Registered Nurse Salary in Harrisonburg, VA: $94,355 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time registered nurse in Harrisonburg, VA earns a median $94,355/year (≈ $45.37/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1141). Once you factor in Harrisonburg's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 103.2), that paycheck buys what $91,429 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.5% below the Virginia state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, registered nurses in Harrisonburg, Virginia, can expect a median annual salary of $94,355, which is about 8.15% lower than the national median of $102,730. The salary range for these professionals spans from $70,106 at the 10th percentile to $134,620 at the 90th percentile. These figures are reflective of local estimates derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost variations. The compensation within Harrisonburg, influenced by factors like shift differentials for night and weekend shifts, presents a competitive landscape for those considering a career as a registered nurse here, particularly in a city that maintains a critical healthcare presence.
About the Harrisonburg Market
Salary estimated from Virginia average ($82,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $70,106 | $33.71 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $79,560 | $38.25 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $94,355 | $45.37 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $110,078 | $52.92 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $134,620 | $64.72 |
Median Salary Position
8.15% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Harrisonburg
In Harrisonburg, VA, the registered nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $64,514 (2026 est.). At $94,355, the local median is 8.15% below the national median of $102,730.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Harrisonburg: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Harrisonburg Registered Nurse Pay Compares
Harrisonburg median: $94,355/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Harrisonburg Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Average | $95,791 | -1.50% less |
| National Average | $102,730 | -8.15% less |
Registered Nurses in Harrisonburg, VA earn a median of $94,355 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.15% lower than the national median of $102,730 and 1.50% below the Virginia state average of $95,791.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Harrisonburg has a cost of living 3.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Harrisonburg, VA has a cost-of-living index of 103.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $94,355 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $91,429 — a 3.1% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$67,324
2025 BLS Actual
$89,597
2026 Current Est.
$94,355
2019–2027 Growth
+47.6%
Salary Trajectory for Registered Nurses in Harrisonburg (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.31% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $67,324 | Actual |
| 2020 | $63,990 | Actual |
| 2021 | $62,390 | Actual |
| 2022 | $64,910 | Actual |
| 2023 | $78,610 | Actual |
| 2024 | $83,392 | Actual |
| 2025 | $89,597 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $94,355 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $99,365 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Harrisonburg metropolitan area, the median registered nurse salary grew 33.1% from $67,324 (2019) to $89,597 (2025). At a 5.31% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $99,365 by 2027 — a total increase of $32,041 (47.59%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Harrisonburg 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $70,106 – $79,560 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $79,560 – $94,355 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $94,355 – $110,078 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $110,078 – $134,620 |
RN salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual registered nurse compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Registered Nurse Job Market in Harrisonburg
Currently, Harrisonburg has 11 registered nurses actively employed, indicating a stable, albeit small job market in this area. With a cost of living index at 103.2, nursing professionals may find that, while salaries are somewhat lower than the national average, their purchasing power remains relatively intact. Among local employers, hospital systems, especially those with magnet status, typically offer the most lucrative positions, enhanced by additional pay for specialized roles such as ICU or ED nursing. The spread within compensation arises from various factors including shift differentials, which can significantly boost earnings—often adding $3-7 per hour for nights and $3-5 for weekends. Strategies to maximize pay include pursuing specialty certifications and considering roles in travel nursing, which can provide higher compensation rates in the long run when compared to staff positions. Understanding these dynamics is key for registered nurses looking to thrive in the Harrisonburg VA job market.
More salary data for Harrisonburg, 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
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. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $89,597 for registered nursesin the Harrisonburg metropolitan area. A 5.31% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Harrisonburg is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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