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2026 Salary Data — Seattle, WA
Updated April 28, 2026

Registered Nurse Salary in Seattle: $114K Median

Registered Nurses in Seattle, WA earn between $84K and $175K per year.

That's +32% above the US national median of $86,070 for this role.

Quick Answer

As of April 2026, the median Registered Nurse salary in Seattle, WA is $113,612 per year — +32% above the US national median of $86,070. Salaries range from $84,110 (entry, 25th percentile) to $175,138 (90th percentile). Registered Nurses in Seattle earned approximately $17,214 in 2025, representing 560.0% year-over-year growth.

Median
$113,612
+560.0% YoY · $9,468/mo
Entry
$85,800
0–2 years
Experienced
$138,600
5+ years
Top 10%
$175,138
Senior/lead
Registered Nurse Salary — Seattle vs Nearby
Seattle
$114K
Boston
$112K
+2% vs Seattle
San Diego
$102K
+12% vs Seattle
Los Angeles
$110K
+3% vs Seattle

Free ATS scan · Seattle employers · Results in 60 seconds

About Registered Nurses in Seattle

Registered nurses (RNs) provide direct patient care, administer medications, coordinate care plans, and educate patients about health conditions.

Core Responsibilities

  • Patient assessment and care planning
  • Medication administration
  • Wound care and clinical procedures
  • Patient and family education
  • Care coordination with physicians

Education & Certifications

Typical path: BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing) increasingly preferred over ADN

In-demand certifications

NCLEX-RNBLS/ACLSCCRN (critical care)CNOR (perioperative)Compact Nursing License

Seattle Job Market

Major tech hub home to Amazon, Microsoft, and growing biotech sector.

Population
750K
Cost of Living
165
vs 100 US avg
Unemployment
4%
Median Home
$850K

Top Industries in Seattle

Tech (Amazon, Microsoft)Aerospace (Boeing)HealthcareMaritime

Top Employers Hiring Registered Nurses

Major employers active in Seattle or hiring remotely from this metro.

HCA Healthcare
Kaiser Permanente
Mayo Clinic
Cleveland Clinic
CommonSpirit Health
Veterans Health

All major employers use ATS software.

Workday, Greenhouse, Taleo, and iCIMS auto-screen 75% of resumes before a human ever sees them. Scan your resume free to see your match rate.

2026 Hot Skills & Resume Keywords

Skills that command salary premiums and pass ATS keyword filters.

Hottest 2026 Skills

These appear in the highest-paying Registered Nurse listings.

TelehealthEpic EHRBSN credentialSpecialty certificationsNLC compact license

ATS Resume Keywords

Include these naturally throughout your resume.

patient caremedication administrationEHR (Epic, Cerner)critical thinkingBLSIV therapypatient education
Career Outlook
+6% Growth Projected (2024-2034)

RN employment projected to grow 6% through 2034, with 194,500 openings annually. Chronic shortage continues, driving competitive salaries and signing bonuses.

Registered Nurse Salary Breakdown — Seattle

PeriodEntry (25th)Median (50th)Top (90th)
Annual$84,110$113,612$175,138
Monthly$7,009$9,468$14,595
Weekly$1,618$2,185$3,368
Hourly$40$55$84

Based on 2080 working hours/year. Local figures derived from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics national median ($86,070) adjusted for Seattle's cost-of-living multiplier (1.32×, sourced from BEA Regional Price Parities).

Registered Nurse Take-Home Pay in Seattle

After federal, state and FICA taxes — single filer, standard deduction.

Net Annual Take-Home
$88,224.042
Per month$7,352
Biweekly paycheck$3,393
Effective tax rate22.3%

Tax Breakdown on $113,612

Gross salary$113,612
Federal income tax−$16,696.64
Washington state tax−$0
FICA (Social Security + Medicare)−$8,691.318
Take-home (net)$88,224.042

Estimates assume single filer, standard deduction ($14,600 for 2026), no 401(k)/HSA/dependents. Actual take-home varies with deductions, dependents, and benefits elections. Not tax advice.

Registered Nurse Salary by Experience — Seattle

Career-stage progression for Registered Nurses in Seattle.

ExperienceAnnual Salary
0–1 yr$78,936
2–3 yr$85,800
4–6 yr$112,200
7–10 yr$138,600
11–15 yr$163,548
15+ yr$156,869

Curve derived from BLS percentile data adjusted for Seattle's 1.32× cost-of-living multiplier. Highlighted row = 7–10 year experienced level.

