Environmental Scientist Salary in Washington, DC: 2026
Environmental Scientist salary data for Washington, DC, adjusted for local cost of living. Entry-level to senior pay ranges, take-home pay calculator, and local job market insights.
The estimated median Environmental Scientist salary in Washington, DC is $121,686 per year ($10,141/month, $59/hr). This modeled estimate scales Salario's national benchmark (calibrated to the BLS OEWS May 2025 national median) by the local cost of living index of 148, which is 48% above the national average.
All four figures are Salario estimates (national benchmark scaled by Washington's cost-of-living index); BLS does not publish a metro median for this title here.
Environmental Scientist Take-Home Pay in Washington
Tax Breakdown (Median Salary)
| Gross Annual | $121,686 |
| Federal Tax | -$17,941 |
| State Tax (6.1% eff.) | -$7,375 |
| FICA (SS + Medicare) | -$9,309 |
| Annual Take-Home | $87,061 |
| Monthly Take-Home | $7,255 |
Living Cost Comparison
Environmental Scientist Requirements
Key Skills
Washington Job Market Overview
Washington, District of Columbia has a population of 689,545 and an unemployment rate of 3.8%. The top industries are Government, Technology, Consulting. The local job growth rate is 1.8%, and the average commute time is 34minutes. These local figures come from Salario's city dataset; verify current values with BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics and Census QuickFacts.
Related Science Salaries in Washington
Salary Percentile Breakdown: Environmental Scientist in Washington
Based on Salario's cost-of-living-adjusted salary tiers for Environmental Scientist in Washington, DC, here is an estimated percentile breakdown:
| Percentile | Annual Salary | Hourly Equivalent | Career Stage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th (lowest) | $79,624 | $38/hr | Entry-level, < 1 yr exp. |
| 25th | $100,655 | $48/hr | Junior, 1-3 yrs exp. |
| 50th (median) | $121,686 | $59/hr | Mid-career, 1-3 years |
| 75th | $148,148 | $71/hr | Senior, 5-10 yrs exp. |
| 90th (top) | $193,436 | $93/hr | Lead/Principal, 10+ yrs |
Percentiles are approximations, not measured local percentiles: P10, P50, P75, and P90 map to Salario's entry, median, senior, and top salary tiers scaled by the local cost-of-living index, and P25 is interpolated halfway between entry and median. Top earners (P90) typically include managers, specialists with rare skills, or those at high-paying employers in Washington's Government sector.
5-Year Salary Trajectory
Salario's national dataset models approximately 15.0% salary growth for Environmental Scientists over the past 5 years. That national assumption is applied to the Washington estimate below; it is not a measured local trend, and it should be compared with cumulative CPI inflation before treating it as a real-terms gain:
Year-over-year, an average Environmental Scientist can expect a 13.2% annual increase moving from entry to senior level over 5 years in Washington. Negotiation, certifications (LEED, QEP), and changing employers strategically can accelerate this trajectory.
Washington vs National Average
The national median Environmental Scientist salary is $82,220 (BLS OEWS May 2025, Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health). In Washington, the cost-of-living-adjusted median of $121,686 is 48.0% above the national figure. This reflects Washington's cost of living index of 148 (higher than the national average of 100).
For Environmental Scientists, this means: rent typically consumes 32.4% of take-home pay (households spending >30% are considered rent-burdened), and a median home in Washington costs about 7.1× annual take-home. Homeownership in Washington on this salary is challenging, most experts recommend keeping home costs to 3-4× income.
Industry Context: Government in Washington
Washington's economy is anchored by Government, Technology, Consulting, with 689,545 residents and an unemployment rate of 3.8% in Salario's city dataset. Pay for Environmental Scientists can differ by sector, so compare Government employers with other local employers. The local job growth rate in Salario's city dataset is 1.8%, and Salario's job dataset lists a 6.0% growth outlook for Environmental Scientist roles; check the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook for the official 2024-2034 projection for the closest matching occupation.
