Average registered nurse compensation in Washington across seven career stages — from new grad RN to Chief Nursing Officer. Updated 2026 benchmarks to help you negotiate, plan, and grow.
RN Salary by Role in Washington
Washington offers competitive RN compensation, with staff nurses averaging close to $95,000 annually.
The earnings curve is significant across a nursing career in Washington. Entry-level new grad RNs generally start near $66,000, while experienced specialty nurses in high-acuity areas (ICU, ER, OR) average closer to $107,000. Leadership tracks open up further upside: nurse managers average around $119,000, directors of nursing near $138,000, and CNOs can reach $163,000. Advanced practice nurses (NPs, CNSs, CRNAs, and CNMs) in Washington report average compensation around $119,000.
Washington is a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact, so a multistate RN or LPN license issued here is valid for practice in other compact states — useful for travel nursing, telehealth, or relocating without re-licensing.
As with any state, factor in local cost of living and taxes alongside salary when evaluating job offers in Washington.
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