Registered Nurse Salary in Washington: $99K Median

The average Registered Nurse salary in Washington is $98,980 per year as of April 2026. Salaries range from $73,278 (entry, 25th percentile) up to $152,582 (90th percentile). Washington has no state income tax — increasing take-home meaningfully.

Registered Nurses in Washington earn approximately 15% more than the US national median ($86,070 nationally vs $98,980 in Washington). Washington's cost-of-living index of 115 partially offsets the higher salary.

Yes — Registered Nurse salaries in Washington grew approximately 560.0% year-over-year, from $14,997 in 2025 to $98,980 in 2026. This reflects the broader Healthcare sector's wage growth, driven by Telehealth and Epic EHR demand.

Top-paying Washington metros for Registered Nurses: Seattle ($114K). Click any city for full breakdown including take-home pay.

RN employment projected to grow 6% through 2034, with 194,500 openings annually. Chronic shortage continues, driving competitive salaries and signing bonuses. Washington's top industries include Tech (Amazon, Microsoft), Aerospace (Boeing), Agriculture, and the state's unemployment rate is 4.5% — steady demand for skilled workers.

No, Washington has no state income tax. This significantly boosts take-home pay vs comparable salaries in tax states like California or New York. At $98,980, you keep all of it (after federal + FICA).

Hottest 2026 skills: Telehealth, Epic EHR, BSN credential, Specialty certifications, NLC compact license. ATS systems specifically scan for these. Adding them to your resume — naturally and in context — improves your match rate with Washington employers.

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? Beyond base, negotiate: 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%). Walk-away anchor for Washington: $89,982.