Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:
District of Columbia employs 31,290 Arts, Design & Entertainment professionals across 20 occupations. Explore salary ranges, top paying jobs, and career opportunities within the Arts, Design & Entertainment industry.
The best-compensated occupations within Arts, Design & Entertainment in District of Columbia, based on median salary data.
Complete breakdown of all occupations in the Arts, Design & Entertainment industry in District of Columbia, sorted by median salary (highest to lowest). Click any job title for state-specific salary details.
| # | Job Title | Median Salary | Mean Salary | Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Writers and Authors | $129,300 | $128,890 | 1,050 | $62/hr |
| 2 | Technical Writers | $117,810 | $112,210 | 440 | $56/hr |
| 3 | Photographers | $110,970 | $104,630 | 260 | $53/hr |
| 4 | Interpreters and Translators | $109,970 | $102,960 | 280 | $52/hr |
| 5 | Broadcast Technicians | $108,270 | $99,760 | 290 | $52/hr |
| 6 | Sound Engineering Technicians | $106,630 | $107,510 | 90 | $51/hr |
| 7 | News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $105,390 | $174,360 | 1,720 | $50/hr |
| 8 | Producers and Directors | $104,270 | $115,040 | 2,640 | $50/hr |
| 9 | Public Relations Specialists | $102,740 | $120,200 | 16,720 | $49/hr |
| 10 | Film and Video Editors | $98,830 | $96,280 | 370 | $47/hr |
| 11 | Interior Designers | $98,450 | $102,040 | 620 | $47/hr |
| 12 | Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film | $98,300 | $100,990 | 240 | $47/hr |
| 13 | Graphic Designers | $87,920 | $94,630 | 1,150 | $42/hr |
| 14 | Music Directors and Composers | $84,040 | $97,530 | 140 | $40/hr |
| 15 | Editors | $83,920 | $109,290 | 3,310 | $40/hr |
| 16 | Audio and Video Technicians | $78,770 | $82,040 | 830 | $37/hr |
| 17 | Set and Exhibit Designers | $76,900 | $81,770 | 190 | $36/hr |
| 18 | Coaches and Scouts | $65,360 | $83,290 | 630 | $31/hr |
| 19 | Floral Designers | $42,950 | $44,540 | 70 | $20/hr |
| 20 | Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $39,460 | $42,950 | 250 | $18/hr |
Explore salary data and job opportunities in other industries across District of Columbia:
District of Columbia has 20 Arts, Design & Entertainment occupations with 31,290 total employed workers (2025 BLS data).
The highest-paying Arts, Design & Entertainment occupation in District of Columbia is Writers and Authors with a median salary of $129,300/year.
The average median salary across 20 Arts, Design & Entertainment occupations in District of Columbia is $92,512/year.
Salaries in Arts, Design & Entertainment in District of Columbia range from $36,400 (entry-level) to $222,040 (senior) across all occupations.
Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) codes organize jobs into groups. Arts, Design & Entertainment occupations use SOC prefix 27. Data comes from BLS OEWS.
Data: BLS OEWS 2025. Salary figures represent May 2025 compensation for occupations classified under SOC code 27* in District of Columbia. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) reflect the lowest and highest earning 10% of workers. Our Methodology · Data Sources