Health Sciences Degree Programs in Washington, DC (2026)

Quick answer: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Workers, All Other in the Washington area earn a median $107,650 per year, above the national median of $65,790, and the metro employs about 1,030 of them (BLS OEWS, May 2025).

Health Sciences Pay in Washington, DC

MetricWashington metroDistrict of ColumbiaNational
Median annual wage$107,650$113,640$65,790
10th percentile$43,060$51,870$38,660
25th percentile$50,960$59,520$47,750
75th percentile$144,680$124,330$97,000
90th percentile$170,980$152,730$129,830
Employment1,03013035,010
Location quotient1.46-1.00

Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. Metro figures cover the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metropolitan statistical area.

What the Numbers Say About This Market

The Washington median of $107,650 is above the national median of $65,790, and below the District of Columbia statewide median of $113,640 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).

The metro’s location quotient of 1.46 means healthcare practitioners and technical workers are more concentrated here than in the average U.S. labor market (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Higher concentration generally means more employers competing for the same people, and an easier job change later.

Allied health employment follows hospital systems and outpatient networks, so the local market tracks where the large health systems are rather than general population

Licensing

Licensing is a state matter, not a city one. Health sciences is a completion degree rather than a licensing credential, and it does not authorize clinical practice on its own. The licence you hold already - imaging, respiratory, laboratory or rehabilitation - is what governs your scope. This degree adds the four-year qualification on top of it.

See the District of Columbia licensing and pay overview for the statewide picture, and confirm current requirements with your state licensing board for your existing clinical credential.

Schools Near You

Schools in our database near this area, ranked by BOC Score. The list favors schools with a related program on record, but program availability and delivery format change, so confirm directly with any school that it currently offers the program you want.

How we rank schools – graduation rate, graduate earnings, cost and retention. Advertising plays no part.

This page lists 1 school within 1 miles, closest group first, then ordered by BOC Score with the highest at the top. 1 of them carries a score.

Location / proximity to this page
Defines the local group
Graduation rate how often students finish
30%
Median earnings, 10 years after entry whether it paid off
25%
Average net price what students actually pay after aid; lower ranks higher
20%
Retention rate how many come back for year two
15%
Fully online availability whether you can study while working
10%

Scores come from IPEDS (2024) and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings are for all graduates of a school, not one program, so treat them as a signal about the institution rather than about this subject. Sponsored listings are paid placements and are labelled as such; they are separate from this ranking and never change it. Read the full methodology.

#1

Howard University

Washington, DC 1.2 miles away BOC Score 60.8
Tuition $35,810 - $54,630
Contact
Key stats
  • Admission rate: 41.3%
  • Graduation rate: 69.3%
  • Programs offered: 11
  • Annual completions: 249
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $72,974 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do healthcare practitioners and technical workers make in Washington?

The median annual wage for healthcare practitioners and technical workers in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area is $107,650, above the national median of $65,790 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).

How many healthcare practitioners and technical workers work in the Washington area?

The Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area employs about 1,030 healthcare practitioners and technical workers (BLS OEWS, May 2025).

Do healthcare practitioners and technical workers in Washington need a license?

Licensing is handled at state level rather than by city. Health sciences is a completion degree rather than a licensing credential, and it does not authorize clinical practice on its own. The licence you hold already - imaging, respiratory, laboratory or rehabilitation - is what governs your scope. This degree adds the four-year qualification on top of it. Confirm current requirements with your state licensing board for your existing clinical credential.

Can I study health sciences online from Washington?

The academic portion of these programs is widely available online for working adults, while labs, clinical hours or supervised field work are completed in person. Check that the program's accreditation satisfies your state licensing board for your existing clinical credential.

Is Washington a better market than the rest of District of Columbia?

The Washington metro median is $107,650 against a statewide median of $113,640 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Compare that gap with the difference in living costs before treating it as a raise.

Sources

  • U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 - Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Workers, All Other (SOC 29-9099), national, state and metropolitan estimates
  • U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections, 2024-34
  • U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook - education and licensing requirements

Wage and employment figures describe the occupation as measured by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, not the graduates of any particular program, and individual outcomes may vary. Licensing rules change; confirm current requirements with the responsible state board before enrolling.

About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.