Biological Scientists, All Other Salary
In District of Columbia, biological scientists, all others earn $84,590 at the median, or about $40.67 an hour. The range runs from $52K at the entry level to $212K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 108.88), so that salary is closer to $77,691 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $2,146/month, about 40.4% of take-home, which is tight.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across District of Columbia. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $85K get you in District of Columbia?
About biological scientists, all others
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What this looks like in District of Columbia
Pay for biological scientists, all other in District of Columbia runs about 14% below the U.S. median of $99K. The catch: housing math doesn't keep up. A 2-bedroom at the HUD median rents for $2,146/month, which is 40.5% of the median worker's take-home, past the 30% guideline most planners use. Cost-of-living overall is 9% above the national average (BEA RPP 108.88), so groceries and services cost more too. That combination, below-market pay with high housing costs, makes this a financially demanding market for biological scientists, all others.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, District of Columbia
Entry-level biological scientists, all others (10th percentile) start around $52K. Mid-career wages sit at $85K. Top earners bring in $212K or more, a $160K spread from bottom to top.
Biological Scientists, All Other salary by metro in District of Columbia
1 metro area with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria | $115K | +36% | 5,720 |
Compare to other states
Track biological scientists, all other salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when District of Columbia numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a biological scientists, all other afford a 2BR apartment alone in District of Columbia?
It’s a stretch — at the median salary of $85K, rent takes 40.5% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $2,146/month. The 30% guideline puts the comfortable ceiling at roughly $1,600/month in rent — so roommates or a 1-bedroom would ease the math significantly.
What’s the entry-level salary for biological scientists, all others in District of Columbia?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new biological scientists, all others typically earn — is $52K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $3,091/month. At HUD’s $2,146/month FMR, rent would take 69% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is biological scientists, all other a high-paying job in District of Columbia?
Local pay runs 14% below the national median — $85K here vs. $99K nationally.
How does District of Columbia compare to the national average for biological scientists, all others?
District of Columbia pays $85K median vs. the U.S. average of $99K — that’s -14%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 108.88), the purchasing-power equivalent is $78K — below the national median.
How much do biological scientists, all others make in District of Columbia?
The median is $84,590 a year, that works out to about $41 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $51,510, and experienced biological scientists, all others can clear $211,910. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $85K enough to live in District of Columbia?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,295/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,146/month, which eats 40.5% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb, housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a biological scientists, all other salary go in District of Columbia?
District of Columbia has a Regional Price Parity of 108.88 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median biological scientists, all other salary is worth about $77,691 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do biological scientists, all others get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.