Public Health Nurse salary in District of Columbia
A public health nurse in District of Columbia earns an estimated $94,340 a year ($45.36/hr) — about 5% above the U.S. average, with most between $78,980 and $117,580. State figures are estimates based on national pay for the role and local cost of living — a starting point, not a guaranteed local wage.
Public Health Nurse — District of Columbia
Specialty estimateMedian annual pay
$94,340
+5% vs nationalHourly
$45.36/hr
- Typical range
- $78,980–$117,580
- What most nurses earn
- High end
- $139,080
- Top earners
- Entry level
- $73,040
- Newer nurses
Public Health Nurse pay by city in District of Columbia
Estimated pay in the state's largest metro areas.
| City | Est. annual | Est. hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Washington | $94,490 | $45.43 |
Public Health Nurse pay in nearby-paying states
How District of Columbia compares to states with similar public health nurse pay.
Other nursing roles in District of Columbia
Compare estimated pay for related roles in this state.
What affects public health nurse pay in District of Columbia
High pay and high cost of living in the capital. For a public health nurse specifically, pay is shaped by the metro labor market, hospital vs clinic vs long-term-care setting, union presence, shift differentials, unit acuity, and years of experience. Certifications and a move into charge or advanced-practice roles raise pay further. Use the calculator to estimate your own.
How this estimate was calculated
Public wage data does not report Public Health Nurse separately. This figure starts from the wage the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics published for Registered Nurse in District of Columbia (May 2025) and applies a 0.92× specialty adjustment.
Local pay can vary well beyond this by specialty, shift, union status, employer type, overtime, and care setting. Treat it as a starting point — not an official District of Columbia wage.
Source year: 2025. Based on the national figure of $89,750 for this role.
Use this state estimate as a starting point
- It’s a starting point for District of Columbia, based on national pay and local pay levels — not a guaranteed local wage.
- Your actual pay shifts with role and specialty, care setting, shift, overtime, union status, and years of experience — so compare a role-specific page and personalize the calculator.
- Reviewed salary submissions from nurses in District of Columbia make this page more precise over time.
Public Health Nurse salary in District of Columbia — FAQ
- How much does a public health nurse make in District of Columbia?
- A public health nurse in District of Columbia earns an estimated $94,340 a year — about $45.36 an hour, with most between $78,980 and $117,580. That's about 5% above the national average. This is an estimate based on national pay for the role and District of Columbia's local pay level, not a guaranteed local wage.
- Is District of Columbia a good state for public health nurses?
- For pay, District of Columbia sits about 5% above the national average for public health nurses. A higher number often comes with a higher cost of living, so weigh the estimated $94,340 against local housing and expenses rather than the headline figure alone.
- Which city in District of Columbia pays public health nurses the most?
- Among District of Columbia metros we track, Washington tends to have the highest estimated pay for public health nurses, at roughly $94,490 a year. City figures are estimates based on the role's national pay and local cost of living.
- How does District of Columbia public health nurse pay compare to the national average?
- The national estimate for a public health nurse is about $89,750 a year, versus an estimated $94,340 in District of Columbia — about 5% above the national average. Use the calculator to factor in your experience, specialty, and shift.
- Why are some figures verified and others estimates?
- National pay for the main nursing roles — registered nurses, LPNs/LVNs, nurse practitioners, CRNAs, nurse midwives, and nursing assistants — comes from verified public wage data. State, city, and specialty figures that aren't reported on their own start from that national pay and are labeled "Estimated" or "Specialty estimate." We never show an estimate as a verified figure.
Source & confidence— An estimate for a specialty that public pay data does not list on its own. A ballpark to start from, not an exact figure.
Modeled specialty estimate (BLS state wage × specialty adjustment)
Public wage data does not report Public Health Nurse separately. This figure starts from the wage the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics published for Registered Nurse in District of Columbia (May 2025) and applies a 0.92× specialty adjustment.
Source year 2025. Last reviewed July 17, 2026. Full methodology
Estimated figure — national public health nurse pay adjusted for District of Columbia. Last reviewed July 17, 2026.