Registered Nurses: Entry-Level vs Senior Salary in Washington (2024)

How does Registered Nurses salary grow from entry-level to senior in Washington? State salary progression based on 2024 BLS data.

69% career growth potential

Data: BLS OEWS 2024 • Washington salary data • Updated 2026-04-06

Entry-Level (P10)
$82,630
$6,886/mo
Mid-Career (Median)
$107,720
$8,977/mo
Senior (P90)
$139,390
$11,616/mo

Washington vs National Average

Entry-Level (P10)
$82,630
National: $66,262
+24.7%
Mid-Career (Median)
$107,720
National: $86,652
+24.3%
Senior (P90)
$139,390
National: $113,596
+22.7%

Salary Progression: Entry-Level to Senior

The salary range for Registered Nurses in Washington spans from $82,630 at entry-level to $139,390 at senior level — a difference of $56,760 per year.

P10
$82K
P25
$92K
Median
$107K
P75
$128K
P90
$139K

Career Growth Premium: +69%

Senior Registered Nursess in Washington earn $56,760 more per year than entry-level professionals.

Annual Difference
+$56,760
Monthly Difference
+$4,730
Hourly Difference
+$27.29
Growth Multiple
1.7x

Detailed Salary Breakdown by Experience Level

Complete percentile breakdown showing how Registered Nurses salary increases with experience in Washington, from entry-level (10th percentile) to senior (90th percentile).

Experience Level Percentile Annual Salary Monthly Hourly
Entry-Level P10 $82,630 $6,886 $39.73
Early Career P25 $92,130 $7,678 $44.29
Mid-Career Median $107,720 $8,977 $51.79
Experienced P75 $128,140 $10,678 $61.61
Senior / Expert P90 $139,390 $11,616 $67.01
Key Insight

Registered Nurses in Washington has a moderate salary progression with a 69% growth from entry-level ($82,630) to senior ($139,390). While the growth potential is steady, professionals looking to maximize earnings may benefit from specialization, advanced certifications, or gaining experience in higher-paying states. The gap between median ($107,720) and P90 ($139,390) shows there is still room for meaningful growth beyond mid-career.

How Washington Compares to Other States

Where does Washington rank for Registered Nurses senior-level salaries? Compare Washington's P90 pay to other top-paying states.

1
$194,240
Entry: $83K
+133%
2
$166,100
Entry: $74K
+124%
3
$145,940
Entry: $81K
+80%
4
$139,390
Entry: $82K
+69%
5
$136,950
Entry: $86K
+58%
6
$136,780
Entry: $69K
+97%
7
$136,120
Entry: $75K
+81%
8
$132,090
Entry: $82K
+59%
9
$132,010
Entry: $77K
+71%
10
$127,750
Entry: $77K
+64%

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the entry-level salary for a Registered Nurses?

Entry-level Registered Nursess (10th percentile) earn approximately $82,630 per year, or $6,885 per month. Early-career professionals (25th percentile) earn around $92,130. Based on 2024 BLS OEWS data across all U.S. states.

How much does a senior Registered Nurses make?

Senior Registered Nursess (90th percentile) earn approximately $139,390 per year. Experienced professionals (75th percentile) earn around $128,140. This represents a career premium of 69% over entry-level pay.

What is the salary growth potential for a Registered Nurses?

The career salary growth potential for Registered Nursess is 69%. Entry-level professionals start at $82,630, while senior-level can earn up to $139,390 — a difference of $56,760 per year.

Which state pays the highest salary for senior Registered Nursess?

The highest-paying state for senior Registered Nursess is Washington, where 90th-percentile salaries reach $139,390 per year. See the full state-by-state comparison above.

How are entry-level and senior Registered Nurses salaries determined?

We use BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) 2024 data. The 10th percentile (P10) approximates entry-level pay — the salary that 90% of workers earn more than. The 90th percentile (P90) approximates senior/expert-level pay — only 10% of workers earn above this threshold. National averages are computed across all reporting U.S. states.

Related Salary Pages

About This Data

Salary percentile data for Washington from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024. P10 approximates entry-level compensation; P90 approximates senior/expert-level compensation. State averages differ from national averages due to regional variations in cost of living, demand, and workforce composition. Actual salaries vary based on employer, experience, education, certifications, and specific location within Washington.

Our Methodology · Data Sources · Source: BLS OEWS

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