Expert Molecular and Cellular Biologist salary in Washington, DC
Based on 37 certified H-1B filings at DOL wage level IV in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area, FY2025–FY2026. Includes Bethesda, Gaithersburg, Rockville, Ashburn, Frederick.
Salary range
| Percentile | Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th | $118,484 |
| 25th | $131,003 |
| 50th (median) | $145,492 |
| 75th | $168,926 |
| 90th | $186,762 |
Salary by year
Median salary
Filings per year
Show as table
| Fiscal year | Median | P25 | P75 | Filings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY2020 | – | – | – | 6 |
| FY2021 | – | – | – | 6 |
| FY2022 | – | – | – | 8 |
| FY2023 | $133,003 | $116,008 | $146,213 | 15 |
| FY2024 | $137,118 | $120,502 | $158,750 | 18 |
| FY2025 | $158,142 | $145,000 | $180,500 | 17 |
| FY2026 | $133,534 | $122,959 | $153,509 | 20 |
Cost of living
Washington's median expert Molecular and Cellular Biologist salary of $145,492 is worth about $133,600 at national average prices.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024 (U.S. = 100; Washington = 108.9).
Compared with all workers here
All Molecular and Cellular Biologists in the Washington, DC area earned a median of $114,920 in May 2025 (5,720 employed). The H-1B median here is $145,492, 27% higher.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS metropolitan area estimates. BLS wages include some incentive pay; H-1B figures are base salary.
Employers filing at this level
| Employer | Median | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| National Institutes of Health, HHS | $131,382 | 12 |
| AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals | too few | 5 |
| Howard Hughes Medical Institute | too few | 3 |
| Arcellx | too few | 2 |
| Becton, Dickinson and Company | too few | 2 |
| Boston Strategic Partners | too few | 2 |
| Children's National Medical Center | too few | 2 |
Employers with at least 2 filings here. Median shown at 10+ filings.
By experience level
| Wage level | Median | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| Entry-level · Level I | $87,000 | 111 |
| Mid-level · Level II | $92,706 | 89 |
| Senior · Level III | $119,700 | 53 |
| Expert · Level IV | $145,492 | 37 |
Median shown when a level has at least 10 filings.
Minimum H-1B salary by level
| Wage level | Prevailing wage (most common) | Median offered salary | Filings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-level · Level I | $53,040 | $87,000 | 111 |
| Mid-level · Level II | $92,706 | $92,706 | 89 |
| Senior · Level III | $72,862 | $119,700 | 53 |
| Expert · Level IV | $83,866 | $145,492 | 37 |
The prevailing wage is the minimum an employer must pay for this job and area. Amounts vary by county within a metro and by wage source.