Registered Nurse Salary in Bellevue, WA: $136,394 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time registered nurse in Bellevue, WA earns a median $136,394/year (≈ $65.58/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1141). Once you factor in Bellevue's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.4), that paycheck buys what $126,996 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 15.9% above the Washington state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In the competitive job market of Bellevue, Washington, registered nurse salaries are notably robust, with a projected median annual salary of $136,394 for 2026. This figure reflects a significant increase over national averages, which stand at $102,730 for the same year, positioning Bellevue RN salaries roughly 32.77% higher than the national figure. Registered nurses in the area can expect a salary range from $91,190 at the 10th percentile to $202,498 at the 90th percentile, highlighting the lucrative nature of healthcare roles, particularly for those willing to work night and weekend shifts, which often come with additional compensation. The insights provided are derived from 2025 BLS data, projected to 2026, and showcase Bellevue's dynamic healthcare environment alongside its high demand for skilled nursing professionals.
About the Bellevue Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($108,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $91,190 | $43.84 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $108,106 | $51.97 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $136,394 | $65.58 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $157,838 | $75.89 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $202,498 | $97.36 |
Median Salary Position
32.77% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bellevue
In Bellevue, WA, the registered nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $111,308 (2026 est.). At $136,394, the local median is 32.77% above the national median of $102,730.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Bellevue: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Bellevue Registered Nurse Pay Compares
Bellevue median: $136,394/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bellevue Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $117,683 | +15.90% more |
| National Average | $102,730 | +32.77% more |
Registered Nurses in Bellevue, WA earn a median of $136,394 per year (2026 est.), which is 32.77% higher than the national median of $102,730 and 15.90% above the Washington state average of $117,683.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bellevue has a cost of living 7.40% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bellevue, WA has a cost-of-living index of 107.4 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $136,394 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $126,996 — a 6.89% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$97,320
2025 BLS Actual
$129,517
2026 Current Est.
$136,394
2019–2027 Growth
+47.6%
Salary Trajectory for Registered Nurses in Bellevue (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.31% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $97,320 | Actual |
| 2020 | $100,016 | Actual |
| 2021 | $103,029 | Actual |
| 2022 | $107,836 | Actual |
| 2023 | $114,275 | Actual |
| 2024 | $118,300 | Actual |
| 2025 | $129,517 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $136,394 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $143,637 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bellevue metropolitan area, the median registered nurse salary grew 33.1% from $97,320 (2019) to $129,517 (2025). At a 5.31% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $143,637 by 2027 — a total increase of $46,317 (47.59%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bellevue 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $91,190 – $108,106 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $108,106 – $136,394 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $136,394 – $157,838 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $157,838 – $202,498 |
RN salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual registered nurse compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Registered Nurse Job Market in Bellevue
Registered nurses in Bellevue find themselves in a strong employment setting, with approximately 26 registered nurses currently employed in the area. The cost of living index, which sits at 107.4, indicates that while salaries are higher than the national average, it is still essential for nurses to consider their take-home purchasing power. Some of the highest-paying opportunities are within acute care hospitals, surgical specialty centers, and travel nursing agencies. Factors driving the variability in pay include shift differentials—typically offering an additional $3-7 per hour for nights and $3-5 for weekend shifts—as well as specialty certification stipends and charge nurse roles that often yield enhanced pay. Maximizing earnings in this market can involve pursuing specialty certifications through organizations like AACN or ENA, as well as considering positions in magnet-status hospitals that prioritize BSN-prepared nurses.
More salary data for Bellevue, WA:
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
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 BLS reported a median annual salary of $129,517 for registered nursesin the Bellevue metropolitan area. A 5.31% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Bellevue 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