Registered Nurse Salary in Sterling, VA: $91,868 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time registered nurse in Sterling, VA earns a median $91,868/year (≈ $44.17/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1141). Once you factor in Sterling's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 103.2), that paycheck buys what $89,019 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.1% below the Virginia state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Registered nurses in Sterling, VA, can anticipate a median annual salary of $91,868 in 2026. This figure reflects a range of compensation, with earnings possible from as low as $69,036 up to $126,029, showcasing the significant pay differential often observed between staff nurses and their traveling counterparts in this market. The salary estimates presented are derived from BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional cost variations, offering a localized perspective on the compensation landscape. Compared to the national median of $102,730, the registered nurse salary in Sterling is about 10.57% lower, indicating a competitive but unique market that is impacted by various factors, including local healthcare demand and employment structures.
About the Sterling Market
Salary estimated from Virginia average ($82,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $69,036 | $33.19 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $75,913 | $36.50 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $91,868 | $44.17 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $104,880 | $50.42 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $126,029 | $60.60 |
Median Salary Position
10.57% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Sterling
In Sterling, VA, the registered nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $56,993 (2026 est.). At $91,868, the local median is 10.57% below the national median of $102,730.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Sterling: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Sterling Registered Nurse Pay Compares
Sterling median: $91,868/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Sterling Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Average | $95,796 | -4.10% less |
| National Average | $102,730 | -10.57% less |
Registered Nurses in Sterling, VA earn a median of $91,868 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.57% lower than the national median of $102,730 and 4.10% below the Virginia state average of $95,796.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Sterling has a cost of living 3.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Sterling, VA has a cost-of-living index of 103.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $91,868 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $89,019 — a 3.1% reduction.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$65,550
2025 BLS Actual
$87,236
2026 Current Est.
$91,868
2019–2027 Growth
+47.6%
Salary Trajectory for Registered Nurses in Sterling (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.31% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $65,550 | Actual |
| 2020 | $67,365 | Actual |
| 2021 | $69,395 | Actual |
| 2022 | $72,633 | Actual |
| 2023 | $76,970 | Actual |
| 2024 | $81,195 | Actual |
| 2025 | $87,236 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $91,868 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $96,746 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Sterling metropolitan area, the median registered nurse salary grew 33.1% from $65,550 (2019) to $87,236 (2025). At a 5.31% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $96,746 by 2027 — a total increase of $31,196 (47.59%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Sterling 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) | $69,036 – $75,913 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $75,913 – $91,868 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $91,868 – $104,880 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $104,880 – $126,029 |
RN salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual registered nurse compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Registered Nurse Job Market in Sterling
The job market for registered nurses in Sterling remains relatively small, with only seven nurses currently employed in the area. The cost-of-living index of 103.2 suggests that while the salaries may be lower than national averages, everyday expenses might be higher than average, potentially affecting take-home pay. Acute care hospital systems and specialty clinics lead in compensation, particularly for those in high-demand areas like the ED or ICU. Factors such as shift differentials for nights and weekends, along with pay adjustments for specialty certifications, heavily influence overall earnings. Nurses seeking to enhance their pay may consider targeting positions in magnet-status organizations or pursuing additional certifications relevant to critical care or surgical services, taking advantage of the local employer demand while navigating the complexities of compensation dynamics.
More salary data for Sterling, VA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do registered nurses make in Sterling, VA in 2026?
Is Sterling, VA a good place to work as a registered nurse?
Can registered nurses make $100K in Sterling?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted registered nurse salary in Sterling?
How much does a registered nurse make per hour in Sterling?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Virginia
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 $87,236 for registered nursesin the Sterling 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 Sterling 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