Highest-paying business jobs in Washington, D.C.
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November 30, 2022
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Highest-paying business jobs in Washington, D.C.
Stacker compiled a list of the highest paying business jobs in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area using data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Jobs are ranked by 2021 annual mean wage. Jobs the BLS lists as "business and financial operations occupations" were included. Keep reading to discover the highest paying business jobs in your city.
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#27. Tax preparers
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
- Annual mean salary: $54,590
- #41 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,720
National
- Annual mean salary: $51,080
- Employment: 83,190
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Anchorage, AK ($81,880)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($79,470)
--- Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO ($73,170)
- Annual mean salary: $54,590
- #41 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,720
National
- Annual mean salary: $51,080
- Employment: 83,190
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Anchorage, AK ($81,880)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($79,470)
--- Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO ($73,170)
#26. Credit counselors
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
- Annual mean salary: $59,730
- #14 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 720
National
- Annual mean salary: $50,430
- Employment: 31,230
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Durham-Chapel Hill, NC ($74,570)
--- Lincoln, NE ($69,990)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($66,410)
- Annual mean salary: $59,730
- #14 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 720
National
- Annual mean salary: $50,430
- Employment: 31,230
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Durham-Chapel Hill, NC ($74,570)
--- Lincoln, NE ($69,990)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($66,410)
#25. Meeting, convention, and event planners
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
- Annual mean salary: $69,020
- #6 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 4,430
National
- Annual mean salary: $57,850
- Employment: 98,150
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($82,140)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($79,790)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($79,740)
- Annual mean salary: $69,020
- #6 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 4,430
National
- Annual mean salary: $57,850
- Employment: 98,150
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($82,140)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($79,790)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($79,740)
#24. Insurance underwriters
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
- Annual mean salary: $73,710
- #92 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,330
National
- Annual mean salary: $79,940
- Employment: 107,690
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($121,000)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($108,990)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($103,150)
- Annual mean salary: $73,710
- #92 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,330
National
- Annual mean salary: $79,940
- Employment: 107,690
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($121,000)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($108,990)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($103,150)
#23. Insurance appraisers, auto damage
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
- Annual mean salary: $73,900
- #12 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 230
National
- Annual mean salary: $68,180
- Employment: 11,430
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Salt Lake City, UT ($89,810)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($86,970)
--- Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT ($86,050)
- Annual mean salary: $73,900
- #12 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 230
National
- Annual mean salary: $68,180
- Employment: 11,430
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Salt Lake City, UT ($89,810)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($86,970)
--- Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT ($86,050)
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#22. Fundraisers
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
- Annual mean salary: $74,410
- #12 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 3,840
National
- Annual mean salary: $64,870
- Employment: 82,080
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($91,460)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($86,070)
--- Salinas, CA ($83,760)
- Annual mean salary: $74,410
- #12 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 3,840
National
- Annual mean salary: $64,870
- Employment: 82,080
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($91,460)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($86,070)
--- Salinas, CA ($83,760)
#21. Claims adjusters, examiners, and investigators
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
- Annual mean salary: $77,910
- #39 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,770
National
- Annual mean salary: $70,960
- Employment: 278,140
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Kennewick-Richland, WA ($104,350)
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($95,200)
--- Salinas, CA ($90,800)
- Annual mean salary: $77,910
- #39 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,770
National
- Annual mean salary: $70,960
- Employment: 278,140
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Kennewick-Richland, WA ($104,350)
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($95,200)
--- Salinas, CA ($90,800)
#20. Training and development specialists
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
- Annual mean salary: $78,410
- #24 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 9,500
National
- Annual mean salary: $67,620
- Employment: 336,030
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Dothan, AL ($111,580)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($94,720)
--- Decatur, AL ($94,650)
- Annual mean salary: $78,410
- #24 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 9,500
National
- Annual mean salary: $67,620
- Employment: 336,030
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Dothan, AL ($111,580)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($94,720)
--- Decatur, AL ($94,650)
#19. Cost estimators
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
- Annual mean salary: $83,400
- #20 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 4,280
National
- Annual mean salary: $73,740
- Employment: 208,950
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH ($104,660)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($99,450)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($98,550)
