Nurse Practitioner Salary in Washington, DC: $139,492 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nurse practitioner in Washington, DC earns a median $139,492/year (≈ $67.07/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1171). Once you factor in Washington's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 108.9), that paycheck buys what $128,111 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 12.9% below the District of Columbia state average.
Official BLS data · View source
With a projected median annual salary of $139,492 in 2026, the nurse practitioner salary in Washington DC reflects a competitive position within the healthcare sector, especially when compared to the national median of $136,864. The income range for this profession in the capital varies significantly, spanning from $104,836 at the lower end to $181,493 for top earners. This data, derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupation Employment and Wage Statistics surveys, highlights the strong earning potential associated with the role, particularly given Washington's classification as a full-practice authority state that allows nurse practitioners to operate independently. This autonomy impacts compensation, as practitioners can effectively leverage their credentials and expertise to negotiate higher salaries, making Washington a promising environment for aspiring and current NPs.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $104,836 | $50.40 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $123,788 | $59.51 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $139,492 | $67.07 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $164,134 | $78.91 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $181,493 | $87.26 |
Median Salary Position
1.92% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Washington
In Washington, DC, the nurse practitioner salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $76,657 (2026 est.). At $139,492, the local median is 1.92% above the national median of $136,864.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Washington: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Washington Nurse Practitioner Pay Compares
Washington median: $139,492/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Washington Pays |
|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia Average | $160,152 | -12.90% less |
| National Average | $136,864 | +1.92% more |
Nurse Practitioners in Washington, DC earn a median of $139,492 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.92% higher than the national median of $136,864 and 12.90% below the District of Columbia state average of $160,152.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Washington has a cost of living 8.88% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Washington, DC has a cost-of-living index of 108.884 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $139,492 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $128,111 — a 8.16% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$113,770
2025 BLS Actual
$134,840
2026 Current Est.
$139,492
2019–2027 Growth
+26.8%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Practitioners in Washington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.45% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $113,770 | Actual |
| 2020 | $117,880 | Actual |
| 2021 | $123,230 | Actual |
| 2022 | $125,370 | Actual |
| 2023 | $128,420 | Actual |
| 2024 | $129,920 | Actual |
| 2025 | $134,840 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $139,492 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $144,304 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Washington metropolitan area, the median nurse practitioner salary grew 18.5% from $113,770 (2019) to $134,840 (2025). At a 3.45% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $144,304 by 2027 — a total increase of $30,534 (26.84%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Washington metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 3.45% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $104,836 – $123,788 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $123,788 – $139,492 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $139,492 – $164,134 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $164,134 – $181,493 |
NP salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual nurse practitioner compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Nurse Practitioner Job Market in Washington
The job market for nurse practitioners in Washington DC is robust, with approximately 4,050 NPs currently employed in the area. However, cost-of-living considerations are critical, as the local index stands at 108.884, translating to a higher expense for housing and daily needs, which can impact take-home pay. Among notable employers, hospital outpatient clinics and specialty clinics tend to offer the most competitive compensation packages, fueled by the higher demand for skilled care and the effects of population health management. The broad salary spread is driven by various factors such as specialty focus— where Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioners (PMHNPs) command the highest wages— as well as the structure of productivity bonuses and the associated costs of collaboration agreements in mixed-practice states. To maximize earning potential, NPs should consider pursuing further specialization, enhancing their skill sets, and seeking employment with organizations that offer diverse income opportunities, such as telehealth platforms or locum tenens positions.
More salary data for Washington, DC:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Maria Gonzalez, MSN, NP-C
Career Analyst
Maria has 10 years of experience in adult healthcare. She works in a community health clinic. Her specialty is chronic disease management.
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $134,840 for nurse practitionersin the Washington metropolitan area. A 3.45% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.45%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for nurse practitioners (SOC 29-1171).
Compiled and verified by Maria Gonzalez, MSN, NP-C, a licensed nurse practitioner with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov