How much does a physicist make in Washington?
$171,600a year
Median yearly pay for physicists in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area. That is $82.49 an hour or $14,300 a month.
- Hourly
- $82.49
- Vs. national median
- +0%
- Rank among cities
- 16 of 60
- Jobs in the area
- 1,520
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $98,950Median: $171,600Highest 10%: $225,700
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $98,950 | $47.57 | |
| 25th | $135,000 | $64.90 | |
| Median | $171,600 | $82.49 | |
| 75th | $195,200 | $93.84 | |
| 90th | $225,700 | $108.50 |
Other cities in District of Columbia
Median yearly pay for physicists.
| No other city in the state with data. |
Related jobs in Washington
Same field, median yearly pay.
| 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 |
| Materials Scientist | $127,500 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a physicist make an hour in Washington?
The median hourly pay in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area is $82.49 ($171,600 a year).
Do physicists make more in Washington than the national average?
Yes: $171,600 against $172,300 nationally, 0% more.
How does Washington compare with the rest of District of Columbia?
The median in District of Columbia is $157,000, so Washington pays 9% more.
Where does Washington rank for physicist pay?
16 of 60 metro areas with data.
How much does a physicist make starting out in Washington?
The lowest-paid 10% make $98,950 or less a year; the top 10% make $225,700 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.