Nurse Practitioner Salary in Washington: $150,283 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Washington's 50 metropolitan areas, the average median nurse practitioner pay sits at $150,283/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1171. Because Washington sits at BEA RPP 107.4 (7% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $139,928 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Bellevue ($161,659), Seattle ($160,090), Vancouver ($159,913).
In 2026, nurse practitioners (NPs) in Washington can expect an average median salary of $150,283, which is 9.8% higher than the national median of $136,864. The highest paying city in the state is Bellevue, where NPs earn around $167,236, while Walla Walla represents the lower end of the spectrum at $134,878, highlighting a salary gap of $32,358. This discrepancy can be attributed to various factors, including cost of living differences, demand for healthcare services, and the concentration of healthcare facilities in urban areas. Washington's state licensing requirements and scope of practice laws allow NPs to operate with significant autonomy, which can enhance earning potential and job satisfaction. The growing demand for healthcare providers in the state is driven by an aging population and an increasing emphasis on preventive care, contributing to a projected annual growth rate of 3.45% for NPs. With a total of 2,184 nurse practitioners employed across 50 metro areas, the job market for NPs in Washington appears stable and promising. Cities like Seattle, Vancouver, Tacoma, and Bremerton also offer competitive salaries, ranging from $161,868 to $165,613, further emphasizing the strong outlook for this profession in the state.
Washington Nurse Practitioner Salary Range
Overall salary range in Washington: $101,526 (lowest entry-level) to $232,789 (highest top earner)
Washington vs National Average
Washington nurse practitioners earn 9.80% more than the national median (+$13,419/year difference).
Washington Nurse Practitioner Salary Distribution (2026)
Nurse Practitioner salaries in Washington range from $116,407 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $190,549 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $150,283. The Washington median is $13,419 above the US national median of $136,864. The average hourly rate is $72.25/hr. Approximately 2,184 nurse practitioners are employed across 50 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$126,215
2025 BLS Actual
$145,271
2026 Current Est.
$150,283
2019–2027 Growth
+23.2%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Practitioners in Washington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.45% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $126,215 | Actual |
| 2020 | $128,747 | Actual |
| 2021 | $128,125 | Actual |
| 2022 | $132,909 | Actual |
| 2023 | $140,975 | Actual |
| 2024 | $142,291 | Actual |
| 2025 | $145,271 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $150,283 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $155,468 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Washington metropolitan area, the median nurse practitioner salary grew 15.1% from $126,215 (2019) to $145,271 (2025). At a 3.45% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $155,468 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,253 (23.18%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Washington metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 3.45% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Washington
Lowest Paying Cities in Washington
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Walla Walla | $134,878 |
| Tukwila | $139,559 |
| Mountlake Terrace | $139,774 |
| Covington | $141,739 |
| Kenmore | $141,750 |
Best Value Cities for Nurse Practitioners in Washington
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Washington cities offer the most purchasing power for nurse practitioners.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Longview | $154,099 | 97.545 | $157,977 |
| Bellevue | $167,236 | 107.4 | $155,713 |
| Vancouver | $165,430 | 107.4 | $154,032 |
| Bremerton | $161,868 | 105.607 | $153,274 |
| Kennewick | $152,992 | 100.079 | $152,871 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Washington
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $116,407 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $150,283 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $190,549 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Washington metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 50 Cities in Washington
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bellevue | $167,236 |
| 2 | Seattle | $165,613 |
| 3 | Vancouver | $165,430 |
| 4 | Tacoma | $162,851 |
| 5 | Bremerton | $161,868 |
| 6 | Richland | $156,181 |
| 7 | Renton | $154,929 |
| 8 | Longview | $154,099 |
| 9 | Everett | $153,429 |
| 10 | Bellingham | $152,992 |
| 11 | Kennewick | $152,992 |
| 12 | Tumwater | $152,368 |
| 13 | Marysville | $152,279 |
| 14 | Shoreline | $151,443 |
| 15 | Olympia | $150,985 |
| 16 | Redmond | $150,845 |
| 17 | Kent | $150,720 |
| 18 | Kirkland | $150,474 |
| 19 | Burien | $150,283 |
| 20 | Lacey | $149,747 |
| 21 | Spokane Valley | $149,715 |
| 22 | Federal Way | $149,622 |
| 23 | Des Moines | $149,590 |
| 24 | Auburn | $149,242 |
| 25 | Lakewood | $149,182 |
| 26 | Issaquah | $149,097 |
| 27 | Sammamish | $148,119 |
| 28 | University Place | $148,067 |
| 29 | SeaTac | $147,950 |
| 30 | Pasco | $147,317 |
| 31 | Wenatchee | $147,261 |
| 32 | Spokane | $146,889 |
| 33 | Mount Vernon | $146,682 |
| 34 | Edmonds | $146,415 |
| 35 | Lake Stevens | $146,028 |
| 36 | Lynnwood | $145,935 |
| 37 | Moses Lake | $145,653 |
| 38 | Bothell | $145,548 |
| 39 | Pullman | $144,903 |
| 40 | Puyallup | $144,576 |
| 41 | Ellensburg | $144,032 |
| 42 | Yakima | $143,651 |
| 43 | Maple Valley | $143,638 |
| 44 | Camas | $143,275 |
| 45 | Oak Harbor | $142,670 |
| 46 | Kenmore | $141,750 |
| 47 | Covington | $141,739 |
| 48 | Mountlake Terrace | $139,774 |
| 49 | Tukwila | $139,559 |
| 50 | Walla Walla | $134,878 |
More Washington Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore nurse practitioner hourly pay in Washington cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced nurse practitioners.
Explore More Nurse Practitioner Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do nurse practitioners make in Washington in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for nurse practitioners in Washington?
How does Washington nurse practitioner pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level nurse practitioner salary in Washington?
How many nurse practitioners are employed in Washington?
Which Washington city offers the best value for nurse practitioners?
Written by Maria Gonzalez, MSN, NP-C
Career Analyst
Maria has 10 years of experience in adult healthcare. She works in a community health clinic. Her specialty is chronic disease management.
Methodology & Data Source
Statewide salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 3.45% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 nurse practitioner compensation across Washington. State averages are employment-weighted across 50 metro areas — larger metro areas with more nurse practitionerscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.45%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for nurse practitioners (SOC 29-1171).
Compiled and verified by Maria Gonzalez, MSN, NP-C, a licensed nurse practitioner with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov