Regulatory Affairs Specialist jobs in Washington, DC
The median regulatory affairs specialist pay in the Washington area is $49.28 per hour ($102,500 a year), with the typical range running from $36.44 to $58.54. That ranks 5th of 383 U.S. metro areas for regulatory affairs specialist pay, and 12th of 339 once local prices are factored in. Tell us your role and we email current openings near Washington.
- $49.28median pay per hour, Washington
- $36–$59typical range per hour
- 14,110employed in the metro area
- 109cost of living index (U.S. = 100)
Regulatory Affairs Specialist pay in Washington, DC
The metro median is in line with the District of Columbia statewide median of $49.52 per hour. Nationally the median is $37.70 per hour. BLS counts about 14,110 compliance officers employed in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria metro area, 4.5 per 1,000 jobs. Employment is more concentrated here than in the country as a whole (location quotient 1.75).
| Level | Per hour | Per year | Compared with U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lowest 10% | $28.21 | $58,680 | 25% below U.S. median |
| Lower quartile | $36.44 | $75,800 | 3% below U.S. median |
| Median | $49.28 | $102,500 | 31% above U.S. median |
| Upper quartile | $58.54 | $121,760 | 55% above U.S. median |
| Top 10% | $68.05 | $141,540 | 81% above U.S. median |
How Washington ranks
- 5th of 383 U.S. metro areas by median hourly pay
- 12th of 339 after adjusting for local prices
BLS does not publish a separate figure for regulatory affairs specialist. These numbers are for the broader category it belongs to, Compliance Officers.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024, Compliance Officers (SOC 13-1041), all industries. This is what employers report paying, not an offer for a specific role.
What your pay buys in Washington
- Overall prices in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria run 9% above the U.S. average (index 108.9, U.S. = 100).
- Housing is the biggest driver: 51% above the U.S. average (index 151.1).
- Adjusted for local prices, a $49.28 median hour buys what $45.26 buys at the national price level, 20% above the national median.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024. Prices are for the metro area, not for a single neighborhood.
Get the Washington Regulatory Affairs Specialist pay report
Named employers near Washington, what they pay and the roles open now. Free for candidates, email only.
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- Per year: $88,704
- Per month: $7,392
Gross pay before taxes and benefits, from BLS pay levels for the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria metro area. For take-home pay use the take-home pay calculator.
Regulatory Affairs Specialist pay in nearby cities
| City | Distance | Median pay | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alexandria, VA | 7 mi | $49.28/hr | 159,102 |
| Rockville, MD | 14 mi | $49.28/hr | 68,417 |
| Baltimore, MD | 35 mi | $40.10/hr | 568,271 |
| Lancaster, PA | 87 mi | $29.69/hr | 58,441 |
| Harrisburg, PA | 95 mi | $35.23/hr | 50,649 |
| Wilmington, DE | 98 mi | $39.29/hr | 73,176 |
Regulatory Affairs Specialist jobs in District of Columbia · Regulatory Affairs Specialist jobs nationwide
What employers ask for, and tax basics in District of Columbia
Regulatory affairs specialists prepare and manage submissions and keep products compliant with agency rules.
- Bachelor’s degree in a science or related field
- Knowledge of FDA and international requirements; RAC is a plus
- Technical writing and documentation skills
District of Columbia taxes wage income. Use your own rates in the take-home pay calculator.
Other healthcare roles in Washington
Washington city guide: hospitals, employers and licensing
Common questions
How much do regulatory affairs specialists make in Washington, DC?
Regulatory Affairs Specialists in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria metro area have a median pay of $49.28 per hour, about $102,500 a year. The middle half earn between $36.44 and $58.54 per hour (BLS, May 2024).
Is Washington a good place for regulatory affairs specialists once cost of living is counted?
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria ranks 12th of 339 metro areas for regulatory affairs specialist pay after adjusting for local prices, and 5th of 383 before adjusting. Overall prices run 9% above the U.S. average.
Do I need a District of Columbia license to work in Washington as a regulatory affairs specialist?
Bachelor’s degree in a science or related field. Credentials are issued state by state, so confirm what District of Columbia requires for your role with the District of Columbia licensing board and with your recruiter before you commit to a start date. Confirm with the board before you accept a role.
Does Valorem Health place regulatory affairs specialists in Washington?
Yes. We place healthcare staff in Washington and across District of Columbia. Tell us your profession and we email the roles open near Washington.
What do employers near Washington pay regulatory affairs specialists? Get the report.
Tell us your role and city. Within 24 hours you get an email with three things, by employer name. It costs you nothing, because employers pay us.
- 1Pay for your role at other employers
The hourly pay at named employers near you, so you see who pays most.
- 2What they are offering now
The pay range and median across current postings, and how many were posted this month.
- 3Roles open for you right now
Every current opening near you with pay, shift and start date. Reply with one click.
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20+ Regulatory Affairs Specialist roles in District of Columbia, sent free by email
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Your Regulatory pay reportTop-paying employers shown · your District of Columbia list by name comes with the full report
1Pay for your role at other employers
- MerckNorth Wales, PA · 1 posting$72.40/ hr$56–$89
- Johnson & JohnsonRaritan, NJ · 1 posting$57.78/ hr$44–$71
- Capital Health SystemPennington, NJ · 1 posting$52.58/ hr$45–$60
- Seattle Children'sSeattle, WA · 1 posting$49.72/ hr$40–$60
Median posted pay per hour, with the range each employer published. Request your District of Columbia list
2What they are offering now
13 Regulatory postings with published pay in the US, 12 of them posted in the last 30 days. Month-by-month history by employer comes with your full report.
3Open Regulatory roles
Open Regulatory roles near Washington, DC, each with pay, shift and start date, arrive with your report.