Overview
About Data & ML Jobs in Washington DC roles
Washington DC offers a uniquely stable and high-impact ecosystem for Data & ML professionals, driven by the intersection of federal government initiatives, defense technology, and a burgeoning GovTech startup scene. While salaries may not match the astronomical peaks of Silicon Valley, the region compensates with excellent job security, strong benefits, and competitive compensation packages, with major employers like Booz Allen Hamilton, Amazon's HQ2, and specialized startups actively recruiting talent for complex public sector challenges. A unique dynamic in this market is the frequent requirement for active security clearances, which can significantly boost an engineer's earning potential and reduce candidate competition for handling sensitive, large-scale datasets.
Hiring demand for Data & ML roles in Washington DC remains exceptionally resilient, largely insulated from broader tech sector layoffs due to sustained federal AI investments and defense modernization contracts. We are seeing a steady year-over-year increase in openings, particularly among mid-stage GovTech startups and established contractors seeking cleared talent for applied machine learning and data engineering positions.
Salary Insights
Data & ML Jobs in Washington DC salary overview
The median salary range across these 58 positions is $132K–$172K. Top earners make $195K+.
Careers
Latest openings
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FAQ
Frequently asked questions
How much of a salary premium do Data & ML engineers with a security clearance command in Washington DC?
Data scientists and ML engineers with active Top Secret (TS) or TS/SCI clearances in the DC metro area typically command a 15% to 25% salary premium over their non-cleared counterparts, often pushing senior base salaries well above $180,000.
Which types of startups are hiring the most Data & ML talent in the DC area right now?
The highest hiring volume is currently concentrated in GovTech, cybersecurity, and defense tech startups. Companies are actively recruiting ML engineers to build AI-driven threat detection systems, natural language processing tools for policy analysis, and predictive models for federal agencies.
Are there remote-friendly Data & ML roles based in Washington DC, or is on-site work required?
While many commercial startups in DC offer hybrid or fully remote flexibility, Data & ML roles requiring a security clearance or involving classified federal datasets generally mandate on-site work in secure facilities (SCIFs) for at least part of the week.
