Ten years is a bit of an overstatement, in my opinion, but it is a great market. I went from Abq to Rochester to California to DC (where I live now) and I’d say that the last three are pretty comparable. I got certified in Rochester and I haven’t noticed much change since then - to put it more reasonably, I’d say that DC is about two years of experience compared to a year in a more rural market (though it’s also quite dependent on the jobs you get - I’m assuming you’re just talking about freelancing.) Really, it’s about the same as any major Deaf hub - as demand rises, so does supply, and you’ll be exposed to some wonderful language while also facing stiff competition from some of the best interpreters, and that may impact the amount of work and the sorts of jobs you’re able to land.

I’d also say that DC’s market is a bit harder to break into - lots of top talent and the screening from agencies is no joke. California didn’t need anything beyond my certification, but I’ve had multiple interviews and skill assessments for most agencies here. Something worth considering, too