Physicists Salary in District of Columbia
The median pay for a physicists in District of Columbia is $153,340/year ($73.72/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $83K at the entry level to $192K for experienced workers.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across District of Columbia. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $153K get you in District of Columbia?
About physicists
Sponsored links — AffordMap may earn a commission at no cost to you. Learn more
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, District of Columbia
Entry-level physicists (10th percentile) start around $83K. Mid-career wages sit at $153K. Top earners bring in $192K or more, a $109K spread from bottom to top.
Physicists 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 | $168K | +10% | 1,940 |
Compare to other states
Track physicists salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when District of Columbia numbers change.
Related careers in Science
Frequently asked questions
How much do physicists make in District of Columbia?
The median is $153,340 a year, that works out to about $74 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $82,780, and experienced physicists can clear $191,880. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $153K enough to live in District of Columbia?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $8,781/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,146/month, which eats 24.4% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a physicists salary go in District of Columbia?
District of Columbia has a Regional Price Parity of 100 (100 is the national average). That's right at the national average. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median physicists salary is worth about $140,834 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do physicists 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.