What to Pay a Travel Nurse in Seattle, WA (2026)
How to set your Travel Nurse 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.
Travel Nurse salary percentile distribution in Seattle, WA
Where the Seattle market actually sits for Travel Nurse 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 Travel Nurse job postings
What you must post when hiring a Travel Nurse 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 Travel Nurse 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 Travel Nurse employers in Seattle — who you're competing against
Top healthcare employers hiring Travel Nurses in the Seattle metro and what they're posting.
| Employer | Type | Disclosed Range | Sign-on Bonus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aya Healthcare | Travel agency | $142K–$178K | Per contract |
| Cross Country Healthcare | Travel agency | $140K–$175K | Per contract |
| Direct contracts (UW, Swedish) | Academic hospital direct | $155K–$195K | Hospital-direct premium |
| Trusted Health | Travel agency / tech-driven | $145K–$180K | Per contract |
Travel Nurse talent supply and hiring difficulty in Seattle
How hard is it to fill a Travel Nurse role in Seattle.
Seattle travel demand driven by Providence Swedish, UW Medicine, and MultiCare. WA's tight RN market feeds travel volume.
Skill premiums Travel Nurse candidates command in Seattle, WA
| Skill / Credential | Pay Premium | Demand Signal |
|---|---|---|
| ICU (CCRN) | +15–22% | Very high |
| ER (CEN) | +12–20% | Very high |
| OR / L&D | +12–20% | Very high |
| Crisis surge bonus | +30–70% during | Episodic |
Travel Nurse total compensation in Seattle — what candidates expect beyond base
Total rewards mix for Travel Nurses in Seattle. "Prevalence" reflects share of Seattle disclosed-range postings including each element.
| Component | Typical Value | Prevalence in Seattle Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Taxed hourly base | $55–$75/hr | 100% |
| Housing stipend (untaxed) | $2,100–$3,300/wk | ~100% |
| Meals & incidentals | $320–$500/wk | ~100% |
| Completion bonus | $800–$3,000/13wk | ~62% |
| Estimated total comp benchmark | ~$178K–$218K (annualized) | — |
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.
Travel Nurse pay by setting in Seattle — SNF, hospital, clinic, home health
Where the Travel Nurse range splits by employer type in the Seattle metro.
| Setting | Median | Competitive Range | Hiring Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| ICU | $165,000 | $148K–$188K | Very high |
| ER | $158,000 | $142K–$182K | Very high |
| OR | $162,000 | $145K–$185K | Very high |
| L&D | $155,000 | $138K–$178K | Very high |
| Med-surg | $135,000 | $120K–$155K | High |
Travel Nurse 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 | — | Tight |
| Portland–Vancouver–Hillsboro, OR-WA | $125,000 | −15.5% | Above national avg |
| San Francisco–Oakland–Hayward, CA | $182,000 | +23.0% | Very tight |
| Denver–Aurora–Lakewood, CO | $125,000 | −15.5% | Tight |
| Washington statewide | $135,000 | −8.8% | — |
| U.S. national | $118,000 | — | — |
FAQ: hiring a Travel Nurse in Seattle, WA
Related Travel Nurse 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.