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Travel Nursing in Washington
Washington State offers one of the highest-paying travel nursing markets in the country. The Seattle metro is home to UW Medicine (Harborview Medical Center), Swedish Medical Center, Virginia Mason, Providence, and MultiCare Health System. These institutions create substantial demand for travel nurses across all specialties. Strong nurse unions in Washington have pushed wages higher, benefiting travel nurses as well.
Washington is not a compact license state, but the premium pay packages make the licensing investment worthwhile. The state has no income tax, further boosting take-home pay. The Pacific Northwest lifestyle, with access to mountains, the Puget Sound, wine country, and Olympic National Park, makes Washington a dream destination for outdoor enthusiasts. Seattle's tech-driven economy has pushed housing costs up, but strong stipends help offset the difference.
Quick Stats
Agencies
50+
Avg Weekly Pay
$2,800-$4,200/wk
Compact License
No
Washington is not part of the Nurse Licensure Compact. You must obtain a WA RN license through the Washington State Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission.
Top Cities
SeattleTacomaSpokaneBellevueEverett
Top Agencies for Washington
These agencies are known for strong Washington assignment inventories, competitive pay, and solid recruiter support.
Licensing Information
Washington does not participate in the NLC. All nurses must obtain a WA RN license through the Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission.
Processing Time: Processing takes 4 to 8 weeks.
Tips for a Smooth Application
- Begin application at least 10 weeks before start date.
- Washington has no state income tax.
- Strong nurse unions have pushed wages higher.
- Request Nursys verification for faster processing.
Popular Cities in Washington
Seattle
UW Medicine (Harborview), Swedish, and Virginia Mason anchor Seattle's healthcare market. The tech-driven city offers world-class dining, coffee culture, and mountain views. Housing is expensive but stipends are strong.
Tacoma
MultiCare Tacoma General and St. Joseph Medical Center serve the south Puget Sound. More affordable than Seattle with easy metro access.
Spokane
Providence Sacred Heart and MultiCare Deaconess serve Eastern Washington's largest city. Very affordable housing and four distinct seasons.
Bellevue
Overlake Medical Center serves this affluent Seattle eastside suburb. High pay reflects the area's tech economy and cost of living.
Everett
Providence Regional Medical Center serves this city north of Seattle. More affordable housing with easy metro access.
Popular Specialties in Washington
ICU
Harborview's Level I trauma ICU and UW Medicine's academic ICUs create premium critical care demand.
ER
Harborview is the Pacific Northwest's only Level I trauma center, driving massive ER demand.
OR
Major surgical programs at UW Medicine and Swedish drive OR demand.
Med Surg
Puget Sound's large hospital networks maintain substantial med surg demand.
Housing Notes
Seattle is expensive at $1,800-$2,400/month. Tacoma is $1,300-$1,700. Spokane is very affordable at $900-$1,300. Agency stipends of $2,000-$2,800/week help offset Seattle-area costs.
Nursing Schools in Washington
Top nursing programs for those looking to build or advance their career.
Average Pay by Specialty
Weekly gross pay ranges for travel nurses in Washington, based on current market data.
| Specialty | Weekly Pay Range |
|---|---|
| ICU | $3,200-$4,400/wk |
| ER | $3,000-$4,200/wk |
| OR | $3,100-$4,300/wk |
| Med Surg | $2,600-$3,400/wk |
| Telemetry | $2,800-$3,600/wk |
| L&D | $2,900-$3,800/wk |
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Washington is not part of the Nurse Licensure Compact.
No. Washington has no state income tax, significantly boosting take-home pay.
Seattle offers premium pay and no income tax. Combined with strong stipends, many nurses manage costs effectively, especially living in Tacoma or Everett.
Spokane offers very affordable housing with competitive pay. It is a great option for nurses wanting WA pay without Seattle costs.
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