Public Health Nurse salary in Washington
A public health nurse in Washington earns an estimated $114,260 a year ($54.93/hr) — about 27% above the U.S. average, with most between $94,850 and $123,500. State figures are estimates based on national pay for the role and local cost of living — a starting point, not a guaranteed local wage.
Public Health Nurse — Washington
Specialty estimateMedian annual pay
$114,260
+27% vs nationalHourly
$54.93/hr
- Typical range
- $94,850–$123,500
- What most nurses earn
- High end
- $148,960
- Top earners
- Entry level
- $82,460
- Newer nurses
Public Health Nurse pay by city in Washington
Estimated pay in the state's largest metro areas.
| City | Est. annual | Est. hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Seattle | $118,000 | $56.73 |
| Spokane | $102,810 | $49.43 |
Public Health Nurse pay in nearby-paying states
How Washington compares to states with similar public health nurse pay.
Other nursing roles in Washington
Compare estimated pay for related roles in this state.
What affects public health nurse pay in Washington
Among the highest pay; strong Seattle market. For a public health nurse specifically, pay is shaped by the metro labor market, hospital vs clinic vs long-term-care setting, union presence, shift differentials, unit acuity, and years of experience. Certifications and a move into charge or advanced-practice roles raise pay further. Use the calculator to estimate your own.
How this estimate was calculated
Public wage data does not report Public Health Nurse separately. This figure starts from the wage the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics published for Registered Nurse in Washington (May 2025) and applies a 0.92× specialty adjustment.
Local pay can vary well beyond this by specialty, shift, union status, employer type, overtime, and care setting. Treat it as a starting point — not an official Washington wage.
Source year: 2025. Based on the national figure of $89,750 for this role.
Use this state estimate as a starting point
- It’s a starting point for Washington, based on national pay and local pay levels — not a guaranteed local wage.
- Your actual pay shifts with role and specialty, care setting, shift, overtime, union status, and years of experience — so compare a role-specific page and personalize the calculator.
- Reviewed salary submissions from nurses in Washington make this page more precise over time.
Public Health Nurse salary in Washington — FAQ
- How much does a public health nurse make in Washington?
- A public health nurse in Washington earns an estimated $114,260 a year — about $54.93 an hour, with most between $94,850 and $123,500. That's about 27% above the national average. This is an estimate based on national pay for the role and Washington's local pay level, not a guaranteed local wage.
- Is Washington a good state for public health nurses?
- For pay, Washington sits about 27% above the national average for public health nurses. A higher number often comes with a higher cost of living, so weigh the estimated $114,260 against local housing and expenses rather than the headline figure alone.
- Which city in Washington pays public health nurses the most?
- Among Washington metros we track, Seattle tends to have the highest estimated pay for public health nurses, at roughly $118,000 a year. City figures are estimates based on the role's national pay and local cost of living.
- How does Washington public health nurse pay compare to the national average?
- The national estimate for a public health nurse is about $89,750 a year, versus an estimated $114,260 in Washington — about 27% above the national average. Use the calculator to factor in your experience, specialty, and shift.
- Why are some figures verified and others estimates?
- National pay for the main nursing roles — registered nurses, LPNs/LVNs, nurse practitioners, CRNAs, nurse midwives, and nursing assistants — comes from verified public wage data. State, city, and specialty figures that aren't reported on their own start from that national pay and are labeled "Estimated" or "Specialty estimate." We never show an estimate as a verified figure.
Source & confidence— An estimate for a specialty that public pay data does not list on its own. A ballpark to start from, not an exact figure.
Modeled specialty estimate (BLS state wage × specialty adjustment)
Public wage data does not report Public Health Nurse separately. This figure starts from the wage the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics published for Registered Nurse in Washington (May 2025) and applies a 0.92× specialty adjustment.
Source year 2025. Last reviewed July 17, 2026. Full methodology
Estimated figure — national public health nurse pay adjusted for Washington. Last reviewed July 17, 2026.