RN Salary in Washington, D.C.: $102,540 Median (May 2025)
Registered nurses in Washington, D.C. earn a median of $102,540 per year — $49.30 an hour — $4,990 above the national median of $97,550, ranking #11 of 51 states and D.C. The middle 80% of Washington, D.C. RNs earn between $79,390 and $151,170. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — the federal wage survey, not job-board self-reports.
Washington, D.C. RN pay range (May 2025)
Dark band = middle 50% of Washington, D.C. RNs (25th–75th percentile). Light band = middle 80%. New grads typically start near the left edge.
Compare Washington, D.C. With Any State
Weighing a move, travel contracts, or a compact-state license? Put Washington, D.C. side by side with any other market.
| May 2025 BLS | District of Columbia | Texas |
|---|---|---|
| Median annual salary | $102,540 | $95,970 |
| Median hourly wage | $49.30/hr | $46.14/hr |
| Entry-level range (10th pct) | $79,390 | $67,120 |
| Experienced (75th pct) | $127,800 | $105,100 |
| Top earners (90th pct) | $151,170 | $127,950 |
| RNs employed | 11,440 | 271,380 |
The path to this salary runs through the NCLEX
Washington, D.C. has 10 board-approved nursing programs across 9 schools — compare them by real first-time NCLEX pass rates. Then check what the degree costs against these wages with your own numbers.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do registered nurses make in Washington, D.C.?
RNs in Washington, D.C. earn a median of $102,540 per year — $49.30 per hour — $4,990 above the national median of $97,550 (BLS May 2025). That ranks Washington, D.C. #11 of 51 states and D.C. by median RN pay.
What is a starting RN salary in Washington, D.C.?
New nurses generally start near the lower percentiles: in Washington, D.C., the 10th percentile is $79,390 and the 25th percentile is $85,850. Most RNs move toward the $102,540 median within their first several years.
What do the highest-paid RNs in Washington, D.C. earn?
The top 10% of RNs in Washington, D.C. earn above $151,170 per year — typically nurses with specialty certifications, leadership roles, or high-differential schedules.
How many RNs work in Washington, D.C.?
11,440 registered nurses are employed in Washington, D.C. per the BLS May 2025 estimates.