Registered Nurse Hourly Pay in Lakewood, WA: $55.90 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a registered nurse working in Lakewood, WA runs $55.90 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $116,279 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1141). Weighted against Lakewood's regional price level (BEA RPP 107.4, 7% above national), each hour of work buys what $52.05 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $69,761 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the registered nurse hourly pay in Lakewood, WA, is projected to be $55.90, significantly higher than the national hourly median of $49.39. This competitive rate not only favors full-time nursing professionals but also presents favorable opportunities for part-time and per diem workers. A registered nurse working three days a week on a typical 12-hour shift schedule can earn more than $4,000 biweekly, making this profession appealing for those seeking flexible work arrangements. Hourly rates for entry-level positions start at about $37.30, with experienced RNs or those in specialized settings earning as much as $80.06 per hour. Given the diverse environments in which registered nurses work—such as hospital ICUs, operating rooms, outpatient clinics, and home health visits—this rate reflects the emphasis on specialized skills and the demand for nursing care in the area.
About the Lakewood Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($108,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Registered Nurse Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37.30 | $298.41 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $47.32 | $378.53 |
| Median (P50) | $55.90 | $447.19 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $65.40 | $523.18 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $80.06 | $640.45 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Lakewood
Based on $55.90/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $55.90/hr, a registered nurse working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Lakewood, WA can expect to earn approximately $116,269 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $67,078. With a cost-of-living index of 107.40 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Lakewood.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Lakewood
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,235.94 | $9,689 | $116,269 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,341.57 | $5,813 | $69,761 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $894.38 | $3,876 | $46,508 |
Compare RN Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Registered Nurse (Lakewood) | $55.90 |
| Licensed Practical Nurse (National Avg) | $29.34 |
| Nursing Assistant (CNA) (National Avg) | $18.60 |
| Nurse Practitioner (National Avg) | $63.50 |
| Medical Assistant (National Avg) | $19.70 |
Registered Nurses in Lakewood, WA earn a median of $116,279 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.19% higher than the national median of $102,730 and 1.20% below the Washington state average of $117,691.
Registered Nurse Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $55.90/hr = $69,761/year (purchasing power: $64,955).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $116,269/year (purchasing power: $108,258).
CoL index: 107.4 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$39.88/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$53.08/hr
2026 Current Est.
$55.90/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+47.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Registered Nurses in Lakewood (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.31% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $39.88/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $40.99/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $42.22/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $44.19/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $46.83/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $55.10/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $53.08/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $55.90/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $58.87/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for registered nurses in Lakewood grew 33.1% from $39.88/hr (2019) to $53.08/hr (2025). At a 5.31% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $58.87/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem registered nurses can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lakewood 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.
Working as an Hourly Registered Nurse in Lakewood
The earning potential for part-time registered nurses in Lakewood can be quite lucrative, particularly when considering a typical 3-day workweek. Assuming a 24-hour work schedule, a nurse at this hourly rate could expect to bring home approximately $79,728 annually, which still holds considerable value compared to full-time salaries. For those opting for per diem work, the flexibility comes with variable pay—per diem registered nurse pay in Lakewood often ranges from $50 to $80 per hour, depending on specialty. Travel nurses may find even greater financial incentives, with contract rates of $2,000 to $4,500 weekly, spiking even higher during times of crisis. Hourly pay can vary significantly based on the type of employer, which includes acute care hospitals, specialty surgical centers, and outpatient facilities, with many nurses willing to forgo higher pay for benefits like health insurance. Successful negotiations often hinge on understanding the value of specific skills—particularly those related to specialty certifications—which can yield more advantageous opportunities in an evolving healthcare landscape.
More salary data for Lakewood, WA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for registered nurses in Lakewood in 2026?
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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
Hourly wage 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 5.31% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for registered nurses in Lakewood. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Lakewood 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