Washington Employment

Employment and Industries in the Washington, District Of Columbia Area

Washington, D.C. is the capital of the United States and one of the thirty largest cities in the United States. The Washington'Arlington'Alexandria metropolitan area is the eighth largest metropolitan area in the United States. As one might expect, the Washington metropolitan area is a center for business, commerce, and government.

The Federal Government is responsible for almost thirty percent of Washington employment, and also a major employer in the surrounding metropolitan area. Behind the Federal Government, the region's major universities and hospitals are also major employers.

There are over ten Fortune 500 companies located in the metropolitan Washington area. Many major defense contractors have operations in and around Washington, D.C., including General Dynamics, Computer Sciences Corporation (CSC), Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC), and Orbital Sciences Corporation.

In 2006, Inc. magazine ranked the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria area eighth on its list of "Best Cities for Doing Business" in the United States in the large cities category. The criteria used "emphasizes the robustness of a region's growth". Large and significant cities such as Washington, D.C. who have a "tangible effect on global affairs through socioeconomic, cultural, and/or political means" (Wikipedia) get ranked as "Global Cities" (also known as world cities or world-class cities) by the Globalization and World Cities Study Group & Network (GaWC). GaWC has three tiers of ranking, alpha (first-tier), beta (second-tier) and gamma (third tier). Washington, D.C. is one of eleven cities in the United States ranked as a "World City". Washington, D.C. was ranked as a "Gamma World City" by GaWC, on a par with Boston, Dallas, and Houston.

According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Washington, D.C. ranks in the top thirty on the list of US cities who receive the most annual funding from the NIH.

The Washington D.C. area has a highly educated workforce. More than 15% of Washington D.C. residents hold a graduate degree. The number of scientists, technicians, and Ph.D.s working in the Metropolitan D.C. area is among the highest in the United States.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, major industries in and around Washington include (ranked by size of workforce):

  • Government
  • Professional & Business Services
  • Educational & Health Services
  • Leisure & Hospitality
  • Financial Activities
  • Trade, Transportation, and Utilities
  • Information

The Washington metropolitan area is served by three major airports, the Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, and Washington Dulles International Airport. Dulles ranks 13th in the United States for for nonstop international air travel according to the U.S. Department of Transportation, Bureau of Transportation Statistics.

Some major companies of note in and around Washington, D.C. include:

  • AES Corporation
  • Booz Allen Hamilton, Inc.
  • Capital One
  • Coventry Health Care
  • Danaher
  • Fannie Mae
  • Gannett (publisher of USA Today)
  • Harman International. Industries
  • Lockheed Martin
  • Marriott International
  • NVR Incorporated
  • Pepco Holdings
  • Sprint Nextel Corporation
  • SLM Corporation
  • Washington Post
  • WGL Holdings

Some of the major business organizations in and around Washington, D.C. include:

The Washington Business Journal, and the Business Section of the Washington Post are excellent sources of information on business in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area.

