Registered Nurse · Salary Comparison · 2026
Registered Nurse Salary: Washington, DC vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Registered Nurses in Washington, DC and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$95,000 vs $130,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ San Francisco, CA
$62,500 vs $69,892
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ San Francisco, CA
$53,996 vs $58,575
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Washington, DC | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $95,000 | $130,000▲ | -$35,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $73,000 | $100,000▲ | -$27,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $121,000 | $165,000▲ | -$44,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $148,000 | $200,000▲ | -$52,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 152 | 186 | -34 |
| State Income Tax | 6.5%▲ | 9.3% | -2.8000000000000007% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $62,500 | $69,892▲ | -$7,392 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $82,074 | $108,949▲ | -$26,875 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $53,996 | $58,575▲ | -$4,579 |
| Total Employment | 35,000 | 28,000 | +7,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Washington, DC minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $35,000 more (median: $95,000 vs $130,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 152 vs 186), San Francisco, CA provides better purchasing power ($62,500 vs $69,892 equivalent). Washington, DC has the lower state tax rate (6.5% vs 9.3%).
4More Registered Nurse City Comparisons
Data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS · 2026 · Cost-of-living indices from composite metro area data. Take-home estimates approximate only — consult a tax professional for accurate figures.