Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metropolitan area command an impressive average annual salary of $139,230. This figure significantly outpaces the national average of $117,290, reflecting the high concentration of government, research, and policy-driven organizations in the region that value specialized social science expertise.
Executive Summary
- Average Salary: $139,230 per year.
- Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 20.6% ↗ over the last 5 years.
- Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $206,110.
- Outlook: The Washington-Arlington-Alexandria area demonstrates a robust job market for Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other, evidenced by a substantial local workforce of 7,050 individuals. The exceptionally high Location Quotient of 9.42 indicates a significant concentration of these roles compared to the national average, suggesting strong and sustained demand for professionals in this field within the region.
Salary Overview
The average Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV earns+18.7%above the national average.
$66.9
$2,678
$11,603
Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other Salary Trends (2020-2024)
While specific historical data is not provided, it is reasonable to assume that salaries for Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria area have experienced consistent growth over the past four years, mirroring national trends of increasing compensation for specialized roles in high-demand sectors. This upward trajectory is likely driven by evolving research methodologies, increased data analysis needs, and the growing importance of social science insights in policy and business.
Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other Salary Distribution in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
Career progression for Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other typically correlates with a significant salary increase. Entry-level positions may start closer to the lower percentiles, while seasoned professionals with extensive experience and specialized skills can command salaries well into the upper percentiles, potentially exceeding $170,000. The widening gap between the 25th and 75th percentiles clearly signifies the substantial earning potential tied to accumulating expertise and taking on more complex responsibilities.
| Experience Level | Market Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Junior / AssociateEntry level. Focus on learning core skills & codebase. | 10% (Entry) | $82,760 | $39.8 |
| Engineer IProficient contributor. Handles tasks independently. | 25% (Junior) | $104,423 | $50.2 |
| Senior EngineerSystem design, complex problem solving, mentoring. | 50% (Median) | $137,610 | $66.2 |
| Lead / StaffTechnical strategy, architecture, cross-team impact. | 75% (Senior) | $174,038 | $83.7 |
| Principal / ArchitectIndustry expert. Driving technical vision & innovation. | 90% (Expert) | $206,110 | $99.1 |
Detailed Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other Market Analysis
Relocation Context
Nominal Salary
$139,230
Gross Pay
Real Wage (Purchasing Power)
$139,230
Adjusted for COL (100)
The nominal average annual salary of $139,230 in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria area is particularly attractive when considered against the local Cost of Living Index of 100, which is precisely the national average. This means that the higher earnings translate directly into strong purchasing power, allowing professionals in this field to enjoy a comparable standard of living to the national average without the financial strain often associated with higher cost-of-living areas.
Job Market Context
7,050
Total Jobs
2.259
Per 1K Jobs
9.42
Location Quotient
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV has 9.4x the national concentration of Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other jobs — a major employment hub for this role. Job seekers will find significantly more opportunities here than in most other areas.
A Location Quotient of 9.42 for Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria region signifies an exceptionally concentrated job market. This indicates that these roles are over 9 times more prevalent here than in a typical U.S. metropolitan area, suggesting a highly competitive yet abundant landscape where specialized talent is in significant demand and readily available within the local economy.
Nearby Job Markets
Nearby Cities for Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other
| City | Salary | Dist. |
|---|---|---|
| Maryland nonmetropolitan area Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other Salary | $83,880↓ 40% | 17 mi |
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other Salary | $120,780↓ 13% | 35 mi |
Comparing salaries near Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
Hiring Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Others?
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other make in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
The median annual salary for a Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV is $139,230. This typically ranges from $82,760 for entry-level positions to $206,110 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 18.7% higher than the national median of $117,290.
Is Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV a lucrative place for Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Others?
Yes, it is a highly lucrative area.The average salary of $139,230 significantly exceeds the national average, and the cost of living is on par with the national average, making it a financially advantageous location.
Is Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV a good place to live for Social Scientists and Related Workers, 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 ($83,880) and Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD.
How does the salary compare to the national average?
The average annual salary for Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria is $139,230, which is substantially higher than the national average of $117,290.
What is the concentration of Social Scientists in this area?
The area has a very high concentration, with a Location Quotient of 9.42, meaning these roles are more than nine times as common as the national average.
Does the cost of living affect the value of the salary?
No, the cost of living in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria is exactly at the national average (100), meaning the higher salary offers excellent purchasing power.
How many Social Scientists work in this region?
There are approximately 7,050 Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other employed within the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria 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 7,050 employees in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV area with a job density of 2.259 per 1,000 jobs. Cost of Living data is estimated based on state and metro averages.
Explore Social Scientists and Related Workers, 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 Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other • Data source: BLS OEWS 2024 •Jobs in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV