Registered Nurse Salary in Virginia: $94,978 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Virginia's 42 metropolitan areas, the average median registered nurse pay sits at $94,978/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1141. Because Virginia sits at BEA RPP 103.2 (3% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $92,033 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Alexandria ($101,843), Charlottesville ($99,320), Winchester ($95,650).
The average median salary for registered nurses in Virginia is projected to be $94,978 in 2026, which is approximately 7.5% lower than the national median of $102,730. Salary variations across the state are significant, with Alexandria offering the highest average salary at $107,251, while Bristol has the lowest at $82,663, creating a gap of $24,588. This disparity is influenced by factors such as cost of living, demand for healthcare services, and the concentration of healthcare facilities in metropolitan areas. In Virginia, the licensing requirements for registered nurses include passing the NCLEX-RN exam and holding a valid Virginia nursing license. The scope of practice laws also play a significant role, as they dictate the level of autonomy and responsibility nurses have, particularly in collaborative practices with physicians. The demand for registered nurses in the state is projected to grow at an annual rate of 5.31%, indicating a strong job outlook. With a total of 47,411 registered nurses employed across 42 metro areas, opportunities in cities like Charlottesville ($104,594), Winchester ($100,729), Richmond ($98,549), and Staunton ($97,296) provide solid prospects for those entering or advancing in the nursing profession in Virginia.
Virginia Registered Nurse Salary Range
Overall salary range in Virginia: $60,933 (lowest entry-level) to $154,959 (highest top earner)
Virginia vs National Average
Virginia registered nurses earn 7.55% less than the national median ($-7,752/year difference).
Virginia Registered Nurse Salary Distribution (2026)
Registered Nurse salaries in Virginia range from $72,940 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $123,521 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $94,978. The Virginia median is $7,752 below the US national median of $102,730. The average hourly rate is $45.66/hr. Approximately 47,411 registered nurses are employed across 42 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$68,738
2025 BLS Actual
$90,189
2026 Current Est.
$94,978
2019–2027 Growth
+45.5%
Salary Trajectory for Registered Nurses in Virginia (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.31% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $68,738 | Actual |
| 2020 | $71,271 | Actual |
| 2021 | $75,397 | Actual |
| 2022 | $78,567 | Actual |
| 2023 | $82,649 | Actual |
| 2024 | $84,505 | Actual |
| 2025 | $90,189 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $94,978 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $100,021 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Virginia metropolitan area, the median registered nurse salary grew 31.2% from $68,738 (2019) to $90,189 (2025). At a 5.31% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $100,021 by 2027 — a total increase of $31,283 (45.51%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Virginia metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 5.31% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Virginia
Lowest Paying Cities in Virginia
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Bristol | $82,663 |
| Roanoke | $84,343 |
| Lynchburg | $84,722 |
| Blacksburg | $85,543 |
| Radford | $87,039 |
Best Value Cities for Registered Nurses in Virginia
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Virginia cities offer the most purchasing power for registered nurses.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Staunton | $97,296 | 91.128 | $106,769 |
| Charlottesville | $104,594 | 99.146 | $105,495 |
| Winchester | $100,729 | 96.45 | $104,436 |
| Alexandria | $107,251 | 103.2 | $103,925 |
| Richmond | $98,549 | 97.858 | $100,706 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Virginia
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $72,940 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $94,978 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $123,521 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Virginia metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 42 Cities in Virginia
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alexandria | $107,251 |
| 2 | Charlottesville | $104,594 |
| 3 | Winchester | $100,729 |
| 4 | Richmond | $98,549 |
| 5 | Staunton | $97,296 |
| 6 | Newport News | $96,492 |
| 7 | Hampton | $95,641 |
| 8 | Norfolk | $95,606 |
| 9 | Centreville | $95,196 |
| 10 | Chesapeake | $94,565 |
| 11 | Burke | $94,550 |
| 12 | Harrisonburg | $94,355 |
| 13 | Virginia Beach | $94,200 |
| 14 | Suffolk | $94,142 |
| 15 | Tuckahoe | $93,874 |
| 16 | Ashburn | $93,740 |
| 17 | McLean | $93,733 |
| 18 | Reston | $93,634 |
| 19 | Danville | $93,614 |
| 20 | Fredericksburg | $93,213 |
| 21 | Dale City | $93,194 |
| 22 | Manassas | $93,095 |
| 23 | Salem | $92,835 |
| 24 | Leesburg | $92,701 |
| 25 | Portsmouth | $92,649 |
| 26 | Mechanicsville | $92,500 |
| 27 | Springfield | $92,174 |
| 28 | Woodbridge | $92,047 |
| 29 | Sterling | $91,868 |
| 30 | Lake Ridge | $91,750 |
| 31 | Linton Hall | $91,646 |
| 32 | Fairfax | $91,410 |
| 33 | Waynesboro | $90,965 |
| 34 | Annandale | $90,844 |
| 35 | Williamsburg | $90,669 |
| 36 | Herndon | $89,689 |
| 37 | Falls Church | $88,286 |
| 38 | Radford | $87,039 |
| 39 | Blacksburg | $85,543 |
| 40 | Lynchburg | $84,722 |
| 41 | Roanoke | $84,343 |
| 42 | Bristol | $82,663 |
More Virginia Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore registered nurse hourly pay in Virginia cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced registered nurses.
Compare Cities in Virginia
View all comparisons →Explore More Registered Nurse Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do registered nurses make in Virginia in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for registered nurses in Virginia?
How does Virginia registered nurse pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level registered nurse salary in Virginia?
How many registered nurses are employed in Virginia?
Which Virginia city offers the best value for registered nurses?
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
Statewide salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 5.31% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 registered nurse compensation across Virginia. State averages are employment-weighted across 42 metro areas — larger metro areas with more registered nursescontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.31%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for registered nurses (SOC 29-1141).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, RN, BSN, a licensed registered nurse with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov