What to Pay an Emergency Room Registered Nurse in Seattle, WA (2026)
How to set your ER RN 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.
ER RN salary percentile distribution in Seattle, WA
Where the Seattle market actually sits for ER RN base pay.
Most Seattle employers building a range for this role anchor the midpoint to the market median ($142,000) and set range width at 30–35% — a min of $128,000 and a max of $165,000. This keeps the band wide enough for experience-based progression without concentrating range penetration at the cap.
Washington pay transparency compliance for ER RN job postings
What you must post when hiring a ER RN 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 ER RN role in Seattle, a compliant good-faith range looks like $128,000 to $165,000. A compliant good-faith range for this role in Seattle is $128,000–$165,000.
Top ER RN employers in Seattle — who you're competing against
Top healthcare employers hiring ER RNs in the Seattle metro and what they're posting.
| Employer | Type | Disclosed Range | Sign-on Bonus |
|---|---|---|---|
| UW Medicine (Harborview Level I) | Academic medical center / Level I | $138K–$175K | Common ($10K–$18K) |
| Providence Swedish | Health system | $135K–$172K | Very common ($15K–$25K) |
| Virginia Mason Franciscan | Health system | $132K–$168K | Very common ($12K–$22K) |
| MultiCare Health System | Health system | $128K–$162K | Very common ($15K–$25K) |
| Seattle Children's (peds ED) | Pediatric specialty | $135K–$172K | Common ($10K–$18K) |
ER RN talent supply and hiring difficulty in Seattle
How hard is it to fill a ER RN role in Seattle.
Seattle ER RN market driven by Harborview (Level I trauma), Swedish, and Virginia Mason Franciscan.
Skill premiums ER RN candidates command in Seattle, WA
| Skill / Credential | Pay Premium | Demand Signal |
|---|---|---|
| CEN | Standard premium | Required |
| TNCC + Level I trauma (Harborview) | +7–11% | Very high |
| ENPC (Seattle Children's) | +6–10% | Very high |
| Bilingual (Spanish, Mandarin, Vietnamese) | +4–7% | High |
ER RN total compensation in Seattle — what candidates expect beyond base
Total rewards mix for ER RNs in Seattle. "Prevalence" reflects share of Seattle disclosed-range postings including each element.
| Component | Typical Value | Prevalence in Seattle Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Base salary | $142,000 (median) | 100% |
| Shift differential | +18–26% premium | ~94% |
| Sign-on bonus | $12,000–$25,000 | ~82% |
| CEN certification pay | +7–11% on base | ~72% |
| Overtime opportunity | $14K–$26K annualized | ~94% |
| Estimated total comp benchmark | ~$178K–$210K | — |
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.
ER RN pay by setting in Seattle — SNF, hospital, clinic, home health
Where the ER RN range splits by employer type in the Seattle metro.
| Setting | Median | Competitive Range | Hiring Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adult ED (community) | $135,000 | $120K–$155K | Very high |
| Adult ED (academic) | $142,000 | $128K–$165K | Very high |
| Level I trauma (Harborview) | $152,000 | $135K–$175K | Very high |
| Pediatric ED (Seattle Children's) | $148,000 | $132K–$172K | Very high |
| Freestanding ER | $122,000 | $108K–$140K | Tight |
ER RN 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 | $142,000 | — | Very tight |
| Portland–Vancouver–Hillsboro, OR-WA | $118,000 | −16.9% | Above national avg |
| San Francisco–Oakland–Hayward, CA | $175,000 | +23.2% | Very tight |
| Denver–Aurora–Lakewood, CO | $118,000 | −16.9% | Very tight |
| Washington statewide | $128,000 | −9.9% | — |
| U.S. national | $104,000 | — | — |
FAQ: hiring a Emergency Room Registered Nurse in Seattle, WA
Related ER RN 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.