Nurse Practitioner Salary in Washington, DC
Nurse Practitioners in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn a median $134,840 a year — 2% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $94,936 take-home, or $7,911 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median nurse practitioner salary in Washington, DC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$21,096
- Social Security (6.2%)$8,360
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,955
- District of Columbia income tax$8,493
- Take-home pay$94,936
Marginal rate: 24% federal + 8.50% state
The Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro spans District of Columbia, Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Nurse Practitioner pay by experience in Washington, DC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $101,340 | $48.72 | $74,477 | $6,206 |
| 25th percentile | $119,660 | $57.53 | $85,808 | $7,151 |
| Median (50th) | $134,840 | $64.83 | $94,936 | $7,911 |
| 75th percentile | $158,660 | $76.28 | $109,193 | $9,099 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $175,440 | $84.35 | $119,235 | $9,936 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, District of Columbia resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $134,840 buys in Washington, DC
Prices in Washington, DC are 8.9% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.51× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median nurse practitioner's $94,936 take-home pay has the buying power of $87,190 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Nurse Practitioner jobs are less concentrated in Washington, DC than nationally (location quotient 0.62), so openings may be scarcer.
Best-paying cities for nurse practitioners, adjusted for cost of living
Washington, DC ranks #24 of 24 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Francisco, CA | $219,080 | $143,890 | $124,458 |
| 2 | Houston, TX | $134,560 | $103,238 | $104,673 |
| 3 | Cleveland, OH | $130,800 | $97,853 | $104,184 |
| 4 | Kansas City, MO | $130,760 | $95,432 | $103,122 |
| 5 | New York, NY | $163,340 | $114,312 | $101,554 |
| 6 | Cincinnati, OH | $128,700 | $96,476 | $101,159 |
| 7 | Indianapolis, IN | $130,460 | $96,616 | $100,962 |
| 8 | St. Louis, MO | $131,580 | $95,954 | $100,911 |
| 24 | Washington, DC | $134,840 | $94,936 | $87,190 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 24 metros →
About the job: nurse practitioners
Diagnose and treat acute, episodic, or chronic illness, independently or as part of a healthcare team. May focus on health promotion and disease prevention. May order, perform, or interpret diagnostic tests such as lab work and x rays. May prescribe medication. Must be registered nurses who have specialized graduate education.
- Typical education
- Master's degree
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- None
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +41.0% (much faster than average)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a nurse practitioner make in Washington, DC?
The median nurse practitioner salary in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area is $134,840 a year, or about $64.83 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $119,660 and $158,660.
What is a nurse practitioner’s take-home pay in Washington, DC?
On the median $134,840 salary, a single filer living in District of Columbia takes home about $94,936 a year ($7,911 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $8,493 in District of Columbia taxes in 2026.
Is Washington, DC a good place to work as a nurse practitioner?
Pay here is 2% above the national median of $132,300. Local prices are 8.9% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $87,190 would in a typical U.S. city. Washington, DC ranks #24 of 24 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a nurse practitioner afford rent in Washington, DC?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Washington, DC is $1,990 a month ($2,223 for two bedrooms) — 25% of a median nurse practitioner’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
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