Registered Nurse Salary Guide: Washington, DC
Although money isn’t the primary driver of job satisfaction, salary should be one of your first considerations when looking for a new job. You must ensure the position offers a sufficient wage to meet your basic needs and represents fair compensation for the vital work you do as a registered nurse (RN). If you’re an RN searching for a career in Washington, D.C. or the surrounding area, you’ve come to the right place.
RNs in the District of Columbia earn significantly more than the national average.
Average Registered Nurse Salary
$44.51/hour
The average salary for a Registered Nurse in Washington, DC is $44.51 per hour. This is equal to the District of Columbia average
Last updated on March 18, 2024. Based on active jobs on Vivian.com.
Registered Nurse salaries in Washington, DC compared to State and National Averages
$44.51/hour
Washington, DC
2% lower than the US average.
$44.51/hour
District of Columbia
2% lower than the US average.
$45.27/hour
United States
How Registered Nurse Salaries in Washington Compare to Other Cities
How Registered Nurse Salaries in Washington Compare to Other Cities
Alexandria, Virginia
$56/hour
This is 21% higher than the Washington average of $44.51.
Falls Church, Virginia
$55/hour
This is 20% higher than the Washington average of $44.51.
Rockville, Maryland
$40/hour
This is 11% lower than the Washington average of $44.51.
What are the highest paying Agencies for Registered Nurse jobs in Washington?
Average Hourly Salary | Max Hourly Salary | |
---|---|---|
George Washington University Hospital | $44 | $58 |
Core Medical-Perm | $42 | $42 |
Last updated on March 18, 2024. Information based on active jobs on Vivian.com and pay data from BLS and around the web.
Top Registered Nurse Jobs
Registered Nurse (RN) - Clinical Liaison
- AccentCare
- Washington, DC
- 5x8 hrs
Registered Nurse (RN) - Home Health Case Manager, Hospice
- AccentCare
- Washington, DC
- 5x8 hrs
Registered Nurse (RN) - Endoscopy
- The George Washington University Hospital
- Washington, DC
- 5x8 hrs
- Sign-On Bonus
Registered Nurse (RN) - PACU - Post Anesthesia Care
- The George Washington University Hospital
- Washington, DC
- 4x10 hrs, Days
- Sign-On Bonus
Registered Nurse (RN) - OR - Operating Room
- The George Washington University Hospital
- Washington, DC
- 3x12 hrs, Evenings
- Sign-On Bonus
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Tips for Increasing Your Washington, D.C. RN Earnings
Obtain a Nursing Degree
If you went straight into nursing without obtaining a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), consider going back to school to increase your earnings. The New England Institute of Technology reported that BSN-prepared nurses earn more, citing Payscale’s average of $32.41 per hour for RNs with BSNs and $29.83 for those with only an associate degree. With a difference of $2.58 per hour, you potentially earn $5,366.40 more per year with your BSN, assuming you work 40 hours per week.
Earn a Specialty Certification
Earning a professional certification in a specialty area may help you qualify for higher-paying jobs. For example, nurses with the Critical Care Registered Nurse (CCRN) credential have a competitive edge when seeking jobs in ICUs, PICUs and NICUs. As previously noted, critical care roles typically pay more than general nursing roles. The demand for nurses with critical care experience is high. As a result, you may increase your earnings just by obtaining the CCRN or similar professional certifications.
Try a Different Shift
Many healthcare employers in Washington, D.C., offer pay differentials to persuade RNs and other staff members to work unpopular shifts, such as nights from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. If one of your preferred employers offers these differentials, consider working the night shift, even if it’s only for a year or two. A shift differential of $1.50 per hour increases your earnings by $3,120 annually if you work 40 hours a week.
Get a Per Diem Job
If your current employer doesn’t offer shift differentials or other incentives, consider getting a per diem job with another healthcare organization. Many employers changed their policies during the COVID-19 pandemic, making per diem work more flexible. You can capitalize on that flexibility by getting a per diem job that may only require you to work one day per week.