Newport News vs Virginia Beach: Registered Nurse Salary (2026)
Compare registered nurse salaries between Newport News, VA and Virginia Beach, VA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Virginia Beach, VA |
|---|---|---|
| Median Salary | $96,492▲ | $94,200 |
| Hourly Rate | $46.39▲ | $45.28 |
| Entry Level (P10) | $70,264▲ | $67,135 |
| 25th Percentile | $80,836 | $81,331▲ |
| 75th Percentile | $113,973▲ | $102,498 |
| Top Earner (P90) | $140,896▲ | $120,696 |
| Total Employed | 39 | 16,870▲ |
Verdict
Newport News, VA offers better overall compensation for registered nurses, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Virginia Beach.
The salary gap between Newport News and Virginia Beach is $2,292 (2.43%). Newport News's median is -6.07% compared to the US national median of $102,730.
Salary Range Comparison
The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Newport News spans $70,632,Virginia Beach spans $53,561. Newport News has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison
After cost-of-living adjustment, Virginia Beach ($96,180 effective) pays 2.87% more than Newport News ($93,500 effective).
Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.
Which City Is Right for You?
Choose Newport News if…
- ✓Higher median salary ($96,492/year)
- ✓Better top-earner potential ($140,896)
- ✓You prefer the Virginia area and lifestyle
Choose Virginia Beach if…
- ✓Larger job market (16,870 employed)
- ✓Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $96,180)
- ✓You prefer the Virginia area and lifestyle
Historical Salary Growth Comparison
Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, registered nurse salaries in Newport News grew 7.4% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 31.0% growth in Virginia Beach over the same period.
Newport News, VA
$85,282 (2024) → $91,627 (2025)
Virginia Beach, VA
$68,280 (2019) → $89,450 (2025)
View Full Salary Data
Newport News, VA
Virginia Beach, VA
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Jordan Lee, RN, BSN
Career Analyst
Jordan Lee has 10 years of experience as a registered nurse. Their specialty is pediatric nursing in a community hospital. They analyze nursing workforce trends and salary data.
Methodology & Data Source
All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 5.31% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS , released .
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, RN, BSN, a licensed registered nurse with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov