Healthcare Recruiting
Registered Nurse Salary in Washington DC 2026: Hospital-by-Hospital Pay
Washington DC registered nurses earn an average of $91,500 per year in 2026 — among the highest on the East Coast outside of New York City. DC's dense cluster of academic medical centers, federal government healthcare facilities, and international organizations creates a competitive labor market that pushes RN salaries well above the national median.
Washington DC RN Salary by Hospital (2026)
| Hospital / Employer | Avg RN Salary | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| MedStar Washington Hospital Center | $94,000 | Level I trauma; largest private hospital in DC |
| Children's National Medical Center | $95,500 | Pediatric specialty premium; top PICU/NICU wages in region |
| GWU Hospital (Universal Health Services) | $92,000 | Georgetown corridor; strong cardiac and neurology |
| Georgetown University Hospital (MedStar) | $93,000 | Jesuit academic medical center; transplant programs |
| Howard University Hospital | $89,500 | HBCU academic center; serves underserved DC communities |
| Sibley Memorial Hospital (Johns Hopkins) | $92,500 | Northwest DC; JHM affiliate; strong surgical programs |
| VA Medical Center DC | $88,000–$105,000 | Federal GS scale; experience-tiered; strong benefits package |
Highest-Paying Nursing Specialties in Washington DC
| Specialty | Avg Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| CRNA | $241,000 |
| ICU / Critical Care RN | $106,000 |
| ER / Emergency RN | $102,000 |
| OR / Surgical RN | $99,000 |
| Labor & Delivery RN | $95,000 |
| Med-Surg RN | $89,500 |
DC License Required — Not NLC Compact
Washington DC is NOT an NLC compact member. Every nurse practicing in DC must hold a separate DC RN license — multistate compact licenses from Virginia, Maryland, or any other compact state are not valid for practice within DC borders. The DC Board of Nursing processes endorsement applications in approximately 10–16 weeks. Fee: $200 application, $135 renewal every 2 years.
Note: Many nurses working in the DC region hold both a compact license (VA or MD for their home state) and a separate DC license. Nurses living in Virginia or Maryland who commute to DC facilities must maintain this dual licensure.
Washington DC RN Market Outlook
DC's healthcare market is supported by an unusually high concentration of federal employees, diplomats, NGO workers, and international visitors — demand is structurally elevated. Federal facilities (VA, NIH Clinical Center, Walter Reed/WRNMMC in nearby Maryland) pay GS-scale salaries that can reach $95,000–$110,000 for experienced nurses with certifications. Travel RN rates in DC run $2,100–$2,700/week. The region's high cost of living (housing particularly) remains the primary offset to headline compensation figures.
Related: RN Salary Virginia 2026, RN Salary Maryland 2026, Washington DC RN License Guide.
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