2026 Salary Data · Washington DC, DC

Product Designer Salary in Washington DC

How much does a Product Designer make in Washington DC? Salary data, top employers, and career insights for Product Designers in the DC-Virginia-Maryland area.

$171K
Median Total Comp
+5%
vs National Avg
high
Cost of Living
1,200+
Product Roles

How Much Does a Product Designer Make in Washington DC?

Product Designers in Washington DC earn a median of $171K in total compensation, 5% above the national average. The cost of living is above average, but Washington DC's strength in Cybersecurity creates steady demand for experienced product talent. Salaries range from $143K (25th percentile) to $212K (75th percentile).

Washington DC's cost-of-living index is 150 (vs 100 national average), meaning everyday expenses are 50% above average. A $171K salary here has the purchasing power of roughly $114K in an average-cost city. Housing is the largest factor: median rent for a one-bedroom is significantly above the national average.

$125K$231K
P25-P75 Median

Product Designer Salary by Company Type in Washington DC

FAANG / Big Tech
$222K
+30%
Pre-IPO Unicorn
$197K
+15%
Growth Startup (B/C)
$171K
Baseline
Enterprise / Fortune 500
$180K
+5%
Early Startup (Seed/A)
$145K
-15%
Agency / Consulting
$137K
-20%

Top Employers for Product Designers in Washington DC

Amazon (HQ2)MicrosoftPalantirCapital OneAppianLeidosBooz Allen

The DC metro area has a unique tech ecosystem driven by government contracts, cybersecurity, and defense tech. Amazon's HQ2 in Arlington has significantly expanded private sector PM opportunities. Clearance-required roles pay a premium.

CybersecurityB2B SaaS (General)Fintech

Other Product Roles in Washington DC

Chief Product Officer
15+ years
$504K
+195%
VP of Product
12+ years
$425K
+149%
Director of Product
10-15 years
$389K
+127%
Staff Product Manager
8-12 years
$331K
+94%
AI Product Manager
3-7 years
$320K
+87%
Platform Product Manager
5-9 years
$289K
+69%

Product Designer Salary in Other Cities

New York City, NY
very-high cost of living
$187K
+9%
Boston, MA
high cost of living
$171K
Same
Raleigh, NC
moderate cost of living
$150K
-12%
Baltimore, MD
moderate cost of living
$147K
-14%
San Francisco, CA
very-high cost of living
$196K
+15%
San Jose, CA
very-high cost of living
$192K
+12%
Seattle, WA
high cost of living
$183K
+7%

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Product Designer make in Washington DC?+
The median total compensation for a Product Designer in Washington DC is $171K, with the 25th to 75th percentile range spanning $143K to $212K. This is 5% above the national average of $163K.
What companies hire Product Designers in Washington DC?+
Top employers for Product Designers in Washington DC include Amazon (HQ2), Microsoft, Palantir, Capital One, Appian. The DC metro area has a unique tech ecosystem driven by government contracts, cybersecurity, and defense tech.
Is Washington DC a good city for Product Designers?+
Washington DC has a strong product job market with approximately 1,200+ open product roles. The cost of living is high. Strong industries include Cybersecurity, B2B SaaS (General), Fintech.
How does Product Designer salary in Washington DC compare to other cities?+
Washington DC pays 5% above the national average for Product Designers. For comparison, San Francisco pays +20%, New York pays +12%, and Austin is the baseline. Similar markets include New York City, Boston, Raleigh, Baltimore.
Do Product Designers in Washington DC earn more with AI experience?+
Yes. The AI specialization premium for Product Designers in Washington DC is 12%, bringing the median from $171K to $192K. While Washington DC's AI ecosystem is still developing, companies here still pay the premium for AI-experienced PMs.
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