Jobs that lost the most to inflation in District of Columbia

Every occupation here is paid more in dollars than it was in 2019 and less in what those dollars buy. Prices rose about 26% over the period; these wages did not keep up. Limited to occupations employing at least 50,000 people.

Cost of living: prices in District of Columbia run 9.9% above the national average (2024), so a District of Columbia salary is worth about 0.91× its face value in national terms. That scales every wage here by the same factor — it changes what the numbers mean, not their order. To see where a job pays a real premium, use jobs that pay more in District of Columbia.

Wages: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Cost of living: BEA regional price parities, 2024

Find high paying jobs in District of Columbia

OccupationMedian, District of Columbia · Real change since 2019

1Lodging Managers$75,610
High school diploma or equivalent
$62,300 – $135,720-40.8%-25.5% nominal
2Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors$39,210
High school diploma or equivalent
$37,080 – $80,610-39.5%-23.8% nominal
3Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary$96,830
Doctoral or professional degree
$61,920 – $206,510-37.5%-21.3% nominal
4Telecommunications Equipment Installers and Repairers, Except Line Installers$73,130
Postsecondary nondegree award
$51,710 – $131,140-34.7%-17.8% nominal
5Personal Financial Advisors$104,990
Bachelor's degree
$58,790 – $370,880-32.6%-15.1% nominal
6Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary$102,310
Doctoral or professional degree
$63,270 – $167,860-29.4%-11.1% nominal
7Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary$79,310
Doctoral or professional degree
$50,100 – $131,320-28.6%-10.1% nominal
8Operations Research Analysts$96,030
Bachelor's degree
$65,550 – $195,190-28.4%-9.9% nominal
9Cost Estimators$82,730
Bachelor's degree
$66,720 – $127,520-26.6%-7.5% nominal
10Electricians$78,970
High school diploma or equivalent
$51,950 – $125,790-26.5%-7.4% nominal
11Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers$132,180
High school diploma or equivalent
$79,910 – $195,190-26.3%-7.2% nominal
12English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary$82,300
Doctoral or professional degree
$62,590 – $138,270-25.5%-6.1% nominal
13First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers$80,030
High school diploma or equivalent
$52,670 – $139,690-25.4%-6.1% nominal
14Biological Scientists, All Other$84,590
Bachelor's degree
$51,510 – $211,910-24.1%-4.4% nominal
15Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary$101,250
Doctoral or professional degree
$62,560 – $159,910-23.8%-4.1% nominal
16Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks$49,660
High school diploma or equivalent
$41,910 – $71,530-23.8%-4.0% nominal
17Bill and Account Collectors$62,230
High school diploma or equivalent
$44,990 – $91,480-23.5%-3.7% nominal
18Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers$60,180
High school diploma or equivalent
$48,400 – $75,580-23.2%-3.3% nominal
19Recreation Workers$46,460
High school diploma or equivalent
$37,990 – $66,750-22.3%-2.1% nominal
20Fundraisers$80,840
Bachelor's degree
$59,150 – $141,910-21.8%-1.5% nominal
21Educational Instruction and Library Workers, All Other$83,130
Bachelor's degree
$49,500 – $118,770-21.4%-1.1% nominal
22Mathematical Science Teachers, Postsecondary$81,880
Doctoral or professional degree
$63,230 – $159,740-21.2%-0.8% nominal
23Psychiatrists$183,080
Doctoral or professional degree
$45,150 – $304,250-21.0%-0.6% nominal
24Postal Service Mail Carriers$64,250
No formal educational credential
$44,160 – $81,040-20.8%-0.2% nominal
25Editors$83,920
Bachelor's degree
$64,440 – $170,460-19.5%+1.4% nominal
26Billing and Posting Clerks$64,330
High school diploma or equivalent
$50,410 – $99,190-19.1%+1.9% nominal
27Special Education Teachers, Middle School$79,170
Bachelor's degree
$66,840 – $127,280-18.5%+2.7% nominal
28Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operators, Except Postal Service$49,240
High school diploma or equivalent
$39,820 – $72,230-18.3%+2.9% nominal
29Construction and Building Inspectors$86,200
High school diploma or equivalent
$68,120 – $131,810-18.2%+2.9% nominal
30Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents$72,010
Bachelor's degree
$51,830 – $215,070-17.9%+3.4% nominal
31Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners$42,260
No formal educational credential
$37,970 – $57,040-17.3%+4.1% nominal
32Child, Family, and School Social Workers$73,550
Bachelor's degree
$53,020 – $113,440-17.1%+4.4% nominal
33Architects, Except Landscape and Naval$102,040
Bachelor's degree
$75,900 – $163,440-16.8%+4.7% nominal
34First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors$60,310
High school diploma or equivalent
$37,630 – $98,890-16.7%+4.9% nominal
35Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary$96,900
Master's degree
$63,380 – $131,090-16.6%+5.0% nominal
36First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers$79,200
High school diploma or equivalent
$55,060 – $131,400-16.4%+5.3% nominal
37Engineers, All Other$151,920
Bachelor's degree
$101,990 – $195,190-16.1%+5.7% nominal
38First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers$83,460
High school diploma or equivalent
$65,040 – $126,690-16.1%+5.7% nominal
39Aerospace Engineers$157,600
Bachelor's degree
$98,200 – $196,310-15.9%+5.9% nominal
40Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education$79,900
Bachelor's degree
$59,860 – $108,730-15.8%+6.0% nominal
41Residential Advisors$38,480
High school diploma or equivalent
$36,600 – $56,490-15.6%+6.3% nominal
42Community Health Workers$62,510
High school diploma or equivalent
$51,010 – $93,070-15.3%+6.7% nominal
43Civil Engineers$103,880
Bachelor's degree
$78,780 – $164,200-15.2%+6.8% nominal
44Training and Development Specialists$80,980
Bachelor's degree
$38,570 – $135,040-15.1%+6.9% nominal
45Medical Equipment Preparers$48,670
High school diploma or equivalent
$39,190 – $77,820-15.1%+7.0% nominal
46Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors$62,940
Bachelor's degree
$48,670 – $102,810-15.0%+7.0% nominal
47Historians$118,290
Master's degree
$60,160 – $156,750-14.5%+7.6% nominal
48Coaches and Scouts$65,360
Bachelor's degree
$36,400 – $136,000-14.2%+8.1% nominal
49First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers$86,520
High school diploma or equivalent
$64,310 – $127,920-14.1%+8.2% nominal
50Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics$68,660
Postsecondary nondegree award
$46,230 – $89,960-13.9%+8.5% nominal

