Registered Nurse salary in Seattle, WA
Median pay, Seattle metro
$128,260/year
about $61.66 an hour full-time
Middle half earns $104,540 – $136,780
Half of registered nurses in the Seattle metro area earn more than $128,260 a year and half earn less. That's 31% higher than the national median of $97,550, and ranks #7 of the 30 big metro areas we track for this job.
Pay range
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly* |
|---|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $99,020 | $47.61 |
| 25th | $104,540 | $50.26 |
| Median (50th) | $128,260 | $61.66 |
| 75th | $136,780 | $65.76 |
| 90th (top earners) | $163,890 | $78.79 |
*Yearly pay divided by 2,080 hours (40 hours × 52 weeks), the full-time basis BLS uses.
Is your offer fair?
For a registered nurse job in the Seattle metro area, here's how an offer compares:
- Below market under $104,540 ($50.26/hr). Fine for a first job in the field, otherwise worth negotiating.
- Typical $104,540 to $136,780 ($50.26 to $65.76/hr). The middle half of what people in this job earn.
- Strong offer over $136,780 ($65.76/hr). Higher than three quarters of workers here.
Before you accept
- Shift differentials for nights and weekends can add a lot on top of the base rate, so ask for them in writing.
- Sign-on bonuses often come with a clawback if you leave within one or two years. Check the terms before you count on it.
- Ask about nurse-to-patient ratios and mandatory overtime, since they shape the job far more than the posting suggests.
Also watch for the common warning signs in the posting itself: 15 job posting red flags.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2025, Seattle metro. Occupation: Registered Nurses (SOC 29-1141). Figures cover wage and salary workers and don't include bonuses, benefits or overtime.