What are the main factors that influence a Department Head's salary?

The primary factors are: 1) Experience Level, 2) Geographic Location, 3) Education/Skills, 4) Company Size & Industry

How does experience change A Department Head's salary?

A Department Head's salary grows with experience: a Banking Operations Analyst II (2-4 years)earns $60,699, a Banking Operations Analyst III (4-7 years)earns $72,571, a Department Head (7+ years)earns $70,917, a Banking Operations Senior Supervisor (7+ years)earns $81,124, a Banking Operations Manager (7+ years)earns $94,195,

What are the highest paying states for a Department Head?

Department Head salary varies significantly by state. The top 3 highest paying states for Department Head roles are District of Columbia $71,421, California $71,150, Massachusetts $70,202. These tech hubs typically pay 10-15% above the national average.

How much do different types of Department Head roles make?

Salaries for Department Head level roles vary by specialization: Architect Department Head: $177,490; Retail Department Head: $176,855; Deputy Head of Department: $66,210; Academic Department Head (Administrative): $60,664; ADMIN CPO/DEPARTMENT HEAD: $60,219.

Department Head Salary in District of Columbia

How much does a Department Head make in District of Columbia?

As of May 01, 2026, the average salary for a Department Head in District of Columbia is $71,421 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $34.

However, a Department Head's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

Top Earners (90th percentile): $84,519
Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $63,583 to $78,277
Entry-Level (10th percentile): $56,446

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Department Head Salaries by Percentile

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$78,277	$6,523	$1,505	$38
Average	$71,421	$5,952	$1,373	$34
25th Percentile	$63,583	$5,299	$1,223	$31

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Key Factors That Influence Department Head Salaries

A Department Head's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Department Head Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Department Head's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $60,699
Early Career (1-2 years): $72,571
Mid-Level (2-4 years): $70,917
Senior-Level (5-8 years): $81,124
Expert (over 8 years): $94,195

Levels	Salary
Banking O... Level Department Head	$60,699
Banking O... Level Department Head	$72,571
Departmen... Level Department Head	$70,917
Banking O... Level Department Head	$81,124
Banking O... Level Department Head	$94,195

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What Am I Worth?

How Do Department Head Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Department Heads. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

District of Columbia: $71,421.
California: $71,150.
Massachusetts: $70,202.

District of Columbia $71,421 California $71,150 Massachusetts $70,202 Washington $69,944 New Jersey $69,918 Alaska $69,828 Connecticut $68,938 New York $68,577

Hawaii $67,422 Rhode Island $66,880 Maryland $66,512 Minnesota $66,009 Colorado $65,816 Illinois $65,751 Oregon $65,506 Delaware $65,325

New Hampshire $65,212 Virginia $64,958 Pennsylvania $64,216 Nevada $63,842 North Dakota $63,719 Michigan $63,526 Wisconsin $63,455 Vermont $63,313

Texas $62,919 Maine $62,894 Arizona $62,855 Ohio $62,810 Georgia $62,216 Indiana $61,920 Wyoming $61,861 Utah $61,771

Iowa $61,732 Kansas $61,423 Louisiana $61,332 North Carolina $61,300 Missouri $61,287 Florida $61,036 Montana $60,900 Nebraska $60,771

Kentucky $60,700 South Carolina $60,442 Tennessee $60,281 Idaho $60,217 New Mexico $59,746 Oklahoma $59,642 Alabama $59,262 South Dakota $58,623

Arkansas $58,275 West Virginia $58,088 Mississippi $57,527

Top Paying Cities for Department Heads

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

Parcel Return Service: $71,034
Washington: $71,034
Naval Anacost Annex: $71,031

Parcel Return Service, DC $71,034 Washington, DC $71,034 Naval Anacost Annex, DC $71,031 Washington Navy Yard, DC $71,034

Department Head Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Department Head's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on May 01, 2026

$63,583

Average $71,421/year

$78,277

$5,299

Average $5,952/month

$6,523

$1,223

Average $1,373/week

$1,505

$31

Average $34/hour

$38

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$78,277	$6,523	$1,505	$38
Average	$71,421	$5,952	$1,373	$34
25th Percentile	$63,583	$5,299	$1,223	$31

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Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.

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