How much is the med-surg nurse vs er nurse pay gap in Washington?

The estimated gap in Washington is about $11,510 a year, or roughly 10% more for er nurses. Your actual pay depends on experience, specialty, shift, and employer — use the calculator to compare both for your situation.

Are these Washington figures exact?

No — they're modeled estimates, not verified Washington wages. They start from each role's national pay and adjust for Washington's cost of labor, and they update to verified numbers when official state data is loaded.

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

Med-Surg Nurse vs ER Nurse salary in Washington

In Washington, er nurses earn more — an estimated $126,620 a year versus $115,110 for med-surg nurses, a gap of about $11,510 (roughly 10% more). Both are estimates based on national pay for each role adjusted for Washington.

Med-Surg Nurse — Washington

Specialty estimate

Median annual pay

$115,110

+18% vs national

Hourly

$55.34/hr

Median $115,110

$81,350Middle 50%: $94,790–$132,570$162,210

Typical range: $94,790–$132,570; What most nurses earn
High end: $162,210; Top earners
Entry level: $81,350; Newer nurses

ER Nurse — Washington

Specialty estimate

Median annual pay

$126,620

+18% vs national

Hourly

$60.88/hr

Median $126,620

$89,480Middle 50%: $104,270–$145,830$178,440

Typical range: $104,270–$145,830; What most nurses earn
High end: $178,440; Top earners
Entry level: $89,480; Newer nurses

Why the gap in Washington

ER nurses are modeled to earn slightly more than med-surg nurses, though both are staff RN roles drawing on the same underlying wage data. The difference comes from the emergency department's trauma acuity, unpredictable patient volume, and shift differentials common in emergency settings. 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 Med-Surg Nurse vs ER Nurse comparison or personalize the calculator.

Med-Surg Nurse vs ER Nurse in Washington — FAQ

Do med-surg nurses or er nurses earn more in Washington?: In Washington, er nurses earn more — an estimated $126,620 a year versus $115,110 for med-surg nurses, a gap of about $11,510 (roughly 10% more). Both are estimates based on national pay for each role adjusted for Washington's local pay level.
How much is the med-surg nurse vs er nurse pay gap in Washington?: The estimated gap in Washington is about $11,510 a year, or roughly 10% more for er nurses. Your actual pay depends on experience, specialty, shift, and employer — use the calculator to compare both for your situation.
Are these Washington figures exact?: No — they're modeled estimates, not verified Washington wages. They start from each role's national pay and adjust for Washington's cost of labor, and they update to verified numbers when official state data is loaded.
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 estimate (BLS national × state wage index)

Washington figures are estimated by adjusting the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS national median for local pay levels (a state adjustment of 1.18×).

Source year 2025. Last reviewed July 3, 2026. Full methodology

Estimated figures for Washington. Last reviewed July 3, 2026.