Bookkeeper salary in Washington, DC
Median pay, Washington DC metro
$59,290/year
about $28.50 an hour full-time
Middle half earns $49,210 – $66,580
Half of bookkeepers in the Washington DC metro area earn more than $59,290 a year and half earn less. That's 17% higher than the national median of $50,670, and ranks #6 of the 30 big metro areas we track for this job.
Pay range
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly* |
|---|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $41,520 | $19.96 |
| 25th | $49,210 | $23.66 |
| Median (50th) | $59,290 | $28.50 |
| 75th | $66,580 | $32.01 |
| 90th (top earners) | $79,390 | $38.17 |
*Yearly pay divided by 2,080 hours (40 hours × 52 weeks), the full-time basis BLS uses.
Is your offer fair?
For a bookkeeper job in the Washington DC metro area, here's how an offer compares:
- Below market under $49,210 ($23.66/hr). Fine for a first job in the field, otherwise worth negotiating.
- Typical $49,210 to $66,580 ($23.66 to $32.01/hr). The middle half of what people in this job earn.
- Strong offer over $66,580 ($32.01/hr). Higher than three quarters of workers here.
Before you accept
- Ask which software you'd use (QuickBooks, Xero, NetSuite). Experience with it can support a higher offer.
- Full-charge bookkeepers who handle everything through month-end close usually earn more than clerks.
- Part-time and contract bookkeeping is common, so compare by hourly rate.
Also watch for the common warning signs in the posting itself: 15 job posting red flags.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2025, Washington DC metro. Occupation: Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks (SOC 43-3031). Figures cover wage and salary workers and don't include bonuses, benefits or overtime.