Entry-Level Registered Nurse Salary in Wilsonville, OR: $96,381 (2026)
Quick Answer:New registered nurses entering the Wilsonville, OR job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $96,381 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1141, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Wilsonville's local price level (BEA RPP 102.6 — 3% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $93,939 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($128,324) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In 2026, newly graduated registered nurses in Wilsonville, Oregon, can anticipate an entry-level salary starting at approximately $96,381. This figure is considerably lower than the city's median annual salary of $128,324, indicating a sizable gap that reflects the typical progression new nurses experience as they gain experience in their first few years. With a projected annual growth rate of 5.31%, those entering the nursing field can expect their salaries to rise steadily as they advance from the 10th percentile toward the median, often reaching around $105,999 after gaining a bit of experience. Wilsonville currently presents a favorable market for new graduates looking to start their careers, making it an attractive destination for nursing professionals eager to establish themselves in this vibrant Oregon community.
About the Wilsonville Market
Salary estimated from Oregon average ($111,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Wilsonville
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Wilsonville
Entry-level registered nurses in Wilsonville, OR typically start between $96,381 and $105,999 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $79,599 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $128,324 — 24.91% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average nursing program cost in Oregon of $65,000 represents just 67.44% of the starting registered nurse pay ($96,381/year) in Wilsonville. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates based on ACEN- and CCNE-accredited nursing programs and state board of nursing data. Tuition varies significantly between community college ADN, public university BSN, and private university BSN pathways.
RN Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Wilsonville
- 1Research the Wilsonville market: entry-level registered nurse pay ranges from $96,381 to $105,999, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the nursing field — employers in OR often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Wilsonville, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Wilsonville for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Wilsonville's moderate cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Registered Nurse Compensation Range
The registered nurse wage spread in Wilsonville is $79,599 ( 82.59%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $96,381, experienced hygienists can earn up to $175,980.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$69,139
2025 BLS Actual
$91,521
2026 Current Est.
$96,381
2019–2027 Growth
+46.8%
Salary Trajectory for Registered Nurses in Wilsonville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.31% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $69,139 | Actual |
| 2020 | $70,904 | Actual |
| 2021 | $78,923 | Actual |
| 2022 | $81,312 | Actual |
| 2023 | $84,591 | Actual |
| 2024 | $81,908 | Actual |
| 2025 | $91,521 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $96,381 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $101,499 | Projected |
Entry-level registered nurse compensation (10th percentile) in Wilsonville, OR grew 32.4% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $69,139 in 2019 to $91,521 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $101,499. New graduates entering the Wilsonville job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wilsonville 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 5.31% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Starting Your nursing Career in Wilsonville
A variety of healthcare employers in Wilsonville actively seek out fresh graduates. Large hospital systems often run comprehensive new-grad nurse residency programs, which typically last around 12 months and include rotations through critical care areas such as the ICU and emergency department. Community hospitals tend to offer quicker cross-training, making them appealing for newly minted RNs. Holding a valid RN license along with an ASN or BSN can significantly impact starting pay; pursuing additional credentials like MSN and specialized certifications (e.g., CCRN, CEN) can further boost income potential. Given that the demand for nurses remains strong, particularly in high-cost-of-living areas, entry-level nurses may find opportunities for differential pay through shifts that cover nights, weekends, or on-call duties. Career strategizing in the first few years might involve seeking roles at magnet-status institutions, which highly favor BSN-prepared candidates, especially those with further education and certifications. By consistently building their skills and exploring different roles, entry-level registered nurses can expect satisfactory salary growth as they advance through their careers in Wilsonville, OR.
More salary data for Wilsonville, OR:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Jordan Lee, RN, BSN
Career Analyst
Jordan Lee has 10 years of experience as a registered nurse. Their specialty is pediatric nursing in a community hospital. They analyze nursing workforce trends and salary data.
Methodology & Data Source
Entry-level 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. The 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new nursing graduates. A 5.31% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Wilsonville. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Wilsonville is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.31%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for registered nurses (SOC 29-1141).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, RN, BSN, a licensed registered nurse with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov