As of May 01, 2026, the average annual salary for Chief Scientist in District of Columbia is $232,345, equivalent to $112 per hour, $4,468 weekly, or $19,362 monthly. These figures, sourced from Salary.com’s real-time job posting scans, highlight competitive earning potential for Chief Scientist in cities like San Jose, Santa Clara, and San Francisco.

Annually Salaries for Chief Scientist in District of Columbia vary widely, spanning from $214,765 to $273,329. Most professionals fall between the 25th percentile ($223,143) and 75th percentile ($253,798), while top earners (90th percentile) make $273,329 per year. This $30,655 pay gap underscores opportunities for salary growth through certifications, specialized skills like Analysis or Bioinformatics, or targeting high-paying regions like District of Columbia or California.

Location and experience significantly influence earnings. For example, District of Columbia Chief Scientist often earn 10.7% higher than national averages due to demand from Fortune 38 companies. However, District of Columbia currently ranks 1 nationwide for Chief Scientist job salary. Professionals are advised to focus on high-growth sectors like to offset market challenges.

Based on HR-reported data: a national average with a geographic differential
Chief Scientist Salaries by Percentile
Percentile Salary Location Last Updated
10th Percentile Chief Scientist Salary $214,765 DC May 01, 2026
25th Percentile Chief Scientist Salary $223,143 DC May 01, 2026
50th Percentile Chief Scientist Salary $232,345 DC May 01, 2026
75th Percentile Chief Scientist Salary $253,798 DC May 01, 2026
90th Percentile Chief Scientist Salary $273,329 DC May 01, 2026
25% $223,143 10% $214,765 90% $273,329 75% $253,798 $232,345 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click
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Location Avg. Salary Date Updated
Location Naval Anacost Annex, DC Avg. Salary $221,949 Date Updated May 01, 2026
Location Parcel Return Service, DC Avg. Salary $221,957 Date Updated May 01, 2026
Location Washington, DC Avg. Salary $221,959 Date Updated May 01, 2026
Location Washington Navy Yard, DC Avg. Salary $221,957 Date Updated May 01, 2026
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