folvr

University Professor Salary in Washington, District of Columbia

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

Salary Distribution

BLS 2024
$123,195/ year

Median University Professor in Washington, DC

$68,240
10th
$83,220
25th
$123,195
Median
$172,280
75th
$210,182
90th

Compensation Breakdown

BLS 2024
Base salary (median)
$123,195
Total compensation (est.)
$141,674
Bonus range
$2,850 – $14,160
Mean salary
$130,587

How This Compares

Washington, DC median
$123,195
District of Columbia median
$86,068+43.1%
National median
$84,380+46.0%

Cost of living in Washington is 46% above the national average. Salary of $123,195 here is equivalent to $84,380 nationally.

Salary by Experience

0-2 years
$88,700-28.0%
3-5 years
$112,107-9.0%
6-10 years
$137,978+12.0%
10+ years
$170,009+38.0%

Salary by Company Size

Startup (< 100 employees)
$108,412-12.0%
Mid-size (100–5,000)
$123,195
Enterprise (5,000+)
$145,370+18.0%

Add your salary data

Anonymous. 60 seconds. See how you compare instantly.

$125K
$30K$500K

Related Jobs in Washington

Elementary School Teacher$90,359/yr
High School Teacher$91,046/yr
Special Education Teacher$90,257/yr
School Counselor$90,885/yr
Instructional Designer$113,865/yr

Quick Numbers

Hourly (40hr week)$59/hr
Monthly gross$10,266/mo
25th percentile$83,220/yr
75th percentile$172,280/yr

Find University Professor jobs in Washington

See open positions and negotiate with real data.

Search Indeed →Search LinkedIn →

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.

University Professor Salaries by City

Compare all US cities →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average University Professor salary in Washington?

The median University Professor salary in Washington is $123,195 per year, with a range from $83,220 at the 25th percentile to $172,280 at the 75th percentile. Total compensation including bonuses typically runs higher — see the breakdown above for the full picture.

How does University Professor pay in Washington compare to the national average?

University Professor salaries in Washington are 46% above the national median of $84,380. After adjusting for Washington's cost of living, the purchasing power of that salary is equivalent to roughly $84,380 nationally — which is the number that actually matters when comparing offers across cities.

What factors affect University Professor salaries in Washington?

In Washington, the biggest drivers are years of experience, company size, and industry vertical. Entry-level University Professor roles start around $68,240, while senior and staff-level positions at larger employers can reach $210,182 or above. Specialized skills and in-demand tools can also meaningfully shift where you land in the range.

Is Washington a good place for University Professor jobs?

Washington offers a University Professor median of $123,195, which is 46% above the US median of $84,380. 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 University Professor salary?

Start with the data on this page: the 75th percentile for University Professor in Washington is $172,280, 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.