Jobs in Washington

RankTitleTotal EmployeesLocal Mean Salary (Per Year)Local Mean Salary (Per hour)National Growth % 2014-2024
1All Occupations3179340$72,600$34.9100
2Office and Administrative Support Occupations358860$48,270$23.2113.75
3Business and Financial Operations Occupations323820$95,950$46.135.35
4Sales and Related Occupations272300$47,180$22.689.5
5Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations256020$30,420$14.638.7
6Management Occupations254570$150,870$72.536.35
7Computer and Mathematical Occupations242090$108,640$52.233
8Educational Instruction and Library Occupations202570$67,260$32.346
9Transportation and Material Moving Occupations168420$41,140$19.786.7
10Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations150380$97,290$46.775.85
11Construction and Extraction Occupations117590$53,070$25.524.6
12Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance Occupations103140$34,030$16.363.6
13Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations96050$57,440$27.623.75
14Healthcare Support Occupations93760$34,350$16.512.85
15Protective Service Occupations92140$59,680$28.692.2
16Cashiers81100$26,230$12.612.2
17Personal Care and Service Occupations78760$33,960$16.334.65
18Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations74450$85,000$40.871.8
19General and Operations Managers73850$152,300$73.221.5
20Project Management Specialists and Business Operations Specialists, All Other70810$101,470$48.780.7
21Software Developers and Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers70780$118,110$56.790.65
22Retail Salespersons68870$30,480$14.652.7
23Legal Occupations68860$145,320$69.870.8
24Fast Food and Counter Workers65310$26,760$12.862.45
25Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations63660$107,270$51.570.8
26Architecture and Engineering Occupations62800$106,280$51.11.7
27Management Analysts59040$109,000$52.40.55
28Production Occupations54340$43,740$21.035.6
29Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners52540$31,840$15.311.5
30Office Clerks, General51390$41,410$19.911.9
31Waiters and Waitresses51360$30,870$14.841.65
32Customer Service Representatives48660$42,510$20.441.75
33Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive44970$47,910$23.041.4
34Lawyers44090$179,590$86.340.5
35Registered Nurses43450$83,370$40.081.95
36Community and Social Service Occupations43000$61,260$29.451.75
37Accountants and Auditors41370$95,570$45.950.9
38Personal Service Managers, All Other; Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling; and Managers, All Other40050$144,230$69.340.7
39Security Guards37910$44,380$21.330.7
40Computer Occupations, All Other35790$116,160$55.850.3
41Stockers and Order Fillers34960$30,750$14.781.25
42Home Health and Personal Care Aides34580$28,610$13.750
43Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel32240$77,950$37.480.7
44First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers30560$69,740$33.530.95
45Cooks, Restaurant27510$31,230$15.020.9
46Computer Systems Analysts27210$108,800$52.310.4
47Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand26720$31,650$15.211.8
48Nursing Assistants26310$32,400$15.580.95
49Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks24780$50,590$24.321.05
50Receptionists and Information Clerks24640$34,530$16.60.7
51Public Relations Specialists24160$103,820$49.910.2
52Human Resources Specialists23730$87,670$42.150.4
53Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists23030$80,690$38.790.45
54Maintenance and Repair Workers, General22860$49,240$23.670.9
55First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers22760$51,220$24.620.95
56Financial Managers21290$174,180$83.740.4
57Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners20070$30,900$14.850.9
58First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers19950$41,170$19.790.6
59Network and Computer Systems Administrators19890$101,510$48.80.2
60Computer and Information Systems Managers19080$174,600$83.940.3
61Financial and Investment Analysts, Financial Risk Specialists, and Financial Specialists, All Other19000$103,790$49.90.2
62Computer User Support Specialists18970$65,320$31.40.4
63Substitute Teachers, Short-Term18540$31,820$15.30.4
64Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers16880$33,810$16.250.75
65Construction Laborers16640$37,110$17.840.9
66Passenger Vehicle Drivers, Except Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity16400$39,790$19.130.3
67Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers16150$74,220$35.680.4
68Food Preparation Workers16040$27,920$13.430.5
69Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers16020$48,720$23.421.2
70Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants15680$72,950$35.070.35
71Information Security Analysts15470$117,810$56.640.1
72First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers14870$76,680$36.870.4
73Carpenters14720$49,730$23.910.6
74Light Truck Drivers13940$42,110$20.250.6
75Electricians13830$65,010$31.250.45
76Buyers and Purchasing Agents13070$91,010$43.760.25
77Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics12760$55,880$26.870.5
78Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers12720$29,280$14.080.3
79Dishwashers12700$27,160$13.060.3
80Paralegals and Legal Assistants12550$70,030$33.670.2
81Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products12330$78,710$37.840.85
82Medical Assistants11790$41,040$19.730.45
83Cooks, Fast Food11740$25,340$12.180.3
84Training and Development Specialists11690$78,570$37.770.2
85Bartenders11680$36,460$17.530.4
86Compliance Officers11530$89,020$42.80.2
87Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education11490$39,250$18.870.3
88Childcare Workers10910$29,530$14.20.7
89Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses10540$54,940$26.410.5
90Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors10220$48,140$23.140.2
91Medical and Health Services Managers9650$131,710$63.320.3
92Legal Support Workers, All Other9600$105,980$50.950
93Driver/Sales Workers9540$30,700$14.760.3
94Civil Engineers9380$101,810$48.950.2
95Physicians, All Other; and Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric9250$186,180$89.510.3
96First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers9170$75,810$36.450.3
97Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters9070$58,710$28.230.3
98Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop9010$25,980$12.490.3
99Computer Network Architects8920$130,410$62.70.1
100Counter and Rental Clerks8480$35,260$16.950.3
Source: 2019 Occupational Employment Statistics and 2018-28 Employment Projections, Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS.gov
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Additional Details

Washington Colleges
Washington colleges and trade schools.

