Highest and lowest paying health care jobs in Washington, D.C.
Highest and lowest paying health care jobs in Washington
Anybody who has taken a course in marketing, psychology or sociology is likely familiar with Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. First detailed by psychologist Andrew Maslow in his 1943 work “A Theory of Human Motivation,” the hierarchy breaks down the complex network of human thoughts into a categorical triage, placing self-development at the top and security and physical health at the bottom. In setting up this pyramid, Maslow framed self-recognition and creative development as ultimate goals, while also prioritizing personal safety and strong physical health.
As such, it has never been more important to recognize the health care professionals who work tirelessly to keep the population healthy. In 2019, the United States spent 17.7% of its GDP on health. While it’s encouraging to know that the country is investing in those responsible for maintaining the nation’s well-being, not all health care professionals receive equal compensation.
Stacker compiled a list of the highest and lowest paying health care jobs in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV using data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Jobs are ranked by 2019 annual mean wage. Keep reading to see which health care jobs make the most and least in your city.
#62. Veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers
- Annual mean salary: $29,370
- #105 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,420
National
- Annual mean salary: $29,690
- Employment: 97,030
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- New Haven, CT ($48,240)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($43,890)
--- Port St. Lucie, FL ($43,200)
#61. Pharmacy aides
- Annual mean salary: $29,550
- #69 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 440
National
- Annual mean salary: $30,490
- Employment: 37,280
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Fresno, CA ($46,610)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($46,430)
--- Santa Rosa, CA ($42,620)
#60. Physical therapist aides
- Annual mean salary: $30,080
- #53 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,030
National
- Annual mean salary: $29,180
- Employment: 49,270
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Savannah, GA ($50,470)
--- Santa Rosa, CA ($44,720)
--- Boulder, CO ($41,450)
#59. Orderlies
- Annual mean salary: $31,290
- #36 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 860
National
- Annual mean salary: $30,710
- Employment: 46,990
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA ($51,240)
--- Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA ($49,270)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($44,730)
#58. Nursing assistants
- Annual mean salary: $32,400
- #82 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 26,310
National
- Annual mean salary: $30,720
- Employment: 1,419,920
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Salinas, CA ($46,170)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($45,100)
--- Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA ($44,710)
#57. Medical transcriptionists
- Annual mean salary: $32,770
- #150 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,030
National
- Annual mean salary: $35,210
- Employment: 55,780
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Salinas, CA ($67,840)
--- Amarillo, TX ($56,970)
--- San Diego-Carlsbad, CA ($54,080)

#56. Occupational therapy aides
- Annual mean salary: $34,020
- #11 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 150
National
- Annual mean salary: $34,310
- Employment: 7,560
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($66,430)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($47,740)
--- Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL ($43,240)
#55. Dietetic technicians
- Annual mean salary: $37,130
- #19 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 270
National
- Annual mean salary: $31,180
- Employment: 29,230
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Indianapolis-Carmel-Anderson, IN ($52,880)
--- Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA ($45,910)
--- Salinas, CA ($44,730)
#54. Pharmacy technicians
- Annual mean salary: $38,760
- #56 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 6,030
National
- Annual mean salary: $35,250
- Employment: 417,780
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($51,090)
--- Santa Rosa, CA ($50,790)
--- Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA ($50,070)
#53. Psychiatric technicians
- Annual mean salary: $39,740
- #27 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,740
National
- Annual mean salary: $37,550
- Employment: 78,470
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Salinas, CA ($72,990)
--- Fresno, CA ($66,710)
--- Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA ($66,290)

#52. Psychiatric aides
- Annual mean salary: $40,530
- #10 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 400
National
- Annual mean salary: $32,590
- Employment: 55,020
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Utica-Rome, NY ($48,280)
--- Rochester, NY ($45,890)
--- Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT ($45,010)
#51. Medical assistants
- Annual mean salary: $41,040
- #26 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 11,790
National
- Annual mean salary: $35,720
- Employment: 712,430
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Vallejo-Fairfield, CA ($49,880)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($48,920)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($47,140)
#50. Phlebotomists
- Annual mean salary: $41,440
- #33 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,220
National
- Annual mean salary: $36,480
- Employment: 128,290
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Salinas, CA ($58,610)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($54,040)
--- Redding, CA ($52,310)
#49. Medical equipment preparers
- Annual mean salary: $43,040
- #33 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 890
National
- Annual mean salary: $39,530
- Employment: 56,900
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Salinas, CA ($63,400)
--- Vallejo-Fairfield, CA ($61,080)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($60,670)

