Mathematicians Salary
The median pay for a mathematicians in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV is $164,470/year ($79.07/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $75K at the entry level to $207K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 108.88), so that salary is closer to $151,056 in real purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $2,246/month, or 23.1% of estimated take-home pay.
So what does $164K get you in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria?
Groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare scaled from national averages by Washington-Arlington-Alexandria’s Regional Price Parity (108.88). Rent from HUD Fair Market Rents. Taxes estimated for single filer, standard deduction. * Healthcare is the employee-paid share only (premiums + out-of-pocket). Actual costs vary by coverage type: employer-sponsored, ACA marketplace, or uninsured.
About mathematicians
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What this looks like in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria sits well above the national pay line for mathematicians, local pay runs about 30% higher than the U.S. median of $127K. Housing is manageable: a 2-bedroom at the HUD median costs $2,246/month, 24.1% of take-home, well inside the 30% guideline. Cost-of-living overall is 9% above the national average (BEA RPP 108.88), so groceries and services cost more too. Combined with manageable housing costs, Washington-Arlington-Alexandria offers a genuinely strong financial position for mathematicianss at the median.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
Entry-level mathematicians (10th percentile) start around $75K. Mid-career wages sit at $164K. Top earners bring in $207K or more, a $133K spread from bottom to top.
Mathematicians pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
View Mathematicians salary in all states
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $162K | +28% | 100 |
| Virginia | $148K | +17% | 400 |
| Maryland | $132K | +4% | 160 |
| Illinois | $131K | +3% | 60 |
| New York | $127K | +0% | 150 |
| California | $127K | +0% | 250 |
| Rhode Island | $109K | -14% | 100 |
| Massachusetts | $104K | -18% | 40 |
| Nevada | $103K | -19% | 70 |
| Indiana | $88K | -31% | 40 |
| Colorado | $86K | -32% | 60 |
| Michigan | $66K | -48% | 90 |
Showing 1–10 of 12 states with published data
BLS does not publish data for every state when sample sizes are too small
Track mathematicians salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Washington-Arlington-Alexandria numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a mathematician afford a 2BR apartment alone in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria?
Yes — at the median salary of $164K, rent takes 24.1% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $2,246/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for mathematicians in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new mathematicians typically earn — is $75K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $4,499/month. At HUD’s $2,246/month FMR, rent would take 50% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is mathematician a high-paying job in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria?
Local pay is 30% above the national median — $164K here vs. $127K nationally. Keep in mind cost of living here is 9% above the national average, which offsets some of that premium.
How does Washington-Arlington-Alexandria compare to the national average for mathematicians?
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria pays $164K median vs. the U.S. average of $127K — that’s +30%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 108.88), the purchasing-power equivalent is $151K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do mathematicians make in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
The median is $164,470 a year, that works out to about $79 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $74,980, and experienced mathematicians can clear $207,480. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $164K enough to live in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $9,336/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,246/month, which eats 24.1% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a mathematicians salary go in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria?
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria 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 mathematicians salary is worth about $151,056 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do mathematicians 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.