Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — state estimates; U.S. Census Bureau, 2022 Census of Governments — Government Organization. Data captured September 30, 2026.
Public employers in District of Columbia
Fire departments · 3
| Employer | City | Career firefighters | Website |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington, DC Fire & EMS Department | Washington | 1,300 | Official site |
| Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority Fire & Rescue Department | Dulles | 154 | Official site |
| Walter Reed Fire & Emergency Services Division | Washington | 43 | — |
Transit agencies · 3
| Employer | City | Vehicles operated directly | Website |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority | Washington | 2,140 | Official site |
| District Department of Transportation | Washington | 0 | Official site |
| National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board | Washington | 0 | Official site |
School districts · 1
| Employer | City | Teachers (FTE) | Website |
|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia Public Schools | Washington | 4,751 | Official site |
Police departments · 1
Municipal and county police departments in the FBI's law-enforcement agency list. Staff size is not yet collected for this kind of employer.
Sources: U.S. Fire Administration (FEMA), National Fire Department Registry; Federal Transit Administration, National Transit Database 2024 — Reporter Agency Information; National Center for Education Statistics, Common Core of Data, 2024–25 local education agency universe (directory and staff); Federal Bureau of Investigation, Crime Data Explorer — law-enforcement agencies by state (API). Data captured September 30, 2026.
Pay for government jobs in District of Columbia
Median wage in District of Columbia for each job's occupation (all employers in the state), next to the national median in government. Largest occupations first.
| Job | Workers in DC | Median in DC | National, government |
|---|---|---|---|
| Child Support Officer SOC 13-1199 | 37,790 | $108,160 | $91,060 |
| Death Investigator / Coroner SOC 13-1199 | 37,790 | $108,160 | $91,060 |
| Foreign Service Officer (diplomat) SOC 13-1199 | 37,790 | $108,160 | $91,060 |
| Grants Specialist / Manager SOC 13-1199 | 37,790 | $108,160 | $91,060 |
| City / County Manager SOC 11-1021 | 36,150 | $168,000 | $137,300 |
| Government Attorney (agency counsel) SOC 23-1011 | 33,070 | $195,190 | $134,680 |
| Prosecutor / Assistant District Attorney SOC 23-1011 | 33,070 | $195,190 | $134,680 |
| Public Defender SOC 23-1011 | 33,070 | $195,190 | $134,680 |
| Policy / Management Analyst SOC 13-1111 | 19,000 | $126,140 | $96,570 |
| Program Analyst (federal) SOC 13-1111 | 19,000 | $126,140 | $96,570 |
| IT Specialist (government) SOC 15-1299 | 17,200 | $156,590 | $119,250 |
| Public Information Officer SOC 27-3031 | 16,720 | $102,740 | $78,310 |
| Custodian (schools & public buildings) SOC 37-2011 | 16,400 | $38,520 | $39,640 |
| Administrative Assistant (government) SOC 43-6014 | 11,800 | $59,910 | $48,290 |
| School Secretary / Office Manager SOC 43-6014 | 11,800 | $59,910 | $48,290 |
| Correctional Nurse SOC 29-1141 | 11,440 | $102,540 | $100,490 |
| Public Health Nurse SOC 29-1141 | 11,440 | $102,540 | $100,490 |
| School Nurse SOC 29-1141 | 11,440 | $102,540 | $100,490 |
| VA Nurse (Veterans Affairs) SOC 29-1141 | 11,440 | $102,540 | $100,490 |
| Accountant (government) SOC 13-2011 | 9,810 | $111,530 | $81,390 |
| Government Auditor SOC 13-2011 | 9,810 | $111,530 | $81,390 |
| IRS Customer Service Representative SOC 43-4051 | 7,550 | $48,250 | $45,860 |
| Human Resources Specialist (government) SOC 13-1071 | 6,910 | $110,970 | $80,330 |
| Office Clerk / Clerk Typist (government) SOC 43-9061 | 5,670 | $55,040 | $46,170 |
| Border Patrol Agent SOC 33-3051 | 4,720 | $88,650 | $76,300 |
| Campus / University Police Officer SOC 33-3051 | 4,720 | $88,650 | $76,300 |
| CBP Officer (Customs & Border Protection) SOC 33-3051 | 4,720 | $88,650 | $76,300 |
| Deputy Sheriff SOC 33-3051 | 4,720 | $88,650 | $76,300 |
| Federal Police Officer (VA, Pentagon, Capitol…) SOC 33-3051 | 4,720 | $88,650 | $76,300 |
| ICE Deportation Officer SOC 33-3051 | 4,720 | $88,650 | $76,300 |
Several jobs can share one occupation code.
Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — state estimates; U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — national estimates by ownership. Data captured September 30, 2026.