Nursing Assistant salary in Washington
Nursing Assistants in Washington earn a median of $49,180 a year ($23.65 an hour), based on BLS data for 30,270 workers.
Pay ranges from $42,500 for the lowest-paid 10% to $62,660 for the top 10%. That is 16% higher than the national median of $42,260. Washington ranks 2nd of 51 states for nursing assistants pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 8.5 nursing assistants per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $52,230, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for nursing assistants in Washington
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $42,500 | $20.43 |
| 25th percentile | $46,980 | $22.59 |
| Median | $49,180 | $23.65 |
| 75th percentile | $57,930 | $27.85 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $62,660 | $30.13 |
| Average (mean) | $52,230 | $25.11 |
Half of nursing assistants earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $4,098.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,049.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,891.54 |
| Weekly | $945.77 |
| Hourly | $23.65 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Nursing Assistant salary in cities in Washington
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $51,990 | 16,530 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $50,350 | 8,890 |
| Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA | $49,160 | 850 |
| Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA | $49,020 | 500 |
| Wenatchee-East Wenatchee, WA | $48,520 | 440 |
| Kennewick-Richland, WA | $48,060 | 1,060 |
| Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA | $48,060 | 1,040 |
| Bellingham, WA | $48,040 | 790 |
| Walla Walla, WA | $47,990 | 290 |
| Longview-Kelso, WA | $47,830 | 440 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA | $47,240 | 2,780 |
| Yakima, WA | $47,080 | 1,320 |
| Lewiston, ID-WA | $38,870 | 350 |
Highest-paying states for nursing assistants
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Oregon | $49,830 |
| Washington | $49,180 |
| New York | $48,590 |
| New Hampshire | $47,870 |
| District of Columbia | $47,700 |
| California | $47,630 |
| Colorado | $47,380 |
| Vermont | $47,130 |
| Maine | $47,070 |
| New Jersey | $46,830 |
Related jobs in Washington
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $47,730 | $22.95 |
| Psychiatric Aide | $52,570 | $25.27 |
| Orderly | $48,690 | $23.41 |
| Medical Assistant | $59,290 | $28.50 |
| Dental Assistant | $58,090 | $27.93 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $44,150 | $21.23 |
| Massage Therapist | $87,360 | $42.00 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $62,040 | $29.83 |
| Phlebotomist | $48,880 | $23.50 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $66,450 | $31.95 |
| Pharmacy Aide | $45,110 | $21.69 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $58,830 | $28.28 |
| Physical Therapist Aide | $39,500 | $18.99 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $77,590 | $37.30 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in Washington
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 31-1131. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a nursing assistant make in Washington?
The median salary for nursing assistants in Washington is $49,180 a year, or $23.65 an hour. Pay ranges from $42,500 for the lowest-paid 10% to $62,660 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid nursing assistants make in Washington?
The top 10% of nursing assistants in Washington earn at least $62,660 a year. The top 25% earn $57,930 or more.
What is the starting pay for nursing assistants in Washington?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $42,500 a year, and a quarter of nursing assistants earn $46,980 or less.
How many nursing assistants work in Washington?
About 30,270 nursing assistants are employed in Washington, not counting the self-employed.