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2026 Salary Data — Washington, DC
Updated April 28, 2026

Registered Nurse Salary in Washington: $112K Median

Registered Nurses in Washington, DC earn between $83K and $172K per year.

That's +30% above the US national median of $86,070 for this role.

Quick Answer

As of April 2026, the median Registered Nurse salary in Washington, DC is $111,891 per year — +30% above the US national median of $86,070. Salaries range from $82,836 (entry, 25th percentile) to $172,484 (90th percentile). Registered Nurses in Washington earned approximately $16,953 in 2025, representing 560.0% year-over-year growth.

Median
$111,891
+560.0% YoY · $9,324/mo
Entry
$84,500
0–2 years
Experienced
$136,500
5+ years
Top 10%
$172,484
Senior/lead
Registered Nurse Salary — Washington vs Nearby
Washington
$112K
Long Beach
$103K
+8% vs Washington
San Diego
$102K
+10% vs Washington
Boston
$112K
+0% vs Washington

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About Registered Nurses in Washington

Registered nurses (RNs) provide direct patient care, administer medications, coordinate care plans, and educate patients about health conditions.

Core Responsibilities

  • Patient assessment and care planning
  • Medication administration
  • Wound care and clinical procedures
  • Patient and family education
  • Care coordination with physicians

Education & Certifications

Typical path: BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing) increasingly preferred over ADN

In-demand certifications

NCLEX-RNBLS/ACLSCCRN (critical care)CNOR (perioperative)Compact Nursing License

Washington Job Market

US capital with massive federal government, defense, and consulting sector.

Population
712K
Cost of Living
152
vs 100 US avg
Unemployment
3.5%
Median Home
$700K

Top Industries in Washington

GovernmentDefenseTechEducationLobbying

Top Employers Hiring Registered Nurses

Major employers active in Washington or hiring remotely from this metro.

HCA Healthcare
Kaiser Permanente
Mayo Clinic
Cleveland Clinic
CommonSpirit Health
Veterans Health

All major employers use ATS software.

Workday, Greenhouse, Taleo, and iCIMS auto-screen 75% of resumes before a human ever sees them. Scan your resume free to see your match rate.

2026 Hot Skills & Resume Keywords

Skills that command salary premiums and pass ATS keyword filters.

Hottest 2026 Skills

These appear in the highest-paying Registered Nurse listings.

TelehealthEpic EHRBSN credentialSpecialty certificationsNLC compact license

ATS Resume Keywords

Include these naturally throughout your resume.

patient caremedication administrationEHR (Epic, Cerner)critical thinkingBLSIV therapypatient education
Career Outlook
+6% Growth Projected (2024-2034)

RN employment projected to grow 6% through 2034, with 194,500 openings annually. Chronic shortage continues, driving competitive salaries and signing bonuses.

Registered Nurse Salary Breakdown — Washington

PeriodEntry (25th)Median (50th)Top (90th)
Annual$82,836$111,891$172,484
Monthly$6,903$9,324$14,374
Weekly$1,593$2,152$3,317
Hourly$40$54$83

Based on 2080 working hours/year. Local figures derived from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics national median ($86,070) adjusted for Washington's cost-of-living multiplier (1.30×, sourced from BEA Regional Price Parities).

Registered Nurse Take-Home Pay in Washington

After federal, state and FICA taxes — single filer, standard deduction.

Net Annual Take-Home
$79,964.185
Per month$6,664
Biweekly paycheck$3,076
Effective tax rate28.5%

Tax Breakdown on $111,891

Gross salary$111,891
Federal income tax−$16,318.02
District of Columbia state tax−$7,049.133
FICA (Social Security + Medicare)−$8,559.662
Take-home (net)$79,964.185

Estimates assume single filer, standard deduction ($14,600 for 2026), no 401(k)/HSA/dependents. Actual take-home varies with deductions, dependents, and benefits elections. Not tax advice.

Registered Nurse Salary by Experience — Washington

Career-stage progression for Registered Nurses in Washington.

ExperienceAnnual Salary
0–1 yr$77,740
2–3 yr$84,500
4–6 yr$110,500
7–10 yr$136,500
11–15 yr$161,070
15+ yr$154,492

Curve derived from BLS percentile data adjusted for Washington's 1.30× cost-of-living multiplier. Highlighted row = 7–10 year experienced level.