#48. Hearing aid specialists
- Annual mean salary: $44,620
- #35 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 80
National
- Annual mean salary: $55,360
- Employment: 8,210
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- North Port-Sarasota-Bradenton, FL ($91,510)
--- Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL ($77,450)
--- Milwaukee-Waukesha-West Allis, WI ($75,800)
#47. Massage therapists
- Annual mean salary: $44,890
- #97 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,200
National
- Annual mean salary: $47,180
- Employment: 107,240
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Anchorage, AK ($76,930)
--- Yakima, WA ($72,870)
--- College Station-Bryan, TX ($70,090)
#46. Veterinary technologists and technicians
- Annual mean salary: $46,770
- #13 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,290
National
- Annual mean salary: $36,670
- Employment: 110,650
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Norwich-New London-Westerly, CT-RI ($76,660)
--- Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA ($57,740)
--- Las Vegas-Henderson-Paradise, NV ($50,100)
#45. Dental assistants
- Annual mean salary: $47,860
- #27 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 6,050
National
- Annual mean salary: $41,170
- Employment: 351,470
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Santa Rosa, CA ($56,010)
--- Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI ($54,510)
--- Rochester, MN ($53,010)
#44. Opticians, dispensing
- Annual mean salary: $51,210
- #16 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,380
National
- Annual mean salary: $40,730
- Employment: 72,330
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Utica-Rome, NY ($70,730)
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($68,970)
--- New Haven, CT ($66,020)
#43. Ophthalmic medical technicians
- Annual mean salary: $52,500
- #5 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 970
National
- Annual mean salary: $38,760
- Employment: 58,600
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Duluth, MN-WI ($56,620)
--- Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI ($53,770)
--- New Bedford, MA ($53,250)
#42. Physical therapist assistants
- Annual mean salary: $53,490
- #235 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,520
National
- Annual mean salary: $58,520
- Employment: 96,840
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX ($78,530)
--- Victoria, TX ($78,070)
--- Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA ($75,470)
#41. Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses
- Annual mean salary: $54,940
- #58 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 10,540
National
- Annual mean salary: $48,500
- Employment: 697,510
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($69,490)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($68,160)
--- Vallejo-Fairfield, CA ($67,990)
#40. Recreational therapists
- Annual mean salary: $56,170
- #23 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 390
National
- Annual mean salary: $51,130
- Employment: 19,070
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles-Arroyo Grande, CA ($83,590)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($82,800)
--- Fresno, CA ($82,170)
#39. Surgical technologists
- Annual mean salary: $60,220
- #23 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,340
National
- Annual mean salary: $50,110
- Employment: 109,000
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Salinas, CA ($74,280)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($72,790)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($69,750)