Year-Over-Year Trend

+560.0% vs 2025

2025 median:$17,214
2026 median:$113,612
Change:+$96,398

Healthcare sector growth driven by demand for Telehealth and Epic EHR.

Is This A Good Salary?

Livable middle-class

Cost-adjusted, this is a workable middle-class salary. Budgeting matters - dual-income households fare materially better, and saving for a down payment will take discipline.

COL-Adjusted Purchasing Power
$68,856
Difficult on the median - the nominal salary masks how little real purchasing power remains after rent, taxes, and basic costs.

How to Negotiate Your Registered Nurse Salary in Seattle

Walk-away anchor: $103,284 (offers below this are below market for Seattle).

Leverage Points

  • Specialty certifications (CCRN, OCS, BCPS, FNP) command 8-15% premiums
  • Compact license / multi-state authority and willingness to float between units
  • Night, weekend, and holiday shift differentials add up to $10K-$25K annually
  • Critical-shortage specialties (ICU, ER, NICU, oncology) have the most leverage

Beyond Base Salary, Negotiate

Sign-on bonus ($10K-$30K, often $50K+ for hard-to-fill roles)Tuition reimbursement and certification stipendsLoan repayment programs (especially federal/HRSA-eligible)Shift differentials (nights +15%, weekends +10%)Relocation package and housing stipend

What To Say

"Given the current shortage in this specialty and my certifications, I'm looking for $X base plus shift differential and a sign-on bonus. What flexibility do you have on those line items?"

Anchor on $139K–$175K for experienced roles, citing Seattle market data and your specific Telehealth/Epic EHR expertise.