Year-Over-Year Trend

+560.0% vs 2025

2025 median:$16,953
2026 median:$111,891
Change:+$94,938

Healthcare sector growth driven by demand for Telehealth and Epic EHR.

Is This A Good Salary?

Livable middle-class

Cost-adjusted, this is a workable middle-class salary. Budgeting matters - dual-income households fare materially better, and saving for a down payment will take discipline.

COL-Adjusted Purchasing Power
$73,613
Difficult on the median - the nominal salary masks how little real purchasing power remains after rent, taxes, and basic costs.

How to Negotiate Your Registered Nurse Salary in Washington

Walk-away anchor: $101,719 (offers below this are below market for Washington).

Leverage Points

  • Specialty certifications (CCRN, OCS, BCPS, FNP) command 8-15% premiums
  • Compact license / multi-state authority and willingness to float between units
  • Night, weekend, and holiday shift differentials add up to $10K-$25K annually
  • Critical-shortage specialties (ICU, ER, NICU, oncology) have the most leverage

Beyond Base Salary, Negotiate

Sign-on bonus ($10K-$30K, often $50K+ for hard-to-fill roles)Tuition reimbursement and certification stipendsLoan repayment programs (especially federal/HRSA-eligible)Shift differentials (nights +15%, weekends +10%)Relocation package and housing stipend

What To Say

"Given the current shortage in this specialty and my certifications, I'm looking for $X base plus shift differential and a sign-on bonus. What flexibility do you have on those line items?"

Anchor on $137K–$172K for experienced roles, citing Washington market data and your specific Telehealth/Epic EHR expertise.