#38. Athletic trainers
- Annual mean salary: $60,520
- #13 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: data not available
National
- Annual mean salary: $50,540
- Employment: 28,600
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX ($73,250)
--- Lansing-East Lansing, MI ($66,390)
--- Trenton, NJ ($65,320)
#37. Orthotists and prosthetists
- Annual mean salary: $64,220
- #45 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 90
National
- Annual mean salary: $72,810
- Employment: 9,830
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA ($129,500)
--- Jackson, MS ($122,740)
--- Springfield, MA-CT ($103,700)
#36. Exercise physiologists
- Annual mean salary: $66,790
- #5 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 70
National
- Annual mean salary: $54,750
- Employment: 7,280
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA ($184,950)
--- Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA ($88,760)
--- Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL ($69,300)
#35. Cardiovascular technologists and technicians
- Annual mean salary: $66,850
- #33 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 860
National
- Annual mean salary: $59,600
- Employment: 56,110
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Salem, OR ($106,620)
--- Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA ($103,050)
--- Medford, OR ($82,780)
#34. Dietitians and nutritionists
- Annual mean salary: $67,190
- #53 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,240
National
- Annual mean salary: $62,330
- Employment: 67,670
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Vallejo-Fairfield, CA ($88,350)
--- Salinas, CA ($87,930)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($87,890)
#33. Occupational therapy assistants
- Annual mean salary: $68,480
- #30 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 470
National
- Annual mean salary: $61,880
- Employment: 44,990
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA ($92,580)
--- Visalia-Porterville, CA ($83,690)
--- Reno, NV ($81,800)
#32. Respiratory therapists
- Annual mean salary: $72,960
- #34 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,310
National
- Annual mean salary: $63,950
- Employment: 132,090
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Salinas, CA ($101,520)
--- Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA ($98,810)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($97,950)
#31. Radiologic technologists and technicians
- Annual mean salary: $74,040
- #37 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 3,240
National
- Annual mean salary: $63,120
- Employment: 207,360
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Salinas, CA ($110,180)
--- Vallejo-Fairfield, CA ($109,680)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($103,670)
#30. Magnetic resonance imaging technologists
- Annual mean salary: $80,240
- #35 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 540
National
- Annual mean salary: $74,270
- Employment: 37,900
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Vallejo-Fairfield, CA ($124,950)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($104,870)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($99,920)
#29. Registered nurses
- Annual mean salary: $83,370
- #49 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 43,450
National
- Annual mean salary: $77,460
- Employment: 2,982,280
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($140,740)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($138,000)
--- Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA ($134,000)
#27 (tie). Diagnostic medical sonographers
- Annual mean salary: $85,590
- #38 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,220
National
- Annual mean salary: $75,780
- Employment: 72,790
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Salinas, CA ($126,850)
--- Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA ($118,880)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($115,280)
#27 (tie). Nuclear medicine technologists
- Annual mean salary: $85,590
- #20 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 260
National
- Annual mean salary: $80,240
- Employment: 18,110
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA ($127,930)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($124,660)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($119,340)
#26. Genetic counselors
- Annual mean salary: $85,700
- #6 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 60
National
- Annual mean salary: $84,310
- Employment: 2,390
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($108,000)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($102,210)
--- Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA ($100,580)
#25. Radiation therapists
- Annual mean salary: $90,260
- #29 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 420
National
- Annual mean salary: $91,620
- Employment: 17,860
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($142,300)
--- San Diego-Carlsbad, CA ($126,260)
--- Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA ($124,720)
#24. Dental hygienists
- Annual mean salary: $90,650
- #35 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 4,260
National
- Annual mean salary: $77,230
- Employment: 221,560
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA ($140,150)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($120,420)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($113,940)
#23. Speech-language pathologists
- Annual mean salary: $91,100
- #47 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,500
National
- Annual mean salary: $82,000
- Employment: 154,360
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($117,710)
--- Corvallis, OR ($105,380)
--- Chico, CA ($104,640)
#22. Audiologists
- Annual mean salary: $92,110
- #16 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 290
National
- Annual mean salary: $83,900
- Employment: 13,590
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Reno, NV ($146,950)
--- Fresno, CA ($131,270)
--- Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR ($120,440)
#21. Physical therapists
- Annual mean salary: $93,650
- #93 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 4,610
National
- Annual mean salary: $90,170
- Employment: 233,350
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Yuba City, CA ($116,360)
--- Bakersfield, CA ($116,120)
--- Las Vegas-Henderson-Paradise, NV ($113,950)
#20. Occupational therapists
- Annual mean salary: $94,260
- #37 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,280
National
- Annual mean salary: $86,210
- Employment: 133,570
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- The Villages, FL ($115,090)
--- Las Vegas-Henderson-Paradise, NV ($108,870)
--- Vallejo-Fairfield, CA ($107,450)
#19. Nurse midwives
- Annual mean salary: $103,700
- #28 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 140
National
- Annual mean salary: $108,810
- Employment: 6,930
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA ($163,020)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($156,450)
--- San Diego-Carlsbad, CA ($130,140)

#18. Chiropractors
- Annual mean salary: $105,550
- #22 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 640
National
- Annual mean salary: $85,010
- Employment: 35,010
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Toledo, OH ($160,330)
--- Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN ($149,580)
--- Reno, NV ($140,260)
#17. Physician assistants
- Annual mean salary: $113,830
- #109 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,240
National
- Annual mean salary: $112,410
- Employment: 120,090
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Salinas, CA ($161,370)
--- Leominster-Gardner, MA ($156,250)
--- Waterbury, CT ($154,550)

