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The Evergreen State ranks number three in highest-paid nurse practitioners in the nation averaging $145,400 (Bureau of Labor Statistics - 2023) per year. The only states that bring in a higher salary for nurse practitioners are California and New Jersey. So if you’re looking to maximize your salary in Washington State as an ARNP, you’ve come to the right place.
Washington Nurse Practitioner Salaries – Visualized
Nurse Practitioners Salaries in urban areas of Washington
| Metro Area | # Employed | Mean Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Bellingham, WA | 80 | $138,730 |
| Bremerton-Silverdale, WA | 110 | $144,570 |
| Kennewick-Richland, WA | 160 | $142,950 |
| Longview, WA | 50 | $135,860 |
| Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA | 60 | $137,940 |
| Olympia-Tumwater, WA | 140 | $143,470 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | 2,700 | $150,170 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA | 400 | $136,750 |
| Walla Walla, WA | 30 | $127,040 |
| Wenatchee, WA | 90 | $139,530 |
| Yakima, WA | 120 | $127,940 | Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics - 2023 |
Nurse Practitioners Salaries in rural areas of Washington
| Metro Area | # Employed | Mean Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Western Washington nonmetropolitan area | 190 | $132,730 |
| Eastern Washington nonmetropolitan area | 130 | $138,490 | Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics - 2023 |
Increase Your Nurse Practitioner Salary in Washington
The top ten percent of practitioners in the state earn more than $181,720 annually. How do you get there? Let’s find out.
Use Workforce Reports to Identify Demands
In Washington, submitting workforce data is mandatory. This means that the data is much more accurate and reliable when compared to voluntary reporting. You can use this information to your advantage when planning your career and mapping out ways to increase your income. The Washington State Nursing Commission has made these reports available on their website.
The information contained in the workforce reports includes ARNP and NP-specific data such as:
- Number of Washington State Licenses
- Geographical concentrations
- Age of licensed professionals
- Workplace settings and concentrations
- Specialties by workplace settings
Reviewing the bi-annual ARNP report can provide insight into which areas of your profession have low supply and therefore, higher demand. Higher demand, as a rule, means higher pay.
Some specifics from the 2019 ARNP report conclude that perhaps there is high demand for nurse practitioners in rural Washington State (currently less than 9% of all licensed ARNPs are rural-based) and few worked in long-term care settings. Exact numbers are provided on the report and broken down even by the specialty inside each facility type. The report showed only fifteen of Washington’s nurse practitioners are working in palliative care.
Stay Informed on Changing Legislation
Luckily, Washington State is a full practice authority state for nurse practitioners. But there are still some laws restricting your practice. You can maximize your salary by keeping yourself informed of the changing laws. Advisory opinions are regularly posted on the Washington State Department of Health website for your review. An example of a relevant opinion is the opinion on Telehealth Advanced Practice Nursing Care Services which provides the state’s stance on the legal scope allowed by nurse practitioners in Washington State. Using this information as a starting point, you could open your own telehealth practice or join an existing practice to increase your salary.
Joining professional nursing organizations is another way to stay on top of changing legislation, while at the same time, harnessing other benefits of membership. Here are some associations that can help to maximize your salary as a nurse practitioner in Washington State:
- Washington State Nurses Association
- ARNPs United of Washington State
- Mount Baker Nurse Practitioners Association
- Association of Eastside Nurse Practitioners
These associations regularly post news updates that pertain to your practice. They also host events, continuing education opportunities, and have job boards for higher-paying career options. Networking at the events can also lead to other ways to increase your nurse practitioner salary.
Conclusion
The Evergreen State shows promise for maximizing your income as a nurse practitioner. Following the advice above, you can get on your way to earning a better salary in Washington State.