- Annual mean salary: $83,400
- #20 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 4,280
National
- Annual mean salary: $73,740
- Employment: 208,950
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH ($104,660)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($99,450)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($98,550)
#18. Tax examiners and collectors, and revenue agents
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
- Annual mean salary: $83,460
- #19 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 620
National
- Annual mean salary: $63,200
- Employment: 52,270
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Stockton-Lodi, CA ($102,470)
--- Vallejo-Fairfield, CA ($99,710)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($98,850)
- Annual mean salary: $83,460
- #19 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 620
National
- Annual mean salary: $63,200
- Employment: 52,270
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Stockton-Lodi, CA ($102,470)
--- Vallejo-Fairfield, CA ($99,710)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($98,850)
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#17. Compensation, benefits, and job analysis specialists
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
- Annual mean salary: $85,460
- #10 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,140
National
- Annual mean salary: $73,810
- Employment: 87,750
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($103,980)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($97,020)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($96,830)
- Annual mean salary: $85,460
- #10 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,140
National
- Annual mean salary: $73,810
- Employment: 87,750
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($103,980)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($97,020)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($96,830)
#16. Market research analysts and marketing specialists
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
- Annual mean salary: $86,440
- #7 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 20,060
National
- Annual mean salary: $76,080
- Employment: 727,540
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($119,180)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($108,370)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($99,510)
- Annual mean salary: $86,440
- #7 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 20,060
National
- Annual mean salary: $76,080
- Employment: 727,540
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($119,180)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($108,370)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($99,510)
#15. Human resources specialists
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
- Annual mean salary: $91,400
- #3 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 26,510
National
- Annual mean salary: $70,720
- Employment: 740,830
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($102,590)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($95,460)
--- Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV ($91,400)
- Annual mean salary: $91,400
- #3 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 26,510
National
- Annual mean salary: $70,720
- Employment: 740,830
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($102,590)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($95,460)
--- Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV ($91,400)
#14. Compliance officers
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
- Annual mean salary: $93,340
- #7 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 12,720
National
- Annual mean salary: $75,810
- Employment: 334,340
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($103,650)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($99,460)
--- California-Lexington Park, MD ($96,030)
- Annual mean salary: $93,340
- #7 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 12,720
National
- Annual mean salary: $75,810
- Employment: 334,340
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($103,650)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($99,460)
--- California-Lexington Park, MD ($96,030)
#13. Credit analysts
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
- Annual mean salary: $93,370
- #15 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,050
National
- Annual mean salary: $88,030
- Employment: 68,770
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($128,950)
--- Danbury, CT ($121,560)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($117,860)
- Annual mean salary: $93,370
- #15 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,050
National
- Annual mean salary: $88,030
- Employment: 68,770
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($128,950)
--- Danbury, CT ($121,560)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($117,860)
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#12. Labor relations specialists
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
- Annual mean salary: $96,240
- #6 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 800
National
- Annual mean salary: $77,070
- Employment: 63,810
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Urban Honolulu, HI ($104,620)
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($98,470)
--- Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA ($97,520)
- Annual mean salary: $96,240
- #6 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 800
National
- Annual mean salary: $77,070
- Employment: 63,810
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Urban Honolulu, HI ($104,620)
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($98,470)
--- Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA ($97,520)
#11. Logisticians
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
- Annual mean salary: $97,470
- #4 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 6,400
National
- Annual mean salary: $79,230
- Employment: 189,320
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- California-Lexington Park, MD ($115,100)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($111,740)
--- Kokomo, IN ($101,310)
- Annual mean salary: $97,470
- #4 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 6,400
National
- Annual mean salary: $79,230
- Employment: 189,320
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- California-Lexington Park, MD ($115,100)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($111,740)
--- Kokomo, IN ($101,310)
#10. Loan officers
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
- Annual mean salary: $99,500
- #13 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 6,250
National
- Annual mean salary: $80,570
- Employment: 340,170
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($111,830)
--- Bend-Redmond, OR ($106,290)
--- Wilmington, NC ($104,930)
- Annual mean salary: $99,500
- #13 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 6,250
National
- Annual mean salary: $80,570
- Employment: 340,170
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($111,830)