Bars run from the 10th to the 90th percentile; the middle half is shaded darker, and the tick is the median.

#	Occupation	MedianDistrict of Columbia	10th–90th percentilemiddle half shaded darker	Real change since 2019
1	Lodging ManagersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$75,610	$62,300 – $135,720	-40.8%-25.5% nominal
2	Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness InstructorsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$39,210	$37,080 – $80,610	-39.5%-23.8% nominal
3	Biological Science Teachers, PostsecondaryDoctoral or professional degree	$96,830	$61,920 – $206,510	-37.5%-21.3% nominal
4	Telecommunications Equipment Installers and Repairers, Except Line InstallersPostsecondary nondegree award	$73,130	$51,710 – $131,140	-34.7%-17.8% nominal
5	Personal Financial AdvisorsBachelor's degree	$104,990	$58,790 – $370,880	-32.6%-15.1% nominal
6	Political Science Teachers, PostsecondaryDoctoral or professional degree	$102,310	$63,270 – $167,860	-29.4%-11.1% nominal
7	Philosophy and Religion Teachers, PostsecondaryDoctoral or professional degree	$79,310	$50,100 – $131,320	-28.6%-10.1% nominal
8	Operations Research AnalystsBachelor's degree	$96,030	$65,550 – $195,190	-28.4%-9.9% nominal
9	Cost EstimatorsBachelor's degree	$82,730	$66,720 – $127,520	-26.6%-7.5% nominal
10	ElectriciansHigh school diploma or equivalent	$78,970	$51,950 – $125,790	-26.5%-7.4% nominal
11	Transportation, Storage, and Distribution ManagersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$132,180	$79,910 – $195,190	-26.3%-7.2% nominal
12	English Language and Literature Teachers, PostsecondaryDoctoral or professional degree	$82,300	$62,590 – $138,270	-25.5%-6.1% nominal
13	First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating WorkersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$80,030	$52,670 – $139,690	-25.4%-6.1% nominal
14	Biological Scientists, All OtherBachelor's degree	$84,590	$51,510 – $211,910	-24.1%-4.4% nominal
15	Psychology Teachers, PostsecondaryDoctoral or professional degree	$101,250	$62,560 – $159,910	-23.8%-4.1% nominal
16	Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory ClerksHigh school diploma or equivalent	$49,660	$41,910 – $71,530	-23.8%-4.0% nominal
17	Bill and Account CollectorsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$62,230	$44,990 – $91,480	-23.5%-3.7% nominal
18	Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and BrazersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$60,180	$48,400 – $75,580	-23.2%-3.3% nominal
19	Recreation WorkersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$46,460	$37,990 – $66,750	-22.3%-2.1% nominal
20	FundraisersBachelor's degree	$80,840	$59,150 – $141,910	-21.8%-1.5% nominal
21	Educational Instruction and Library Workers, All OtherBachelor's degree	$83,130	$49,500 – $118,770	-21.4%-1.1% nominal
22	Mathematical Science Teachers, PostsecondaryDoctoral or professional degree	$81,880	$63,230 – $159,740	-21.2%-0.8% nominal
23	PsychiatristsDoctoral or professional degree	$183,080	$45,150 – $304,250	-21.0%-0.6% nominal
24	Postal Service Mail CarriersNo formal educational credential	$64,250	$44,160 – $81,040	-20.8%-0.2% nominal
25	EditorsBachelor's degree	$83,920	$64,440 – $170,460	-19.5%+1.4% nominal
26	Billing and Posting ClerksHigh school diploma or equivalent	$64,330	$50,410 – $99,190	-19.1%+1.9% nominal
27	Special Education Teachers, Middle SchoolBachelor's degree	$79,170	$66,840 – $127,280	-18.5%+2.7% nominal
