10 Largest Employers in the Washington, DC Area

The largest employer in the Washington, DC, area is, of course, the federal government. Next, public school systems hire the most number of people. In addition, there are many large employers in the region.

The Washington Business Journal ranks the companies based in Washington, DC, Maryland, and Virginia. Here are the companies at the top of the list—the 10 largest employers in the region (besides the federal and local governments).

These large employers may be an excellent place to search for a job. Many of them have multiple locations around the region. You can find technical positions, engineering jobs, financial service jobs, healthcare, and more.

This list is based on a survey by the Washington Business Journal, July 2017. The ranking is based on the number of local area employees.

Industry: Healthcare
Location: Based in Columbia, Maryland
Employees: Approximately 17,400

As the largest healthcare provider in Maryland and the Washington, DC area, MedStar operates 10 hospitals, the MedStar Health Research Institute, MedStar Medical Group, plus other programs, and services. Their associates also provide primary care, urgent care, and home health care services in communities and homes across the region. Search for Current Job Openings

Industry: Hospitality/Travel
Location: Based in Bethesda, Maryland
Employees: Approximately 16,700

The global lodging company is a Fortune 500, with nearly 4,500 properties in 87 countries and territories. Marriott operates and franchises hotels with more than a dozen brands including JW Marriott, Marriott Marquis, the Ritz Carlton, Courtyard by Marriott, Fairfield Inn & Suites, Residence Inn By Marriott and more. Search for Current Job Openings

Industry: Hospital/Health Care
Location: Based in Falls Church, Virginia
Employees: Approximately 16,000

Inova is a not-for-profit healthcare system based in Northern Virginia that is a nationally recognized, network of hospitals, outpatient services and facilities, primary and specialty care physician practices, and health and wellness initiatives. Jobs range from health care practitioners to training and development to education to IT and engineering. Search for Current Job Openings

Industry: Technology Consulting
Location: Based in McLean, Virginia
Employees: Approximately 15,200

Booz Allen Hamilton provides management and technology consulting, and engineering services to leading Fortune 500 corporations, governments, and not-for-profits across the globe. Booz Allen partners with public and private sector clients to solve their most difficult challenges through a combination of consulting, analytics, mission operations, technology, systems delivery, cybersecurity, engineering, and innovation expertise. Search for Current Job Openings

Industry: Public University
Location: Based in College Park, Maryland
Employees: Approximately 14,000

The University of Maryland is the state's flagship university and one of the nation's preeminent public research universities. A global leader in research, entrepreneurship, and innovation, the university is home to more than 37,000 students, 9,000 faculty and staff, and 250 academic programs. Its faculty includes three Nobel laureates, three Pulitzer Prize winners, 56 members of the national academies, and scores of Fulbright scholars. Search for Current Job Openings

Industry: Groceries
Location: Based in Landover, Maryland
Employees: Approximately 10,700

Giant Food operates 169 supermarkets in Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, and the District of Columbia. Included within the 169 stores are 160 full-service pharmacies. Search for Current Job Openings

Industry: Professional Services and Accounting
Location: Based in McLean, Virginia
Employees: Approximately 9,500

Deloitte provides industry-leading audit, consulting, tax, and advisory services to many of the world’s most admired brands, including 80 percent of the Fortune 500 companies. Search for Current Job Openings

(Parent company General Dynamics)
Industry: Information Technology
Location: Based in Falls Church, Virginia
Employees: Approximately 9,050

CSRA transforms business problems into successful business outcomes using leading technologies such as Agile development, ERP implementations, cloud platforms, and more. Search for Current Job Openings

Industry: Technology and Engineering
Location: Based in Reston, Virginia
Employees: Approximately 9,000

Leidos provides innovative technology and sector expertise to customers in defense, intelligence, civil, and health markets. Search for Current Job Openings

Industry: Communications
Location: Based in Washington, DC
Employees: Approximately 8,300

Verizon is one of the largest technology communications companies in the world. The company operates America’s largest 4G LTE wireless network and the all-fiber broadband network. Jobs are available in sales, software engineering, finance, customer service, finance, and more. Search for Current Job Openings

For additional employers in the area also see Largest Employers in Maryland.