Physicists pay in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria
In Washington-Arlington-Alexandria (DC), the median pay for physicists is $82.49 an hour ($171,580 a year). About 1,520 people work in this job there.
That is about the same as the U.S. median ($172,250). It is 9% higher than the District of Columbia median ($157,040).
Pay range for physicists in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria (DC)
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $47.57 | $98,950 |
| 25% of workers | $64.90 | $134,990 |
| Half of workers (median) | $82.49 | $171,580 |
| 75% of workers | $93.84 | $195,190 |
| 90% of workers | $108.50 | $225,680 |
Physicists pay in District of Columbia metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria (this page) | $171,580 | 1,520 |
District of Columbia unemployment rate: 5.7% (August 2026), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Education, experience and outlook for physicists
- Typical education to start: Doctoral or professional degree (BLS)
- Related work experience most have: 2 to 4 years (O*NET)
- Job outlook: +7.2% over ten years, faster than average · about 1,300 openings a year (BLS)
Related jobs in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria (DC)
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Data Scientists | $132,200 |
| Engineers, All Other | $151,340 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $114,920 |
| Chemists | $144,680 |
| Physical Scientists, All Other | $170,980 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $108,160 |
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Post a job freeFind jobsCheck pay for any jobSource: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates. Figures are for wage and salary workers and do not include the self-employed. The median is the middle wage: half earn more, half earn less. Other job titles: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license; O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. JAI Bot has modified this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.