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Nursing jobs in Seattle, Washington 2026

Metro-level context for Seattle — Washington's statewide RN market, top hospitals hiring in the Seattle area, and how the EB-3 sponsorship landscape looks locally.

Metro population
4M
RN employed (est.)
36,000
State median salary
$121,540
State shortage
11,200

Top hospitals hiring in Seattle

  • • UW Medicine
  • • Virginia Mason
  • • Swedish Medical Center

Why Seattle for international nurses

Seattle is one of Washington's largest RN markets with roughly 36,000 registered nurses employed. Washington has a 11,200 nurse shortage (9.5% of demand) — an ACTIVE EB-3 sponsorship market with agencies placing overseas-trained nurses in this metro. Median RN salary in the state is $121,540, translating to $97,934 in national purchasing power after cost of living adjustment.