How Much Does It Cost to Hire an Employee in District of Columbia? (2026)
State-specific payroll taxes, workers' comp, and total employer costs in District of Columbia.
Total Cost at $60K Salary
$65,751
Cost multiplier: 1.1x
SUTA Rate (Mid)
1.7%
Wage base: $9,000
Workers' Comp Rate
1.35%
Has state income tax
District of Columbia Employer Tax Details
State-specific payroll obligations for employers
| SUTA Rate Range | 0.16% – 7.0% |
| SUTA New Employer Rate (typical) | 1.7% |
| SUTA Wage Base | $9,000 |
| Workers' Compensation (avg) | 1.35% of payroll |
| State Income Tax | Yes |
| Paid Family Leave (employer share) | 0.26% |
Example Employer Costs in District of Columbia
Mandatory employer taxes only (no benefits or overhead)
| Component | $40,000 Salary | $60,000 Salary | $80,000 Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Social Security (6.2%) | $2,480 | $3,720 | $4,960 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | $580 | $870 | $1,160 |
| FUTA | $42 | $42 | $42 |
| SUTA (DC) | $153 | $153 | $153 |
| Workers' Comp | $540 | $810 | $1,080 |
| State Programs (DI/PFL) | $104 | $156 | $208 |
| Total Employer Taxes | $3,899 | $5,751 | $7,603 |
| Total Cost (salary + taxes) | $43,899 (1.1x) | $65,751 (1.1x) | $87,603 (1.1x) |
These estimates include mandatory employer payroll taxes only. Add benefits ($7K-$17K) and overhead (~10% of salary) for full cost.
How District of Columbia Compares
District of Columbia's typical SUTA rate of 1.7% is in line with the national average of ~1.70%.
Workers' compensation at 1.35% of payroll is above the national average of ~1.20%.
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