Overlake Unveils 'Unprecedented' Raises For Nurses

BELLEVUE, WA — Bellevue's Overlake Medical Center & Clinics will raise pay and increase benefits for thousands of employees over the coming months, in what leaders describe as a sweeping and unprecedented boost for registered nurses, patient care technicians, medical assistants, and other hourly workers.

According to Overlake, the upcoming expansion in compensation will impact all 3,340 employees as part of an effort to reward and retain staff, encourage workers early in their careers, and respond to Puget Sound's "fast-changing economic conditions."

Under the plan, registered nurses will see hourly wages increase by $5 on Jan. 2, followed by a 4 percent pay hike a few months later.

"Coupled with a 4% pay hike on May 8, 2023, it provides RNs with significant raises a full 15 months before their next scheduled contract renewal in May 2024," Overlake wrote in a news release Tuesday. "While increasing compensation for all RNs, there will be a special impact on newer nurses for whom the January hourly raise represents a larger percentage of their pay."

Patient care technicians will see a 12.5 percent wage hike in early December, and medical assistants will net an extra $4 per hour. Wages for all other hourly employees will rise 5 percent on Jan. 2.

The hospital system is also expanding benefits, including more access to free mental health services and care coordinators to help workers obtain child care and elder care.

"The raises recognize our team members’ extraordinary commitment to our mission to provide compassionate care during a time when so much has been expected of them," said J. Michael Marsh, Overlake's president and CEO. "The benefit enhancements promote wellness and make it easier to balance work and home life. Throughout Overlake’s six decades, we have been renowned for our high quality and our exceptional workplace is central to it."