Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health Salary in Washington, DC
Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn a median $108,160 a year — 32% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $78,695 take-home, or $6,558 a month.
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Pre-filled with the median environmental scientists and specialists, including health salary in Washington, DC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$14,965
- Social Security (6.2%)$6,706
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,568
- District of Columbia income tax$6,225
- Take-home pay$78,695
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.
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health pay by experience in Washington, DC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $68,450 | $32.91 | $53,982 | $4,498 |
| 25th percentile | $83,980 | $40.38 | $63,740 | $5,312 |
| Median (50th) | $108,160 | $52.00 | $78,695 | $6,558 |
| 75th percentile | $148,850 | $71.56 | $103,321 | $8,610 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $184,350 | $88.63 | $124,568 | $10,381 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, District of Columbia resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $108,160 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 environmental scientists and specialists, including health's $78,695 take-home pay has the buying power of $72,275 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 1.5× the national concentration of environmental scientists and specialists, including health jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for environmental scientists and specialists, including health, adjusted for cost of living
Washington, DC ranks #3 of 5 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seattle, WA | $102,980 | $81,276 | $73,134 |
| 2 | Sacramento, CA | $108,430 | $77,847 | $72,979 |
| 3 | Washington, DC | $108,160 | $78,695 | $72,275 |
| 4 | Los Angeles, CA | $105,340 | $76,000 | $66,922 |
| 5 | New York, NY | $85,510 | $64,966 | $57,715 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 5 metros →
About the job: environmental scientists and specialists, including health
Conduct research or perform investigation for the purpose of identifying, abating, or eliminating sources of pollutants or hazards that affect either the environment or public health. Using knowledge of various scientific disciplines, may collect, synthesize, study, report, and recommend action based on data derived from measurements or observations of air, food, soil, water, and other sources.
- Typical education
- Bachelor's degree
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- None
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +6.1% (faster than average)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a environmental scientists and specialists, including health make in Washington, DC?
The median environmental scientists and specialists, including health salary in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area is $108,160 a year, or about $52.00 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $83,980 and $148,850.
What is a environmental scientists and specialists, including health’s take-home pay in Washington, DC?
On the median $108,160 salary, a single filer living in District of Columbia takes home about $78,695 a year ($6,558 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $6,225 in District of Columbia taxes in 2026.
Is Washington, DC a good place to work as a environmental scientists and specialists, including health?
Pay here is 32% above the national median of $82,220. Local prices are 8.9% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $72,275 would in a typical U.S. city. Washington, DC ranks #3 of 5 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a environmental scientists and specialists, including health 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) — 30% of a median environmental scientists and specialists, including health’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Washington, DC
- Physical Scientists, All Other — $170,980
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- Political Scientist — $156,730
- Chemist — $144,680
- Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other — $138,250
- Biological Scientists, All Other — $114,920
- Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists — $107,110