How much does a physical scientist make in Washington?
Median yearly pay for physical scientists in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area. That is $82.20 an hour or $14,250 a month.
- Hourly
- $82.20
- Vs. national median
- +39%
- Rank among cities
- 3 of 68
- Jobs in the area
- 2,740
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $95,870 | $46.09 | |
| 25th | $131,800 | $63.37 | |
| Median | $171,000 | $82.20 | |
| 75th | $195,200 | $93.84 | |
| 90th | $263,600 | $126.72 |
Other cities in District of Columbia
Median yearly pay for physical scientists.
| No other city in the state with data. |
Related jobs in Washington
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Physicist | $171,600 |
| 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 |
| Materials Scientist | $127,500 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a physical scientist make an hour in Washington?
The median hourly pay in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area is $82.20 ($171,000 a year).
Do physical scientists make more in Washington than the national average?
Yes: $171,000 against $122,600 nationally, 39% more.
How does Washington compare with the rest of District of Columbia?
The median in District of Columbia is $156,700, so Washington pays 9% more.
Where does Washington rank for physical scientist pay?
3 of 68 metro areas with data.
How much does a physical scientist make starting out in Washington?
The lowest-paid 10% make $95,870 or less a year; the top 10% make $263,600 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.