Software Development Engineer Salary in District of Columbia

How much does a Software Development Engineer make in District of Columbia?

As of January 01, 2026, the average salary for a Software Development Engineer in District of Columbia is $142,312 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $68.

However, a Software Development Engineer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $165,933
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $131,225 to $154,676
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $121,132
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Paid Annually Paid Monthly Paid Semimonthly Paid Biweekly Paid Weekly Paid Hourly
View as table View as graph 25% $131,225 10% $121,132 90% $165,933 75% $154,676 $142,312 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Software Development Engineer Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary		 Monthly
Pay		 Weekly
Pay		 Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $154,676 $12,890 $2,975 $74
Average $142,312 $11,859 $2,737 $68
25th Percentile $131,225 $10,935 $2,524 $63
Check out Software Development Engineer Job Openings in District of Columbia
Software Engineer

Executive Management Services, LLC - Wash, DC

Software Engineer

The Arena - Washingtn, DC

Full Stack Software Engineer

Executive Management Services, LLC - Wash, DC

Software Engineer

Davis Laine, LLC - Washington, DC

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Key Factors That Influence Software Development Engineer Salaries

A Software Development Engineer'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 Software Development Engineer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Software Development Engineer'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): $136,397
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $137,231
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $138,900
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $145,039
  • Expert (over 8 years): $148,312
Levels Salary
Entry Level Software Development Engineer$136,397
Intermediate Level Software Development Engineer$137,231
Senior Level Software Development Engineer$138,900
Specialist Level Software Development Engineer$145,039
Expert Level Software Development Engineer$148,312
$136,397 0 yr
$137,231 < 2 yrs
$138,900 2-4 yrs
$145,039 5-8 yrs
$148,312 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Software Development Engineers

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: $142,312
  • Washington: $142,312
  • Naval Anacost Annex: $142,312

Software Development Engineer Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Software Development Engineer'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.

  • Yearly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Hourly
  • Table View
Last Updated on January 01, 2026
$131,225
Average $142,312/year
$154,676
$10,935
Average $11,859/month
$12,890
$2,524
Average $2,737/week
$2,975
$63
Average $68/hour
$74
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $154,676 $12,890 $2,975 $74
Average $142,312 $11,859 $2,737 $68
25th Percentile $131,225 $10,935 $2,524 $63

Salaries of jobs related to Software Development Engineer

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Cost of Living In District of Columbia

Cost of Living in District of Columbia is
10.7% Higher
than the National Average

Use Salary.com's Cost of Living Calculator to find out what income you need to maintain your standard of living in a different city and how much more or less money you need to budget for basic expenses.

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Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

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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