Environmental Scientists and Specialists Pay Range in District of Columbia
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$78,270
- 25th Percentile — Junior$98,410
- 50th Percentile — Median$132,620
- 75th Percentile — Senior$161,470
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$185,220
Half of Environmental Scientists and Specialists in District of Columbia earn more than $132,620. The top 10% make $185,220 or more, while entry-level workers start around $78,270.
Environmental Scientists and Specialists in District of Columbia: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- District of Columbia ranks 1st of 51 states for Environmental Scientists and Specialists pay, at $133,190 per year (45.3% above the U.S. average of $91,680).
- 1,270 people work as Environmental Scientists and Specialists in District of Columbia — 1.4% of all U.S. Environmental Scientists and Specialists jobs.
- Location quotient 3.15: Environmental Scientists and Specialists jobs are more concentrated in District of Columbia than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $78,270; the top 10% earn over $185,220.
- Hourly equivalent: $64.03 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- Among science jobs in District of Columbia, Economists pays the most ($175,100).
Environmental Scientists and Specialists Job Market in District of Columbia
Key factors affecting compensation
District of Columbia's key industries are Government, Finance, Technology, and its job market is rated very strong. Environmental Scientists and Specialists here earn $133,190 on average, placing the state 1st nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 1.52 (U.S. = 1.00), a District of Columbia salary of $133,190 is roughly equivalent to $87,625 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, California ($112,360), Massachusetts ($104,760), Rhode Island ($104,460) are the closest alternatives for Environmental Scientists and Specialists weighing a move.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
Other Science Jobs in District of Columbia
Related career salary benchmarks
- Economists $175,100/yr District of Columbia +31.5% vs this role
- Physicists $156,320/yr District of Columbia +17.4% vs this role
- Chemists $148,840/yr District of Columbia +11.8% vs this role
- Atmospheric and Space Scientists $143,270/yr District of Columbia +7.6% vs this role
- Materials Scientists $141,040/yr District of Columbia +5.9% vs this role
- Urban and Regional Planners $135,050/yr District of Columbia +1.4% vs this role
- Biochemists and Biophysicists $121,400/yr District of Columbia 8.9% vs this role
- Medical Scientists $119,310/yr District of Columbia 10.4% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Environmental Scientists and Specialists salary in District of Columbia?
The average Environmental Scientists and Specialists salary in District of Columbia is $133,190 per year (median $132,620), which is 45.3% above the national average of $91,680.
How does District of Columbia rank for Environmental Scientists and Specialists pay?
District of Columbia ranks 1st out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is District of Columbia ($133,190/yr).
How much do entry-level Environmental Scientists and Specialists make in District of Columbia?
The lowest-paid 10% of Environmental Scientists and Specialists in District of Columbia earn about $78,270 per year and the 25th percentile is $98,410.
How much do Environmental Scientists and Specialists make per hour in District of Columbia?
About $64.03 per hour, based on the $133,190 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Environmental Scientists and Specialists work in District of Columbia?
BLS counts 1,270 Environmental Scientists and Specialists jobs in District of Columbia (OEWS May 2025).
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