Physical Scientists, All Other pay range in Washington
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $95,870 a year or less, while the top 10% make $263,580 or more. The middle half of other physical scientists in Washington earn between $131,810 and $195,190.
- $96K10th
- $132K25th
- $171KMedian
- $195K75th
- $264K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $166,920 | $13,910 | $80.25 |
| Median | $170,980 | $14,248 | $82.20 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $131,810 | $10,984 | $63.37 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $195,190 | $16,266 | $93.84 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year.
Physical Scientists, All Other salary after taxes in Washington
On the average salary of $166,920, a single filer in Washington takes home about $114,136 a year, or $9,511 a month and $4,390 every two weeks. Taxes take 32% of gross pay.
The Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area crosses state lines, so take-home pay depends on the state where you work:
| State | Per year | Per month |
|---|---|---|
| Working in WV | $118,600 | $9,883 |
| Working in MD | $117,349 | $9,779 |
| Working in VA | $116,572 | $9,714 |
| Working in DC | $114,136 | $9,511 |
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules).
Is Washington a good place for other physical scientists? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Washington area are 9% above the U.S. average (BEA price parity 108.9), so the average $166,920 buys what about $153,301 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 2.4 times the median wage of all jobs in Washington ($71,060). A typical home costs $583,013, or 3.5 years of this average salary before tax.
Physical Scientists, All Other salary in nearby metro areas
- Baltimore, MD$121,150
- Charlottesville, VA$144,720
- Philadelphia, PA$150,640
- Virginia Beach, VA$125,740
- Atlantic City, NJ$119,890
- Pittsburgh, PA$134,390
Highest-paying cities for other physical scientists
San Jose, CA pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($177,370).
- San Jose, CA$177,370
- Minneapolis, MN$172,740
- Washington, DC$166,920
- Palm Bay, FL$158,750
- Huntsville, AL$154,990
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Physical Scientists, All Other salary in Washington: questions
How much do other physical scientists make an hour in Washington?
$80.25 an hour on average, and $82.20 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level other physical scientists salary in Washington?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $95,870 a year and the 25th percentile is $131,810, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the other physical scientists take-home pay in Washington?
About $114,136 a year ($9,511 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $166,920.
Do other physical scientists earn more in Washington than elsewhere?
The average here is 25% more than the U.S. metro average for this job ($133,915).
Sources and how to read this page
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 19-2099; area Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV (47900). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 4.2%.
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
- Home value: Zillow Home Value Index. Typical-wage figure: OEWS all occupations, same metro.
- Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules).
- Job concentration: location quotient 6.08, this job is 6.1 times as concentrated as in the U.S. overall.
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