#16. Nurse practitioners
- Annual mean salary: $113,920
- #109 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,900
National
- Annual mean salary: $111,840
- Employment: 200,600
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Vallejo-Fairfield, CA ($175,060)
--- Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA ($160,110)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($157,150)
#15. Pharmacists
- Annual mean salary: $123,980
- #217 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 4,850
National
- Annual mean salary: $125,510
- Employment: 311,200
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Tyler, TX ($161,790)
--- Vallejo-Fairfield, CA ($158,250)
--- Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA ($157,850)
#14. Veterinarians
- Annual mean salary: $133,210
- #18 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,720
National
- Annual mean salary: $104,820
- Employment: 74,540
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Sherman-Denison, TX ($210,960)
--- Lubbock, TX ($176,730)
--- Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA ($161,230)

#13. Optometrists
- Annual mean salary: $134,160
- #49 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 820
National
- Annual mean salary: $122,980
- Employment: 39,420
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Champaign-Urbana, IL ($238,460)
--- Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT ($210,490)
--- Evansville, IN-KY ($183,380)
#12. Pediatricians, general
- Annual mean salary: $169,260
- #64 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 850
National
- Annual mean salary: $184,410
- Employment: 29,740
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Rockford, IL ($277,390)
--- Killeen-Temple, TX ($273,770)
--- Chico, CA ($270,550)
#11. Podiatrists
- Annual mean salary: $170,320
- #10 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 210
National
- Annual mean salary: $142,680
- Employment: 9,770
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC ($222,760)
--- Milwaukee-Waukesha-West Allis, WI ($206,190)
--- Scranton--Wilkes-Barre--Hazleton, PA ($200,200)
#10. Nurse anesthetists
- Annual mean salary: $173,340
- #61 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: data not available
National
- Annual mean salary: $181,040
- Employment: 43,570
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Toledo, OH ($266,260)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($254,860)
--- Columbus, GA-AL ($247,540)
#9. General internal medicine physicians
- Annual mean salary: $184,660
- #84 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,560
National
- Annual mean salary: $201,440
- Employment: 44,610
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Sioux Falls, SD ($282,610)
--- Rapid City, SD ($280,990)
--- Barnstable Town, MA ($280,500)

#8. Psychiatrists
- Annual mean salary: $188,200
- #84 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 790
National
- Annual mean salary: $220,430
- Employment: 25,530
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA ($282,400)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($280,270)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($280,200)
#7. Dentists, general
- Annual mean salary: $194,960
- #105 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,890
National
- Annual mean salary: $178,260
- Employment: 110,730
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Burlington, NC ($278,360)
--- Burlington-South Burlington, VT ($275,430)
--- Longview, TX ($272,440)
#6. Family medicine physicians
- Annual mean salary: $198,890
- #194 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,300
National
- Annual mean salary: $213,270
- Employment: 109,370
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Racine, WI ($286,030)
--- Jacksonville, NC ($282,580)
--- Gadsden, AL ($281,430)
#5. Obstetricians and gynecologists
- Annual mean salary: $208,870
- #52 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 550
National
- Annual mean salary: $233,610
- Employment: 18,620
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Fayetteville, NC ($284,520)
--- Akron, OH ($282,650)
--- Albuquerque, NM ($281,800)
#4. Anesthesiologists
- Annual mean salary: $228,350
- #24 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,490
National
- Annual mean salary: $261,730
- Employment: 31,010
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL ($283,660)
--- Tulsa, OK ($281,080)
--- Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ ($276,350)
#3. Oral and maxillofacial surgeons
- Annual mean salary: $237,850
- #3 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: data not available
National
- Annual mean salary: $237,570
- Employment: 4,650
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Grand Rapids-Wyoming, MI ($255,360)
--- Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD ($254,900)
--- Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV ($237,850)

#2. Orthodontists
- Annual mean salary: $244,500
- #4 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 260
National
- Annual mean salary: $230,830
- Employment: 5,990
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- North Port-Sarasota-Bradenton, FL ($272,960)
--- Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA ($264,560)
--- Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA ($260,070)

#1. Surgeons, except ophthalmologists
- Annual mean salary: $265,000
- #41 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 740
National
- Annual mean salary: $252,040
- Employment: 36,270
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Wausau, WI ($285,230)
--- Oshkosh-Neenah, WI ($285,210)
--- Asheville, NC ($284,780)


