Physicists Salary in Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV

Median annual salary $168,280 +1.2% vs national
Median hourly $80.90
10th percentile $102,000
90th percentile $214,330
Employed locally 1,940
National median $166,290

Compare Physicists salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV stacks up on salary and cost of living.

Full tool →
Physicists
in
Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $102,000
    25th
    $130,120
    50th (median)
    $168,280
    75th
    $191,880
    90th
    $214,330

    Washington economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $123,896 2023 • Census ACS
    Physicists salary vs area income 136% Median Physicists salary is 36% above the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Physicists

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL $266,260
    Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN $226,750
    Cleveland, OH $225,930
    Minnesota $222,550
    Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL $219,070
    Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI $215,340

    Related occupations in Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV

    OccupationMedian salary
    Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other $137,610
    Biological Scientists, All Other $105,580
    Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists $112,120
    Economists $157,980
    Political Scientists $153,340
    Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health $109,520

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Physicists make per hour in Washington?

    The median hourly wage for Physicists in Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV is $80.90, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $108.50 or more per hour.

    Is Washington above or below average for Physicists salaries?

    The median Physicists salary in Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV is 1.2% above the national median of $166,290. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Physicists in Washington?

    Entry-level Physicists (10th percentile) earn around $102,000 per year in Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $130,120.