What to Pay a Registered Nurse in Seattle, WA (2026)
How to set your 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.
RN salary percentile distribution in Seattle, WA
Where the Seattle market actually sits for RN base pay.
Most Seattle employers building a range for this role anchor the midpoint to the market median ($132,000) and set range width at 30–35% — a min of $118,000 and a max of $152,000. This keeps the band wide enough for experience-based progression without concentrating range penetration at the cap.
Washington pay transparency compliance for RN job postings
What you must post when hiring a 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 RN role in Seattle, a compliant good-faith range looks like $118,000 to $152,000. A compliant good-faith range for this role in Seattle is $118,000–$152,000.
Top RN employers in Seattle — who you're competing against
Top healthcare employers hiring RNs in the Seattle metro and what they're posting.
| Employer | Type | Disclosed Range | Sign-on Bonus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Providence Swedish | Health system | $128K–$162K | Very common ($12K–$22K) |
| UW Medicine | Academic medical center | $128K–$160K | Common ($8K–$15K) |
| Virginia Mason Franciscan Health | Health system | $122K–$155K | Very common ($12K–$22K) |
| MultiCare Health System | Health system | $118K–$150K | Very common ($15K–$25K) |
| Kaiser Permanente WA | Integrated health system | $122K–$155K | Common ($8K–$15K) |
| Seattle Children's Hospital | Pediatric specialty | $125K–$158K | Common ($8K–$15K) |
RN talent supply and hiring difficulty in Seattle
How hard is it to fill a RN role in Seattle.
Seattle's RN market is the most-watched in the Pacific Northwest — Providence Swedish, UW Medicine, and Virginia Mason Franciscan drive demand. Washington's strict ratio law (still in implementation phase as of 2026) is expected to push specialty pay another 5–8% upward through 2027.
Skill premiums RN candidates command in Seattle, WA
| Skill / Credential | Pay Premium | Demand Signal |
|---|---|---|
| CCRN | +8–13% | Very high |
| CEN | +7–11% | Very high |
| CNOR | +8–12% | Very high |
| Pediatric certifications | +6–10% | Very high — Seattle Children's |
| BSN (vs ADN) | +5–8% | Standard |
RN total compensation in Seattle — what candidates expect beyond base
Total rewards mix for RNs in Seattle. "Prevalence" reflects share of Seattle disclosed-range postings including each element.
| Component | Typical Value | Prevalence in Seattle Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Base salary | $132,000 (median) | 100% |
| Shift differential | +14–22% premium | ~92% |
| Sign-on bonus | $10,000–$25,000 | ~80% |
| Certification pay | +7–12% premium | ~68% |
| Overtime opportunity | $10K–$20K annualized | ~92% |
| Tuition reimbursement | $3,500–$6,500/yr | ~66% |
| Estimated total comp benchmark | ~$162K–$192K | — |
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.
RN pay by setting in Seattle — SNF, hospital, clinic, home health
Where the RN range splits by employer type in the Seattle metro.
| Setting | Median | Competitive Range | Hiring Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acute-care hospital (med-surg) | $128,000 | $115K–$148K | Above national avg |
| ICU / Critical care | $148,000 | $132K–$172K | Very high |
| Emergency department | $142,000 | $128K–$165K | Very high |
| OR / Perioperative | $145,000 | $130K–$168K | Very high |
| Pediatric (Seattle Children's) | $142,000 | $128K–$165K | Very high |
| Ambulatory / clinic | $112,000 | $100K–$128K | Moderate |
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 | $132,000 | — | Above national avg |
| Portland–Vancouver–Hillsboro, OR-WA | $110,000 | −16.7% | Above national avg |
| San Francisco–Oakland–Hayward, CA | $158,000 | +19.7% | Very tight |
| Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CA | $130,000 | −1.5% | Very tight |
| Washington statewide | $118,000 | −10.6% | — |
| U.S. national | $93,600 | — | — |
FAQ: hiring a Registered Nurse in Seattle, WA
Related 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.