Nursing assistant (CNA) pay in Washington, DC
Nursing assistants in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn a typical $45,730 a year. The middle half earn $39,020 to $48,980, and the top 10% earn more than $55,390. About 25,520 people do this job there.
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 (occupation: Nursing Assistants, SOC 31-1131).
Pay range
| Bottom 10% earn less than | $36,060 |
| 25th percentile | $39,020 |
| Median (typical) | $45,730 |
| 75th percentile | $48,980 |
| Top 10% earn more than | $55,390 |
Typical pay here ranks No. 16 of 50 large metros for nursing assistants before taxes and prices.
After taxes and cost of living
At the typical $45,730, a single filer keeps about $37,300 a year after federal, Social Security, Medicare, and D.C. state income tax. Prices in Washington are 9% above the US average, so that take-home buys what $34,300 would in a typical US city. That ranks Washington No. 28 of 50 large metros for nursing assistants after cost of living.
Where nursing assistants’ pay goes furthest
- San Jose, CA$56,840 typical · worth $42k
- San Francisco, CA$56,080 typical · worth $39.6k
- Seattle, WA$51,990 typical · worth $39.6k
- Milwaukee, WI$45,690 typical · worth $38.9k
All 50 metros for nursing assistants →
Where does your salary land?
Add your salary and experience to see your percentile among nursing assistants in Washington. Free and private. (Different city? Use the main checker.)
Common questions
How much does a nursing assistant (cna) make in Washington, DC?
The typical (median) nursing assistant (cna) in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earns $45,730 a year. The middle half earn between $39,020 and $48,980, and the top 10% earn more than $55,390. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.
What is a good salary for a nursing assistant (cna) in Washington?
Anything above $45,730 pays more than half of nursing assistants in Washington. $48,980 or more puts you in the top quarter, and $55,390 in the top 10%. Experience and employer move where you should be in that range.
How much does a nursing assistant (cna) in Washington take home after taxes?
At the typical $45,730, a single filer keeps about $37,300 a year ($3,110 a month) after federal, Social Security, Medicare, D.C. state income tax. With local prices 9% above the US average, that buys what $34,300 would in a typical US city.
Where do nursing assistants get paid the most after cost of living?
Among the 50 largest US metros, typical nursing assistant (cna) pay goes furthest after taxes and prices in San Jose, CA, San Francisco, CA, Seattle, WA. Washington, DC ranks No. 28.
More: Nursing assistant (CNA) pay in every large metro · Pay for other jobs in Washington, DC
Local prices: BEA regional price parities, 2024. Updated November 2026.