Physicist Salary in Washington, DC
Physicists in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn a median $171,580 a year — 0% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $116,925 take-home, or $9,744 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
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- Federal income tax$29,913
- Social Security (6.2%)$10,638
- Medicare (1.45%)$2,488
- District of Columbia income tax$11,616
- Take-home pay$116,925
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.
Physicist pay by experience in Washington, DC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $98,950 | $47.57 | $72,999 | $6,083 |
| 25th percentile | $134,990 | $64.90 | $95,026 | $7,919 |
| Median (50th) | $171,580 | $82.49 | $116,925 | $9,744 |
| 75th percentile | $195,190 | $93.84 | $131,718 | $10,977 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $225,680 | $108.50 | $151,002 | $12,583 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, District of Columbia resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $171,580 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 physicist's $116,925 take-home pay has the buying power of $107,385 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 3.7× the national concentration of physicist jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for physicists, adjusted for cost of living
Washington, DC ranks #2 of 7 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York, NY | $181,970 | $125,947 | $111,890 |
| 2 | Washington, DC | $171,580 | $116,925 | $107,385 |
| 3 | San Jose, CA | $173,450 | $115,663 | $104,745 |
| 4 | Los Angeles, CA | $160,270 | $108,052 | $95,144 |
| 5 | Chicago, IL | $137,140 | $98,358 | $94,944 |
| 6 | Boulder, CO | $104,580 | $78,509 | $74,627 |
| 7 | Boston, MA | $106,000 | $78,321 | $72,341 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 7 metros →
Frequently asked questions
How much does a physicist make in Washington, DC?
The median physicist salary in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area is $171,580 a year, or about $82.49 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $134,990 and $195,190.
What is a physicist’s take-home pay in Washington, DC?
On the median $171,580 salary, a single filer living in District of Columbia takes home about $116,925 a year ($9,744 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $11,616 in District of Columbia taxes in 2026.
Is Washington, DC a good place to work as a physicist?
Pay here is 0% below the national median of $172,250. Local prices are 8.9% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $107,385 would in a typical U.S. city. Washington, DC ranks #2 of 7 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a physicist 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 physicist’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
- 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