Nursing Assistant Salary in Washington, DC
Nursing Assistants in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn a median $45,730 a year — 8% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $37,346 take-home, or $3,112 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median nursing assistant salary in Washington, DC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$3,308
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,835
- Medicare (1.45%)$663
- District of Columbia income tax$1,578
- Take-home pay$37,346
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 6.00% 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.
Nursing Assistant pay by experience in Washington, DC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,060 | $17.34 | $30,157 | $2,513 |
| 25th percentile | $39,020 | $18.76 | $32,357 | $2,696 |
| Median (50th) | $45,730 | $21.99 | $37,346 | $3,112 |
| 75th percentile | $48,980 | $23.55 | $39,763 | $3,314 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $55,390 | $26.63 | $44,528 | $3,711 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, District of Columbia resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $45,730 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 nursing assistant's $37,346 take-home pay has the buying power of $34,299 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Nursing Assistant jobs are about as common in Washington, DC as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.87).
Best-paying cities for nursing assistants, adjusted for cost of living
Washington, DC ranks #221 of 355 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Grand Forks, ND | $45,740 | $38,932 | $44,924 |
| 2 | Bismarck, ND | $46,720 | $39,720 | $43,636 |
| 3 | Vineland, NJ | $48,890 | $40,310 | $42,003 |
| 4 | Rochester, MN | $46,840 | $38,129 | $41,982 |
| 5 | Yakima, WA | $47,080 | $40,009 | $41,874 |
| 6 | Longview, WA | $47,830 | $40,611 | $41,634 |
| 7 | Mankato, MN | $46,430 | $37,821 | $41,582 |
| 8 | San Jose, CA | $56,840 | $45,652 | $41,343 |
| 221 | Washington, DC | $45,730 | $37,346 | $34,299 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 355 metros →
Frequently asked questions
How much does a nursing assistant make in Washington, DC?
The median nursing assistant salary in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area is $45,730 a year, or about $21.99 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $39,020 and $48,980.
What is a nursing assistant’s take-home pay in Washington, DC?
On the median $45,730 salary, a single filer living in District of Columbia takes home about $37,346 a year ($3,112 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,578 in District of Columbia taxes in 2026.
Is Washington, DC a good place to work as a nursing assistant?
Pay here is 8% above the national median of $42,260. Local prices are 8.9% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $34,299 would in a typical U.S. city. Washington, DC ranks #221 of 355 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a nursing assistant 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) — 64% of a median nursing assistant’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Washington, DC
- Physical Therapist Assistant — $78,790
- Massage Therapist — $65,220
- Healthcare Support Workers, All Other — $55,770
- Medical Equipment Preparer — $50,600
- Phlebotomist — $49,030
- Dental Assistant — $47,540
- Medical Assistant — $46,640
- Veterinary Assistant and Laboratory Animal Caretaker — $45,320
- Pharmacy Aide — $40,160
- Orderly — $39,160
- Medical Transcriptionist — $38,540
- Home Health and Personal Care Aide — $38,530