How much does a life scientist make in Washington?
Median yearly pay for life scientists in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area. That is $60.63 an hour or $10,510 a month.
- Hourly
- $60.63
- Vs. national median
- +35%
- Rank among cities
- 2 of 29
- Jobs in the area
- 340
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $90,620 | $43.57 | |
| 25th | $103,700 | $49.88 | |
| Median | $126,100 | $60.63 | |
| 75th | $162,300 | $78.01 | |
| 90th | $241,300 | $115.99 |
Other cities in District of Columbia
Median yearly pay for life scientists.
| No other city in the state with data. |
Related jobs in Washington
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Physicist | $171,600 |
| Physical Scientist | $171,000 |
| Astronomer | $156,800 |
| Economist | $156,800 |
| Political Scientist | $156,700 |
| Hydrologist | $152,700 |
| Chemist | $144,700 |
| Social Scientist and Related Worker | $138,300 |
| Geoscientist | $132,600 |
| Psychologist | $129,700 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a life scientist make an hour in Washington?
The median hourly pay in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area is $60.63 ($126,100 a year).
Do life scientists make more in Washington than the national average?
Yes: $126,100 against $93,750 nationally, 35% more.
How does Washington compare with the rest of District of Columbia?
The median in District of Columbia is $167,600, so Washington pays 25% less.
Where does Washington rank for life scientist pay?
2 of 29 metro areas with data.
How much does a life scientist make starting out in Washington?
The lowest-paid 10% make $90,620 or less a year; the top 10% make $241,300 or more.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.