What to Pay an Operating Room Registered Nurse in Seattle, WA (2026)
How to set your OR 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.
OR RN salary percentile distribution in Seattle, WA
Where the Seattle market actually sits for OR RN base pay.
Most Seattle employers building a range for this role anchor the midpoint to the market median ($145,000) and set range width at 30–35% — a min of $130,000 and a max of $168,000. This keeps the band wide enough for experience-based progression without concentrating range penetration at the cap.
Washington pay transparency compliance for OR RN job postings
What you must post when hiring a OR 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 OR RN role in Seattle, a compliant good-faith range looks like $130,000 to $168,000. A compliant good-faith range for this role in Seattle is $130,000–$168,000.
Top OR RN employers in Seattle — who you're competing against
Top healthcare employers hiring OR RNs in the Seattle metro and what they're posting.
| Employer | Type | Disclosed Range | Sign-on Bonus |
|---|---|---|---|
| UW Medicine | Academic medical center | $142K–$180K | Common ($10K–$18K) |
| Providence Swedish | Health system | $140K–$178K | Very common ($15K–$25K) |
| Virginia Mason Franciscan | Health system | $138K–$175K | Very common ($12K–$22K) |
| MultiCare Health System | Health system | $135K–$170K | Very common ($15K–$25K) |
| Seattle Children's (peds OR) | Pediatric specialty | $140K–$178K | Common ($10K–$18K) |
OR RN talent supply and hiring difficulty in Seattle
How hard is it to fill a OR RN role in Seattle.
Seattle OR RN market driven by UW, Swedish, Virginia Mason Franciscan.
Skill premiums OR RN candidates command in Seattle, WA
| Skill / Credential | Pay Premium | Demand Signal |
|---|---|---|
| CNOR | +8–12% on base | Standard |
| Cardiothoracic OR | +8–12% | Very high |
| Neurosurgery OR | +7–11% | Very high |
| Robotic surgery cert | +6–10% | High and growing |
OR RN total compensation in Seattle — what candidates expect beyond base
Total rewards mix for OR RNs in Seattle. "Prevalence" reflects share of Seattle disclosed-range postings including each element.
| Component | Typical Value | Prevalence in Seattle Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Base salary | $145,000 (median) | 100% |
| Call pay (standby + callback) | $7–$12/hr standby + 1.5–2× hourly | ~96% |
| Sign-on bonus | $12,000–$25,000 | ~82% |
| CNOR certification pay | +8–12% on base | ~78% |
| Holiday / weekend differential | +24–38% | ~92% |
| Estimated total comp benchmark | ~$180K–$215K | — |
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.
OR RN pay by setting in Seattle — SNF, hospital, clinic, home health
Where the OR RN range splits by employer type in the Seattle metro.
| Setting | Median | Competitive Range | Hiring Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| General OR | $142,000 | $128K–$162K | Very high |
| Cardiothoracic OR | $155,000 | $140K–$178K | Very high |
| Neurosurgery OR | $152,000 | $138K–$175K | Very high |
| Pediatric OR (Seattle Children's) | $150,000 | $135K–$172K | Very high |
| Ambulatory surgery center | $130,000 | $118K–$150K | Tight |
OR 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 | $145,000 | — | Very tight |
| Portland–Vancouver–Hillsboro, OR-WA | $120,000 | −17.2% | Above national avg |
| San Francisco–Oakland–Hayward, CA | $180,000 | +24.1% | Very tight |
| Denver–Aurora–Lakewood, CO | $120,000 | −17.2% | Very tight |
| Washington statewide | $130,000 | −10.3% | — |
| U.S. national | $106,000 | — | — |
FAQ: hiring a Operating Room Registered Nurse in Seattle, WA
Related OR 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.