Registered Nurse Salary in Tukwila, WA: $108,778 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time registered nurse in Tukwila, WA earns a median $108,778/year (≈ $52.30/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1141). Once you factor in Tukwila's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.4), that paycheck buys what $101,283 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.6% below the Washington state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Tukwila, Washington, the registered nurse salary landscape reveals a noteworthy median annual compensation of $108,778 for 2026, surpassing the national median of $102,730 by approximately 5.89%. Salaries in this metropolitan area span a wide range, with figures from the 10th percentile starting at $83,745 and reaching as high as $143,416 at the 90th percentile. These projections, derived from BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional pricing, indicate a strong earning potential for registered nurses in Tukwila. The increasing discrepancy in earnings between staff and travel nurses underscores the market dynamics, as travel nursing roles can sometimes offer higher compensation due to the urgent need for healthcare services in various settings.
About the Tukwila Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($108,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $83,745 | $40.26 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $90,521 | $43.52 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $108,778 | $52.30 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $121,510 | $58.42 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $143,416 | $68.95 |
Median Salary Position
5.89% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Tukwila
In Tukwila, WA, the registered nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $59,671 (2026 est.). At $108,778, the local median is 5.89% above the national median of $102,730.
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At 40 hours/week in Tukwila: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Tukwila Registered Nurse Pay Compares
Tukwila median: $108,778/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Tukwila Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $117,725 | -7.60% less |
| National Average | $102,730 | +5.89% more |
Registered Nurses in Tukwila, WA earn a median of $108,778 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.89% higher than the national median of $102,730 and 7.60% below the Washington state average of $117,725.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Tukwila has a cost of living 7.40% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Tukwila, WA has a cost-of-living index of 107.4 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $108,778 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $101,283 — a 6.89% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$77,615
2025 BLS Actual
$103,293
2026 Current Est.
$108,778
2019–2027 Growth
+47.6%
Salary Trajectory for Registered Nurses in Tukwila (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.31% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $77,615 | Actual |
| 2020 | $79,765 | Actual |
| 2021 | $82,168 | Actual |
| 2022 | $86,002 | Actual |
| 2023 | $91,137 | Actual |
| 2024 | $107,214 | Actual |
| 2025 | $103,293 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $108,778 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $114,554 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Tukwila metropolitan area, the median registered nurse salary grew 33.1% from $77,615 (2019) to $103,293 (2025). At a 5.31% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $114,554 by 2027 — a total increase of $36,939 (47.59%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Tukwila 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) | $83,745 – $90,521 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $90,521 – $108,778 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $108,778 – $121,510 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $121,510 – $143,416 |
RN salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual registered nurse compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Registered Nurse Job Market in Tukwila
With only four registered nurses currently employed in Tukwila, the job market is relatively small. However, the cost of living index at 107.4 suggests that while salaries may be competitive, living expenses are above the national average, impacting take-home pay. Major employers in the area include hospital systems, which typically pay higher wages, especially in specialized departments like acute care, ICU, and emergency services. Factors such as shift differentials, which can add $3-7 per hour for nights and weekends, and pay incentives for specialty certifications, greatly influence the disparity between lower and higher salaries. Registered nurses looking to maximize their income in Tukwila would benefit from pursuing those certifications, seeking positions in high-demand specialty areas, and considering roles with magnet-status hospitals known for favorable staff compensation structures.
More salary data for Tukwila, 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 $103,293 for registered nursesin the Tukwila 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 Tukwila 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