District of Columbia ranks 7th of 51 states and D.C. for registered nurses pay, trailing top-paying California ($140,330) by $35,780 — a 34% gap.
The 10th-to-90th percentile range runs from $81,880 to $135,620 — a $53,740 spread, 22% tighter than the national $69,290 range.
Registered Nurses are less concentrated in District of Columbia than the U.S. average — a location quotient of 0.65 means the occupation's share of local jobs is 1.54× below the national share.
Salary Range: 10th to 90th Percentile
Full Percentile Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry-level) | $81,880 | $39.37 |
| 25th percentile | $86,080 | $41.38 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $104,550 | $50.27 |
| 75th percentile | $126,770 | $60.95 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $135,620 | $65.20 |
| Mean (average) | $109,240 | $52.52 |
How District of Columbia Compares
| State | Median Annual | vs. District of Columbia |
|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia (current) | $104,550 | n/a |
| California | $140,330 | +34% |
| Hawaii | $136,320 | +30% |
| Oregon | $123,990 | +19% |
| Washington | $112,180 | +7% |
| Alaska | $110,690 | +6% |
| New York | $105,600 | +1% |
| New Jersey | $102,730 | -2% |
| Nevada | $101,990 | -2% |
Showing top-paying states with available data. View all states →
Related Occupations in District of Columbia
| Occupation | Median Annual | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Respiratory Therapists | $104,240 | 360 |
| Property Appraisers and Assessors | $105,000 | 120 |
| Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary | $103,780 | 130 |
| Credit Analysts | $103,530 | 60 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $105,820 | 160 |
| Project Management Specialists | $103,190 | 6,120 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Registered Nurses salary in District of Columbia?
The mean registered nurses salary in District of Columbia is $109,240 per year. The median (middle) salary is $104,550 per year.
What is the starting salary for a Registered Nurses in District of Columbia?
Entry-level registered nursess (10th percentile) in District of Columbia typically earn around $81,880 per year. Workers at the 25th percentile earn approximately $86,080 per year.
What is the highest Registered Nurses salary in District of Columbia?
Top earners (90th percentile) in this occupation in District of Columbia make approximately $135,620 per year. Those in the 75th percentile earn around $126,770 per year.
How does the District of Columbia Registered Nurses salary compare to the national average?
The median registered nurses salary in District of Columbia is $104,550, which is +12% above national average of $93,600.