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Tech workers in the D.C. region are seeing salaries nearly as high as their Silicon Valley peers.

Why it matters: Diversifying our economy is a top goal for regional leaders, given the perception — and, in part, the reality — that we are a government town.

By the numbers: Techies in San Francisco are still out-earning D.C. tech employees, but on average not by much, according to company data compiled by the management software firm Carta.

As of June, tech workers in the Washington metro make 97% of what those in San Francisco earn.

The big picture: Northern Virginia has become a magnet for the industry, with the Dulles Technology Corridor continuing its growth along the Silver Line and Amazon HQ2 going up in Arlington.

What they’re saying: “This region is shedding the image that it’s a government town,” said Jennifer Taylor, head of the Northern Virginia Technology Council, which has over 400 members in the tech industry.

What’s next: “Every time I turn around, everything’s about AI, machine learning, and autonomous systems,” Taylor told Axios.

Another bright spot: The cost of living in the region is 23% lower than in San Francisco, according to NerdWallet’s cost of living calculator.

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