What the data says about software engineer pay in Washington
Monthly take-home on that median is roughly US$10,800; local prices sit at COL 100, so its buying power is about US$154,900.
How Washington compares with United States and DC
San Jose leads at US$213,110, 38% above Washington, while San Antonio sits at US$128,430. The neighbours in the ranking are Portland and Denver.
Washington is the only observed DC metro for this role, so there is no in-state average to compare; the national and metro ranking above is the better reference.
What the Washington median is worth after tax and rent
Living costs are close to the baseline (COL index 100), so the median's buying power, about US$154,900, is near its face value.
Adjusting for prices does not move Washington in the ranking: it is 9th of 21 on both cash and buying power.
Take-home on the median comes to roughly US$10,800 monthly (17% effective tax in our simplified model). Rent for a modeled 1-bedroom is 15% of it, and the single-adult budget ends about US$7,250 in the black.
If you compared Washington with similarly priced cities
In New York — similar cost level, COL 100 — the median is US$166,830 (+8% vs Washington), and the modeled budget leaves US$760 more each month.
In Los Angeles — similar cost level, COL 100 — the median is US$160,920 (+4% vs Washington), and the modeled budget leaves US$380 more each month.
In Chicago — similar cost level, COL 100 — the median is US$134,380 (-13% vs Washington), and the modeled budget leaves US$1,300 less each month.
Where Software Engineer ranks among Washington jobs
Lawyer is the best-paid tracked role in Washington at US$195,190; software engineer comes 2nd of 9.
Closest neighbours in the Washington list: Frontend Developer at US$134,350 (-13%).
Where Washington stands for junior and senior software engineers
Entry and senior pay rank the same in Washington: 8th of 21 at both the 10th and the 90th percentile.
For the top 10% of earners, San Jose leads with US$289,150 at the 90th percentile, +35% against Washington.
The software engineer pay range in Washington
Expect wide variation between offers: the 10th percentile is US$96,450 and the 90th US$213,660, a 2.2× ratio.