Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other Salary
The median pay for a social scientists and related workers, all other in District of Columbia is $128,440/year ($61.75/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $84K at the entry level to $171K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 108.88), so that salary is closer to $117,965 in real purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $2,146/month, or 28.3% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across District of Columbia. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $128K get you in District of Columbia?
About social scientists and related workers, all others
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What this looks like in District of Columbia
District of Columbia sits well above the national pay line for social scientists and related workers, all other, local pay runs about 27% higher than the U.S. median of $101K. Rent runs $2,146/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 28.5% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Cost-of-living overall is 9% above the national average (BEA RPP 108.88), so groceries and services cost more too. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, District of Columbia
Entry-level social scientists and related workers, all others (10th percentile) start around $84K. Mid-career wages sit at $128K. Top earners bring in $171K or more, a $87K spread from bottom to top.
Social Scientists and Related Workers, 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 | $138K | +8% | 6,220 |
Compare to other states
Track social scientists and related workers, 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 social scientists and related workers, all other afford a 2BR apartment alone in District of Columbia?
Yes — at the median salary of $128K, rent takes 28.5% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $2,146/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for social scientists and related workers, all others in District of Columbia?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new social scientists and related workers, all others typically earn — is $84K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $5,033/month. At HUD’s $2,146/month FMR, rent would take 43% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is social scientists and related workers, all other a high-paying job in District of Columbia?
Local pay is 27% above the national median — $128K here vs. $101K nationally. Keep in mind cost of living here is 9% above the national average, which offsets some of that premium.
How does District of Columbia compare to the national average for social scientists and related workers, all others?
District of Columbia pays $128K median vs. the U.S. average of $101K — that’s +27%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 108.88), the purchasing-power equivalent is $118K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do social scientists and related workers, all others make in District of Columbia?
The median is $128,440 a year, that works out to about $62 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $83,890, and experienced social scientists and related workers, all others can clear $170,980. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $128K enough to live in District of Columbia?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $7,539/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,146/month, which eats 28.5% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a social scientists and related workers, 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 social scientists and related workers, all other salary is worth about $117,965 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do social scientists and related workers, 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.