According to the Washington Center for Nursing, advanced registered nurse practitioners (ARNPs) in the State of Washington totaled 5,981 in 2018, up from 2,835 in 2006 – that’s an increase of more than 3,100 APRNs for the state.
As a result, the number of ARNPs has increased from 50 ARNPs per 100,000 in 2006 to 82 per 100,000 in 2018.
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As the educational standards for nurses increase, growing numbers of ARNPs and nurse administrators and executives are choosing to obtain a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) rather than settling for an MSN as their highest degree.
In addition to opening up exciting professional doors, the DNP comes with impressive economic benefits. According to a 2018 Advance Healthcare Network survey, nurse practitioners with a DNP earned an average salary of 7% more than NPs who possessed a master’s as their highest degree.
Statewide Salary Data for DNP-Educated ARNPs and More in Washington
DNP-educated nurses in all their various roles are consistently recognized for earning top salaries (Washington Employment Security Department, 2018):
- Nurse Administrators and Executives – $135,340-$189,310
- Nursing Instructors – $97,330-$121,690
- Nurse Practitioners – $133,130-$156,300
- Nurse-Midwives – $117,790-$128,880
- Nurse Anesthetists – $206,210+
Salaries for DNP Nurses in Washington’s Major Cities
The Washington Employment Security Department provides salary information for DNP-educated advanced nursing professionals in the major cities of the state (2018):
Nurse Administrators and Executives:
- Bellingham: $101,210-$130,780
- Olympia: $125,770-$164,610
- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue: $146,700-$199,520
- Spokane: $126,100-$204,270
- Walla Walla: $122,260-$157,65 0
Nursing Instructors:
- Bellingham: $82,940-$101,630
- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue: $105,770-$126,900
Nurse Practitioners:
- Bellingham: $118,510-$131,870
- Olympia: $139,300-$158,150
- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue: $132,700-$152,550
- Spokane: $162,250+
Nurse Anesthetists:
- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue: $203,330+
An Overview of Hourly Wages for Washington’s DNP-Educated Nurses
A 2019 Medscape Compensation Report found that 78% of APRNs are paid overtime for their work, revealing that hourly wages in this field are still quite commonplace.
The Washington Employment Security Department provides hourly wages for DNP-educated nursing professionals, as of 2018:
- Nurse Practitioners: $64.01-$75.14
- Nurse Anesthetists: $99.14
- Nurse-Midwives: $56.63-$61.96
- Nurse Administrators: $65.07-$91.02
Salary and employment data compiled by the Washington Employment Security Department in May of 2018 – (https://esd.wa.gov/labormarketinfo/projections). Salary data represents state and MSA (Metropolitan Statistical Area) average and median earnings for the occupations listed and includes workers at all levels of education and experience. This data does not represent starting salaries. Employment conditions in your area may vary.
All salary and job growth data accessed in December 2019.
This page includes salaries that fall within the 75th and 90th percentiles for each nursing role to account for the fact that DNP-educated nurses are recognized as earning more than master’s-prepared nurses in the same roles.