Healthcare Recruiting
Registered Nurse Salary in Washington 2026: City-by-City Pay Data
Registered Nurse Salary in Washington (2026): City-by-City Pay Data
The average registered nurse salary in Washington in 2026 is $98,700/year ($47.45/hour) based on BLS Occupational Employment Statistics and compensation data from UW Medicine, Swedish Health Services, Virginia Mason Franciscan, and other major Washington health systems. Salaries range significantly across the state based on city, employer, specialty unit, shift, and certifications held.
RN Salary by City in Washington
| City / Metro | Avg Annual Salary | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Seattle | $113,000 | UW Medicine + Swedish + Virginia Mason Franciscan, union-strong market |
| Bellevue / Eastside | $109,000 | OverlakeOvarlake + Valley Medical Center |
| Spokane | $87,000 | Providence Health + MultiCare, Eastern WA hub |
| Tacoma | $97,000 | MultiCare + CHI Franciscan |
| Olympia | $91,000 | Providence St. Peter Hospital |
Highest-Paying Nursing Specialties in Washington
| Specialty | Avg Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| CRNA | $278,000 |
| ICU / Critical Care RN | $128,000 |
| OR / Surgical RN | $121,000 |
| Cardiac / Cath Lab RN | $126,000 |
| Emergency RN | $117,000 |
| NICU RN | $119,000 |
Top Washington Healthcare Employers for RNs
- UW Medicine
- Swedish Health Services
- Virginia Mason Franciscan
- MultiCare Health System
- Providence Health
- OverlakeOverlake Medical Center
- Seattle Children's
Compact License Status
Washington is a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC). RNs holding a compact license in another NLC state can practice in Washington without obtaining an additional state license.
Washington RN Job Market Outlook
Washington is a compact state with no state income tax, making effective take-home competitive against California despite lower gross salaries. Seattle has strong SEIU 1199NW union presence at major systems which floors minimum scales. Travel: $2,400–$3,100/week.
How to Maximize Your RN Salary in Washington
- Pursue specialty unit certification: CCRN (critical care), CEN (emergency), RNC-OB (L&D), CNOR (OR) — each adds $6,000–$15,000 at major Washington health systems
- Night and weekend differential: Typically +$3–$7/hr, translating to $6,000–$14,000 in annualized additional income at full-time hours
- Charge nurse role: +$2–$5/hr at most facilities; first step toward nurse manager track
- Travel or PRN status: Experienced Washington RNs earn 30–50% more as travelers or per-diem staff
- BSN or MSN completion: Most major Washington systems pay $1–$3/hr more for BSN-prepared nurses; MSN opens management and APRN pathways
Related: RN Salary by State 2026, Travel Nurse Salary Guide, ICU Nurse Salary 2026, NP Salary Guide.
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