Registered Nurses in Washington. BLS OES + DOL OFLC + reader-reported submissions. How this is built →
What the numbers say
Registered Nurses in Washington earned a median of $112,180 in 2024, about 19% above the national median of $94,511. That is one of the larger state-level gaps we see for this occupation across the country.
The spread between low and high earners is wide. A nurse at the 10th percentile earned $86,490, while one at the 90th earned $149,370. Top earners make roughly 1.7 times what those at the entry end make. That range reflects real differences in setting, shift differentials, and years on the floor, not just job title variation.
Washington's cost-of-living index sits at 108.9, about 9% above the national baseline. After adjusting for that, the effective premium over the US median narrows from 19% to closer to 9%. The headline number is real, but what it buys in Seattle or Spokane is not quite what it buys in a lower-cost state.
BLS projects employment for Registered Nurses to grow 4.9% between 2024 and 2034, an average rate of change compared to other occupations. Washington's total RN employment was 64,690 in 2024, making it one of the larger state-level pools in the country.
Salary distribution
Where Washington registered nurses fall on the wage curve.
Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)
The middle 50% of workers earn between $103,100 and $134,240, with a median of $124,200.
Registered Nurses in Washington: actual employer-disclosed pay
Public records from 48 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. Median offered wage: $107,037. Every figure below is an actual offered salary an employer attested to under federal law.
By DOL wage level
DOL classifies every offer into one of four wage levels based on the role's experience and skill requirements.
| Level | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|
| Level I — entry | 8 | $93,600 |
| Level II — qualified | 24 | $107,037 |
| Level III — experienced | 10 | $115,045 |
| Level IV — fully competent | 5 | $139,693 |
Top employers filing for this role
Companies with the most certified filings for Registered Nurses in Washington. Median offer is across all of that employer's filings.
| Employer | Most-filed title | Filings | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Insight Global, LLC | RN-System Resource | 15 | $107,037 |
| MultiCare Health System | RN-System Resource | 11 | $120,120 |
| The Caroline Kline Galland Home | Charge Nurse/Nurse Care Manager | 9 | $95,680 |
| Kin On Health Care Center | GERIATRIC NURSE | 6 | $107,037 |
| Grant County Public Hospital District No. 1 | Registrered Nurse | 3 | $97,552 |
| Atlas Healthcare, LLC | Registered Nurse | 1 | $92,976 |
| Helping Hands Project Organization | Registered Nurse (RN) | 1 | $101,587 |
| LEGACY SALMON CREEK MEDICAL CENTER | RN STAFF NURSE - GENERAL SURGERY | 1 | $130,229 |
| Western Washington Medical Group | Clinical Lead Operating Room Nurse | 1 | $112,336 |
Recent sample filings
A snapshot of recent certified offers. Each line is a real, public, verifiable record.
- Registered Nurse at Atlas Healthcare, LLC$92,976OthelloWage Level IIDecided Mar 26, 2026I-203-26078-716230
- GERIATRIC NURSE at Kin On Health Care Center$107,037SeattleWage Level IIDecided Mar 23, 2026I-200-26076-707362
- RN Care Manager/Charge Nurse at The Caroline Kline Galland Home$101,192SeattleWage Level IDecided Mar 10, 2026I-200-26063-678127
- RN-System Resource at MultiCare Health System$120,120TacomaWage Level IIIDecided Feb 27, 2026I-200-26051-655686
- RN-System Resource at MultiCare Health System$107,037TacomaWage Level IIDecided Feb 27, 2026I-200-26051-655687
- RN-System Resource at Insight Global, LLC$107,037TacomaWage Level IIDecided Feb 27, 2026I-200-26051-655679
- RN- System Resource at MultiCare Health System$142,480Federal WayWage Level IVDecided Feb 17, 2026I-200-26040-629390
- RN- System Resource at MultiCare Health System$142,480TacomaWage Level IVDecided Feb 17, 2026I-200-26040-629381
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Foreign Labor Certification. Disclosed wages reflect what employers attested to pay; actual paid wages may differ. Only certified filings are shown — denied and withdrawn cases are excluded.