Jobs More Common Near Washington Than Most Other Cities

* Average job popularity for metro areas = 1.0

TitleMean Local SalaryLocal Jobs
All Occupations$72,6003,179,340
Office and Administrative Support Occupations$48,270358,860
Business and Financial Operations Occupations$95,950323,820
Sales and Related Occupations$47,180272,300
Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations$30,420256,020
Management Occupations$150,870254,570
Computer and Mathematical Occupations$108,640242,090
Educational Instruction and Library Occupations$67,260202,570
Transportation and Material Moving Occupations$41,140168,420
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations$97,290150,380
Construction and Extraction Occupations$53,070117,590
Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance Occupations$34,030103,140
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations$57,44096,050
Healthcare Support Occupations$34,35093,760
Protective Service Occupations$59,68092,140
Cashiers$26,23081,100
Personal Care and Service Occupations$33,96078,760
Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations$85,00074,450
General and Operations Managers$152,30073,850
Project Management Specialists and Business Operations Specialists, All Other$101,47070,810
Software Developers and Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers$118,11070,780
Retail Salespersons$30,48068,870
Legal Occupations$145,32068,860
Fast Food and Counter Workers$26,76065,310
Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations$107,27063,660
Architecture and Engineering Occupations$106,28062,800
Management Analysts$109,00059,040
Production Occupations$43,74054,340
Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners$31,84052,540
Office Clerks, General$41,41051,390
Waiters and Waitresses$30,87051,360
Customer Service Representatives$42,51048,660
Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive$47,91044,970
Lawyers$179,59044,090
Registered Nurses$83,37043,450
Community and Social Service Occupations$61,26043,000
Accountants and Auditors$95,57041,370
Personal Service Managers, All Other; Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling; and Managers, All Other$144,23040,050
Security Guards$44,38037,910
Computer Occupations, All Other$116,16035,790
Stockers and Order Fillers$30,75034,960
Home Health and Personal Care Aides$28,61034,580
Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel$77,95032,240
First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers$69,74030,560
Cooks, Restaurant$31,23027,510
Computer Systems Analysts$108,80027,210
Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand$31,65026,720
Nursing Assistants$32,40026,310
Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks$50,59024,780
Receptionists and Information Clerks$34,53024,640

Work Paying Relatively Well in the Washington, District of Columbia Metro Area (2008 data)

* Average Salary Index for metro areas = 1.0

TitleMean Local SalaryLocal Jobs
All Occupations$72,6003,179,340
Office and Administrative Support Occupations$48,270358,860
Business and Financial Operations Occupations$95,950323,820
Sales and Related Occupations$47,180272,300
Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations$30,420256,020
Management Occupations$150,870254,570
Computer and Mathematical Occupations$108,640242,090
Educational Instruction and Library Occupations$67,260202,570
Transportation and Material Moving Occupations$41,140168,420
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations$97,290150,380
Construction and Extraction Occupations$53,070117,590
Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance Occupations$34,030103,140
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations$57,44096,050
Healthcare Support Occupations$34,35093,760
Protective Service Occupations$59,68092,140
Cashiers$26,23081,100
Personal Care and Service Occupations$33,96078,760
Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations$85,00074,450
General and Operations Managers$152,30073,850
Project Management Specialists and Business Operations Specialists, All Other$101,47070,810
Software Developers and Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers$118,11070,780
Retail Salespersons$30,48068,870
Legal Occupations$145,32068,860
Fast Food and Counter Workers$26,76065,310
Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations$107,27063,660
Architecture and Engineering Occupations$106,28062,800
Management Analysts$109,00059,040
Production Occupations$43,74054,340
Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners$31,84052,540
Office Clerks, General$41,41051,390
Waiters and Waitresses$30,87051,360
Customer Service Representatives$42,51048,660
Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive$47,91044,970
Lawyers$179,59044,090
Registered Nurses$83,37043,450
Community and Social Service Occupations$61,26043,000
Accountants and Auditors$95,57041,370
Personal Service Managers, All Other; Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling; and Managers, All Other$144,23040,050
Security Guards$44,38037,910
Computer Occupations, All Other$116,16035,790
Stockers and Order Fillers$30,75034,960
Home Health and Personal Care Aides$28,61034,580
Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel$77,95032,240
First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers$69,74030,560
Cooks, Restaurant$31,23027,510
Computer Systems Analysts$108,80027,210
Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand$31,65026,720
Nursing Assistants$32,40026,310
Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks$50,59024,780
Receptionists and Information Clerks$34,53024,640

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