SOC 29-1241 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric — Washington
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
Median pay for this occupation in Washington, DC is $226,640 a year, trailing the national median of $300,080 by 24.5%.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
Median pay for this occupation in Washington, DC is $226,640 a year, trailing the national median of $300,080 by 24.5%. Half of workers earn between $161,900 and $226,650. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $107,870 and the ninetieth at $309,730.
Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 11th of 707 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $107,870 | −64.1% |
| 25th | $161,900 | −46.0% |
| Median (50th) | $226,640 | −24.5% |
| 75th | $226,650 | −24.5% |
| 90th | $309,730 | +3.2% |
| Mean | $215,070 | −28.3% |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Washington run 9.9% above the national average, so the median of $226,640 buys what $206,224 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way the gap against the national median narrows to 31.3% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$226,640as reported by BLSLocal price level
109.9US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$206,224US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $226,640 a year, 24.5% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $107,870 to $309,730 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric in Washington, DC?
The median annual wage is $226,640, or $108.96 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $300,080, so pay in Washington, DC is 24.5% lower. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Washington, DC earns more than $309,730 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $107,870 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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