H-1B Principal Engineer Salary in Washington, DC
Based on DOL LCA prevailing wage data · Updated June 2026
$198K
Median Salary
$170K
25th Percentile
$232K
75th Percentile
DOL Prevailing Wage Levels — Washington, DC
| Wage Level | Description | Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Level II | Entry to mid-level, some supervision required | $139,000 |
| Level III ★ | Experienced, works independently (most common) | $168,000 |
| Level IV | Senior / Lead, sets direction for others | $228,000 |
Source: DOL Foreign Labor Certification Data Center, OES Survey. DC wage area. Level III is the prevailing wage most commonly cited on H-1B LCA filings.
Top H-1B Employers for Principal Engineer in Washington, DC
B
Booz Allen HamiltonS
SAICL
LeidosC
Capital OneTax Note — DC
DC has a progressive income tax up to 10.75% for high earners.
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Salary data compiled from DOL LCA disclosure files and OES prevailing wage surveys. Updated from the latest available data (2025 OES survey, 2024–2026 LCA filings).