Methodology & Data Sources
How we calculate Environmental Scientist salaries in Washington, DC:
- Base salary model starts with Salario occupation data and public wage references, including BLS OEWS and O*NET when a direct or related occupational crosswalk is available (the national median is calibrated to the BLS OEWS May 2025 median for Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health). For niche titles, we do not treat a broader SOC family as an exact job-title wage.
- Cost-of-living adjustment applied using the Washington index of 148 relative to the national baseline of 100, with local rent, home price, unemployment, and tax inputs stored separately in Salario's city dataset.
- Percentile distribution (P10-P90) estimated from the entry, median, senior, and top compensation tiers in the Salario salary model rather than claimed as exact employer payroll data.
- Take-home pay calculated using 2026 federal tax brackets (10%-37%), DC 2026 state income tax brackets after the standard deduction (top rate 10.8%), and FICA (Social Security 6.2% + Medicare 1.45%).
- Tax brackets and standard deduction ($16,100 single filer for tax year 2026) sourced from IRS Revenue Procedure 2025-32 and updated annually.
Authoritative data sources:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, national and metro-area salary data
- O*NET OnLine, occupation tasks, alternate job titles, skills, and SOC crosswalks
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, occupation outlook where a matching profile is available
- BLS Consumer Price Index (CPI-U), regional inflation data (CPI measures price changes, not city-to-city price levels)
- U.S. Census Bureau, Washington QuickFacts, population and demographic data
- IRS Revenue Procedure 2025-32 summary, 2026 federal tax brackets and standard deductions
- BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, official local unemployment rates to verify the Washington figure above
Last reviewed: 2026. Salario's salary dataset is refreshed periodically, not automatically; check the linked BLS releases for the latest official data. Environmental Scientist salaries can vary significantly based on employer, sector (Government vs others in Washington), specific skill set (Environmental Sampling, GIS, Data Analysis), and individual negotiation. Always verify current compensation through multiple sources before making career decisions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Environmental Scientist salary in Washington, DC?
How much does a Environmental Scientist take home in Washington after taxes?
Is Washington a good city for Environmental Scientists?
What skills are needed for a Environmental Scientist in Washington?
How does Environmental Scientist salary in Washington compare to the national average?
Calculate Your Exact Take-Home Pay
Use our free paycheck calculator to see your after-tax income based on your specific salary, deductions, and filing status.
Calculate NowExplore More
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Environmental Scientist salary in Washington, DC?
Salario estimates the median Environmental Scientist salary in Washington, DC at $121,686 per year for 2026. This is a modeled figure: Salario's national Environmental Scientist benchmark scaled by the local cost of living index of 148, not a measured local wage survey. The modeled entry-level estimate is around $79,624, and the senior estimate is $148,148 or more.
How much does a Environmental Scientist take home in Washington after taxes?
A Environmental Scientist earning the median salary of $121,686 in Washington, DC takes home approximately $87,061 per year ($7,255/month) after federal, state, and local taxes. The effective tax rate is 28.5%.
Is Washington a good city for Environmental Scientists?
Washington, DC has a cost of living index of 148 (above national average). Environmental Scientists here earn above the city median. The local unemployment rate is 3.8% and top industries include Government, Technology, Consulting.
What skills are needed for a Environmental Scientist in Washington?
Key skills for Environmental Scientists include Environmental Sampling, GIS, Data Analysis, Report Writing, EPA Regulations. Typical education requirement is Bachelor's Degree. Valuable certifications include LEED, QEP, Hazmat Certification.
How does Environmental Scientist salary in Washington compare to the national average?
Salario's national median benchmark for Environmental Scientist is $82,220 (calibrated to the BLS OEWS May 2025 national median). In Washington, the cost-of-living-adjusted estimate is $121,686, which is 48.0% higher than the national average, reflecting the local cost of living.