Registered Nurse Salary FAQ — Seattle

What is the average Registered Nurse salary in Seattle, WA?
The average Registered Nurse salary in Seattle is $113,612 per year as of April 2026 — $9,468/month, $2,185/week, or about $55/hour. Salaries range from $84,110 (entry, 25th percentile) up to $175,138 (experienced, 90th percentile). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics adjusted for Seattle's cost-of-living multiplier (1.32×).
Is $113,612 a good Registered Nurse salary in Seattle?
Livable middle-class. Cost-adjusted, this is a workable middle-class salary. Budgeting matters - dual-income households fare materially better, and saving for a down payment will take discipline. Seattle's cost-of-living index is 165 (vs 100 nationally), giving $113,612 a real purchasing power of approximately $68,856 in national terms. Difficult on the median - the nominal salary masks how little real purchasing power remains after rent, taxes, and basic costs.
Can you live on $113,612 in Seattle?
Median pay is below HUD's low-income threshold for a family of four in some of these metros (notably San Francisco, where $104K qualifies as 'low income'). Raising a family on the median typically requires two earners, a long commute, or family help with housing. Spending 30% on rent is impossible at the median in this market - most workers spend 40-50% or take roommates well into their 30s. HUD classifies anything over 30% as 'cost-burdened' here. For Seattle specifically (median home price $850,000), a $113,612 salary supports a moderate lifestyle with careful budgeting.
Is $113,612 enough for a single person in Seattle?
A single adult in Seattle typically needs ~$74,250 for a comfortable lifestyle (housing, food, transport, healthcare, modest savings). A $113,612 salary is well above that threshold — a single person can live comfortably with significant savings room.
Is $113,612 enough for a couple in Seattle?
A couple (one earner) in Seattle typically needs ~$118,800 for a comfortable lifestyle. A $113,612 salary as the sole household income is below the comfortable threshold — most couples at this level need both partners working or significant lifestyle adjustments. Two earners at $113,612 each ($227,224 household) provides solid middle-class comfort.
Is $113,612 enough for a family of 4 in Seattle?
A family of 4 (one earner) in Seattle typically needs ~$181,500 for a comfortable middle-class lifestyle (housing for 4, childcare/school, food, healthcare, transport, savings). A $113,612 salary as the sole household income is below the comfortable threshold — most families need a second income or to live in cheaper suburbs/exurbs of Seattle. Childcare costs in Seattle typically run $25K-$46K per child per year.
What is the take-home pay for a Registered Nurse in Seattle?
On a $113,612 Registered Nurse salary in Seattle, WA, you take home approximately $88,224.042 per year ($7,352/month, $3,393 per biweekly paycheck) after taxes. Breakdown: federal $16,696.64, state $0, FICA $8,691.318. Effective tax rate: 22.3%. (Single filer, standard deduction, no other adjustments.)
How much do Registered Nurses in Seattle earn compared to the US average?
Registered Nurses in Seattle earn approximately 32% more than the US national median for this role ($86,070 nationally vs $113,612 in Seattle). However, Seattle's cost-of-living index of 165 means real purchasing power is approximately $68,856 when adjusted for local prices.
What does an entry-level Registered Nurse earn in Seattle?
Entry-level Registered Nurses in Seattle typically start at around $85,800 (0–2 years experience). With 5+ years, Registered Nurses earn $138,600 or more. Top earners (90th percentile) reach $175,138+, typically at senior or lead levels with specialized skills.
Did Registered Nurse salaries in Seattle increase in 2026?
Yes — Registered Nurse salaries in Seattle grew approximately 560.0% year-over-year, from $17,214 in 2025 to $113,612 in 2026 (+$96,398). This reflects the broader Healthcare sector's compensation trend, driven by Telehealth and Epic EHR demand.
What's the job outlook for Registered Nurses in Seattle?
RN employment projected to grow 6% through 2034, with 194,500 openings annually. Chronic shortage continues, driving competitive salaries and signing bonuses. Seattle's top industries include Tech (Amazon, Microsoft), Aerospace (Boeing), Healthcare, and the metro's current unemployment rate is 4% — steady demand for skilled workers.
What skills are most in demand for Registered Nurses in 2026?
The hottest 2026 skills for Registered Nurses are: Telehealth, Epic EHR, BSN credential, Specialty certifications, NLC compact license. ATS systems specifically scan for these keywords. Adding them to your resume — naturally and in context — significantly improves your match rate with employers in Seattle.
Who are the top employers hiring Registered Nurses in Seattle?
Top employers hiring Registered Nurses in or near Seattle include: HCA Healthcare, Kaiser Permanente, Mayo Clinic, Cleveland Clinic, CommonSpirit Health, Veterans Health. Most use ATS software (Workday, Greenhouse, Taleo, iCIMS) to screen resumes — meaning your resume must be ATS-optimized to even get a human reader.
How do I negotiate a higher Registered Nurse salary in Seattle?
Given the current shortage in this specialty and my certifications, I'm looking for $X base plus shift differential and a sign-on bonus. What flexibility do you have on those line items? Key leverage points for Healthcare negotiations: Specialty certifications (CCRN, OCS, BCPS, FNP) command 8-15% premiums; Compact license / multi-state authority and willingness to float between units; Night, weekend, and holiday shift differentials add up to $10K-$25K annually. Beyond base salary, negotiate for: Sign-on bonus ($10K-$30K, often $50K+ for hard-to-fill roles), Tuition reimbursement and certification stipends, Loan repayment programs (especially federal/HRSA-eligible), Shift differentials (nights +15%, weekends +10%).
How can I increase my Registered Nurse salary in Seattle?
Three highest-leverage moves: (1) Add 2026's hot skills (Telehealth, Epic EHR, BSN credential) — they command 15-30% premiums. (2) Get a recognized certification (e.g., NCLEX-RN or BLS/ACLS). (3) Tailor your resume to each role's keywords — CVCraft's ATS scanner shows you exactly what's missing.
What education do I need to become a Registered Nurse in Seattle?
BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing) increasingly preferred over ADN is the typical path. However, Seattle's competitive market increasingly values demonstrable skills, portfolios, and certifications alongside (or in place of) traditional degrees — particularly for Healthcare roles.

Methodology & Sources

Registered Nurse salary figures for Seattle are computed by adjusting the BLS national median ($86,070) by Seattle's cost-of-living multiplier of 1.32× — a composite of regional wage data and price parities. Year-over-year change (560.0%) reflects the Healthcare sector's 2025-2026 wage growth per BLS Employment Cost Index trends. Last reviewed April 28, 2026.

Data Sources

Related Roles in Seattle

Nurse Practitioner →Pharmacist →Physical Therapist →Occupational Therapist →Physician →Dentist →

Registered Nurse Salary in Other Cities

New York, NY$116KLos Angeles, CA$110KWashington, DC$112KBoston, MA$112K

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