Registered Nurse salary in District of Columbia
Registered Nurses in District of Columbia earn a median of $102,540 a year ($49.30 an hour), based on BLS data for 11,440 workers.
Pay ranges from $79,390 for the lowest-paid 10% to $151,170 for the top 10%. That is 5% higher than the national median of $97,550. District of Columbia ranks 11th of 51 states for registered nurses pay. There are 16 registered nurses per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.75). The average (mean) salary is $106,980, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for registered nurses in District of Columbia
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $79,390 | $38.17 |
| 25th percentile | $85,850 | $41.28 |
| Median | $102,540 | $49.30 |
| 75th percentile | $127,800 | $61.44 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $151,170 | $72.68 |
| Average (mean) | $106,980 | $51.43 |
Half of registered nurses 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 | $8,545 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,272.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,943.85 |
| Weekly | $1,971.92 |
| Hourly | $49.30 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $102,540 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.
Registered Nurse salary in cities in District of Columbia
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $102,710 | 46,830 |
Highest-paying states for registered nurses
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $140,270 |
| Hawaii | $136,320 |
| Oregon | $129,010 |
| Washington | $124,200 |
| Alaska | $109,480 |
| New York | $109,440 |
| New Jersey | $106,500 |
| Massachusetts | $104,550 |
| Nevada | $103,670 |
| Connecticut | $102,740 |
Related jobs in District of Columbia
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Physicians, All Other | $77,430 | $37.23 |
| Pharmacist | $153,400 | $73.75 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $135,880 | $65.33 |
| Physical Therapist | $101,640 | $48.87 |
| Occupational Therapist | $109,170 | $52.49 |
| General Internal Medicine Physician | $223,250 | $107.33 |
| Healthcare Diagnosing or Treating Practitioners, All Other | $151,990 | $73.07 |
| Physician Assistant | $135,140 | $64.97 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $111,950 | $53.82 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $109,380 | $52.59 |
| Dental Hygienist | $137,220 | $65.97 |
| Psychiatrist | $183,080 | $88.02 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $82,150 | $39.50 |
| Veterinarian | $134,530 | $64.68 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in District of Columbia
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-1141. 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 registered nurse make in District of Columbia?
The median salary for registered nurses in District of Columbia is $102,540 a year, or $49.30 an hour. Pay ranges from $79,390 for the lowest-paid 10% to $151,170 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid registered nurses make in District of Columbia?
The top 10% of registered nurses in District of Columbia earn at least $151,170 a year. The top 25% earn $127,800 or more.
What is the starting pay for registered nurses in District of Columbia?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $79,390 a year, and a quarter of registered nurses earn $85,850 or less.
How many registered nurses work in District of Columbia?
About 11,440 registered nurses are employed in District of Columbia, not counting the self-employed.