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Embedded Systems Engineer Salary in Washington, District of Columbia

Updated 2026-04-05BLS 2024 data — be the first to add a local report

Salary Distribution

BLS 2024
$146,774/ year

Median Embedded Systems Engineer in Washington, DC

$88,593
10th
$108,040
25th
$146,774
Median
$191,260
75th
$233,337
90th

Compensation Breakdown

BLS 2024
Base salary (median)
$146,774
Total compensation (est.)
$168,790
Bonus range
$3,700 – $15,720
Mean salary
$155,580

How This Compares

Washington, DC median
$146,774
District of Columbia median
$102,541+43.1%
National median
$100,530+46.0%

Cost of living in Washington is 46% above the national average. Salary of $146,774 here is equivalent to $100,530 nationally.

Salary by Experience

0-2 years
$105,677-28.0%
3-5 years
$133,564-9.0%
6-10 years
$164,387+12.0%
10+ years
$202,548+38.0%

Salary by Company Size

Startup (< 100 employees)
$129,161-12.0%
Mid-size (100–5,000)
$146,774
Enterprise (5,000+)
$173,193+18.0%

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Related Jobs in Washington

Software Engineer$190,034/yr
Senior Software Engineer$190,034/yr
Frontend Developer$182,339/yr
Backend Developer$190,034/yr
Full Stack Developer$190,034/yr

Quick Numbers

Hourly (40hr week)$71/hr
Monthly gross$12,231/mo
25th percentile$108,040/yr
75th percentile$191,260/yr

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Market Context

via FRED

Fed Funds Rate

Mar 2026

3.64%

Inflation (CPI)

year-over-year

2.4%+0.04

National Unemployment

Mar 2026

4.3%-0.10

District of Columbia Unemployment

Dec 2025

6.7%+0.20

Avg Hourly Earnings

all private workers

$37.38+$0.09

10yr Treasury

Apr 2026

4.31%

Source: St. Louis Fed (FRED). Updated daily.

Embedded Systems Engineer Salaries by City

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average Embedded Systems Engineer salary in Washington?

The median Embedded Systems Engineer salary in Washington is $146,774 per year, with a range from $108,040 at the 25th percentile to $191,260 at the 75th percentile. Total compensation including bonuses typically runs higher — see the breakdown above for the full picture.

How does Embedded Systems Engineer pay in Washington compare to the national average?

Embedded Systems Engineer salaries in Washington are 46% above the national median of $100,530. After adjusting for Washington's cost of living, the purchasing power of that salary is equivalent to roughly $100,530 nationally — which is the number that actually matters when comparing offers across cities.

What factors affect Embedded Systems Engineer salaries in Washington?

In Washington, the biggest drivers are years of experience, company size, and industry vertical. Entry-level Embedded Systems Engineer roles start around $88,593, while senior and staff-level positions at larger employers can reach $233,337 or above. Specialized skills and in-demand tools can also meaningfully shift where you land in the range.

Is Washington a good place for Embedded Systems Engineer jobs?

Washington offers a Embedded Systems Engineer median of $146,774, which is 46% above the US median of $100,530. Whether that makes it a good market depends on your personal cost-of-living equation — Washington is 46% more expensive than the national average, so factor that into your math.

How do I negotiate a higher Embedded Systems Engineer salary?

Start with the data on this page: the 75th percentile for Embedded Systems Engineer in Washington is $191,260, which is a defensible anchor for a negotiation. Come in with a specific number backed by real market data — not a range — and reference your experience tier. If you're above the median, ask for the 75th percentile. If you're already at the 75th, push for total comp improvements like equity or bonus instead.