EngineeringUpdated Q1 2025

Quality Engineer Salary
in Washington, DC

Develop quality management systems and processes to ensure products meet specifications. Median salary in Washington: $116K/year. Data from BLS, O*NET, and H-1B disclosures.

Median salary
$116K
per year
Take-home: $72K

Salary range in Washington

Entry level (25th)$86,000
Median (50th)$116,000
Senior (75th)$152,000
Top earner (90th)$195,000

Source: BLS OES 2026, H-1B DOL Disclosures Q1 2026. Figures represent annual base salary in Washington, District of Columbia.

Key facts for Washington

Median salary
$116K
annual
Take-home pay
$72K
after fed/state tax
COL index
152
100 = US avg
State income tax
8.5%
annual
Avg 1BR rent
$2,700
per month
YoY growth
+3%
salary trend

Salary forecast: Washington Quality Engineer to 2030

Based on BLS 2022–2032 Employment Projections and WEF Future of Jobs Report 2025. At current growth rates, median salary reaches $116K by 2030.

Salary trend & forecast — Washington

Historical (2019–2025) + projected to 2030 based on BLS growth rates

HistoricalProjected
Quality Engineer salary trend 2019–2030PROJECTED →$97K$106K$114K$123K$131K201920212023202520272029
2026
$119K
projected
2027
$122K
projected
2028
$125K
projected
2029
$128K
projected
2030
$131K
projected

Projections based on BLS Employment Projections 2022–2032 CAGR and WEF Jobs Report 2025. Not financial advice.

YearProjected median salaryvs today
2027 projected$116,000+$0
2028 projected$116,000+$0
2029 projected$116,000+$0
2030 projected$116,000+$0

Projections use compound annual growth rate (CAGR) from BLS occupational outlook data. Actual salaries may vary.

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Quality Engineer Salary in Washington, District of Columbia: Complete Guide (2026)

The median Quality Engineer salary in Washington, DC is $116,000 per year as of Q1 2025. This figure represents the midpoint of all reported compensation for this role in the Washington–DC metropolitan area, based on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment Statistics, H-1B visa disclosures from the Department of Labor, and O*NET occupational data.

Salary range for Quality Engineer in Washington

Entry-level Quality Engineers in Washington with 0–2 years of experience typically earn between $86,000 and $116,000 annually. Mid-career professionals with 3–7 years command $116,000 to $152,000, while senior-level practitioners with 8+ years of experience regularly earn $152,000 to $195,000 or more.

Cost of living in Washington for Quality Engineers

Washington has a cost of living index of 152 compared to the US national average of 100. Washington's cost of living is above the US average, so the salary figures above reflect local market rates. District of Columbia has a 8.5% state income tax rate.

Education requirements for Quality Engineer

Bachelor's in Engineering; Six Sigma, ASQ certifications. 25% of these roles offer some remote flexibility.