Nursing Assistant salary in District of Columbia
Nursing Assistants in District of Columbia earn a median of $47,700 a year ($22.93 an hour), based on BLS data for 3,490 workers.
Pay ranges from $38,900 for the lowest-paid 10% to $57,500 for the top 10%. That is 13% higher than the national median of $42,260. District of Columbia ranks 5th of 51 states for nursing assistants pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 5.0 nursing assistants per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.53). The average (mean) salary is $47,930, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for nursing assistants in District of Columbia
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,900 | $18.70 |
| 25th percentile | $42,400 | $20.38 |
| Median | $47,700 | $22.93 |
| 75th percentile | $51,850 | $24.93 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $57,500 | $27.64 |
| Average (mean) | $47,930 | $23.04 |
Half of nursing assistants earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $3,975 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,987.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,834.62 |
| Weekly | $917.31 |
| Hourly | $22.93 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $47,700 salary, see how much house you can afford in District of Columbia at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Nursing Assistant salary in cities in District of Columbia
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $45,730 | 25,520 |
Highest-paying states for nursing assistants
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Oregon | $49,830 |
| Washington | $49,180 |
| New York | $48,590 |
| New Hampshire | $47,870 |
| District of Columbia | $47,700 |
| California | $47,630 |
| Colorado | $47,380 |
| Vermont | $47,130 |
| Maine | $47,070 |
| New Jersey | $46,830 |
Related jobs in District of Columbia
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $42,700 | $20.53 |
| Orderly | $39,250 | $18.87 |
| Medical Assistant | $51,050 | $24.54 |
| Dental Assistant | $60,580 | $29.13 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $73,590 | $35.38 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $48,670 | $23.40 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $49,080 | $23.60 |
| Phlebotomist | $51,980 | $24.99 |
| Massage Therapist | $64,110 | $30.82 |
| Pharmacy Aide | $59,960 | $28.83 |
| Medical Transcriptionist | $45,110 | $21.69 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $66,390 | $31.92 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $63,400 | $30.48 |
| Physical Therapist Aide | $38,950 | $18.72 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in District of Columbia
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 31-1131. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a nursing assistant make in District of Columbia?
The median salary for nursing assistants in District of Columbia is $47,700 a year, or $22.93 an hour. Pay ranges from $38,900 for the lowest-paid 10% to $57,500 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid nursing assistants make in District of Columbia?
The top 10% of nursing assistants in District of Columbia earn at least $57,500 a year. The top 25% earn $51,850 or more.
What is the starting pay for nursing assistants in District of Columbia?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $38,900 a year, and a quarter of nursing assistants earn $42,400 or less.
How many nursing assistants work in District of Columbia?
About 3,490 nursing assistants are employed in District of Columbia, not counting the self-employed.