District of Columbia Median
$126,490
per year
Hourly Rate
$60.81
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+5% vs US median
US median $120,230
State Rank
#9 of 49
2,680 employed here
How much does a Data Scientist make in District of Columbia?
Data Scientists in District of Columbia take home a median of $126,490 annually — roughly $60.81 an hour — which runs 5% above the national median of $120,230.
Within District of Columbia, entry-level pay starts around $89,750 while the top 10% make $209,730 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $105,320 and $174,650 a year.
Data Scientist salary range in District of Columbia
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $89,750 | $43.15 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $105,320 | $50.63 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $126,490 | $60.81 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $174,650 | $83.97 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $209,730 | $100.83 |
|
How District of Columbia compares
District of Columbia ranks 9th out of 49 states and territories for Data Scientist pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Data Scientist salary in other states
Washington $163,350California $141,590Maryland $136,370New Jersey $135,280Massachusetts $131,750New York $130,460Minnesota $128,800Vermont $127,070Virginia $126,430Connecticut $126,340Oregon $125,990Texas $122,090North Carolina $119,090Colorado $117,400Florida $115,820Arkansas $109,390Utah $108,090Arizona $107,240Pennsylvania $106,850Wisconsin $106,680Illinois $106,560Georgia $104,340Alabama $103,120Ohio $102,630Rhode Island $102,440Hawaii $102,130New Hampshire $100,620Michigan $100,590Montana $100,490Tennessee $100,330Nevada $98,540Nebraska $98,230Kansas $98,130Missouri $97,090South Dakota $96,150New Mexico $95,850Iowa $95,830South Carolina $91,990Kentucky $91,760Indiana $91,470Maine $90,880Idaho $89,380Oklahoma $86,310West Virginia $85,090Alaska $84,110North Dakota $81,900Louisiana $78,760Mississippi $69,490
Working as a Data Scientist in District of Columbia
Nationally, about 262,000 people work as Data Scientists in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.
Considering a move? Compare District of Columbia pay ($126,490) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Data Scientist make in District of Columbia?
The median Data Scientist salary in District of Columbia is $126,490 per year, or about $60.81 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $89,750 at the entry level to $209,730 for the top 10% of earners.
How does District of Columbia pay compare to the national average?
District of Columbia pays Data Scientists about 5% more than the national median of $120,230. District of Columbia ranks 9th out of 49 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is District of Columbia a good state for Data Scientists?
Yes on pay — District of Columbia pays above the national median for this occupation, at $126,490 a year. About 2,680 Data Scientists are employed in District of Columbia. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in District of Columbia?
The highest-paying occupations in District of Columbia include Neurologist ($332,000), Emergency Medicine Physician ($318,200), Podiatrist ($265,740), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Data Scientist salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.