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Registered Nurses pay by experience level in Washington
Each band reflects DOL Wage Levels I-IV mapped onto a four-step ladder. Click a level to see the disclosed-wage range for that segment.
Registered Nurses specialties in Washington
Real specialty titles employers file for, clustered from 34 certified offers. The most common variant is RN-System Resource at a median of $107,037.
| Specialty | Top employer | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| RN-System Resource | Insight Global, LLC | 25 | $107,037 |
| Charge Nurse/Nurse Care Manager | The Caroline Kline Galland Home | 6 | $93,600 |
| Registered Nurse | Atlas Healthcare, LLC | 3 | $101,587 |
Specialties with 10 or more filings link to a dedicated breakdown.
Registered Nurses in Washington, by industry
Median offered wage across 48 certified filings, grouped by NAICS industry sector. Healthcare leads with a median of $107,037.
| Industry | Largest employer | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Healthcare | MultiCare Health System | 32 | $107,037 |
| Professional services | Insight Global, LLC | 16 | $107,037 |
Sectors with at least 25 filings link to a dedicated page with full distribution and sample employer breakdown.
Wage trend
Median annual wage in Washington over the past 3 BLS OES releases. Real values are CPI-adjusted to 2025 dollars.
Typical entry
Education
Bachelor's degree
Experience
None
On-the-job training
None
Top skills (O*NET)
- 4.6 / 5
Psychology
Knowledge
- 4.4 / 5
Customer and Personal Service
Knowledge
- 4.4 / 5
Medicine and Dentistry
Knowledge
- 4.2 / 5
English Language
Knowledge
- 4.1 / 5
Deductive Reasoning
Ability
- 4.1 / 5
Social Perceptiveness
Technical
- 4.1 / 5
Problem Sensitivity
Ability
- 4.0 / 5
Speaking
Basic skill
Common tasks (O*NET)
- 01
Record patients' medical information and vital signs.
- 02
Administer medications to patients and monitor patients for reactions or side effects.
- 03
Maintain accurate, detailed reports and records.
- 04
Monitor, record, and report symptoms or changes in patients' conditions.
- 05
Provide health care, first aid, immunizations, or assistance in convalescence or rehabilitation in locations such as schools, hospitals, or industry.
- 06
Consult and coordinate with healthcare team members to assess, plan, implement, or evaluate patient care plans.
- 07
Direct or supervise less-skilled nursing or healthcare personnel or supervise a particular unit.
- 08
Monitor all aspects of patient care, including diet and physical activity.
10-year outlook
Growth 2024 → 2034
+4.9%
Projected annual openings
—
BLS outlook
Average growth
Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034 cycle.
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Metro-level salary data for registered nurses in major Washington metropolitan areas.
- Seattle$128,260
Compare Registered Nurses pay across nearby states
Considering a move? Compare Washington with another state
Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Registered Nurses in Washington?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, the median annual wage for Registered Nurses in Washington is $124,200.
- How does Washington compare to the national median for Registered Nurses?
- The Washington median is +26.3% versus the BLS national figure of $98,331.
- What is the salary range for Registered Nurses in Washington?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $89,630 and the 90th-percentile at $161,910, which captures most full-time workers in the role.
- Is Registered Nurses a growing field?
- BLS Employment Projections show employment growing by 4.9% over the projection cycle. See the 10-year outlook section above for details.
- What education is required for Registered Nurses?
- BLS lists the typical entry-level education as Bachelor's degree. Many employers also weigh prior experience and credentials.
Information on this page is for general educational purposes only. It is not career, financial, or tax advice. Wage data reflects BLS estimates for the reference year shown and may not match individual offers, employer-specific ranges, or current market conditions. Confirm with a licensed professional before making career or compensation decisions.