Washington State — The Evergreen State
Washington CNAs earn $49,960/year — among the highest in the nation. Programs start at $500 at community colleges. New 138-hour requirement took effect September 2025. Seattle VA, Spokane VA, Providence, UW Medicine and MultiCare are all actively hiring.
Washington State is one of the best-paying states for CNAs in the country — with a mean annual wage of $49,960 ($24.02/hr) according to BLS May 2024 data. The Puget Sound region anchored by Seattle, Tacoma, and Bellevue commands the highest wages, while Spokane and eastern Washington offer strong pay with significantly lower cost of living. Washington's aging population and growing healthcare system create consistent demand across 28,080 CNA positions statewide — and major systems like Providence, UW Medicine, MultiCare, Virginia Mason, and PeaceHealth are consistently hiring.
Washington increased its CNA training requirement from 108 hours to 138 hours for students graduating on or after September 1, 2025. This is 84% above the federal 75-hour minimum — reflecting Washington's commitment to thorough CNA preparation. Programs that previously ran 6–8 weeks will now run slightly longer. Confirm current program hours with any school before enrolling. Exam administered by Credentia (NNAAP exam) — $155 for both written and skills components. Apply through the Washington DOH Nursing Assistant Registry.
Program costs & details
Washington CNA programs range from $500–$2,500 with community colleges on the lower end. Seattle, Tacoma, and Spokane all have multiple approved programs. Shoreline Community College, Tacoma Community College, Spokane Community College, Bates Technical College, and South Seattle College all offer programs. Employer-sponsored programs are available statewide at nursing facilities.
| School / Program | Location | Cost (approx.) | Duration | Format |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shoreline Community College | Shoreline (North Seattle) | ~$500–$800 | 6–10 weeks | In-person — feeds into Shoreline nursing programs |
| Tacoma Community College | Tacoma | ~$600–$900 | 6–10 weeks | In-person — MultiCare clinical partnerships |
| Spokane Community College | Spokane | ~$500–$800 | 6–10 weeks | In-person — Providence eastern WA clinical network |
| Bates Technical College | Tacoma | ~$700–$1,000 | 6–10 weeks | In-person — strong employment outcomes |
| South Seattle College | Seattle (West Seattle) | ~$600–$900 | 6–10 weeks | In-person |
| Private CNA Schools (Seattle, Spokane, Tacoma) | Major cities statewide | ~$1,200–$2,500 | 4–8 weeks | Accelerated — day, evening, weekend options |
| Employer-Sponsored (Nursing Facilities) | Statewide | FREE (federal requirement) | Varies | On-the-job — Providence, MultiCare facilities statewide |
Washington's new 138-hour requirement means you spend more time training than CNAs in most other states. That investment shows up immediately in the job market — Washington employers know WA-trained CNAs have more hours and more clinical exposure. It's one reason Washington pays $49,960/year on average. The extra training hours are what justifies the extra pay. Many Washington nursing programs also give preference to CNA applicants — particularly at Spokane Community College and Big Bend Community College (100% NCLEX pass rate) — so those hours count twice: once on the floor and once in your nursing school application.
2026 salary data
Washington CNAs earn a mean of $49,960/year ($24.02/hr) — one of the highest averages in the country. Seattle and Bellevue pay the most. Spokane pays less but with significantly lower cost of living — real purchasing power is competitive. VA Medical Centers pay federal wages above even Seattle private hospital rates.
| City / Area | Avg Hourly | Avg Annual | Key Employers & Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle / Bellevue | $24–$30/hr | ~$49,920–$62,400 | UW Medicine, Swedish, Virginia Mason, Evergreen Health — highest WA wages |
| Tacoma | $22–$27/hr | ~$45,760–$56,160 | MultiCare Health System, CHI Franciscan — strong union presence |
| Olympia / Thurston County | $22–$26/hr | ~$45,760–$54,080 | Providence St. Peter, state capital employment — steady market |
| Bellingham | $22–$26/hr | ~$45,760–$54,080 | PeaceHealth St. Joseph — smaller city, less competition |
| Spokane | $20–$25/hr | ~$41,600–$52,000 | Providence Eastern WA, MultiCare Deaconess — lower COL than Seattle |
| Seattle VA / Spokane VA | Federal pay scale | ~$45,000–$60,000+ | VA Puget Sound & Spokane VA — federal wages + benefits (USAJobs.gov) |
| Yakima / Tri-Cities / Rural WA | $19–$23/hr | ~$39,520–$47,840 | Virginia Mason Memorial, Kadlec Regional — rural shortage premiums |
Sources: BLS OES May 2024, Dreambound.com (April 2026). LPN median in Washington: $66,540/year (Seattle $69,830, Spokane $62,800) — among the highest nationally. Actual pay varies by facility, shift, and experience.
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Washington LPN programs run 11–12 months and the median LPN salary is $66,540/year — one of the highest in the nation. Seattle LPNs average $69,830. Big Bend Community College in Moses Lake has a 100% NCLEX pass rate. Spokane Community College and Bellingham Technical College also rank among the state's top performers.
138 hours (new Sept 2025). Credentia NNAAP exam ($155). WA DOH Nursing Assistant Registry. 6–10 weeks. Community colleges from $500.
Big Bend CC (100% NCLEX), Spokane CC, Bellingham Technical, Clover Park Technical. ~11–12 months. Median WA LPN salary: $66,540/yr. Seattle: $69,830.
UW School of Nursing, Seattle University, Gonzaga, community college ADN programs. Average WA RN salary: $111,030/year. Nurse practitioners average $145,400.
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