Physicists Pay Range in District of Columbia
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$86,820
- 25th Percentile — Junior$123,090
- 50th Percentile — Median$157,040
- 75th Percentile — Senior$195,190
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$202,360
Half of Physicists in District of Columbia earn more than $157,040. The top 10% make $202,360 or more, while entry-level workers start around $86,820.
Physicists in District of Columbia: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- District of Columbia ranks 26th of 43 states for Physicists pay, at $156,320 per year (8.7% below the U.S. average of $171,180).
- 480 people work as Physicists in District of Columbia — 2.3% of all U.S. Physicists jobs.
- Location quotient 5.24: Physicists jobs are more concentrated in District of Columbia than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $86,820; the top 10% earn over $202,360.
- Hourly equivalent: $75.15 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is Florida at $219,910.
- Among science jobs in District of Columbia, Economists pays the most ($175,100).
Physicists 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. Physicists here earn $156,320 on average, placing the state 26th nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 1.52 (U.S. = 1.00), a District of Columbia salary of $156,320 is roughly equivalent to $102,842 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Oklahoma ($162,530), Arizona ($159,730), Virginia ($159,320) are the closest alternatives for Physicists 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 +12.0% vs this role
- Chemists $148,840/yr District of Columbia 4.8% vs this role
- Atmospheric and Space Scientists $143,270/yr District of Columbia 8.3% vs this role
- Materials Scientists $141,040/yr District of Columbia 9.8% vs this role
- Urban and Regional Planners $135,050/yr District of Columbia 13.6% vs this role
- Environmental Scientists and Specialists $133,190/yr District of Columbia 14.8% vs this role
- Biochemists and Biophysicists $121,400/yr District of Columbia 22.3% vs this role
- Medical Scientists $119,310/yr District of Columbia 23.7% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Physicists salary in District of Columbia?
The average Physicists salary in District of Columbia is $156,320 per year (median $157,040), which is 8.7% below the national average of $171,180.
How does District of Columbia rank for Physicists pay?
District of Columbia ranks 26th out of 43 states. The highest-paying state is Florida ($219,910/yr).
How much do entry-level Physicists make in District of Columbia?
The lowest-paid 10% of Physicists in District of Columbia earn about $86,820 per year and the 25th percentile is $123,090.
How much do Physicists make per hour in District of Columbia?
About $75.15 per hour, based on the $156,320 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Physicists work in District of Columbia?
BLS counts 480 Physicists jobs in District of Columbia (OEWS May 2025).
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