Biochemist and Biophysicist Salary in Washington, DC
Biochemists and Biophysicists in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn a median $103,660 a year — 19% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $75,912 take-home, or $6,326 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median biochemist and biophysicist salary in Washington, DC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$13,975
- Social Security (6.2%)$6,427
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,503
- District of Columbia income tax$5,843
- Take-home pay$75,912
Marginal rate: 22% 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.
Biochemist and Biophysicist pay by experience in Washington, DC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $65,510 | $31.50 | $52,006 | $4,334 |
| 25th percentile | $70,770 | $34.02 | $55,463 | $4,622 |
| Median (50th) | $103,660 | $49.84 | $75,912 | $6,326 |
| 75th percentile | $129,970 | $62.49 | $92,022 | $7,668 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $167,550 | $80.55 | $114,513 | $9,543 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, District of Columbia resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $103,660 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 biochemist and biophysicist's $75,912 take-home pay has the buying power of $69,718 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Biochemist and Biophysicist jobs are less concentrated in Washington, DC than nationally (location quotient 0.72), so openings may be scarcer.
Best-paying cities for biochemists and biophysicists, adjusted for cost of living
Washington, DC ranks #9 of 9 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Philadelphia, PA | $134,090 | $98,800 | $96,339 |
| 2 | San Francisco, CA | $165,050 | $110,812 | $95,847 |
| 3 | Worcester, MA | $125,420 | $90,940 | $88,702 |
| 4 | Trenton, NJ | $124,300 | $90,497 | $87,708 |
| 5 | Boston, MA | $131,550 | $94,823 | $87,583 |
| 6 | Los Angeles, CA | $131,700 | $91,552 | $80,616 |
| 7 | San Diego, CA | $121,740 | $85,799 | $76,684 |
| 8 | New York, NY | $109,620 | $80,520 | $71,534 |
| 9 | Washington, DC | $103,660 | $75,912 | $69,718 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 9 metros →
Frequently asked questions
How much does a biochemist and biophysicist make in Washington, DC?
The median biochemist and biophysicist salary in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area is $103,660 a year, or about $49.84 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $70,770 and $129,970.
What is a biochemist and biophysicist’s take-home pay in Washington, DC?
On the median $103,660 salary, a single filer living in District of Columbia takes home about $75,912 a year ($6,326 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $5,843 in District of Columbia taxes in 2026.
Is Washington, DC a good place to work as a biochemist and biophysicist?
Pay here is 19% below the national median of $127,410. Local prices are 8.9% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $69,718 would in a typical U.S. city. Washington, DC ranks #9 of 9 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a biochemist and biophysicist 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) — 31% of a median biochemist and biophysicist’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Washington, DC
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