Benchmark Salary Information

  • The number of Forensic Psychologists currently employed in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria is 670.
  • Forensic Psychologists in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria earn an average of $110,250 per year or $53.01 per hour.
  • The percentage of District of Columbia Forensic Psychologists who work in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria is 279%.
  • The percentage of U.S. Forensic Psychologists who work in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria is 5%.

Rankings for Washington-Arlington-Alexandria

  • Ranks #1 in District of Columbia for salary and #1 when adjusted for cost-of-living.
  • Ranks #1 in District of Columbia for the number of psychologists employed.
  • Ranks #8 in the nation for salary and #8 when adjusted for cost-of-living.
  • Ranks #2 in the nation for the number of psychologists employed.

Compared to District of Columbia

Washington-Arlington-Alexandria Forensic Psychologists earn an average of $110,250 or $53.01 per hour which is 5% more than the District of Columbia average salary of $104,440.

AverageWashington-Arlington-AlexandriaDistrict of Columbia% Difference
Hourly Wage$53.01$50.215.58%
Annual Salary$110,250$104,4405.56%
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and U.S. Department of Commerce – 2022*

Compared to the U.S.

Washington-Arlington-Alexandria Forensic Psychologists earn an average of $110,250 or $53.01 per hour which is 12% more than the U.S. average salary of $98,010.

AverageWashington-Arlington-AlexandriaU.S.%
Hourly Wage$53.01$47.1212.50%
Annual Salary$110,250$98,01012.49%
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and U.S. Department of Commerce – 2022*

Salary Adjusted for Cost-of-Living

When adjusted for cost-of-living, Forensic Psychologists in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria earns an average annual salary of $98,852 which compares to the District of Columbia average annual salary of $104,440. per year.

Cost-of-living in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria is 12% higher than the District of Columbia average, which means Washington-Arlington-Alexandria residents have an overall higher cost for food, housing, utilities and transportation compared to District of Columbia average.

  • District of Columbia average salary is $104,440.
  • District of Columbia cost-of-living adjusted salary is $93,702.
  • Washington-Arlington-Alexandria average salary is $110,250.
  • Washington-Arlington-Alexandria cost-of-living adjusted salary is $98,852.
LocationAverage Annual WageCost of LivingAdjusted COL Wage
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria$110,250111.53%$98,852
District of Columbia$104,440111.46%$93,702
U.S.$98,010$98,010
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and U.S. Department of Commerce – 2022*

Salary Ranges for Education and Experience

In Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, 50% of Forensic Psychologists earn between $87,190 and $129,080 a year, depending on factors such as level of education, experience, location and place of employment.

About 10% of Forensic Psychologists earn more than $159,800, which is a rate for highly skilled, experienced and educated Forensic Psychologists.

Approximately 10% of Forensic Psychologists earn under $52,170, a rate generally reserved for less experienced or entry level Forensic Psychologists.

PercentExperienceEmployedAnnual Salary
10%Less than a Year67Under $52,170
15%2 – 4 years100$52,170 – $87,190
25%5 – 9 years168$87,190 – $110,590
25%10 – 14 years168$110,590 – $129,080
15%15 – 20 years100$110,590 – $159,800
10%20+ years67Above $159,800
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and U.S. Department of Commerce – 2022*

Salary Compared to Related Professions

With an average annual salary of $110,250, Washington-Arlington-Alexandria Forensic Psychologists tend to earn less than Clinical and Counseling Psychologists ($111,920).

However, Forensic Psychologists tend to earn more than Marriage and Family Therapists ($57,320), Substance Abuse Counselors ($62,510), Health Care Social Workers ($70,730), Social Workers ($70,910), Psychology Teachers ($97,620), and School Psychologists ($98,160).

TitleAnnual Salary
Clinical and Counseling Psychologists$111,920
Forensic Psychologists$110,250
School Psychologists$98,160
Psychology Teachers$97,620
Social Workers$70,910
Health Care Social Workers$70,730
Substance Abuse Counselors$62,510
Marriage and Family Therapists$57,320
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and U.S. Department of Commerce – 2022*

FAQ for Washington-Arlington-Alexandria Forensic Psychologists

The number of Forensic Psychologists currently employed in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria is 670.

Forensic Psychologists earn an average of $110,250 per year or $53.01 per hour in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria.

When adjusted for Cost of Living in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria Forensic Psychologists earn an average of $98,852 per year or $48 per hour.

The types of psychologists that are paid the highest annual salary in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria are Clinical and Counseling Psychologists($111,920), Forensic Psychologists($110,250), School Psychologists($98,160).


Additional Salary Reports for Forensic Psychologists in District of Columbia cities and Metros and U.S. States.

Official Data Sources for Forensic Psychologists: Salary Data | Projected Employment | Cost of Living Data