28	Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operators, Except Postal ServiceHigh school diploma or equivalent	$49,240	$39,820 – $72,230	-18.3%+2.9% nominal
29	Construction and Building InspectorsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$86,200	$68,120 – $131,810	-18.2%+2.9% nominal
30	Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales AgentsBachelor's degree	$72,010	$51,830 – $215,070	-17.9%+3.4% nominal
31	Maids and Housekeeping CleanersNo formal educational credential	$42,260	$37,970 – $57,040	-17.3%+4.1% nominal
32	Child, Family, and School Social WorkersBachelor's degree	$73,550	$53,020 – $113,440	-17.1%+4.4% nominal
33	Architects, Except Landscape and NavalBachelor's degree	$102,040	$75,900 – $163,440	-16.8%+4.7% nominal
34	First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling SupervisorsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$60,310	$37,630 – $98,890	-16.7%+4.9% nominal
35	Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, PostsecondaryMaster's degree	$96,900	$63,380 – $131,090	-16.6%+5.0% nominal
36	First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support WorkersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$79,200	$55,060 – $131,400	-16.4%+5.3% nominal
37	Engineers, All OtherBachelor's degree	$151,920	$101,990 – $195,190	-16.1%+5.7% nominal
38	First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and RepairersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$83,460	$65,040 – $126,690	-16.1%+5.7% nominal
39	Aerospace EngineersBachelor's degree	$157,600	$98,200 – $196,310	-15.9%+5.9% nominal
40	Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical EducationBachelor's degree	$79,900	$59,860 – $108,730	-15.8%+6.0% nominal
41	Residential AdvisorsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$38,480	$36,600 – $56,490	-15.6%+6.3% nominal
42	Community Health WorkersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$62,510	$51,010 – $93,070	-15.3%+6.7% nominal
43	Civil EngineersBachelor's degree	$103,880	$78,780 – $164,200	-15.2%+6.8% nominal
44	Training and Development SpecialistsBachelor's degree	$80,980	$38,570 – $135,040	-15.1%+6.9% nominal
45	Medical Equipment PreparersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$48,670	$39,190 – $77,820	-15.1%+7.0% nominal
46	Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language InstructorsBachelor's degree	$62,940	$48,670 – $102,810	-15.0%+7.0% nominal
47	HistoriansMaster's degree	$118,290	$60,160 – $156,750	-14.5%+7.6% nominal
48	Coaches and ScoutsBachelor's degree	$65,360	$36,400 – $136,000	-14.2%+8.1% nominal
49	First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction WorkersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$86,520	$64,310 – $127,920	-14.1%+8.2% nominal
50	Automotive Service Technicians and MechanicsPostsecondary nondegree award	$68,660	$46,230 – $89,960	-13.9%+8.5% nominal

More for District of Columbia

Metro areas in District of Columbia

Pay varies more between metros than between states — the spread inside one state is often wider than the gap between two.

Washington-Arlington-Alexandria

By field in District of Columbia

Without a degree

The same fields, narrowed to what you can enter without one. Fields missing here have too few such occupations in District of Columbia to rank honestly.

Jobs that lost the most to inflation in District of Columbia

More for District of Columbia

Metro areas in District of Columbia

By field in District of Columbia

Without a degree

Jobs that lost the most to inflation in each state