Registered Nurse pay in Washington, by the numbers
After a simplified 13% national tax estimate that is about US$7,400 a month, in a metro with a cost-of-living index of 100.
Registered Nurse pay in Washington: national and in-state ranking
On a United States league table of 21 metros, Washington comes 9th. One place higher is Boston at US$106,180, one lower is Dallas at US$101,420, and San Jose tops the list.
No other DC metro has observed registered nurse percentiles here, so Washington is judged against the 21-metro national list instead.
Take-home, rent and buying power for Washington registered nurses
With a COL index of 100, there is little difference between headline pay and price-adjusted pay (US$102,700).
Adjusting for prices does not move Washington in the ranking: it is 9th of 21 on both cash and buying power.
After a simplified 13% effective national income tax, the median nets about US$7,400 a month. A modeled 1-bedroom (US$1,650) takes 22% of that, leaving around US$3,910 after modeled living costs.
If you compared Washington with similarly priced cities
New York (similar cost level, COL 100) pays US$119,720, 17% more than Washington; modeled monthly leftover is US$1,110 higher.
Los Angeles (similar cost level, COL 100) pays US$135,560, 32% more than Washington; modeled monthly leftover is US$2,120 higher.
A registered nurse moving from Washington to Chicago (similar cost level, COL 100) would see the median fall 2% to US$100,490, with US$140 less left over monthly in our model.
Other Washington jobs compared with registered nurse
Lawyer is the best-paid tracked role in Washington at US$195,190; registered nurse comes 8th of 9.
Closest neighbours in the Washington list: Financial Analyst at US$108,330 (+5%) and Accountant at US$102,140 (-1%).
Entry-level vs senior registered nurse pay in Washington
Senior pay is the relative strength in Washington: US$132,900 at the 90th percentile ranks 9th of 21, while US$80,750 at the 10th ranks 10th.
For the top 10% of earners, San Jose leads with US$235,190 at the 90th percentile, +77% against Washington.
How wide registered nurse pay runs in Washington
Offers in Washington vary less than for many roles: US$80,750 at the 10th percentile and US$132,900 at the 90th (1.6×).