Registered Nurse Salary in University Place, WA: $115,409 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time registered nurse in University Place, WA earns a median $115,409/year (≈ $55.49/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1141). Once you factor in University Place's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.4), that paycheck buys what $107,457 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.9% below the Washington state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, registered nurse salaries in University Place, Washington, are projected to hit a median annual figure of $115,409, reflecting a notable 12.34% increase compared to the national median of $102,730. These figures reveal a substantial salary range, from $81,853 at the 10th percentile to $162,926 at the 90th percentile. While these estimates are based on 2025 BLS data adjusted for regional cost factors, they highlight the distinct salary structure within the local healthcare market. As the demand for travel nurses remains elevated, particularly in high-cost living areas, the pay differential between staff and travel nurses continues to define hiring practices and compensation offerings in University Place's healthcare facilities.
About the University Place Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($108,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $81,853 | $39.35 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $93,969 | $45.18 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $115,409 | $55.49 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $128,090 | $61.59 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $162,926 | $78.33 |
Median Salary Position
12.34% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in University Place
In University Place, WA, the registered nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $81,073 (2026 est.). At $115,409, the local median is 12.34% above the national median of $102,730.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in University Place: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How University Place Registered Nurse Pay Compares
University Place median: $115,409/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | University Place Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $117,644 | -1.90% less |
| National Average | $102,730 | +12.34% more |
Registered Nurses in University Place, WA earn a median of $115,409 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.34% higher than the national median of $102,730 and 1.90% below the Washington state average of $117,644.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
University Place has a cost of living 7.40% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
University Place, WA has a cost-of-living index of 107.4 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $115,409 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $107,457 — a 6.89% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$82,347
2025 BLS Actual
$109,590
2026 Current Est.
$115,409
2019–2027 Growth
+47.6%
Salary Trajectory for Registered Nurses in University Place (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.31% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $82,347 | Actual |
| 2020 | $84,628 | Actual |
| 2021 | $87,178 | Actual |
| 2022 | $91,244 | Actual |
| 2023 | $96,693 | Actual |
| 2024 | $113,750 | Actual |
| 2025 | $109,590 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $115,409 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $121,537 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the University Place metropolitan area, the median registered nurse salary grew 33.1% from $82,347 (2019) to $109,590 (2025). At a 5.31% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $121,537 by 2027 — a total increase of $39,190 (47.59%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the University Place 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) | $81,853 – $93,969 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $93,969 – $115,409 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $115,409 – $128,090 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $128,090 – $162,926 |
RN salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual registered nurse compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Registered Nurse Job Market in University Place
The local market for registered nurses in University Place is characterized by a modest number of employed professionals, with only six registered nurses working in the area. The cost-of-living index sits at 107.4, which indicates that while earnings may be higher than national averages, they must keep pace with local expenses to maintain effective purchasing power. Employers also vary significantly in pay; those affiliated with hospital systems and specialty centers, particularly in acute care, intensive care units, and emergency departments, tend to offer some of the highest compensation. Factors such as shift differentials for night and weekend work, additional stipends for specialized certifications, and the overall clinical environment (such as magnet status) can create a wide range of earnings within this nursing community. For nurses seeking competitive pay in University Place, focusing on obtaining specialty certifications and exploring roles in higher-paying sectors like travel nursing or ICU assignments may enhance their earning potential considerably.
More salary data for University Place, 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 $109,590 for registered nursesin the University Place 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 University Place 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