What to Pay a Certified Nursing Assistant in Seattle, WA (2026)
How to set your CNA pay range in Seattle
Three pay positions, modeled against current Seattle market data. Pick the one that matches your comp philosophy and the role's strategic value.
CNA salary percentile distribution in Seattle, WA
Where the Seattle market actually sits for CNA base pay.
Most Seattle employers building a range for this role anchor the midpoint to the market median ($52,000) and set range width at 30–35% — a min of $45,000 and a max of $60,000. This keeps the band wide enough for experience-based progression without concentrating range penetration at the cap.
Washington pay transparency compliance for CNA job postings
What you must post when hiring a CNA in Washington.
| Requirement | Applies When | Penalty for Non-Compliance |
|---|---|---|
| Wage scale or salary range in posting | 15+ employees; role in WA | Up to $1,000 per violation; escalates for repeat |
| General benefits description | All covered postings | Same schedule |
For a CNA role in Seattle, a compliant good-faith range looks like $45,000 to $60,000. A compliant good-faith range for this role in Seattle is $45,000–$60,000.
Top CNA employers in Seattle — who you're competing against
Top healthcare employers hiring CNAs in the Seattle metro and what they're posting.
| Employer | Type | Disclosed Range | Sign-on Bonus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Providence Swedish | Health system | $48K–$60K | Very common ($3K–$6K) |
| UW Medicine | Academic medical center | $48K–$60K | Common ($2K–$4K) |
| Virginia Mason Franciscan Health | Health system | $46K–$58K | Very common ($3K–$5K) |
| MultiCare Health System | Health system | $44K–$56K | Very common ($3K–$6K) |
| Brookdale Senior Living | SNF / assisted living | $40K–$52K | Very common ($3K–$5K) |
CNA talent supply and hiring difficulty in Seattle
How hard is it to fill a CNA role in Seattle.
Seattle CNA supply is constrained — high cost of living and tech-driven wage inflation across the region push SNF/LTC operators to compete aggressively on sign-ons. Washington's pay transparency law forces employer-by-employer visibility.
Skill premiums CNA candidates command in Seattle, WA
| Skill / Credential | Pay Premium | Demand Signal |
|---|---|---|
| Bilingual (Spanish, Mandarin, Vietnamese) | +4–6% | High |
| Dementia / memory care | +5–7% | Very high |
| Hospice / palliative | +4–6% | High |
| Restorative + lift cert | +3–5% | High |
CNA total compensation in Seattle — what candidates expect beyond base
Total rewards mix for CNAs in Seattle. "Prevalence" reflects share of Seattle disclosed-range postings including each element.
| Component | Typical Value | Prevalence in Seattle Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Base salary | $52,000 (median) | 100% |
| Shift differential | +12–18% premium | ~82% |
| Sign-on bonus | $3,000–$6,000 | ~60% |
| Overtime opportunity | $5K–$11K annualized | ~88% |
| Tuition reimbursement | $2,500–$5,000/yr | ~42% |
| Estimated total comp benchmark | ~$62K–$74K | — |
Shift differentials and sign-on bonuses are typically table stakes rather than differentiators. Tuition reimbursement for LPN-to-RN bridge programs is increasingly the lever that wins competitive offers, particularly for early-career candidates.
CNA pay by setting in Seattle — SNF, hospital, clinic, home health
Where the CNA range splits by employer type in the Seattle metro.
| Setting | Median | Competitive Range | Hiring Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| SNF / LTC | $48,000 | $44K–$54K | Very high |
| Hospital | $56,000 | $50K–$62K | Moderate |
| Home health | $52,000 | $46K–$58K | Very high — Boeing/MS retiree demand |
| Assisted living | $44,000 | $40K–$50K | Tight |
| Hospice | $52,000 | $46K–$58K | Moderate |
CNA salary in Seattle vs. other Washington and nearby metros
What you'd pay if you hired in a nearby metro instead.
| Location | Median Base | vs. Seattle | Hiring Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle–Tacoma–Bellevue, WA | $52,000 | — | Tight |
| Portland–Vancouver–Hillsboro, OR-WA | $44,000 | −15.4% | Moderate |
| San Francisco–Oakland–Hayward, CA | $56,000 | +7.7% | Tight |
| Washington statewide | $48,000 | −7.7% | — |
| U.S. national | $38,200 | — | — |
FAQ: hiring a Certified Nursing Assistant in Seattle, WA
Related CNA pay benchmarks — Washington metros and nearby nursing roles
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Data refreshed May 15, 2026. Next scheduled update: August 15, 2026.
© 2026 BetterComp. Market data informational only — not legal advice.