Washington Median
$124,200
per year
Hourly Rate
$59.71
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+27% vs US median
US median $97,550
State Rank
#4 of 51
69,260 employed here
How much does a Registered Nurse make in Washington?
A Registered Nurse working in Washington earns a median salary of $124,200 per year, or about $59.71 per hour. That is 27% above the national median of $97,550 for this occupation.
Within Washington, entry-level pay starts around $89,630 while the top 10% make $161,910 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $103,100 and $134,240 a year.
Registered Nurse salary range in Washington
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $89,630 | $43.09 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $103,100 | $49.57 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $124,200 | $59.71 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $134,240 | $64.54 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $161,910 | $77.84 |
|
How Washington compares
Washington ranks 4th out of 51 states and territories for Registered Nurse pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Registered Nurse salary in other states
California $140,270Hawaii $136,320Oregon $129,010Alaska $109,480New York $109,440New Jersey $106,500Massachusetts $104,550Nevada $103,670Connecticut $102,740District of Columbia $102,540Minnesota $101,510Rhode Island $100,640Colorado $100,260Maryland $99,790New Hampshire $99,700Delaware $99,520Arizona $99,500Vermont $97,460Pennsylvania $96,430Illinois $95,990Texas $95,970Wisconsin $95,530New Mexico $94,340Michigan $94,300Virginia $93,600Georgia $93,550Idaho $92,460Maine $86,990Montana $85,280Nebraska $84,730Utah $84,600North Carolina $84,350Florida $84,190Wyoming $83,760Indiana $83,500Oklahoma $82,920Ohio $82,510South Carolina $82,360Missouri $81,780Tennessee $81,500Kentucky $81,040North Dakota $80,730Louisiana $80,230West Virginia $80,130Kansas $79,320Arkansas $78,940Iowa $78,630South Dakota $78,060Mississippi $77,090Alabama $77,080
Working as a Registered Nurse in Washington
Nationally, about 3,380,000 people work as Registered Nurses in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.
Considering a move? Compare Washington pay ($124,200) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Registered Nurse make in Washington?
The median Registered Nurse salary in Washington is $124,200 per year, or about $59.71 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $89,630 at the entry level to $161,910 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Washington pay compare to the national average?
Washington pays Registered Nurses about 27% more than the national median of $97,550. Washington ranks 4th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Washington a good state for Registered Nurses?
Yes on pay — Washington pays above the national median for this occupation, at $124,200 a year. About 69,260 Registered Nurses are employed in Washington. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Washington?
The highest-paying occupations in Washington include Cardiologist ($656,330), Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($553,310), Dermatologist ($526,170), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Registered Nurse salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.