Registered Nurse Salary in Suffolk, VA: $94,142 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time registered nurse in Suffolk, VA earns a median $94,142/year (≈ $45.26/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1141). Once you factor in Suffolk's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 103.2), that paycheck buys what $91,223 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.7% below the Virginia state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Registered nurses in Suffolk, VA can anticipate a median annual salary of $94,142 in 2026, indicating a competitive compensation landscape within the healthcare market. The salary range for registered nurses spans from $69,610 at the 10th percentile to $137,088 at the 90th percentile, reflecting varying levels of experience, specialization, and workplace settings. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data and projected cost adjustments, suggest that additional specialty certifications such as CCRN or CEN can further enhance earning potential. With the local market's current dynamics, registered nurses in Suffolk are positioned to benefit from strong employer demand, particularly in healthcare facilities that prioritize advanced qualifications and provide added incentives.
About the Suffolk Market
Salary estimated from Virginia average ($82,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $69,610 | $33.47 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $79,128 | $38.04 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $94,142 | $45.26 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $106,134 | $51.02 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $137,088 | $65.90 |
Median Salary Position
8.36% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Suffolk
In Suffolk, VA, the registered nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $67,478 (2026 est.). At $94,142, the local median is 8.36% below the national median of $102,730.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Suffolk: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Suffolk Registered Nurse Pay Compares
Suffolk median: $94,142/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Suffolk Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Average | $95,770 | -1.70% less |
| National Average | $102,730 | -8.36% less |
Registered Nurses in Suffolk, VA earn a median of $94,142 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.36% lower than the national median of $102,730 and 1.70% below the Virginia state average of $95,770.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Suffolk has a cost of living 3.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Suffolk, VA has a cost-of-living index of 103.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $94,142 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $91,223 — a 3.1% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$67,172
2025 BLS Actual
$89,395
2026 Current Est.
$94,142
2019–2027 Growth
+47.6%
Salary Trajectory for Registered Nurses in Suffolk (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.31% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $67,172 | Actual |
| 2020 | $69,033 | Actual |
| 2021 | $71,113 | Actual |
| 2022 | $74,430 | Actual |
| 2023 | $78,875 | Actual |
| 2024 | $83,205 | Actual |
| 2025 | $89,395 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $94,142 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $99,141 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Suffolk metropolitan area, the median registered nurse salary grew 33.1% from $67,172 (2019) to $89,395 (2025). At a 5.31% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $99,141 by 2027 — a total increase of $31,969 (47.59%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Suffolk 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) | $69,610 – $79,128 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $79,128 – $94,142 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $94,142 – $106,134 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $106,134 – $137,088 |
RN salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual registered nurse compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Registered Nurse Job Market in Suffolk
In Suffolk, the job market for registered nurses remains robust, although only 15 registered nurses are currently employed in the area. The cost of living index stands at 103.2, which slightly exceeds the national average, impacting take-home pay and purchasing power. Hospitals and surgical specialty centers tend to offer the highest salaries, especially for roles in intensive care units and emergency departments. Factors such as shift differentials—where night shifts can yield an additional $3 to $7 per hour—and specialty certification stipends contribute significantly to the variance in registered nurse pay in Suffolk, VA. To maximize earnings, RNs should explore opportunities in travel nursing, especially given the ongoing demand in high-cost-of-living regions and magnet-status hospitals that favor advanced degrees and certifications. Engaging in continuous education and seeking specialized roles can significantly enhance financial outcomes for registered nurses in the area.
More salary data for Suffolk, 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 $89,395 for registered nursesin the Suffolk 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 Suffolk 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