Registered Nurse Salary in Washington, DC: $108,164 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time registered nurse in Washington, DC earns a median $108,164/year (≈ $52.00/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1141). Once you factor in Washington's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 108.9), that paycheck buys what $99,339 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 10.0% below the District of Columbia state average.
Official BLS data · View source
With a projected median annual salary of $108,164 in 2026, registered nurse pay in Washington, DC, reflects a competitive landscape compared to the national median of $102,730. The salary spectrum for nurses here spans from $85,038 at the 10th percentile to $139,957 at the 90th percentile, illustrating a wide range in compensation. This data, derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, highlights the structural divide between staff nurses and travel nurses in this market. Travel nursing positions often command higher salaries, particularly in high-cost-of-living areas like Washington, making it crucial for local nurses to understand their worth and the various employment settings influencing their compensation.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $85,038 | $40.88 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $89,103 | $42.84 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $108,164 | $52.00 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $125,972 | $60.56 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $139,957 | $67.28 |
Median Salary Position
5.29% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Washington
In Washington, DC, the registered nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $54,919 (2026 est.). At $108,164, the local median is 5.29% above the national median of $102,730.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Washington: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Washington Registered Nurse Pay Compares
Washington median: $108,164/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Washington Pays |
|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia Average | $120,182 | -10.00% less |
| National Average | $102,730 | +5.29% more |
Registered Nurses in Washington, DC earn a median of $108,164 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.29% higher than the national median of $102,730 and 10.00% below the District of Columbia state average of $120,182.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Washington has a cost of living 8.88% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Washington, DC has a cost-of-living index of 108.884 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $108,164 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $99,339 — a 8.16% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$81,600
2025 BLS Actual
$102,710
2026 Current Est.
$108,164
2019–2027 Growth
+39.6%
Salary Trajectory for Registered Nurses in Washington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.31% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $81,600 | Actual |
| 2020 | $82,530 | Actual |
| 2021 | $79,810 | Actual |
| 2022 | $85,760 | Actual |
| 2023 | $98,000 | Actual |
| 2024 | $101,800 | Actual |
| 2025 | $102,710 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $108,164 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $113,907 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Washington metropolitan area, the median registered nurse salary grew 25.9% from $81,600 (2019) to $102,710 (2025). At a 5.31% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $113,907 by 2027 — a total increase of $32,307 (39.59%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Washington metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 5.31% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $85,038 – $89,103 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $89,103 – $108,164 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $108,164 – $125,972 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $125,972 – $139,957 |
RN salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual registered nurse compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Registered Nurse Job Market in Washington
Strength in the local job market is evident, with approximately 46,830 registered nurses employed throughout the area, indicating robust demand for nursing professionals. However, the cost of living in Washington, with a cost-of-living index of 108.884, suggests that take-home pay may be impacted significantly. As for employers, top-paying facilities include major hospital systems, particularly those recognized for magnet status, surgical specialty centers, and home health agencies. Substantial shifts in pay may arise due to factors such as shift differentials on weekends and nights, specialty certification bonuses, and charge nurse responsibilities. Nurses aiming to maximize their pay should consider pursuing certifications from bodies like the AACN and ENA, which enhance employability and often lead to higher salaries, alongside seeking roles in high-demand areas such as ICU or ED, where compensation trends toward the higher end of the scale.
More salary data for Washington, DC:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Jordan Lee, RN, BSN
Career Analyst
Jordan Lee has 10 years of experience as a registered nurse. Their specialty is pediatric nursing in a community hospital. They analyze nursing workforce trends and salary data.
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $102,710 for registered nursesin the Washington metropolitan area. A 5.31% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.31%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for registered nurses (SOC 29-1141).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, RN, BSN, a licensed registered nurse with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov