Registered Nurse salary in Washington, DC
Median pay, Washington DC metro
$102,710/year
about $49.38 an hour full-time
Middle half earns $84,610 – $119,620
Half of registered nurses in the Washington DC metro area earn more than $102,710 a year and half earn less. That's 5% higher than the national median of $97,550, and ranks #12 of the 30 big metro areas we track for this job.
Pay range
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly* |
|---|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $80,750 | $38.82 |
| 25th | $84,610 | $40.68 |
| Median (50th) | $102,710 | $49.38 |
| 75th | $119,620 | $57.51 |
| 90th (top earners) | $132,900 | $63.89 |
*Yearly pay divided by 2,080 hours (40 hours × 52 weeks), the full-time basis BLS uses.
Is your offer fair?
For a registered nurse job in the Washington DC metro area, here's how an offer compares:
- Below market under $84,610 ($40.68/hr). Fine for a first job in the field, otherwise worth negotiating.
- Typical $84,610 to $119,620 ($40.68 to $57.51/hr). The middle half of what people in this job earn.
- Strong offer over $119,620 ($57.51/hr). Higher than three quarters of workers here.
Before you accept
- Shift differentials for nights and weekends can add a lot on top of the base rate, so ask for them in writing.
- Sign-on bonuses often come with a clawback if you leave within one or two years. Check the terms before you count on it.
- Ask about nurse-to-patient ratios and mandatory overtime, since they shape the job far more than the posting suggests.
Also watch for the common warning signs in the posting itself: 15 job posting red flags.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2025, Washington DC metro. Occupation: Registered Nurses (SOC 29-1141). Figures cover wage and salary workers and don't include bonuses, benefits or overtime.