Accountant Salary in District of Columbia: $104,806 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across District of Columbia's 1 metropolitan areas, the average median accountant pay sits at $104,806/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 13-2011. Because District of Columbia sits at BEA RPP 117.0 (17% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $89,578 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Washington ($102,140).
In 2026, the average median salary for accountants in the District of Columbia is projected at $104,806, significantly higher than the national median of $85,864, reflecting a 22.1% salary advantage. Washington is the only city listed, with no salary variation within the District, which indicates that local demand and competition are uniform across the area. Factors influencing this salary level include specific state licensing requirements and an intricate scope of practice, both of which can drive up the expertise needed for employment. The financial and governmental sectors in Washington create a strong demand for accounting professionals, contributing to the forecasted annual growth rate of 2.61% for the accounting job market. This growth is supported by a continual need for financial transparency and compliance in government contracts and various agencies, further solidifying the importance of accountants in the area. With approximately 41,470 accountants employed, the market remains consistently active, highlighting a stable job outlook for professionals in this field in the District of Columbia.
District of Columbia Accountant Salary Range
Overall salary range in District of Columbia: $69,293 (lowest entry-level) to $175,443 (highest top earner)
District of Columbia vs National Average
District of Columbia accountants earn 22.06% more than the national median (+$18,942/year difference).
District of Columbia Accountant Salary Distribution (2026)
Accountant salaries in District of Columbia range from $69,293 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $175,443 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $104,806. The District of Columbia median is $18,942 above the US national median of $85,864. The average hourly rate is $50.39/hr. Approximately 41,470 accountants are employed across 1 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$85,960
2025 BLS Actual
$102,140
2026 Current Est.
$104,806
2019–2027 Growth
+25.1%
Salary Trajectory for Accountants in District of Columbia (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.61% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $85,960 | Actual |
| 2020 | $89,220 | Actual |
| 2021 | $95,880 | Actual |
| 2022 | $94,530 | Actual |
| 2023 | $97,320 | Actual |
| 2024 | $99,440 | Actual |
| 2025 | $102,140 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $104,806 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $107,541 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the District of Columbia metropolitan area, the median accountant salary grew 18.8% from $85,960 (2019) to $102,140 (2025). At a 2.61% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $107,541 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,581 (25.11%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the District of Columbia metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.61% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Top 1 Highest Paying Cities in District of Columbia
Salary by Experience Level in District of Columbia
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $69,293 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $104,806 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $175,443 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across District of Columbia metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 1 Cities in District of Columbia
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington | $104,806 |
More District of Columbia Salary Data
Explore More Accountant Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do accountants make in District of Columbia in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for accountants in District of Columbia?
How does District of Columbia accountant pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level accountant salary in District of Columbia?
How many accountants are employed in District of Columbia?
Which District of Columbia city offers the best value for accountants?
Written by Sofia Patel, CPA
Career Analyst
Sofia Patel has over 10 years of experience in financial analysis. She specializes in tax preparation for small businesses. She has worked in both corporate and public accounting environments.
Methodology & Data Source
Statewide salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 2.61% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 accountant compensation across District of Columbia. State averages are employment-weighted across 1 metro areas — larger metro areas with more accountantscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.61%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for accountants (SOC 13-2011).
Compiled and verified by Sofia Patel, CPA, a licensed accountant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov