What to Pay an ICU Registered Nurse in Seattle, WA (2026)
How to set your ICU 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.
ICU RN salary percentile distribution in Seattle, WA
Where the Seattle market actually sits for ICU RN base pay.
Most Seattle employers building a range for this role anchor the midpoint to the market median ($148,000) and set range width at 30–35% — a min of $132,000 and a max of $172,000. This keeps the band wide enough for experience-based progression without concentrating range penetration at the cap.
Washington pay transparency compliance for ICU RN job postings
What you must post when hiring a ICU 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 ICU RN role in Seattle, a compliant good-faith range looks like $132,000 to $172,000. A compliant good-faith range for this role in Seattle is $132,000–$172,000.
Top ICU RN employers in Seattle — who you're competing against
Top healthcare employers hiring ICU RNs in the Seattle metro and what they're posting.
| Employer | Type | Disclosed Range | Sign-on Bonus |
|---|---|---|---|
| UW Medicine (Harborview) | Academic medical center / Level I | $142K–$182K | Common ($10K–$18K) |
| Providence Swedish | Health system | $140K–$180K | Very common ($15K–$25K) |
| Virginia Mason Franciscan | Health system | $138K–$175K | Very common ($12K–$22K) |
| MultiCare Health System | Health system | $132K–$168K | Very common ($15K–$25K) |
| Seattle Children's (PICU) | Pediatric specialty | $140K–$178K | Common ($10K–$18K) |
ICU RN talent supply and hiring difficulty in Seattle
How hard is it to fill a ICU RN role in Seattle.
Seattle ICU RN market driven by UW Medicine (Harborview Level I trauma), Swedish, and Virginia Mason Franciscan.
Skill premiums ICU RN candidates command in Seattle, WA
| Skill / Credential | Pay Premium | Demand Signal |
|---|---|---|
| CCRN | Required baseline | Standard |
| Cardiac ICU | +7–11% | Very high |
| PICU (Seattle Children's) | +7–11% | Very high |
| Trauma ICU (Harborview) | +7–11% | Very high |
ICU RN total compensation in Seattle — what candidates expect beyond base
Total rewards mix for ICU RNs in Seattle. "Prevalence" reflects share of Seattle disclosed-range postings including each element.
| Component | Typical Value | Prevalence in Seattle Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Base salary | $148,000 (median) | 100% |
| Shift differential | +18–26% premium | ~96% |
| Sign-on bonus | $12,000–$25,000 | ~86% |
| CCRN certification pay | +8–14% on base | ~78% |
| Overtime opportunity | $14K–$28K annualized | ~94% |
| Estimated total comp benchmark | ~$185K–$220K | — |
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.
ICU RN pay by setting in Seattle — SNF, hospital, clinic, home health
Where the ICU RN range splits by employer type in the Seattle metro.
| Setting | Median | Competitive Range | Hiring Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| MICU | $142,000 | $128K–$162K | Very high |
| SICU | $148,000 | $132K–$170K | Very high |
| Cardiac ICU | $158,000 | $140K–$182K | Very high |
| PICU (Seattle Children's) | $155,000 | $138K–$178K | Very high |
| Trauma ICU (Harborview) | $155,000 | $138K–$178K | Very high |
ICU 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 | $148,000 | — | Very tight |
| Portland–Vancouver–Hillsboro, OR-WA | $122,000 | −17.6% | Above national avg |
| San Francisco–Oakland–Hayward, CA | $182,000 | +23.0% | Very tight |
| Denver–Aurora–Lakewood, CO | $122,000 | −17.6% | Very tight |
| Washington statewide | $132,000 | −10.8% | — |
| U.S. national | $108,000 | — | — |
FAQ: hiring a ICU Registered Nurse in Seattle, WA
Related ICU 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.