Registered nurse pay in Washington, DC
Registered nurses in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn a typical $102,710 a year. The middle half earn $84,610 to $119,620, and the top 10% earn more than $132,900. About 46,830 people do this job there.
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 (occupation: Registered Nurses, SOC 29-1141).
Pay range
| Bottom 10% earn less than | $80,750 |
| 25th percentile | $84,610 |
| Median (typical) | $102,710 |
| 75th percentile | $119,620 |
| Top 10% earn more than | $132,900 |
Typical pay here ranks No. 13 of 50 large metros for registered nurses before taxes and prices.
After taxes and cost of living
At the typical $102,710, a single filer keeps about $75,300 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 $69,200 would in a typical US city. That ranks Washington No. 32 of 50 large metros for registered nurses after cost of living.
Where registered nurses’ pay goes furthest
- San Jose, CA$216,740 typical · worth $132k
- Sacramento, CA$171,460 typical · worth $109k
- San Francisco, CA$186,610 typical · worth $109k
- Seattle, WA$128,260 typical · worth $89k
All 50 metros for registered nurses →
Where does your salary land?
Add your salary and experience to see your percentile among registered nurses in Washington. Free and private. (Different city? Use the main checker.)
Common questions
How much does a registered nurse make in Washington, DC?
The typical (median) registered nurse in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earns $102,710 a year. The middle half earn between $84,610 and $119,620, and the top 10% earn more than $132,900. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.
What is a good salary for a registered nurse in Washington?
Anything above $102,710 pays more than half of registered nurses in Washington. $119,620 or more puts you in the top quarter, and $132,900 in the top 10%. Experience and employer move where you should be in that range.
How much does a registered nurse in Washington take home after taxes?
At the typical $102,710, a single filer keeps about $75,300 a year ($6,280 a month) after federal, Social Security, Medicare, D.C. state income tax. With local prices 9% above the US average, that buys what $69,200 would in a typical US city.
Where do registered nurses get paid the most after cost of living?
Among the 50 largest US metros, typical registered nurse pay goes furthest after taxes and prices in San Jose, CA, Sacramento, CA, San Francisco, CA. Washington, DC ranks No. 32.
More: Registered nurse pay in every large metro · Pay for other jobs in Washington, DC
Local prices: BEA regional price parities, 2024. Updated November 2026.