Registered Nurse Salary in Kent, WA: $117,478 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time registered nurse in Kent, WA earns a median $117,478/year (≈ $56.48/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1141). Once you factor in Kent's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.4), that paycheck buys what $109,384 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.2% below the Washington state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Registered nurses in Kent, Washington, are set to earn a median annual salary of $117,478 in 2026, placing them notably above the national median of $102,730. This compensation range varies significantly, with the lowest earners (P10) making about $84,277, while those at the top (P90) can earn as much as $173,647. Such figures, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for local cost of living, reflect the structural divide in pay between staff nurses and travel nurses in the area. The competitive salary in Kent indicates a solid market for registered nursing talent, particularly as demand remains robust in various healthcare settings.
About the Kent Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($108,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $84,277 | $40.52 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $97,099 | $46.68 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $117,478 | $56.48 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $140,013 | $67.31 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $173,647 | $83.48 |
Median Salary Position
14.36% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Kent
In Kent, WA, the registered nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $89,370 (2026 est.). At $117,478, the local median is 14.36% above the national median of $102,730.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Kent: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Kent Registered Nurse Pay Compares
Kent median: $117,478/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Kent Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $117,713 | -0.20% less |
| National Average | $102,730 | +14.36% more |
Registered Nurses in Kent, WA earn a median of $117,478 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.36% higher than the national median of $102,730 and 0.20% below the Washington state average of $117,713.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Kent has a cost of living 7.40% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Kent, WA has a cost-of-living index of 107.4 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $117,478 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $109,384 — a 6.89% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$83,823
2025 BLS Actual
$111,554
2026 Current Est.
$117,478
2019–2027 Growth
+47.6%
Salary Trajectory for Registered Nurses in Kent (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.31% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $83,823 | Actual |
| 2020 | $86,144 | Actual |
| 2021 | $88,740 | Actual |
| 2022 | $92,880 | Actual |
| 2023 | $98,426 | Actual |
| 2024 | $115,788 | Actual |
| 2025 | $111,554 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $117,478 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $123,716 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Kent metropolitan area, the median registered nurse salary grew 33.1% from $83,823 (2019) to $111,554 (2025). At a 5.31% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $123,716 by 2027 — a total increase of $39,893 (47.59%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kent 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) | $84,277 – $97,099 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $97,099 – $117,478 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $117,478 – $140,013 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $140,013 – $173,647 |
RN salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual registered nurse compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Registered Nurse Job Market in Kent
Within Kent, there are about 33 registered nurses employed, which points to a focused but competitive job market. The local cost-of-living index sits at 107.4, suggesting that while salaries are higher than the national average, the purchasing power may be impacted. Top-paying employers in the area often include acute care hospital systems, surgical specialty centers, and home health agencies. Variations in pay can be attributed to factors such as specialty certifications, shift differentials, and the prestige associated with magnet-status facilities. To maximize earning potential, registered nurses should consider pursuing specialty credentials and seeking roles in high-demand areas such as intensive care or emergency departments. Emphasizing flexibility with shift preferences can also lead to increased pay through differential rates.
More salary data for Kent, 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 $111,554 for registered nursesin the Kent 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 Kent 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