Physicians, Pathologists Salary
The median pay for a physicians, pathologists in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV is $237,190/year ($114.04/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $135K at the entry level to $330K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 108.88), so that salary is closer to $217,845 in real purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $2,246/month, or 16.4% of estimated take-home pay.
So what does $237K 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 physicians, pathologists
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What this looks like in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria
Pay for physicians, pathologists in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria runs about 24% below the U.S. median of $312K. Housing is manageable: a 2-bedroom at the HUD median costs $2,246/month, 17.2% 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. Lower pay, lower costs, Washington-Arlington-Alexandria can be a reasonable trade-off for physicians, pathologistss who value affordability over top-dollar markets.
Compared to nearby metros
Median pay for physicians, pathologists in metros near Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, adjusted for local cost of living.
| Metro | Median pay | COL-adjusted |
|---|---|---|
| Richmond | $240K | $245K |
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson | $289K | $276K |
COL-adjusted = median salary ÷ (BEA Regional Price Parity ÷ 100). Expresses purchasing power in national-average dollars.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
Entry-level physicians, pathologists (10th percentile) start around $135K. Mid-career wages sit at $237K. Top earners bring in $330K or more, a $195K spread from bottom to top.
Physicians, Pathologists pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
View Physicians, Pathologists salary in all states
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania | $413K | +32% | 210 |
| West Virginia | $400K | +28% | 50 |
| Nevada | $384K | +23% | 40 |
| Illinois | $382K | +22% | N/A |
| Minnesota | $362K | +16% | 550 |
| New Jersey | $356K | +14% | 230 |
| Texas | $346K | +11% | 1,530 |
| Indiana | $340K | +9% | 380 |
| Arizona | $338K | +8% | 270 |
| Kentucky | $324K | +4% | N/A |
| Iowa | $323K | +4% | 80 |
| Rhode Island | $323K | +3% | N/A |
| New York | $322K | +3% | 1,220 |
| Oklahoma | $318K | +2% | 130 |
| Florida | $314K | +0% | 370 |
| Ohio | $309K | -1% | 600 |
| Michigan | $303K | -3% | 140 |
| Washington | $301K | -4% | 200 |
| Colorado | $295K | -6% | 50 |
| Massachusetts | $285K | -9% | 320 |
| Missouri | $262K | -16% | N/A |
| Mississippi | $262K | -16% | 50 |
| Maryland | $254K | -19% | 70 |
| North Carolina | $249K | -20% | 340 |
| Virginia | $241K | -23% | 110 |
| South Carolina | $237K | -24% | 80 |
| Nebraska | $229K | -27% | 90 |
| Kansas | $224K | -28% | 30 |
| Arkansas | $214K | -31% | 130 |
| Georgia | $212K | -32% | 170 |
| Vermont | $188K | -40% | N/A |
| California | $186K | -40% | 1,790 |
| Wisconsin | $84K | -73% | 130 |
Showing 1–10 of 33 states
BLS does not publish data for every state when sample sizes are too small
Track physicians, pathologists 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 physicians, pathologist afford a 2BR apartment alone in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria?
Yes — at the median salary of $237K, rent takes 17.2% 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 physicians, pathologists in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new physicians, pathologists typically earn — is $135K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $8,087/month. At HUD’s $2,246/month FMR, rent would take 28% of that take-home — manageable on an entry-level income.
Is physicians, pathologist a high-paying job in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria?
Local pay runs 24% below the national median — $237K here vs. $312K nationally.
How does Washington-Arlington-Alexandria compare to the national average for physicians, pathologists?
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria pays $237K median vs. the U.S. average of $312K — that’s -24%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 108.88), the purchasing-power equivalent is $218K — below the national median.
How much do physicians, pathologists make in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
The median is $237,190 a year, that works out to about $114 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $134,790, and experienced physicians, pathologists can clear $329,560. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $237K enough to live in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $13,085/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,246/month, which eats 17.2% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a physicians, pathologists 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 physicians, pathologists salary is worth about $217,845 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do physicians, pathologists 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.