Salary data is based on the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metropolitan area and applied to Washington using local cost-of-living adjustments.

Securities Salaries in Washington, DC

Average Base Pay

$89,002/yr

23% above national average

Monthly

$7,417

Hourly

$43

Cost Index

132

Securities in Washington, DC earn an average of $89,002 per year, with most salaries falling between $71,202 and $106,802 depending on experience, employer, and specialization. At 23% above the national average, Washington ranks among the higher-paying markets for this role, in part reflecting a local cost of living index of 132. For professionals evaluating a move or negotiating an offer, the headline salary is only part of the picture—what matters most is how far that income actually goes once taxes, rent, and daily expenses are factored in. The sections below break that down in full for Washington.

Salary Range

The chart below shows the full compensation spectrum for this role, from entry-level to senior positions. The highlighted center bars represent the 25th–75th percentile band where most professionals are paid.

$67K
Low

$89K
Median

$111K
High

25th percentile: $76K75th percentile: $102K

About Securities

Portfolio Managers make investment decisions for institutional or individual client funds, constructing and managing portfolios of equities, fixed income, alternatives, or multi-asset strategies with the objective of achieving target returns while managing risk. They develop investment theses based on fundamental analysis, macroeconomic views, and quantitative signals, then execute those views through security selection and portfolio construction. Portfolio managers set target allocations across asset classes, sectors, and geographies; select individual securities or funds within each allocation; size positions based on conviction and risk parameters; and hedge exposures using derivatives when appropriate. They monitor portfolio performance relative to benchmarks, attribute returns across sources, and rebalance to maintain target allocations as markets move. Risk management is central: tracking factor exposures, measuring portfolio volatility, and stress-testing against adverse scenarios. Portfolio managers communicate investment strategy and performance to investment committees, boards, and clients, requiring the ability to articulate a clear and defensible investment rationale. CFA charter is the industry's most respected credential for investment management professionals.

What Securities Do

Construct and manage investment portfolios aligned with stated objectives and mandates
Develop investment theses and conduct security selection
Monitor portfolio performance and attribute returns to sources
Manage portfolio risk including factor exposures and concentration
Rebalance portfolios as market conditions and client needs evolve
Conduct macroeconomic and market research to inform allocation decisions
Communicate strategy and performance to clients and investment committees
Ensure compliance with investment guidelines and regulatory requirements

Key Skills & Qualifications

Portfolio construction and asset allocation
Fundamental analysis and security valuation
Risk management including factor analysis and portfolio hedging
Bloomberg and financial data platform proficiency
Performance attribution methodology
CFA charter
Quantitative analysis using Python, R, or MATLAB
Client communication and investment presentation

Career Path

Research Analyst / Junior PM
Associate Portfolio Manager
Portfolio Manager
Senior Portfolio Manager
CIO / Managing Director

Securities Market in Washington, DC

Salary Competitiveness

Washington is one of the stronger-paying markets for Securities, with local salaries running approximately 23% above the national median. This premium typically reflects a combination of higher employer competition, concentrated industry presence, and elevated cost expectations built into local compensation norms.

Cost of Living Impact

The cost of living in Washington is well above the national average, and essential monthly expenses consume roughly 66% of take-home pay for this role. That compression means a higher gross salary buys less financial breathing room than the headline number suggests—particularly for housing, which tends to dominate the budget in high-cost markets.

Effective Purchasing Power

The purchasing power of $89,002 for a Securities in Washington is moderate: enough to meet essential expenses and build incremental savings, but requiring deliberate budgeting to avoid margin erosion—especially as rent and healthcare costs have outpaced wage growth across many mid-tier markets.

vs. National Avg

+23%

Cost Pressure

66%

Purchasing Power

Moderate

Take-Home Pay Calculator

Enter any gross salary to see how federal and state taxes affect your actual take-home pay, broken down by year, month, and week. Results use an estimated effective tax rate of 27% based on this location and income level.

Annual Salary

Take-home (73%)Taxes (27%)

Annual Net

$64,971

Monthly

$5,414

Weekly

$1,249

Eff. Tax Rate

27%

A gross salary of $89,002 for a Securities in Washington translates to roughly $5,414 in monthly take-home pay after estimated federal and state taxes. Set against monthly living costs of $3,555—covering housing, food, transportation, utilities, and healthcare—that leaves approximately $1,859 per month in disposable income. That margin, not the gross number, is what determines whether you can comfortably cover rent, build savings, and afford discretionary spending in Washington's current market.

How far does this salary go in Washington?

Cost of Living in Washington

Estimated monthly expenses for a single person in Washington, benchmarked against US regional price indices for housing, food, transportation, utilities, and healthcare.

Cost Index

132

High — US average is 100. Based on a single person (1-bed apartment).

🏠Housing / Rent$2,180/mo

🍔Food & Groceries$610/mo

🚗Transportation$170/mo

💡Utilities$205/mo

🏥Healthcare$390/mo

Monthly$3,555

Annual$42,660

Disposable Income$1,859

Financial Reality Check

This section compares estimated monthly take-home pay against typical living costs in Washington to show your real disposable income—the amount remaining after essential bills are paid each month.

Monthly Take-Home

$5,414

Living Costs

$3,555

Disposable

$1,859

Cost Index

132

Lifestyle

Moderate

With a monthly take-home of $5,414, your estimated living costs in Washington are $3,555 ($42,660/yr). This leaves $1,859 per month in disposable income, indicating a moderate standard of living. Washington's cost of living is 32% above the national average.

Overall, a Securities earning $89,002 in Washington falls into a moderate lifestyle tier and can cover essentials and hit modest savings goals, though discretionary spending warrants careful planning. With a cost index of 132, Washington is 32% more expensive than the national average, which compresses real purchasing power. Regardless of tier, prioritizing retirement contributions, an emergency fund of three to six months' expenses, and incremental debt reduction will yield the greatest long-term financial stability—especially as living costs in Washington continue to evolve.