Physical Scientists, All Other Salary in Washington, DC
Physical Scientists, All Other in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn a median $170,980 a year — 39% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $116,566 take-home, or $9,714 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median physical scientists, all other salary in Washington, DC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$29,769
- Social Security (6.2%)$10,601
- Medicare (1.45%)$2,479
- District of Columbia income tax$11,565
- Take-home pay$116,566
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.
Physical Scientists, All Other pay by experience in Washington, DC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $95,870 | $46.09 | $71,094 | $5,925 |
| 25th percentile | $131,810 | $63.37 | $93,123 | $7,760 |
| Median (50th) | $170,980 | $82.20 | $116,566 | $9,714 |
| 75th percentile | $195,190 | $93.84 | $131,718 | $10,977 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $263,580+ | $126.72 | $172,661 | $14,388 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, District of Columbia resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $170,980 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 physical scientists, all other's $116,566 take-home pay has the buying power of $107,055 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 6.1× the national concentration of physical scientists, all other jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for physical scientists, all other, adjusted for cost of living
Washington, DC ranks #1 of 9 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington, DC | $170,980 | $116,566 | $107,055 |
| 2 | Dallas, TX | $133,590 | $102,575 | $99,500 |
| 3 | Atlanta, GA | $137,680 | $98,847 | $98,790 |
| 4 | New York, NY | $139,560 | $99,461 | $88,361 |
| 5 | Los Angeles, CA | $136,160 | $94,128 | $82,884 |
| 6 | Baltimore, MD | $108,160 | $80,143 | $76,701 |
| 7 | Albany, NY | $99,460 | $73,972 | $74,295 |
| 8 | Houston, TX | $91,430 | $73,151 | $74,168 |
*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 physical scientists, all other make in Washington, DC?
The median physical scientists, all other salary in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area is $170,980 a year, or about $82.20 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $131,810 and $195,190.
What is a physical scientists, all other’s take-home pay in Washington, DC?
On the median $170,980 salary, a single filer living in District of Columbia takes home about $116,566 a year ($9,714 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $11,565 in District of Columbia taxes in 2026.
Is Washington, DC a good place to work as a physical scientists, all other?
Pay here is 39% above the national median of $122,570. Local prices are 8.9% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $107,055 would in a typical U.S. city. Washington, DC ranks #1 of 9 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a physical scientists, all other 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) — 20% of a median physical scientists, all other’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Washington, DC
- Physicist — $171,580
- Economist — $156,750
- Astronomer — $156,750
- Political Scientist — $156,730
- Chemist — $144,680
- Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other — $138,250
- Psychologists, All Other — $129,730
- Atmospheric and Space Scientist — $117,600
- Biological Scientists, All Other — $114,920
- Microbiologist — $114,800
- Occupational Health and Safety Specialist — $109,170
- Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health — $108,160