DC Salaries and Cost of Living

[Anonymous]

I'm an engineer with 20 years experience as a federal contractor and make $93k. Only a couple percent more than coworkers in Pennsylvania and Tennessee.

[Anonymous]

I think for a lot of jobs - medical profession, engineering etc. the marginally higher salaries here in no way compensate for the much higher cost of living. In terms of size of house and so on there is no question you would be better off in a cheaper area.

There are other advantages though - like not having to live in Tennessee...

[Anonymous]

OP, you are better off going to glassdoor.com or salary.com to determine salaries of specific professions and industries and positions.

I would not say that the AVERAGE salary for professional working person with 20 or so years of experience, non-lawyer, is $100-$150k. That's pretty high. Nor would I say that most professional couples in this area make around $250k.

Also DCUM posters don't represent the best sample of the AVERAGE of the DC area.

I have 15+ years exp., work for a large company in the area, have an MBA from a top school and I make $93k ($105-$110 w bonus). I consider myself very lucky.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think the majority of "professional" households here (with one or two incomes) make a HHI of about $250K.

If by "here" you mean on this website you are probably correct.

[Anonymous]

I think for a lot of jobs - medical profession, engineering etc. the marginally higher salaries here in no way compensate for the much higher cost of living.

This has been our experience living in the District, Seattle and Minneapolis in the past 15 years. Yes, you make 11% more as an IT professional or federal lawyer in the "Washington statistical area" than you do in Minneapolis. But that in no way makes up for the 78% higher cost of housing, auto insurance, preschool/daycare, and a few other big ticket items.

I suppose if you are comparing a housing development outside of Frederick, Md. or Leesburg, Va, to Minneapolis or Seattle proper, that 78% gap closes to 24%.

But then, you're living in a tract home in exurban "Frederick County, Md." vs. a city.

[Anonymous]

Of course, this is one of the few areas where a husband and wife can each pursue their own +$100k career with a range of employers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Of course, this is one of the few areas where a husband and wife can each pursue their own +$100k career with a range of employers.

Or Chicago, Seattle, Dallas, Austin, Miami, NYC, Boston, San Fran, Seattle, LA, Phoenix, Denver, etc

[Anonymous]

I feel every household on this board makes $250k+ HHI. It is quite intimidating. A lot of people seem to make a lot more. What are your jobs? Law, medicine, lobbyists, I get it, but everyone else?

Most of my friends make less in their households.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I feel every household on this board makes $250k+ HHI. It is quite intimidating. A lot of people seem to make a lot more. What are your jobs? Law, medicine, lobbyists, I get it, but everyone else?

Most of my friends make less in their households.

I make about $170 to $190 with bonus. I'm a run of the mill analytical guy. I crunch numbers. Nothing too interesting or exceptional. My wife makes about another $80 or $90 as a low level staff at her small firm doing mostly HR and office clerical type stuff. We kiss $250. If I'd married someone with a grad degree we'd probably be at $300k plus, as are most of my friends. Partners at consulting firms, law firms, etc.

Dc is fucked up. It's the only place in the world where I can make $250,000 and somehow still feel lower middle class. It's crazy here.