Average Computer Systems Analysts Salary in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
Computer Systems Analysts in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metropolitan area earn an impressive average annual salary of $129,700. This figure significantly surpasses the national average of $113,950, indicating a strong demand and higher compensation for these critical IT roles within this specific region. The concentration of government agencies, defense contractors, and technology firms likely drives this elevated pay scale.
Executive Summary
- Average Salary: $129,700 per year.
- Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 11.2% ↗ over the last 5 years.
- Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $196,900.
- Outlook: With a substantial local workforce of 17,720 Computer Systems Analysts and a Location Quotient of 1.76, the job market in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria demonstrates a robust concentration of talent and opportunity. This quotient, well above the national average of 1.0, suggests that this area is a significant hub for these professionals, pointing towards sustained demand and a dynamic employment landscape.
Salary Overview
The average Computer Systems Analysts in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV earns+13.8%above the national average.
$62.4
$2,494
$10,808
Computer Systems Analysts Salary Trends (2020-2024)
While specific historical data isn't provided, it's reasonable to assume a positive salary growth trend for Computer Systems Analysts in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria area over the past four years. Factors such as increasing technological complexity, evolving cybersecurity needs, and the region's economic vitality typically contribute to upward pressure on compensation for skilled IT professionals.
Computer Systems Analysts Salary Distribution in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
Salary progression for Computer Systems Analysts in this region typically scales significantly with experience. Entry-level positions will naturally command lower salaries, while senior analysts with specialized skills and extensive project management experience can expect to earn substantially more, potentially reaching into the upper percentiles of the $129,700 average. These percentile gaps highlight clear career advancement opportunities.
| Experience Level | Market Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Junior / AssociateEntry level. Focus on learning core skills & codebase. | 10% (Entry) | $78,540 | $37.8 |
| Engineer IProficient contributor. Handles tasks independently. | 25% (Junior) | $97,275 | $46.8 |
| Senior EngineerSystem design, complex problem solving, mentoring. | 50% (Median) | $126,170 | $60.7 |
| Lead / StaffTechnical strategy, architecture, cross-team impact. | 75% (Senior) | $162,125 | $77.9 |
| Principal / ArchitectIndustry expert. Driving technical vision & innovation. | 90% (Expert) | $196,900 | $94.7 |
Detailed Computer Systems Analysts Market Analysis
Relocation Context
Nominal Salary
$129,700
Gross Pay
Real Wage (Purchasing Power)
$129,700
Adjusted for COL (100)
The average annual salary of $129,700 in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria aligns perfectly with the national average Cost of Living Index of 100. This means that while the nominal salary is high, the purchasing power of that salary is comparable to the national average, suggesting that the higher earnings are balanced by the local cost of living.
Job Market Context
17,720
Total Jobs
5.683
Per 1K Jobs
1.76
Location Quotient
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV has 1.8x the national concentration of Computer Systems Analysts jobs — a major employment hub for this role. Job seekers will find significantly more opportunities here than in most other areas.
The Location Quotient of 1.76 for Computer Systems Analysts in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria signifies a market with a significantly higher concentration of these professionals than the national average. This indicates a competitive yet abundant job market, where employers actively seek specialized IT talent, and professionals have a strong presence and potentially more career options.
Nearby Job Markets
Nearby Cities for Computer Systems Analysts
| City | Salary | Dist. |
|---|---|---|
| Maryland nonmetropolitan area Computer Systems Analysts Salary | $95,630↓ 26% | 17 mi |
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD Computer Systems Analysts Salary | $116,550↓ 10% | 35 mi |
| Lexington Park, MD Computer Systems Analysts Salary | $104,530↓ 19% | 55 mi |
| Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV Computer Systems Analysts Salary | $105,170↓ 19% | 63 mi |
| Winchester, VA-WV Computer Systems Analysts Salary | $93,010↓ 28% | 64 mi |
Comparing salaries near Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
Hiring Computer Systems Analystss?
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Computer Systems Analysts make in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
The median annual salary for a Computer Systems Analysts in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV is $129,700. This typically ranges from $78,540 for entry-level positions to $196,900 for top-level roles.
How does the salary compare to the national average?
The average salary for this role in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV is 13.8% higher than the national median of $113,950.
Is Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV a lucrative place for Computer Systems Analysts?
Yes, it is a highly lucrative area for Computer Systems Analysts.The average salary of $129,700 is considerably higher than the national average, and the strong concentration of these roles (LQ of 1.76) further supports its lucrative nature.
Is Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV a good place to live for Computer Systems Analysts?
The Cost of Living Index in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV is 100. While higher than average, this often correlates with higher wages.
Where are the highest paying cities near Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
Some top paying nearby cities include Maryland nonmetropolitan area ($95,630) and Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD.
How does the Computer Systems Analyst salary compare nationally?
The average annual salary for Computer Systems Analysts in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria is $129,700, which is notably higher than the national average of $113,950.
What is the Cost of Living in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria?
The Cost of Living Index in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria is 100, which is exactly the national average, meaning the cost of goods and services is comparable to the rest of the country.
How concentrated are Computer Systems Analyst jobs in this area?
The area has a high concentration of Computer Systems Analyst jobs, as indicated by a Location Quotient of 1.76, meaning there are significantly more of these roles relative to the national average.
What is the total number of Computer Systems Analysts in the region?
There are approximately 17,720 Computer Systems Analysts employed within the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metropolitan area.
Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 17,720 employees in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV area with a job density of 5.683 per 1,000 jobs. Cost of Living data is estimated based on state and metro averages.
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Semantic Salary Analysis for Computer Systems Analysts • Data source: BLS OEWS 2024 •Jobs in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV