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District of Columbia Economy
Unemployment was 5.6% in Sep 2026, the 51st lowest of 51 states. Personal income averages $111,185 per person.
- Unemployment rate
- 5.6%
- -1.0 pts in a year
- Labor force
- 402,894
- -1.4% in a year
- Income per person
- $111,185
- BEA, 2024
- Average annual pay
- $128,901
- QCEW, 2025
Unemployment rate in District of Columbia
Monthly, seasonally adjusted, compared with the U.S.
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| Period | District of Columbia |
|---|---|
| Sep 2026 | 5.6% |
| Dec 2025 | 6.7% |
| Dec 2024 | 5.6% |
| Dec 2023 | 5.1% |
| Dec 2022 | 4.7% |
| Dec 2021 | 6.1% |
| Dec 2020 | 7.8% |
| Dec 2019 | 5.4% |
| Dec 2018 | 5.9% |
| Dec 2017 | 5.9% |
| Dec 2016 | 6.3% |
| Dec 2015 | 6.5% |
| Dec 2014 | 7.4% |
| Dec 2013 | 8.0% |
| Dec 2012 | 8.6% |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Local Area Unemployment Statistics · Last updated 09/01/2026
Counties in District of Columbia
Unemployment (Sep 2026, not seasonally adjusted), income per person (BEA) and average pay (QCEW). Largest labor force first.
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| # | County | Unemployment | 1 year | Labor force | Income per person | Average pay |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 5.3% | -1.5 pts | 401,751 | $111,185 | $128,892 |
Jobs and pay by industry in District of Columbia
Private employers, annual average 2025 (Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages)
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| Industry | Jobs | 1-year change | Average pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Professional and technical services | 115,138 | -5.5% | $198,031 |
| Health care and social assistance | 74,262 | +3.6% | $86,766 |
| Other services | 65,542 | -5.1% | $125,067 |
| Administrative and support services | 47,342 | -0.1% | $76,802 |
| Educational services | 44,535 | -0.8% | $87,350 |
| Retail trade | 19,825 | -0.8% | $52,831 |
| Management of companies | 3,204 | -0.8% | $297,134 |
Government employs 185,546 people (25.0% of all jobs): 185,546 federal, - state and - local.
Output and businesses in District of Columbia
Bureau of Economic Analysis and Census Bureau
- GDP
- $184B
- 2024, current dollars
- Real GDP growth
- +1.3%
- Adjusted for inflation
- Employer businesses
- 23,801
- 558,653 employees
- Professional and technical services5,73824.1%
- Other services4,28618.0%
- Accommodation and food services2,81711.8%
- Health care and social assistance2,3589.9%
- Retail trade1,6536.9%
- Real estate and rental1,5026.3%
- Finance and insurance1,0794.5%
- Administrative and support services9704.1%
- Information8513.6%
- Educational services6612.8%
Source: BEA Regional Economic Accounts; Census County Business Patterns 2023
Frequently asked questions
- What is the unemployment rate in District of Columbia?
- District of Columbia's unemployment rate was 5.6% in Sep 2026, seasonally adjusted, compared with 4.2% for the U.S.
- What is the largest industry in District of Columbia?
- Professional and technical services is the largest private employer with 115,138 jobs, followed by health care and social assistance (74,262) and other services (65,542).
- What is the average salary in District of Columbia?
- The average annual pay for jobs covered by unemployment insurance in District of Columbia was $128,901 in 2025, or $2,479 a week.
- How big is District of Columbia's economy?
- District of Columbia's GDP was $184B in 2024, about $262,439 per resident.