analyst
    USD 23,29823,298
  • 8Purchasing Supervisor
    USD 21,95121,951
  • 9Inventory Control Manager
    USD 21,40321,403
  • 10Demand Planning Manager
    USD 20,58020,580

Highest Paying Jobs in Quality Control in Washington, D.C. 2026

10 roles in Washington, D.C.

  • 1Quality Director
    USD 30,15130,151
  • 2Quality Control Manager
    USD 28,78028,780
  • 3Quality Assurance Executive
    USD 27,41027,410
  • 4Six Sigma Black Belt
    USD 23,75623,756
  • 5Product Quality Leader
    USD 21,67621,676
  • 6Approval Team Manager
    USD 21,49421,494
  • 7Quality Assurance Supervisor
    USD 20,80820,808
  • 8Quality Trainer
    USD 20,35220,352
  • 9Assistant Quality Manager
    USD 19,75819,758
  • 10Quality Control Analyst
    USD 18,79918,799

Highest Paying Jobs in Real Estate in Washington, D.C. 2026

10 roles in Washington, D.C.

  • 1Portfolio Manager
    USD 35,63335,633
  • 2Director of Real Estate
    USD 34,26234,262
  • 3Shopping Center Manager
    USD 32,89232,892
  • 4Town Planner
    USD 32,20732,207
  • 5Property Operations Manager
    USD 31,97831,978
  • 6Real Estate General Manager
    USD 31,52131,521
  • 7Commercial Leasing Manager
    USD 31,06531,065
  • 8Community Development Manager
    USD 28,78028,780
  • 9Real Estate Project Manager
    USD 27,41027,410
  • 10Property Manager
    USD 22,84122,841

Highest Paying Jobs in Sales in Washington, D.C. 2026

10 roles in Washington, D.C.

  • 1Wholesale Manager
    USD 39,74439,744
  • 2National Sales Manager
    USD 38,37438,374
  • 3Sales Director
    USD 35,63335,633
  • 4Sales Executive
    USD 32,89232,892
  • 5Sales Manager
    USD 31,52131,521
  • 6National Account Manager
    USD 28,78028,780
  • 7Head of Direct Sales
    USD 27,41027,410
  • 8Head of Retail
    USD 26,95326,953
  • 9Corporate Sales Manager
    USD 26,03926,039
  • 10Relationship Manager
    USD 25,35425,354

Highest Paying Jobs in Telecommunications in Washington, D.C. 2026

10 roles in Washington, D.C.

  • 1Telecommunications Manager
    USD 30,15130,151
  • 2Sales Director
    USD 28,78028,780
  • 3Chief Technology Officer
    USD 27,41027,410
  • 4Telecommunication Service Delivery Manager
    USD 22,84122,841
  • 5Telecommunication Solution Architect
    USD 21,72221,722
  • 6Telecommunication Consultant
    USD 21,17421,174
  • 7Telecommunication Project Manager
    USD 20,58020,580
  • 8Telecommunications Analyst
    USD 20,35220,352
  • 9Telecommunication Technical Manager
    USD 20,12420,124
  • 10Access Operation Team Leader
    USD 19,43819,438

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Salary data on this page is based on research from the Economic Research Institute (ERI) and SalaryExpert. Figures are estimates and may vary based on experience, location, and industry.