Entry-level Programmer Analyst salary in Washington, DC
Based on 226 certified H-1B filings at DOL wage level I in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area, FY2025–FY2026. Includes Mclean, Reston, Herndon, Ashburn, Sterling.
Also listed as: Computer Programmer
Salary range
| Percentile | Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th | $70,700 |
| 25th | $75,899 |
| 50th (median) | $75,899 |
| 75th | $80,000 |
| 90th | $88,750 |
Salary by year
Median salary
Filings per year
Show as table
| Fiscal year | Median | P25 | P75 | Filings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY2020 | $65,000 | $63,170 | $75,712 | 35 |
| FY2021 | $77,000 | $67,000 | $80,579 | 29 |
| FY2022 | $74,700 | $65,000 | $80,000 | 45 |
| FY2023 | $75,000 | $74,651 | $79,750 | 38 |
| FY2024 | $78,354 | $78,354 | $79,124 | 99 |
| FY2025 | $75,900 | $75,899 | $76,080 | 154 |
| FY2026 | $72,650 | $70,715 | $85,425 | 72 |
Cost of living
Washington's median entry-level Programmer Analyst salary of $75,899 is worth about $69,700 at national average prices.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024 (U.S. = 100; Washington = 108.9).
Compared with all workers here
All Computer Programmers in the Washington, DC area earned a median of $130,390 in May 2025 (2,680 employed). The H-1B median here is $75,899, 42% lower.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS metropolitan area estimates. BLS wages include some incentive pay; H-1B figures are base salary.
Employers filing at this level
| Employer | Median | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| Gp Technologies | too few | 7 |
| Noesys,Inc | too few | 7 |
| Solvency | too few | 7 |
| Zillion Technologies | too few | 7 |
| 22nd Century Technologies | too few | 6 |
| Computer Packages | too few | 6 |
| Finalcover | too few | 5 |
| Temple Allen Industries | too few | 5 |
| Certify Global | too few | 4 |
| Skilltune Technologies | too few | 4 |
Employers with at least 2 filings here. Median shown at 10+ filings.
By experience level
| Wage level | Median | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| Entry-level · Level I | $75,899 | 226 |
| Mid-level · Level II | $94,370 | 853 |
| Senior · Level III | $112,500 | 182 |
| Expert · Level IV | $133,350 | 66 |
Median shown when a level has at least 10 filings.
Minimum H-1B salary by level
| Wage level | Prevailing wage (most common) | Median offered salary | Filings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-level · Level I | $75,899 | $75,899 | 226 |
| Mid-level · Level II | $91,582 | $94,370 | 853 |
| Senior · Level III | $112,466 | $112,500 | 182 |
| Expert · Level IV | $133,349 | $133,350 | 66 |
The prevailing wage is the minimum an employer must pay for this job and area. Amounts vary by county within a metro and by wage source.