folvr

Registered Nurse Salary in Washington, District of Columbia

Updated 2026-04-05BLS 2024 data — be the first to add a local report

Salary Distribution

BLS 2024
$118,581/ year

Median Registered Nurse in Washington, DC

$73,029
10th
$89,060
25th
$118,581
Median
$154,760
75th
$188,807
90th

Compensation Breakdown

BLS 2024
Base salary (median)
$118,581
Total compensation (est.)
$136,368
Bonus range
$3,050 – $12,720
Mean salary
$125,696

How This Compares

Washington, DC median
$118,581
District of Columbia median
$82,844+43.1%
National median
$81,220+46.0%

Cost of living in Washington is 46% above the national average. Salary of $118,581 here is equivalent to $81,220 nationally.

Salary by Experience

0-2 years
$85,378-28.0%
3-5 years
$107,909-9.0%
6-10 years
$132,811+12.0%
10+ years
$163,642+38.0%

Salary by Company Size

Startup (< 100 employees)
$104,351-12.0%
Mid-size (100–5,000)
$118,581
Enterprise (5,000+)
$139,926+18.0%

Add your salary data

Anonymous. 60 seconds. See how you compare instantly.

$120K
$30K$500K

Related Jobs in Washington

Nurse Practitioner$182,033/yr
Physician Assistant$183,975/yr
Physical Therapist$142,671/yr
Occupational Therapist$136,043/yr
Pharmacist$193,815/yr

Quick Numbers

Hourly (40hr week)$57/hr
Monthly gross$9,882/mo
25th percentile$89,060/yr
75th percentile$154,760/yr

Find Registered Nurse jobs in Washington

See open positions and negotiate with real data.

Search Indeed →Search LinkedIn →

Market Context

via FRED

Fed Funds Rate

Mar 2026

3.64%

Inflation (CPI)

year-over-year

2.4%+0.04

National Unemployment

Mar 2026

4.3%-0.10

District of Columbia Unemployment

Dec 2025

6.7%+0.20

Avg Hourly Earnings

all private workers

$37.38+$0.09

10yr Treasury

Apr 2026

4.31%

Source: St. Louis Fed (FRED). Updated daily.

Registered Nurse Salaries by City

Compare all US cities →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average Registered Nurse salary in Washington?

The median Registered Nurse salary in Washington is $118,581 per year, with a range from $89,060 at the 25th percentile to $154,760 at the 75th percentile. Total compensation including bonuses typically runs higher — see the breakdown above for the full picture.

How does Registered Nurse pay in Washington compare to the national average?

Registered Nurse salaries in Washington are 46% above the national median of $81,220. After adjusting for Washington's cost of living, the purchasing power of that salary is equivalent to roughly $81,220 nationally — which is the number that actually matters when comparing offers across cities.

What factors affect Registered Nurse salaries in Washington?

In Washington, the biggest drivers are years of experience, company size, and industry vertical. Entry-level Registered Nurse roles start around $73,029, while senior and staff-level positions at larger employers can reach $188,807 or above. Specialized skills and in-demand tools can also meaningfully shift where you land in the range.

Is Washington a good place for Registered Nurse jobs?

Washington offers a Registered Nurse median of $118,581, which is 46% above the US median of $81,220. Whether that makes it a good market depends on your personal cost-of-living equation — Washington is 46% more expensive than the national average, so factor that into your math.

How do I negotiate a higher Registered Nurse salary?

Start with the data on this page: the 75th percentile for Registered Nurse in Washington is $154,760, which is a defensible anchor for a negotiation. Come in with a specific number backed by real market data — not a range — and reference your experience tier. If you're above the median, ask for the 75th percentile. If you're already at the 75th, push for total comp improvements like equity or bonus instead.