As of October 01, 2026, the average annual salary for Oceanographer in Washington, DC is $86,437, equivalent to $42 per hour, $1,662 weekly, or $7,203 monthly. These figures, sourced from Salary.com’s real-time job posting scans, highlight competitive earning potential for Oceanographer in cities like San Jose, Santa Clara, and San Francisco.
Annually Salaries for Oceanographer in Washington, DC vary widely, spanning from $64,179 to $112,310. Most professionals fall between the 25th percentile ($74,786) and 75th percentile ($99,980), while top earners (90th percentile) make $112,310 per year. This $25,194 pay gap underscores opportunities for salary growth through certifications, specialized skills like Analysis or Microsoft Office, or targeting high-paying regions like District of Columbia or California.
Location and experience significantly influence earnings. For example, Washington Oceanographer often earn 0.5% higher than national averages. However, Washington currently ranks 79 statewide for Oceanographer job salary. Professionals are advised to focus on high-growth sectors like to offset market challenges.
