Registered Nurse Salary in Washington, DC
Registered Nurses in Washington, DC earn a median of $95,000/year, ranging from $73,000 (25th percentile) to $148,000 (90th percentile). After District of Columbia state taxes (6.5%) and cost-of-living adjustments (COL index 152), this is equivalent to $62,500 in purchasing power vs the US average.
On the ground in Washington, DC
Hospital systems like MedStar Health and Georgetown University Hospital anchor the nursing workforce here, alongside the Veterans Affairs Medical Center, which runs a steady pipeline of specialized roles. A one-bedroom in Navy Yard or Petworth runs around $1,800 to $2,000 monthly on a median RN salary, which means most nurses either roommate, live in the inner suburbs, or rely on shift differentials to stretch their pay. The Metro system covers major corridors reasonably well, though many nurses drive into Maryland or Virginia to work and contend with the I-66 and I-495 crush during shift changes. DC's 6.5% local income tax cuts into take-home harder than many metros, so factoring your actual net is essential when comparing offers here to jobs just across the border.
1Salary Distribution in Washington, DC
2Estimated Take-Home & Purchasing Power
* Estimates only. Does not include federal income tax, 401k, health insurance, or local taxes. Use the Salary Calculator for a detailed breakdown.
How Does Washington, DC Compare?
| City | Median | COL Index | COL-Adjusted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington, DC (current) | $95,000 | 152 | $62,500 |
| San Francisco, CA | $130,000 | 186 | $69,892 |
| New York, NY | $105,000 | 187 | $56,150 |
| Seattle, WA | $115,000 | 162 | $70,988 |
| Boston, MA | $108,000 | 162 | $66,667 |
| Austin, TX | $82,000 | 124 | $66,129 |
4Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Registered Nurse salary in Washington, DC?
The median Registered Nurse salary in Washington, DC is $95,000 per year as of 2026 BLS OEWS data. The 25th percentile is $73,000 and the 90th percentile is $148,000.
Is Washington, DC a good place to work as a Registered Nurse?
Washington, DC has a cost of living index of 152 (US average = 100). After adjusting for cost of living, a $95,000 Registered Nurse salary in Washington, DC is equivalent to $62,500 in purchasing power compared to the US average.
What is the cost of living adjustment for Washington, DC?
Washington, DC has a cost of living index of 152, meaning it is 52% more expensive than the US average. The state income tax rate in District of Columbia is approximately 6.5%.
What is the Registered Nurse salary range in Washington, DC?
In Washington, DC, Registered Nurses earn between $73,000 (25th percentile) and $148,000 (90th percentile), with a median of $95,000 per year.
How many Registered Nurse jobs are there in Washington, DC?
According to BLS OEWS data, there are approximately 35,000 Registered Nurse positions in the Washington, DC metropolitan area.
What do Registered Nurses earn in Washington, DC?
Based on BLS OEWS 2026 data, Registered Nurses in Washington, DC earn a median annual wage of $95,000. The middle 50% earn between $73,000 and $121,000. The top 10% earn more than $148,000. There are approximately 35,000 Registered Nurses employed in the Washington, DC metro area, with annual job growth estimated at 2.8%.
Is Washington, DC a good place for a Registered Nurse?
Washington, DC has a cost of living index of 152 (US average = 100), making it 52% more expensive than the national average. After adjusting for cost of living, a Registered Nurse in Washington, DC earning $95,000has the equivalent purchasing power of $62,500 relative to the US median. District of Columbia has a state income tax rate of approximately 6.5%.
What is the cost of living adjustment for Washington, DC?
Washington, DC's cost of living index is 152, based on composite data including housing, food, transportation, healthcare, and utilities. This means that $95,000 in Washington, DChas the same purchasing power as $62,500 in a city at exactly the US average cost of living. Housing is typically the largest driver of cost of living differences between metros.
Compare Washington, DC with Another City
See a detailed side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, and purchasing power.
5Should You Work as a Registered Nurse in Washington, DC?
The headline median of $95,000 is only part of the picture. Washington, DC's cost of living index is 152 (US average = 100), meaning a dollar here buys roughly 66¢ of what it buys in an average US city. The $95,000 salary effectively purchases $62,500 worth of goods and services at national-average prices.
Housing is the single biggest driver of cost-of-living differences between metros. In Washington, DC, the median household typically spends 35–45% of gross income on housing — significantly above the 28% "affordable" threshold most lenders use. For a $95,000 salary, that translates to roughly $38,000/year on housing alone.
State tax plays a meaningful but smaller role. District of Columbia levies a state income tax of approximately 6.5%, which reduces take-home by roughly $6,175 per year on this salary. States with zero income tax (Texas, Florida, Washington, Tennessee, Nevada) offer a structural advantage, but often offset it with higher sales tax or property tax. After state tax and approximate federal FICA (~7.6%), the estimated take-home is $82,074. This excludes federal income tax, which varies by filing status and deductions.
For comparison, here are nearby alternatives: San Francisco, CA ($130,000 median, COL 186); New York, NY ($105,000 median, COL 187); Seattle, WA ($115,000 median, COL 162). If you're optimizing for purchasing power, compare the COL-adjusted column in the table above and pick the highest number. If you're optimizing for career progression, weight total employment and yearly growth in the role — larger markets offer more lateral moves and promotion velocity, even when nominal pay is lower.
The 2.8% year-over-year growth rate for Registered Nurses in Washington, DC is a leading indicator of market health. A mature, slower-growth market — often higher-paid in absolute terms but with fewer open roles and slower lateral moves. For side-by-side comparisons, try the full city ranking for Registered Nurses or the District of Columbia state overview.
Data source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) Program. All figures are approximate annual estimates based on the most recent available BLS data. Actual salaries may vary based on experience, education, employer size, and specific role. Cost-of-living data represents composite indices from publicly available metropolitan area data.