Registered Nurses in District of Columbia. BLS OES + DOL OFLC + reader-reported submissions. How this is built →
What the numbers say
Registered Nurses in DC earned a median of $104,550 in 2024, about 10.6% above the national median of $94,511. The average wage was higher at $109,240, which means a portion of nurses in senior or specialized roles pulled the figure up.
The spread across the field is relatively narrow. The 10th percentile came in at $81,880 and the 90th at $135,620, a gap of roughly $53,700. For comparison, that range is tighter than what we see in many other professional occupations at the same pay level. Most nurses in DC cluster within a band that suggests relatively consistent pay across experience levels, at least compared to national norms.
DC's cost-of-living index sits at 117.7, meaning prices run about 17.7% higher than the national baseline. Adjusting for that, the median wage works out to roughly $88,830 in national-baseline dollars, which puts DC below the US median in real purchasing terms. The nominal premium shrinks considerably once housing, transportation, and everyday costs are factored in. That does not make DC an unattractive market for nurses, but the headline number overstates what the paycheck actually buys.
BLS projects 4.9% growth in this occupation nationally from 2024 to 2034, an average pace by their classification. With about 9,790 Registered Nurses currently employed in DC, the district's relatively small total workforce means absolute job additions will be modest even if percentage growth holds.
Salary distribution
Where District of Columbia registered nurses fall on the wage curve.
Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)
The middle 50% of workers earn between $85,850 and $127,800, with a median of $102,540.
Registered Nurses in District of Columbia: actual employer-disclosed pay
Public records from 5 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. Median offered wage: $99,112. Every figure below is an actual offered salary an employer attested to under federal law.
By DOL wage level
DOL classifies every offer into one of four wage levels based on the role's experience and skill requirements.
| Level | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|
| Level I — entry | 1 | $75,189 |
| Level III — experienced | 2 | $99,112 |
| Level IV — fully competent | 2 | $109,533 |
Top employers filing for this role
Companies with the most certified filings for Registered Nurses in District of Columbia. Median offer is across all of that employer's filings.
| Employer | Most-filed title | Filings | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| The MedStar-Georgetown Medical Center, Inc. | ICU RN | 2 | $99,112 |
| Children's National Medical Center | Clincal Program Coordinator | 1 | $109,533 |
| Howard University | Clinical Nurse II | 1 | $75,189 |
| MedStar-Georgetown Medical Center, Inc. | Neuro Med-Surg Clinical Nurse | 1 | $109,533 |
Recent sample filings
A snapshot of recent certified offers. Each line is a real, public, verifiable record.
- Intermediate Care RN at The MedStar-Georgetown Medical Center, Inc.$99,112WashingtonWage Level IIIDecided Aug 8, 2025I-200-25213-215499
- Clinical Nurse II at Howard University$75,189WashingtonWage Level IDecided May 15, 2025I-200-25128-954277
- Clincal Program Coordinator at Children's National Medical Center$109,533WashingtonWage Level IVDecided Mar 12, 2025I-200-25064-745736
- Neuro Med-Surg Clinical Nurse at MedStar-Georgetown Medical Center, Inc.$109,533WashingtonWage Level IVDecided Feb 13, 2025I-203-25037-671351
- ICU RN at The MedStar-Georgetown Medical Center, Inc.$99,112WashingtonWage Level IIIDecided Aug 8, 2025I-200-25213-215487
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Foreign Labor Certification. Disclosed wages reflect what employers attested to pay; actual paid wages may differ. Only certified filings are shown — denied and withdrawn cases are excluded.
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Registered Nurses pay by experience level in District of Columbia
Each band reflects DOL Wage Levels I-IV mapped onto a four-step ladder. Click a level to see the disclosed-wage range for that segment.
Wage trend
Median annual wage in District of Columbia over the past 3 BLS OES releases. Real values are CPI-adjusted to 2025 dollars.
Typical entry
Education
Bachelor's degree
Experience
None
On-the-job training
None
Top skills (O*NET)
- 4.6 / 5
Psychology
Knowledge
- 4.4 / 5
Customer and Personal Service
Knowledge
- 4.4 / 5
Medicine and Dentistry
Knowledge
- 4.2 / 5
English Language
Knowledge
- 4.1 / 5
Deductive Reasoning
Ability
- 4.1 / 5
Social Perceptiveness
Technical
- 4.1 / 5
Problem Sensitivity
Ability
- 4.0 / 5
Speaking
Basic skill
Common tasks (O*NET)
- 01
Record patients' medical information and vital signs.
- 02
Administer medications to patients and monitor patients for reactions or side effects.
- 03
Maintain accurate, detailed reports and records.
- 04
Monitor, record, and report symptoms or changes in patients' conditions.
- 05
Provide health care, first aid, immunizations, or assistance in convalescence or rehabilitation in locations such as schools, hospitals, or industry.
- 06
Consult and coordinate with healthcare team members to assess, plan, implement, or evaluate patient care plans.
- 07
Direct or supervise less-skilled nursing or healthcare personnel or supervise a particular unit.
- 08
Monitor all aspects of patient care, including diet and physical activity.
10-year outlook
Growth 2024 → 2034
+4.9%
Projected annual openings
—
BLS outlook
Average growth
Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034 cycle.
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Explore coursesTop metros in District of Columbia
Metro-level salary data for registered nurses in major District of Columbia metropolitan areas.
- Washington, D.C.$102,710
Compare Registered Nurses pay across nearby states
Considering a move? Compare District of Columbia with another state
Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Registered Nurses in District of Columbia?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, the median annual wage for Registered Nurses in District of Columbia is $102,540.
- How does District of Columbia compare to the national median for Registered Nurses?
- The District of Columbia median is +4.3% versus the BLS national figure of $98,331.
- What is the salary range for Registered Nurses in District of Columbia?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $79,390 and the 90th-percentile at $151,170, which captures most full-time workers in the role.
- Is Registered Nurses a growing field?
- BLS Employment Projections show employment growing by 4.9% over the projection cycle. See the 10-year outlook section above for details.
- What education is required for Registered Nurses?
- BLS lists the typical entry-level education as Bachelor's degree. Many employers also weigh prior experience and credentials.
Information on this page is for general educational purposes only. It is not career, financial, or tax advice. Wage data reflects BLS estimates for the reference year shown and may not match individual offers, employer-specific ranges, or current market conditions. Confirm with a licensed professional before making career or compensation decisions.