Do registered nurses or nurse managers earn more in Washington?

In Washington, nurse managers earn more — an estimated $161,460 a year versus $124,200 for registered nurses, a gap of about $37,260 (roughly 30% more). One figure is a median reported for Washington in official public wage data; the other is an estimate, because public data does not report that role separately.

How much is the registered nurse vs nurse manager pay gap in Washington?

The estimated gap in Washington is about $37,260 a year, or roughly 30% more for nurse managers. Your actual pay depends on experience, specialty, shift, and employer — use the calculator to compare both for your situation.

Are these Washington figures exact?

Partly — one side is a reported wage and the other is an estimate. Public wage data doesn't break out every nursing role, so where it doesn't, we start from reported Washington pay for the closest reported role and adjust. Treat those as a ballpark.

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.

Washington · WA

Registered Nurse vs Nurse Manager salary in Washington

In Washington, nurse managers earn more — an estimated $161,460 a year versus $124,200 for registered nurses, a gap of about $37,260 (roughly 30% more). Both are estimates based on national pay for each role adjusted for Washington.

Registered Nurse — Washington

Verified public wage data

Median annual pay

$124,200

+27% vs national

Hourly

$59.71/hr

Median $124,200

$89,630Middle 50%: $103,100–$134,240$161,910

Typical range: $103,100–$134,240; What most nurses earn
High end: $161,910; Top earners
Entry level: $89,630; Newer nurses

Nurse Manager — Washington

Specialty estimate

Median annual pay

$161,460

+27% vs national

Hourly

$77.63/hr

Median $161,460

$116,520Middle 50%: $134,030–$174,510$210,480

Typical range: $134,030–$174,510; What most nurses earn
High end: $210,480; Top earners
Entry level: $116,520; Newer nurses

Why the gap in Washington

Nurse managers generally out-earn staff registered nurses, reflecting a salaried leadership role with responsibility for a unit's staffing, budget, and outcomes. The trade-off is fewer bedside hours, on-call administrative duties, and less overtime — so total pay depends on how much a staff RN picks up in shifts and differentials. The Washington figures apply the same local pay adjustment to both roles, so the gap here mirrors the national picture, shifted for Washington's cost of labor. Actual pay varies with experience, specialty, shift, and employer — compare the national Registered Nurse vs Nurse Manager comparison or personalize the calculator.

Registered Nurse vs Nurse Manager in Washington — FAQ

Do registered nurses or nurse managers earn more in Washington?: In Washington, nurse managers earn more — an estimated $161,460 a year versus $124,200 for registered nurses, a gap of about $37,260 (roughly 30% more). One figure is a median reported for Washington in official public wage data; the other is an estimate, because public data does not report that role separately.
How much is the registered nurse vs nurse manager pay gap in Washington?: The estimated gap in Washington is about $37,260 a year, or roughly 30% more for nurse managers. Your actual pay depends on experience, specialty, shift, and employer — use the calculator to compare both for your situation.
Are these Washington figures exact?: Partly — one side is a reported wage and the other is an estimate. Public wage data doesn't break out every nursing role, so where it doesn't, we start from reported Washington pay for the closest reported role and adjust. Treat those as a ballpark.
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— A verified figure from official U.S. public wage data.

BLS OEWS (May 2025, state)

Washington figures are published directly by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics for Washington (May 2025). They are not estimated or adjusted.

Source year 2025. Last reviewed July 17, 2026. Full methodology

Estimated figures for Washington. Last reviewed July 17, 2026.