--- Bend-Redmond, OR ($106,290)
--- Wilmington, NC ($104,930)
#9. Accountants and auditors
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
- Annual mean salary: $99,640
- #4 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 41,850
National
- Annual mean salary: $83,980
- Employment: 1,318,550
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($112,830)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($109,330)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($107,540)
- Annual mean salary: $99,640
- #4 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 41,850
National
- Annual mean salary: $83,980
- Employment: 1,318,550
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($112,830)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($109,330)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($107,540)
#8. Budget analysts
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
- Annual mean salary: $106,380
- #3 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 4,380
National
- Annual mean salary: $84,240
- Employment: 47,440
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($114,670)
--- Iowa City, IA ($108,870)
--- Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV ($106,380)
- Annual mean salary: $106,380
- #3 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 4,380
National
- Annual mean salary: $84,240
- Employment: 47,440
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($114,670)
--- Iowa City, IA ($108,870)
--- Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV ($106,380)
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#7. Financial and investment analysts
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
- Annual mean salary: $109,700
- #12 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 11,440
National
- Annual mean salary: $103,020
- Employment: 291,880
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($135,620)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($133,640)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($132,820)
- Annual mean salary: $109,700
- #12 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 11,440
National
- Annual mean salary: $103,020
- Employment: 291,880
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($135,620)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($133,640)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($132,820)
#6. Management analysts
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
- Annual mean salary: $113,420
- #16 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 64,320
National
- Annual mean salary: $100,530
- Employment: 768,450
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Dothan, AL ($135,020)
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($127,320)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($125,250)
- Annual mean salary: $113,420
- #16 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 64,320
National
- Annual mean salary: $100,530
- Employment: 768,450
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Dothan, AL ($135,020)
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($127,320)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($125,250)
#5. Project management specialists
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
- Annual mean salary: $114,540
- #6 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 29,870
National
- Annual mean salary: $98,420
- Employment: 743,860
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($133,950)
--- Birmingham-Hoover, AL ($130,250)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($125,330)
- Annual mean salary: $114,540
- #6 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 29,870
National
- Annual mean salary: $98,420
- Employment: 743,860
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($133,950)
--- Birmingham-Hoover, AL ($130,250)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($125,330)
#4. Financial risk specialists
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
- Annual mean salary: $114,710
- #13 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,510
National
- Annual mean salary: $110,610
- Employment: 54,320
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($146,590)
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($141,890)
--- Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA ($141,590)
- Annual mean salary: $114,710
- #13 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,510
National
- Annual mean salary: $110,610
- Employment: 54,320
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($146,590)
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($141,890)
--- Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA ($141,590)
#3. Financial examiners
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
- Annual mean salary: $125,590
- #2 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,460
National
- Annual mean salary: $96,180
- Employment: 60,750
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($128,280)
--- Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV ($125,590)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($124,070)
- Annual mean salary: $125,590
- #2 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,460
National
- Annual mean salary: $96,180
- Employment: 60,750
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($128,280)
--- Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV ($125,590)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($124,070)
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#2. Agents and business managers of artists, performers, and athletes
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
- Annual mean salary: $131,780
- #2 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 140
National
- Annual mean salary: $116,410
- Employment: 12,480
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA ($132,660)
--- Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV ($131,780)
--- Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL ($131,330)
- Annual mean salary: $131,780
- #2 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 140
National
- Annual mean salary: $116,410
- Employment: 12,480
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA ($132,660)
--- Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV ($131,780)
--- Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL ($131,330)
#1. Personal financial advisors
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
- Annual mean salary: $139,260
- #29 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 4,740
National
- Annual mean salary: $119,960
- Employment: 263,030
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Barnstable Town, MA ($172,780)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($161,010)
--- East Stroudsburg, PA ($158,790)
- Annual mean salary: $139,260
- #29 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 4,740
National
- Annual mean salary: $119,960
- Employment: 263,030
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Barnstable Town, MA ($172,780)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($161,010)
--- East Stroudsburg, PA ($158,790)
