Natural Sciences Manager Salary in Washington, DC
Natural Sciences Managers in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn a median $169,060 a year — 1% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $115,417 take-home, or $9,618 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median natural sciences manager salary in Washington, DC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$29,308
- Social Security (6.2%)$10,482
- Medicare (1.45%)$2,451
- District of Columbia income tax$11,402
- Take-home pay$115,417
Marginal rate: 24% federal + 8.50% state
The Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro spans District of Columbia, Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Natural Sciences Manager pay by experience in Washington, DC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $123,920 | $59.58 | $88,401 | $7,367 |
| 25th percentile | $138,980 | $66.82 | $97,414 | $8,118 |
| Median (50th) | $169,060 | $81.28 | $115,417 | $9,618 |
| 75th percentile | $195,190 | $93.84 | $131,718 | $10,977 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $232,340 | $111.70 | $154,808 | $12,901 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, District of Columbia resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $169,060 buys in Washington, DC
Prices in Washington, DC are 8.9% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.51× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median natural sciences manager's $115,417 take-home pay has the buying power of $106,000 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Washington, DC has 2.7× the national concentration of natural sciences manager jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for natural sciences managers, adjusted for cost of living
Washington, DC ranks #7 of 8 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Boston, MA | $239,200+ | $195,208 | $180,304 |
| 2 | San Francisco, CA | $225,230 | $147,276 | $127,387 |
| 3 | San Diego, CA | $207,200 | $136,496 | $121,995 |
| 4 | Philadelphia, PA | $172,900 | $124,135 | $121,044 |
| 5 | Los Angeles, CA | $193,340 | $127,698 | $112,443 |
| 6 | New York, NY | $180,460 | $125,004 | $111,052 |
| 7 | Washington, DC | $169,060 | $115,417 | $106,000 |
| 8 | Houston, TX | $132,860 | $102,076 | $103,495 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 8 metros →
About the job: natural sciences managers
Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as life sciences, physical sciences, mathematics, statistics, and research and development in these fields.
- Typical education
- Bachelor's degree
- Work experience
- 5 years or more
- On-the-job training
- None
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +8.2% (faster than average)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a natural sciences manager make in Washington, DC?
The median natural sciences manager salary in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area is $169,060 a year, or about $81.28 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $138,980 and $195,190.
What is a natural sciences manager’s take-home pay in Washington, DC?
On the median $169,060 salary, a single filer living in District of Columbia takes home about $115,417 a year ($9,618 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $11,402 in District of Columbia taxes in 2026.
Is Washington, DC a good place to work as a natural sciences manager?
Pay here is 1% above the national median of $167,220. Local prices are 8.9% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $106,000 would in a typical U.S. city. Washington, DC ranks #7 of 8 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a natural sciences manager afford rent in Washington, DC?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Washington, DC is $1,990 a month ($2,223 for two bedrooms) — 21% of a median natural sciences manager’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
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