Data Scientists & ML Engineers Salary in District of ColumbiaPercentile Rankings — BLS OES 2024
With a median annual salary of $149,068, Data Scientists & ML Engineers in District of Columbia earn 38% above the national median of $108,020, ranking #1 out of 51 states for this occupation. This makes District of Columbia the single highest-paying state in the US. The middle 50% of Data Scientists & ML Engineers in District of Columbia fall between $118,680 and $194,580 annually, while the top 10% take home more than $252,540. Entry-level positions typically start near $86,940. The mean wage of $160,121 sits above the median, reflecting the shape of the wage distribution in this state. Use the calculator above to find your exact percentile within District of Columbia's distribution.
District of Columbia — Data Scientists & ML Engineers Salary Percentiles
Your Data Scientists & ML Engineers Salary in District of Columbia
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Frequently Asked Questions
A salary percentile tells you what percentage of workers in a given occupation earn less than you. For example, if you're at the 70th percentile, you earn more than 70% of workers in that field. It's a more useful benchmark than a simple average because it shows where you stand across the full distribution of wages.
We use linear interpolation between the BLS wage anchor points (10th, 25th, 50th, 75th, and 90th percentiles) to estimate your exact percentile rank. State figures are derived by applying BLS regional wage indices to the national data. For salaries below the 10th or above the 90th percentile, we flag this clearly rather than extrapolating an unreliable estimate.
All data comes from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) program, May 2024 release. This is the most comprehensive, official source of US occupational wage data, covering over 800 occupations and nearly every industry. We cover 116 occupation groups across all 50 states and Washington D.C.
If you're below the median (50th percentile) for your occupation in your state, you have a data-backed argument for a raise. Come prepared with your percentile result and the BLS benchmark figures from the table below the gauge. Framing your ask around official government data — rather than salary sites — is often more persuasive to employers and hiring managers.
According to BLS OES May 2024 data, the median annual wage across all occupations in the United States is approximately $49,500. However, this varies enormously by occupation — from around $30,000 for food preparation workers to over $236,000 for physicians and surgeons. That's why comparing within your specific occupation is far more meaningful than a national cross-occupation average.
District of Columbia Salary Benchmarks
| 10th percentile | $86,940 |
| 25th percentile | $118,680 |
| Median (50th) | $149,068 |
| Mean (average) | $160,121 |
| 75th percentile | $194,580 |
| 90th percentile | $252,540 |
vs National
Highest Paying Jobs in District of Columbia
Data Scientists & ML Engineers Salary in District of Columbia — FAQ
According to BLS OES May 2024 data, the median Data Scientists & ML Engineers salary in District of Columbia is $149,068 per year. The mean (average) is $160,121, which is higher than the median due to the distribution of wages in this state.
District of Columbia pays Data Scientists & ML Engineers +38.0% above the national median of $108,020. At $149,068, District of Columbia ranks #1 out of 51 states for this occupation.
The 90th percentile salary for Data Scientists & ML Engineers in District of Columbia is $252,540 per year — meaning the top 10% of earners make more than this. Only a small fraction of Data Scientists & ML Engineers in District of Columbia exceed this figure.
Entry-level Data Scientists & ML Engineers in District of Columbia typically earn in the 10th–25th percentile range: approximately $86,940 to $118,680 per year. Salaries grow significantly with experience and specialization.