What the data says about accountant pay in Washington
Monthly take-home on that median is roughly US$7,400; local prices sit at COL 100, so its buying power is about US$102,100.
How Washington compares with United States and DC
San Jose leads at US$121,700, 19% above Washington, while San Antonio sits at US$78,650. The neighbours in the ranking are New York and Boston.
No other DC metro has observed accountant percentiles here, so Washington is judged against the 21-metro national list instead.
What the Washington median is worth after tax and rent
With a COL index of 100, there is little difference between headline pay and price-adjusted pay (US$102,100).
Adjusting for prices does not move Washington in the ranking: it is 4th of 21 on both cash and buying power.
After a simplified 13% effective national income tax, the median nets about US$7,400 a month. A modeled 1-bedroom (US$1,650) takes 22% of that, leaving around US$3,880 after modeled living costs.
Washington vs similar-cost metros
In New York — similar cost level, COL 100 — the median is US$105,650 (+3% vs Washington), and the modeled budget leaves US$220 more each month.
In Los Angeles — similar cost level, COL 100 — the median is US$94,360 (-8% vs Washington), and the modeled budget leaves US$510 less each month.
Chicago (similar cost level, COL 100) pays US$82,360, 19% less than Washington; modeled monthly leftover is US$1,290 lower.
Other Washington jobs compared with accountant
Of the 9 roles we track in Washington, Accountant is 9th by median; the highest is Lawyer (US$195,190).
Closest neighbours in the Washington list: Registered Nurse at US$102,710 (+1%).
Entry-level vs senior accountant pay in Washington
Senior pay is the relative strength in Washington: US$170,980 at the 90th percentile ranks 4th of 21, while US$67,530 at the 10th ranks 6th.
For the top 10% of earners, San Jose leads with US$196,890 at the 90th percentile, +15% against Washington.
How wide accountant pay runs in Washington
Expect wide variation between offers: the 10th percentile is US$67,530 and the 90th US$170,980, a 2.5× ratio.