As of April 01, 2026, the average annual salary for Physical Engineer in District of Columbia is $72,797, equivalent to $35 per hour, $1,400 weekly, or $6,066 monthly. These figures, sourced from Salary.com’s real-time job posting scans, highlight competitive earning potential for Physical Engineer in cities like Santa Clara, San Jose, and Fremont.

Annually Salaries for Physical Engineer in District of Columbia vary widely, spanning from $57,869 to $78,989. Most professionals fall between the 25th percentile ($64,983) and 75th percentile ($76,038), while top earners (90th percentile) make $78,989 per year. This $11,055 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 $57,869 DC April 01, 2026
25th Percentile Physical Engineer Salary $64,983 DC April 01, 2026
50th Percentile Physical Engineer Salary $72,797 DC April 01, 2026
75th Percentile Physical Engineer Salary $76,038 DC April 01, 2026
90th Percentile Physical Engineer Salary $78,989 DC April 01, 2026
25% $64,983 10% $57,869 90% $78,989 75% $76,038 $72,797 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click
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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 $78,892 Date Updated April 01, 2026
Location Parcel Return Service, DC Avg. Salary $78,892 Date Updated April 01, 2026
Location Washington, DC Avg. Salary $78,892 Date Updated April 01, 2026
Location Washington Navy Yard, DC Avg. Salary $78,892 Date Updated April 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