SDET salary in Washington DC, United States
A mid-level SDET in Washington DC earns a median of $140k a year gross ($140k), from $110k at p10 to $170k at p90. Washington DC pays 1.06× the United States median and 8% above the US median of $130k. About 690,000 people live in Washington DC.
SDET pay by level in Washington DC
Gross annual pay in USD. Junior $110k, lead $210k. The bar spans p10 to p90 with the median marked.
| Level | p10 | Median | p90 | Range | Median (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Junior | $87k | $110k | $130k | $110k | |
| Mid-level | $110k | $140k | $170k | $140k | |
| Senior | $150k | $180k | $220k | $180k | |
| Lead | $170k | $210k | $260k | $210k |
Estimates from posted pay ranges, base pay only: the United States median ($130k) times a 1.06 city factor. Methodology.
From gross to take-home in Washington DC
Employers in United States usually quote annual base salary for employees, hourly rates for 1099 and W2 contracts.
A generic estimate for a single mid-level earner, not tax advice.
SDET pay in other United States cities
| City | Pay factor | p10 | Median | p90 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco | 1.22× | $130k | $160k | $190k |
| San Jose | 1.20× | $130k | $160k | $190k |
| New York | 1.15× | $120k | $150k | $180k |
| Seattle | 1.15× | $120k | $150k | $180k |
| Boston | 1.08× | $120k | $140k | $170k |
| Los Angeles | 1.05× | $110k | $140k | $170k |
| San Diego | 1.03× | $110k | $130k | $160k |
| Austin | 1.02× | $110k | $130k | $160k |
Other QA salaries in Washington DC
148 SDET jobs in United States · QA hiring in Washington DC · Hire a SDET
SDET salary in Washington DC: FAQ
What is the average SDET salary in Washington DC?
The median gross salary for a mid-level SDET in Washington DC is $140k a year ($140k). The p10 is $110k and the p90 is $170k. This is an estimate from posted pay ranges, scaled to Washington DC with a city factor of 1.06.
How much does a senior SDET make in Washington DC?
A senior SDET in Washington DC earns a median of $180k, with a range of $150k to $220k. Leads reach $210k and juniors start near $110k.
What is an entry-level SDET salary in Washington DC?
A junior SDET in Washington DC earns about $110k a year ($110k), between $87k and $130k. Pay rises to $140k at mid-level.
Is Washington DC a good-paying city for SDETs in United States?
Washington DC ranks 6th of 62 tracked United States cities for this role, at 1.06x the national median of $130k. It sits in the top third.
What is the take-home pay for a SDET in Washington DC?
Roughly 72-78% of gross stays after income tax and social contributions for a single mid-level earner: about $100k to $110k a year, or $9,000 a month. This is not tax advice.
What is the hourly rate for a SDET in Washington DC?
A $140k gross salary equals about $67 an hour on a 40-hour week ($12k a month gross). Contractors typically quote 20-35% above this to cover leave and benefits.
All figures are gross estimates, not offers or advice.