Registered Nurse Salary in Reston, VA: $93,634 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time registered nurse in Reston, VA earns a median $93,634/year (≈ $45.02/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1141). Once you factor in Reston's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 103.2), that paycheck buys what $90,731 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.2% below the Virginia state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, registered nurse salaries in Reston, Virginia, are projected to reach a median of $93,634. This figure reflects local estimates based on 2025 BLS data, with salaries ranging from $68,431 at the lower tenth percentile to $131,929 at the upper ninetieth percentile, illustrating the disparity between entry-level and experienced nurses. Interestingly, these earnings are about 8.85% below the national average salary of $102,730 for registered nurses in the same year, which indicates a competitive landscape for nursing professionals. The significant pay range suggests that opportunities do exist, especially for skilled nurses with specialty certifications or those willing to take on travel assignments, which have become increasingly popular in high-cost living areas like Reston due to recent market trends.
About the Reston Market
Salary estimated from Virginia average ($82,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $68,431 | $32.90 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $78,099 | $37.54 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $93,634 | $45.02 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $108,528 | $52.18 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $131,929 | $63.43 |
Median Salary Position
8.85% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Reston
In Reston, VA, the registered nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $63,498 (2026 est.). At $93,634, the local median is 8.85% below the national median of $102,730.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Reston: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Reston Registered Nurse Pay Compares
Reston median: $93,634/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Reston Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Average | $95,741 | -2.20% less |
| National Average | $102,730 | -8.85% less |
Registered Nurses in Reston, VA earn a median of $93,634 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.85% lower than the national median of $102,730 and 2.20% below the Virginia state average of $95,741.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Reston has a cost of living 3.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Reston, VA has a cost-of-living index of 103.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $93,634 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $90,731 — a 3.1% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$66,810
2025 BLS Actual
$88,913
2026 Current Est.
$93,634
2019–2027 Growth
+47.6%
Salary Trajectory for Registered Nurses in Reston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.31% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $66,810 | Actual |
| 2020 | $68,660 | Actual |
| 2021 | $70,729 | Actual |
| 2022 | $74,029 | Actual |
| 2023 | $78,449 | Actual |
| 2024 | $82,756 | Actual |
| 2025 | $88,913 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $93,634 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $98,606 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Reston metropolitan area, the median registered nurse salary grew 33.1% from $66,810 (2019) to $88,913 (2025). At a 5.31% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $98,606 by 2027 — a total increase of $31,796 (47.59%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Reston 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) | $68,431 – $78,099 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $78,099 – $93,634 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $93,634 – $108,528 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $108,528 – $131,929 |
RN salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual registered nurse compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Registered Nurse Job Market in Reston
With only 16 registered nurses currently employed in Reston, the job market for nursing is relatively small, but it is crucial to consider the local cost of living, which indexes at 103.2, slightly above the national average. This raises factors for nurses regarding their effective purchasing power. Employers such as hospital systems and specialty clinics in Reston are likely to offer the most competitive pay, especially for roles requiring advanced skills like ICU or surgical nursing. Additionally, shift differentials can significantly affect earnings, with night shifts typically rewarding an extra $3-7 per hour and weekend shifts adding another $3-5. To maximize earning potential in this specific market, nurses should pursue specialty certifications and consider positions that enhance their skills and pay scale, as hospitals with magnet status often prioritize highly qualified candidates and offer additional incentives.
More salary data for Reston, 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 $88,913 for registered nursesin the Reston 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 Reston 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