As of August 01, 2026, the average annual salary for Physical Engineer in District of Columbia is $72,771, equivalent to $35 per hour, $1,399 weekly, or $6,064 monthly. These figures, sourced from Salary.com’s real-time job posting scans, highlight competitive earning potential for Physical Engineer in cities like San Jose, Santa Clara, and San Francisco.

Annually Salaries for Physical Engineer in District of Columbia vary widely, spanning from $57,833 to $78,957. Most professionals fall between the 25th percentile ($64,952) and 75th percentile ($76,009), while top earners (90th percentile) make $78,957 per year. This $11,057 pay gap underscores opportunities for salary growth through certifications, specialized skills like Analysis or Material Flow, or targeting high-paying regions like District of Columbia or California.

Location and experience significantly influence earnings. For example, District of Columbia Physical Engineer often earn 10.7% higher than national averages due to demand from Fortune 42 companies. However, District of Columbia currently ranks 1 nationwide for Physical Engineer 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
Physical Engineer Salaries by Percentile
Percentile Salary Location Last Updated
10th Percentile Physical Engineer Salary $57,833 DC August 01, 2026
25th Percentile Physical Engineer Salary $64,952 DC August 01, 2026
50th Percentile Physical Engineer Salary $72,771 DC August 01, 2026
75th Percentile Physical Engineer Salary $76,009 DC August 01, 2026
90th Percentile Physical Engineer Salary $78,957 DC August 01, 2026
25% $64,952 10% $57,833 90% $78,957 75% $76,009 $72,771 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click
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Physical Design Engineer II (IC)

Arrow Electronics, Inc. - SAN JOSE, CA

Engineer

American Airlines - FORT WORTH, TX

Engineer

Lane Enterprises Inc - BEALETON, VA

Engineer

Exelon - FOX VALLEY FACILITY, IL

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What is A Physical Engineer ?

A Physical Engineer specializes in applying principles of physics and engineering to develop solutions for various technical challenges. Responsibilities include designing and testing equipment, conducting experiments, and analyzing data to improve product performance. Physical Engineers often collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to innovate and enhance technologies in fields such as aerospace, automotive, and energy. Salaries for Physical Engineers can vary widely based on factors such as experience, education, industry, and geographic location. On average, entry-level positions may sta...

Source: (as of 06/04/2025). Read more from

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Location Avg. Salary Date Updated
Location Naval Anacost Annex, DC Avg. Salary $79,255 Date Updated August 01, 2026
Location Parcel Return Service, DC Avg. Salary $79,258 Date Updated August 01, 2026
Location Washington, DC Avg. Salary $79,259 Date Updated August 01, 2026
Location Washington Navy Yard, DC Avg. Salary $79,258 Date Updated August 01, 2026
Job Openings for Physical Engineer in District of Columbia

Career Path for this job

  1. This Job:

    Physical Engineer

    0 - 2 years experience
    Bachelor's Degree

  2. Up a level:

    Materials Engineer II

    2 - 4 years experience
    Bachelor's Degree

Jobs with a similar salary range to Physical Engineer : Material Science Engineering