What RNs earn in Seattle
Registered nurses in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro earn a median of $128,260 a year, 31% above the national RN median of $97,550. The middle half of RNs here earn between $104,540 and $136,780, so experience, specialty and shift differentials can move you a long way inside that range. Among the 60 metro markets The RN Network tracks, Seattle ranks #9 for median RN pay.
| Role | Median | Typical range |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $128,260 | $104,540 – $136,780 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $160,090 | $130,680 – $169,500 |
| Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) | $274,390 | $228,330 – $299,270 |
| Nurse Midwife | $162,970 | $153,590 – $162,970 |
Powered by RN Workforce Insights™ · 2025 annual pay. Typical range is the 25th to 75th percentile.
What a Seattle RN actually takes home
Here is the part most pay comparisons miss. Washington does not tax wages, so the state takes nothing out of your paycheck. Federal income tax, Social Security and Medicare still come out the same way they do in every state, but there is no second income tax stacked on top.
At the Seattle median of $128,260, every 1% of state income tax you would pay somewhere else is about $1,283 a year that stays with you here. In a state with a 5% income tax, that adds up to roughly $6,413 a year, or about $534 a month. To match a Seattle paycheck at the median, a job in that state would need to pay about $135,011.
Compare offers on take-home pay, not on the number at the top of the offer letter.
Cost of living and the Seattle nursing market
Pay only tells half the story. A two-bedroom apartment at fair market rent runs about $2,501 a month in Seattle, which is roughly 23% of a median RN salary before taxes. That is a manageable share, but it is worth negotiating hard on base pay and differentials.
About 39,900 RNs work in this metro, the #15 largest RN workforce of the markets we track. The RN Network directory lists 185 healthcare employers in Seattle, Tacoma and Bellevue, including 78 behavioral health facilities, 40 outpatient surgery centers, 33 long-term care facilities and 17 hospitals.
Hospitals hiring nurses in Seattle
Every hospital below has its own page with pay context, nearby openings and a direct line to its careers site.
Nursing jobs in Seattle
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Career advice for Seattle nurses
Watch the latest episode of Nursing Matters, the show that helps nurses find the right job, land the offer and grow their careers.
You Passed the NCLEX. Can You Lose This License? Nursing Matters Episode 102626
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Read the article →Common questions about nursing in Seattle
How much do registered nurses make in Seattle?
The median RN salary in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro is $128,260 a year, and the middle half of RNs earn between $104,540 and $136,780.
What do nurse practitioners earn in Seattle?
Nurse practitioners in the Seattle metro earn a median of $160,090 a year.
Can a nurse afford to live in Seattle?
A two-bedroom apartment at fair market rent costs about $2,501 a month in Seattle, roughly 23% of a median RN salary before taxes.
Which hospitals hire nurses in Seattle?
Hospitals in the Seattle area include Virginia Mason Medical Center, Seattle VA Medical Center (VA Puget Sound Healthcare System), Swedish Medical Center, Swedish Medical Center / Cherry Hill, University of Washington Medical Ctr. See the full list in The RN Network facility directory.
Does Washington have a state income tax on nurse pay?
No. Washington does not tax wages, so no state income tax comes out of an RN paycheck in Seattle. Federal income tax and Social Security and Medicare still apply. At the Seattle median RN salary, every 1% of state income tax you would pay elsewhere is about $1,283 a year that stays in your pocket here.
How do I find a nursing job in Seattle?
Browse current Washington openings on The RN Network job board, claim your free Talent Agent profile so employers hiring in Seattle can find you, and compare pay using the Washington salary guide.