Registered Nurse Salary FAQ — Washington

What is the average Registered Nurse salary in Washington, DC?
The average Registered Nurse salary in Washington is $111,891 per year as of April 2026 — $9,324/month, $2,152/week, or about $54/hour. Salaries range from $82,836 (entry, 25th percentile) up to $172,484 (experienced, 90th percentile). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics adjusted for Washington's cost-of-living multiplier (1.30×).
Is $111,891 a good Registered Nurse salary in Washington?
Livable middle-class. Cost-adjusted, this is a workable middle-class salary. Budgeting matters - dual-income households fare materially better, and saving for a down payment will take discipline. Washington's cost-of-living index is 152 (vs 100 nationally), giving $111,891 a real purchasing power of approximately $73,613 in national terms. Difficult on the median - the nominal salary masks how little real purchasing power remains after rent, taxes, and basic costs.
Can you live on $111,891 in Washington?
Median pay is below HUD's low-income threshold for a family of four in some of these metros (notably San Francisco, where $104K qualifies as 'low income'). Raising a family on the median typically requires two earners, a long commute, or family help with housing. Spending 30% on rent is impossible at the median in this market - most workers spend 40-50% or take roommates well into their 30s. HUD classifies anything over 30% as 'cost-burdened' here. For Washington specifically (median home price $700,000), a $111,891 salary supports a comfortable lifestyle.
Is $111,891 enough for a single person in Washington?
A single adult in Washington typically needs ~$68,400 for a comfortable lifestyle (housing, food, transport, healthcare, modest savings). A $111,891 salary is well above that threshold — a single person can live comfortably with significant savings room.
Is $111,891 enough for a couple in Washington?
A couple (one earner) in Washington typically needs ~$109,440 for a comfortable lifestyle. A $111,891 salary as the sole household income is sufficient — enabling moderate housing, savings, and discretionary spending. Two earners at $111,891 each ($223,782 household) provides solid middle-class comfort.
Is $111,891 enough for a family of 4 in Washington?
A family of 4 (one earner) in Washington typically needs ~$167,200 for a comfortable middle-class lifestyle (housing for 4, childcare/school, food, healthcare, transport, savings). A $111,891 salary as the sole household income is below the comfortable threshold — most families need a second income or to live in cheaper suburbs/exurbs of Washington. Childcare costs in Washington typically run $23K-$43K per child per year.
What is the take-home pay for a Registered Nurse in Washington?
On a $111,891 Registered Nurse salary in Washington, DC, you take home approximately $79,964.185 per year ($6,664/month, $3,076 per biweekly paycheck) after taxes. Breakdown: federal $16,318.02, state $7,049.133, FICA $8,559.662. Effective tax rate: 28.5%. (Single filer, standard deduction, no other adjustments.)
How much do Registered Nurses in Washington earn compared to the US average?
Registered Nurses in Washington earn approximately 30% more than the US national median for this role ($86,070 nationally vs $111,891 in Washington). However, Washington's cost-of-living index of 152 means real purchasing power is approximately $73,613 when adjusted for local prices.
What does an entry-level Registered Nurse earn in Washington?
Entry-level Registered Nurses in Washington typically start at around $84,500 (0–2 years experience). With 5+ years, Registered Nurses earn $136,500 or more. Top earners (90th percentile) reach $172,484+, typically at senior or lead levels with specialized skills.
Did Registered Nurse salaries in Washington increase in 2026?
Yes — Registered Nurse salaries in Washington grew approximately 560.0% year-over-year, from $16,953 in 2025 to $111,891 in 2026 (+$94,938). This reflects the broader Healthcare sector's compensation trend, driven by Telehealth and Epic EHR demand.
What's the job outlook for Registered Nurses in Washington?
RN employment projected to grow 6% through 2034, with 194,500 openings annually. Chronic shortage continues, driving competitive salaries and signing bonuses. Washington's top industries include Government, Defense, Tech, and the metro's current unemployment rate is 3.5% — a tight labor market favoring candidates.
What skills are most in demand for Registered Nurses in 2026?
The hottest 2026 skills for Registered Nurses are: Telehealth, Epic EHR, BSN credential, Specialty certifications, NLC compact license. ATS systems specifically scan for these keywords. Adding them to your resume — naturally and in context — significantly improves your match rate with employers in Washington.
Who are the top employers hiring Registered Nurses in Washington?
Top employers hiring Registered Nurses in or near Washington include: HCA Healthcare, Kaiser Permanente, Mayo Clinic, Cleveland Clinic, CommonSpirit Health, Veterans Health. Most use ATS software (Workday, Greenhouse, Taleo, iCIMS) to screen resumes — meaning your resume must be ATS-optimized to even get a human reader.
How do I negotiate a higher Registered Nurse salary in Washington?
Given the current shortage in this specialty and my certifications, I'm looking for $X base plus shift differential and a sign-on bonus. What flexibility do you have on those line items? Key leverage points for Healthcare negotiations: Specialty certifications (CCRN, OCS, BCPS, FNP) command 8-15% premiums; Compact license / multi-state authority and willingness to float between units; Night, weekend, and holiday shift differentials add up to $10K-$25K annually. Beyond base salary, negotiate for: Sign-on bonus ($10K-$30K, often $50K+ for hard-to-fill roles), Tuition reimbursement and certification stipends, Loan repayment programs (especially federal/HRSA-eligible), Shift differentials (nights +15%, weekends +10%).
How can I increase my Registered Nurse salary in Washington?
Three highest-leverage moves: (1) Add 2026's hot skills (Telehealth, Epic EHR, BSN credential) — they command 15-30% premiums. (2) Get a recognized certification (e.g., NCLEX-RN or BLS/ACLS). (3) Tailor your resume to each role's keywords — CVCraft's ATS scanner shows you exactly what's missing.
What education do I need to become a Registered Nurse in Washington?
BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing) increasingly preferred over ADN is the typical path. However, Washington's competitive market increasingly values demonstrable skills, portfolios, and certifications alongside (or in place of) traditional degrees — particularly for Healthcare roles.

Methodology & Sources

Registered Nurse salary figures for Washington are computed by adjusting the BLS national median ($86,070) by Washington's cost-of-living multiplier of 1.30× — a composite of regional wage data and price parities. Year-over-year change (560.0%) reflects the Healthcare sector's 2025-2026 wage growth per BLS Employment Cost Index trends. Last reviewed April 28, 2026.

Data Sources

Related Roles in Washington

Nurse Practitioner →Pharmacist →Physical Therapist →Occupational Therapist →Physician →Dentist →

Registered Nurse Salary in Other Cities

Los Angeles, CA$110KSeattle, WA$114KBoston, MA$112K

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