Average Biological Scientists, All Other Salary in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
Biological Scientists, All Other in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metropolitan area earn an impressive average annual salary of $117,090. This figure significantly surpasses the national average of $105,580, indicating a strong demand and higher compensation for specialized scientific talent within this region. The concentration of research institutions, government agencies, and biotech firms likely drives this elevated pay scale.
Executive Summary
- Average Salary: $117,090 per year.
- Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 4.6% ↗ over the last 5 years.
- Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $191,880.
- Outlook: The job market for Biological Scientists, All Other in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV appears robust, evidenced by a substantial local workforce of 6,270 individuals. The exceptionally high Location Quotient of 5.19 suggests that this region is a national hub for this profession, with employment opportunities being over five times more concentrated than the national average. This indicates a strong and sustained demand for these specialized roles.
Salary Overview
The average Biological Scientists, All Other in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV earns+10.9%above the national average.
$56.3
$2,252
$9,758
Biological Scientists, All Other Salary Trends (2020-2024)
While specific historical data is not provided, it is reasonable to assume that the average salary for Biological Scientists, All Other in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV area has experienced consistent growth over the past four years. This trend is typical for scientific fields experiencing ongoing innovation and increasing investment in research and development, leading to upward pressure on compensation.
Biological Scientists, All Other Salary Distribution in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
Salary progression for Biological Scientists, All Other typically scales with experience. Entry-level positions may start closer to the lower percentiles, while senior scientists with extensive research, project management, and publication records can command salaries in the upper percentiles. The significant gaps between entry-level and senior roles reflect the value placed on advanced expertise and proven track records in the field.
| Experience Level | Market Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Junior / AssociateEntry level. Focus on learning core skills & codebase. | 10% (Entry) | $60,710 | $29.2 |
| Engineer IProficient contributor. Handles tasks independently. | 25% (Junior) | $87,818 | $42.2 |
| Senior EngineerSystem design, complex problem solving, mentoring. | 50% (Median) | $105,580 | $50.8 |
| Lead / StaffTechnical strategy, architecture, cross-team impact. | 75% (Senior) | $146,363 | $70.4 |
| Principal / ArchitectIndustry expert. Driving technical vision & innovation. | 90% (Expert) | $191,880 | $92.3 |
Detailed Biological Scientists, All Other Market Analysis
Relocation Context
Nominal Salary
$117,090
Gross Pay
Real Wage (Purchasing Power)
$117,090
Adjusted for COL (100)
The average annual salary of $117,090 in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV aligns perfectly with the national average Cost of Living Index of 100. This means that while the nominal salary is higher than the national average, the purchasing power of that salary is effectively on par with the national average, as local expenses do not inflate or deflate the value of earnings.
Job Market Context
6,270
Total Jobs
2.009
Per 1K Jobs
5.19
Location Quotient
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV has 5.2x the national concentration of Biological Scientists, All Other jobs — a major employment hub for this role. Job seekers will find significantly more opportunities here than in most other areas.
With a Location Quotient of 5.19, the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV area exhibits a highly concentrated market for Biological Scientists, All Other. This signifies that the region is a significant center for this profession, attracting and retaining a disproportionately large number of these specialists compared to the rest of the country, suggesting a competitive yet abundant job market.
Nearby Job Markets
Nearby Cities for Biological Scientists, All Other
| City | Salary | Dist. |
|---|---|---|
| Maryland nonmetropolitan area Biological Scientists, All Other Salary | $79,700↓ 32% | 17 mi |
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD Biological Scientists, All Other Salary | $111,450↓ 5% | 35 mi |
| Lexington Park, MD Biological Scientists, All Other Salary | $104,150↓ 11% | 55 mi |
Comparing salaries near Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
Hiring Biological Scientists, All Others?
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Biological Scientists, All Other make in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
The median annual salary for a Biological Scientists, All Other in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV is $117,090. This typically ranges from $60,710 for entry-level positions to $191,880 for top-level roles.
How does the salary compare to the national average?
The average salary for this role in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV is 10.9% higher than the national median of $105,580.
Is Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV a lucrative place for Biological Scientists, All Others?
Yes, it is a highly lucrative place for Biological Scientists, All Others.The average salary of $117,090 significantly exceeds the national average, and the high concentration of these roles (LQ of 5.19) indicates strong regional demand and compensation.
Is Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV a good place to live for Biological Scientists, All Others?
The Cost of Living Index in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV is 100. While higher than average, this often correlates with higher wages.
Where are the highest paying cities near Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
Some top paying nearby cities include Maryland nonmetropolitan area ($79,700) and Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD.
How does the salary compare to the national average?
Biological Scientists, All Other in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV earn an average of $117,090 annually, which is $11,510 more than the national average of $105,580.
What is the concentration of Biological Scientists in this area?
The Location Quotient is 5.19, meaning this profession is over five times more concentrated in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV than the national average, indicating a strong regional specialization.
How does the Cost of Living affect the salary?
The Cost of Living Index is 100, which is the national average. Therefore, the higher nominal salary of $117,090 offers purchasing power equivalent to the national average.
What is the total number of Biological Scientists in this region?
There are approximately 6,270 Biological Scientists, All Other employed within the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metropolitan area.
Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 6,270 employees in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV area with a job density of 2.009 per 1,000 jobs. Cost of Living data is estimated based on state and metro averages.
Explore Biological Scientists, All Other Salaries by State
Top Jobs in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
- All Occupations Salary in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
- Business and Financial Operations Occupations Salary in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
- Management Occupations Salary in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
- Office and Administrative Support Occupations Salary in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
- Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations Salary in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
- Computer and Mathematical Occupations Salary in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
- Sales and Related Occupations Salary in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
- Educational Instruction and Library Occupations Salary in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
- Transportation and Material Moving Occupations Salary in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
- Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations Salary in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
- Browse All Jobs in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV →
Semantic Salary Analysis for Biological Scientists, All Other • Data source: BLS OEWS 2024 •Jobs in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV