Nurse Anesthetist Salary in Washington: $275,206 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Washington's 49 metropolitan areas, the average median nurse anesthetist pay sits at $275,206/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1151. Because Washington sits at BEA RPP 107.4 (7% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $256,244 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Bellevue ($277,079), Seattle ($274,390), Tacoma ($269,813).

In 2026, the average median salary for nurse anesthetists in Washington stands at $275,205, which is 10.6% higher than the national median of $248,893. Salary disparities within the state are evident, with Bellevue offering the highest compensation at $291,487, while Tukwila presents the lowest at $247,081, creating a $44,406 gap driven by factors such as local cost of living, demand for healthcare services, and availability of clinical positions in metropolitan areas. Washington's landscape for nurse anesthetists is shaped by specific state licensing requirements and scope of practice laws, which allow these professionals significant autonomy in their clinical roles. The demand for nurse anesthetists continues to grow, supported by a projected annual growth rate of 5.20%, reflecting the increasing need for surgical and anesthesia services statewide. The job market is strong, with a total of 1,153 nurse anesthetists employed across 49 metro areas. Major cities such as Seattle and Tacoma offer competitive salaries of $288,658 and $283,843, respectively. As the healthcare sector expands, opportunities for nurse anesthetists are likely to continue rising, making Washington a state of interest for this specialized nursing profession.
Washington Nurse Anesthetist Salary Range
Overall salary range in Washington: $160,956 (lowest entry-level) to $440,413 (highest top earner)
Washington vs National Average
Washington nurse anesthetists earn 10.57% more than the national median (+$26,313/year difference).
Washington Nurse Anesthetist Salary Distribution (2026)
Nurse Anesthetist salaries in Washington range from $203,465 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $392,820 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $275,206. The Washington median is $26,313 above the US national median of $248,893. The average hourly rate is $132.31/hr. Approximately 1,153 nurse anesthetists are employed across 49 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$190,350
2025 BLS Actual
$261,602
2026 Current Est.
$275,206
2019–2027 Growth
+52.1%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Anesthetists in Washington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $190,350 | Actual |
| 2020 | $193,140 | Actual |
| 2021 | $216,290 | Actual |
| 2022 | $219,217 | Actual |
| 2023 | $236,478 | Actual |
| 2024 | $252,331 | Actual |
| 2025 | $261,602 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $275,206 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $289,516 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Washington metropolitan area, the median nurse anesthetist salary grew 37.4% from $190,350 (2019) to $261,602 (2025). At a 5.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $289,516 by 2027 — a total increase of $99,166 (52.10%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Washington 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 5.20% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Washington
Lowest Paying Cities in Washington
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Tukwila | $247,081 |
| Mountlake Terrace | $247,463 |
| Covington | $250,941 |
| Kenmore | $250,961 |
| Oak Harbor | $252,589 |
Best Value Cities for Nurse Anesthetists in Washington
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Washington cities offer the most purchasing power for nurse anesthetists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bellevue | $291,487 | 107.4 | $271,403 |
| Spokane | $271,048 | 100.346 | $270,113 |
| Tacoma | $283,843 | 107.4 | $264,286 |
| Seattle | $288,658 | 111.133 | $259,741 |
| Spokane Valley | $276,263 | 107.4 | $257,228 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Washington
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $203,465 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $275,206 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $392,820 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Washington metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 49 Cities in Washington
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bellevue | $291,487 |
| 2 | Seattle | $288,658 |
| 3 | Tacoma | $283,843 |
| 4 | Spokane Valley | $276,263 |
| 5 | Renton | $274,293 |
| 6 | Everett | $271,637 |
| 7 | Spokane | $271,048 |
| 8 | Richland | $270,153 |
| 9 | Marysville | $269,602 |
| 10 | Shoreline | $268,121 |
| 11 | Bellingham | $267,083 |
| 12 | Redmond | $267,062 |
| 13 | Kent | $266,842 |
| 14 | Kirkland | $266,405 |
| 15 | Burien | $266,067 |
| 16 | Kennewick | $265,199 |
| 17 | Federal Way | $264,898 |
| 18 | Des Moines | $264,841 |
| 19 | Olympia | $264,765 |
| 20 | Auburn | $264,226 |
| 21 | Lakewood | $264,119 |
| 22 | Issaquah | $263,969 |
| 23 | Lacey | $262,468 |
| 24 | Sammamish | $262,235 |
| 25 | University Place | $262,144 |
| 26 | SeaTac | $261,936 |
| 27 | Tumwater | $261,667 |
| 28 | Pasco | $260,817 |
| 29 | Longview | $260,692 |
| 30 | Vancouver | $260,533 |
| 31 | Mount Vernon | $260,028 |
| 32 | Edmonds | $259,219 |
| 33 | Lake Stevens | $258,534 |
| 34 | Lynnwood | $258,369 |
| 35 | Moses Lake | $257,870 |
| 36 | Bothell | $257,684 |
| 37 | Pullman | $256,543 |
| 38 | Puyallup | $255,962 |
| 39 | Ellensburg | $255,002 |
| 40 | Maple Valley | $254,303 |
| 41 | Bremerton | $254,034 |
| 42 | Walla Walla | $253,742 |
| 43 | Camas | $253,660 |
| 44 | Wenatchee | $253,452 |
| 45 | Oak Harbor | $252,589 |
| 46 | Kenmore | $250,961 |
| 47 | Covington | $250,941 |
| 48 | Mountlake Terrace | $247,463 |
| 49 | Tukwila | $247,081 |
More Washington Salary Data
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced nurse anesthetists.
Compare Cities in Washington
View all comparisons →Explore More Nurse Anesthetist Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do nurse anesthetists make in Washington in 2026?
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How does Washington nurse anesthetist pay compare to the national average?
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How many nurse anesthetists are employed in Washington?
Which Washington city offers the best value for nurse anesthetists?
Written by Alexandra Johnson, MSN, CRNA
Career Analyst
Alexandra Johnson has 10 years of experience as a nurse anesthetist. She specializes in anesthesia for orthopedic surgeries. She works in a regional medical center.
Methodology & Data Source
Statewide 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. A 5.20% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 nurse anesthetist compensation across Washington. State averages are employment-weighted across 49 metro areas — larger metro areas with more nurse anesthetistscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 6-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.20%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for nurse anesthetists (SOC 29-1151).
Compiled and verified by Alexandra Johnson, MSN, CRNA, a licensed nurse anesthetist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov