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verified BLS-Verified Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) May 2025 release

Registered Nurse Salary in District of Columbia

Median Annual in District of Columbia
$102,540/yr
Median Hourly Wage
$49.30/hr
▲ 5% above U.S. median

Salary Distribution in District of Columbia

groups Employed in DC
11,440
public U.S. Median
$97,550
savings Real pay (cost-adjusted)
$93,302 #29 of 51

Registered Nurse pay in District of Columbia, explained

Registered nurses in District of Columbia earn a median of $102,540 per year ($49.30 per hour), which is 5% above the national median of $97,550. Entry-level workers earn around $79,390, while the most experienced registered nurses reach about $151,170. Pay varies by employer, setting, and metro area within District of Columbia.

Is $102,540 good pay in District of Columbia?

Adjusted for District of Columbia's cost of living (which runs 110% of the U.S. average), that $102,540 is worth about $93,302 in national buying power — ranking District of Columbia #29 for real pay (vs #11 on the sticker number).

See the full Registered Nurse Real Pay Index arrow_forward

Registered Nurse pay by experience in District of Columbia

Entry level (10th pct)
$79,390
$38.17/hr
Median
Mid-career (50th pct)
$102,540
$49.30/hr
Experienced (90th pct)
$151,170
$72.68/hr

Registered Nurse pay in neighboring states

StateMedian / yrReal payvs DC
District of Columbia (here) $102,540 $93,302 —
Maryland $99,790 $95,075 +$2,750
Virginia $93,600 $92,578 +$8,940

Registered Nurse in District of Columbia: FAQ

How much do registered nurses make in District of Columbia?

Registered nurses in District of Columbia earn a median of $102,540 per year ($49.30 per hour), compared with $97,550 nationally.

Does District of Columbia pay registered nurses well?

At $102,540, District of Columbia pays 5% above the national median for registered nurses. An estimated 11,440 work in the state.

Registered Nurse salary in other states

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 Minnesota · $101,510 Rhode Island · $100,640

All 51 states ranked arrow_forward

Related careers in District of Columbia

Nurse Practitioner $135,880/yr median Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) $47,700/yr median Physician Assistant $135,140/yr median