Registered Nurse salary in Washington
Registered Nurses in Washington earn a median of $124,200 a year ($59.71 an hour), based on BLS data for 69,260 workers.
Pay ranges from $89,630 for the lowest-paid 10% to $161,910 for the top 10%. That is 27% higher than the national median of $97,550. Washington ranks 4th of 51 states for registered nurses pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 20 registered nurses per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $121,540, close to the median.
Pay range for registered nurses in Washington
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $89,630 | $43.09 |
| 25th percentile | $103,100 | $49.57 |
| Median | $124,200 | $59.71 |
| 75th percentile | $134,240 | $64.54 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $161,910 | $77.84 |
| Average (mean) | $121,540 | $58.43 |
Half of registered nurses 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 | $10,350 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,175 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,776.92 |
| Weekly | $2,388.46 |
| Hourly | $59.71 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Registered Nurse salary in cities in Washington
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $130,310 | 24,220 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $128,260 | 39,900 |
| Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA | $125,020 | 2,250 |
| Walla Walla, WA | $116,970 | 810 |
| Wenatchee-East Wenatchee, WA | $112,280 | 1,330 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA | $111,750 | 6,850 |
| Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA | $107,220 | 1,410 |
| Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA | $106,730 | 1,190 |
| Kennewick-Richland, WA | $106,410 | 2,560 |
| Yakima, WA | $102,950 | 1,610 |
| Lewiston, ID-WA | $87,650 | 730 |
Highest-paying states for registered nurses
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $140,270 |
| Hawaii | $136,320 |
| Oregon | $129,010 |
| Washington | $124,200 |
| Alaska | $109,480 |
| New York | $109,440 |
| New Jersey | $106,500 |
| Massachusetts | $104,550 |
| Nevada | $103,670 |
| Connecticut | $102,740 |
Related jobs in Washington
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacist | $160,610 | $77.22 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $156,100 | $75.05 |
| Dental Hygienist | $131,160 | $63.06 |
| Physicians, All Other | $307,170 | $147.68 |
| Physical Therapist | $105,950 | $50.94 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $105,550 | $50.74 |
| Physician Assistant | $164,360 | $79.02 |
| Occupational Therapist | $107,670 | $51.77 |
| Dentists, General | $169,730 | $81.60 |
| Veterinarian | $160,510 | $77.17 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $101,130 | $48.62 |
| Anesthesiologist | $499,990 | $240.38 |
| Radiologist | $239,200+ | $115.00+ |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $84,220 | $40.49 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Washington
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-1141. 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 registered nurse make in Washington?
The median salary for registered nurses in Washington is $124,200 a year, or $59.71 an hour. Pay ranges from $89,630 for the lowest-paid 10% to $161,910 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid registered nurses make in Washington?
The top 10% of registered nurses in Washington earn at least $161,910 a year. The top 25% earn $134,240 or more.
What is the starting pay for registered nurses in Washington?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $89,630 a year, and a quarter of registered nurses earn $103,100 or less.
How many registered nurses work in Washington?
About 69,260 registered nurses are employed in Washington, not counting the self-employed.