Real EstateUpdated Q1 2026

Real Estate Broker Salary
in Washington, DC

Manage real estate agents and oversee property transactions as an independent business. Median salary in Washington: $144K/year. Data from BLS, O*NET, and H-1B disclosures.

Median salary
$144K
per year
Take-home: $89K

Salary range in Washington

Entry level (25th)$84,000
Median (50th)$144,000
Senior (75th)$246,000
Top earner (90th)$418,000
Data freshness

Figures represent annual base salary in Washington, District of Columbia. Reviewed by SalaryOptics Editorial · How we calculate this →

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What the numbers say for Washington

Analysis derived from the salary, COL, tax, and labor-market figures above — specific to this role and city.

52% premium vs national median

Real Estate Brokers in Washington earn approximately 52% higher than the US national median for this role — a $49,000 premium on annual base salary. This reflects Washington's position as a higher-cost labor market where employers must match local wage norms.

8.5% state tax = $12,240/yr

District of Columbia's 8.5% state income tax reduces take-home by roughly $12,240 per year at the median salary. A Real Estate Broker relocating to a no-tax state like Texas, Florida, or Tennessee would retain that amount without changing gross pay.

Rent eats 36% of take-home

Average 1-bedroom rent in Washington ($2,700/mo) consumes approximately 36% of an after-tax median Real Estate Broker salary. Financial planners typically recommend keeping housing under 30% of take-home — a salary at the 75th percentile ($246K) brings that ratio into a more comfortable range here.

Key facts for Washington

Median salary
$144K
annual
Take-home pay
$89K
after fed/state tax
COL index
152
100 = US avg
State income tax
8.5%
effective rate
Avg 1BR rent
$2,700
per month
YoY growth
+3.5%
salary trend

Salary forecast: Washington Real Estate Broker to 2030

Based on BLS 2022–2032 Employment Projections and WEF Future of Jobs Report 2026. At current growth rates, median salary reaches $144K by 2030.

Salary trend & forecast — Washington

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

HistoricalProjected
Real Estate Broker salary trend 2019–2030PROJECTED →$121K$132K$142K$153K$163K201920212023202520272029
2026
$148K
projected
2027
$151K
projected
2028
$155K
projected
2029
$159K
projected
2030
$163K
projected

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

YearProjected median salaryvs today
2027 projected$144,000+$0
2028 projected$144,000+$0
2029 projected$144,000+$0
2030 projected$144,000+$0

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

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Real Estate Broker Salary in Washington, District of Columbia: Complete Guide (2026)

The median Real Estate Broker salary in Washington, DC is $144,000 per year as of Q1 2026. 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 Real Estate Broker in Washington

Entry-level Real Estate Brokers in Washington with 0–2 years of experience typically earn between $84,000 and $144,000 annually. Mid-career professionals with 3–7 years command $144,000 to $246,000, while senior-level practitioners with 8+ years of experience regularly earn $246,000 to $418,000 or more.

Cost of living in Washington for Real Estate Brokers

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 Real Estate Broker

Broker license; several years agent experience. 28% of these roles offer some remote flexibility.