Physicists pay range in Washington
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $98,950 a year or less, while the top 10% make $225,680 or more. The middle half of physicists in Washington earn between $134,990 and $195,190.
- $99K10th
- $135K25th
- $172KMedian
- $195K75th
- $226K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $169,660 | $14,138 | $81.57 |
| Median | $171,580 | $14,298 | $82.49 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $134,990 | $11,249 | $64.90 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $195,190 | $16,266 | $93.84 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Physicists pay in Washington vs. Washington, D.C. and the U.S.
Physicists in Washington earn 9% more than the Washington, D.C. average ($156,320) and about the same as the U.S. average ($171,180). At the median the gap is -0% against the U.S. median of $172,250.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $169,660 | $171,580 | $98,950 | $225,680 | 1,520 |
| Washington, D.C. | $156,320 | $157,040 | $86,820 | $202,360 | 480 |
| United States | $171,180 | $172,250 | $82,110 | $274,110 | 20,430 |
State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.
Physicists salary after taxes in Washington
On the average salary of $169,660, a single filer in Washington takes home about $115,776 a year, or $9,648 a month and $4,453 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 | $120,347 | $10,029 |
| Working in MD | $119,072 | $9,923 |
| Working in VA | $118,287 | $9,857 |
| Working in DC | $115,776 | $9,648 |
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules).
Is Washington a good place for physicists? 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 $169,660 buys what about $155,817 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 3.4 years of this average salary before tax.
Physicists salary in nearby metro areas
- Lexington Park, MD$134,720
- Charlottesville, VA$160,270
- Richmond, VA$202,250
- Philadelphia, PA$162,610
- Virginia Beach, VA$124,960
- Pittsburgh, PA$211,220
Highest-paying cities for physicists
Miami, FL pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($245,010).
- Miami, FL$245,010
- Tampa, FL$244,380
- Pittsburgh, PA$211,220
- Portland, OR$210,060
- Cleveland, OH$209,480
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Physicists salary in Washington: questions
How much do physicists make an hour in Washington?
$81.57 an hour on average, and $82.49 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level physicists salary in Washington?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $98,950 a year and the 25th percentile is $134,990, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the physicists take-home pay in Washington?
About $115,776 a year ($9,648 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $169,660.
Do physicists earn more in Washington than elsewhere?
The average here is about the same as the U.S. average for this job ($171,180).
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 19-2012; area Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV (47900). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 1.3%.
- U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
- 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 3.69, this job is 3.7 times as concentrated as in the U.S. overall.
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