Registered Nurse Salary in Winchester, VA: $100,729 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time registered nurse in Winchester, VA earns a median $100,729/year (≈ $48.43/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1141). Once you factor in Winchester's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.5), that paycheck buys what $104,436 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.2% above the Virginia state average.
Official BLS data · View source

In 2026, the registered nurse salary in Winchester is projected to reach a median of $100,729, which is slightly below the national average of $102,730. This area offers a salary range from $82,890 at the lower end to $138,809 for those at the upper percentile. Compensation structures here benefit from the nature of nursing duties; shifts that include nights and weekends often feature added differentials, which can substantially elevate take-home pay for registered nurses. The data presented is based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, indicating that Winchester's job market not only supports wage growth but also reflects demand for skilled nursing professionals.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $82,890 | $39.85 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $88,924 | $42.76 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $100,729 | $48.43 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $110,618 | $53.18 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $138,809 | $66.73 |
Median Salary Position
1.95% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Winchester
In Winchester, VA, the registered nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $55,919 (2026 est.). At $100,729, the local median is 1.95% below the national median of $102,730.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Winchester: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Winchester Registered Nurse Pay Compares
Winchester median: $100,729/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Winchester Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Average | $95,750 | +5.20% more |
| National Average | $102,730 | -1.95% less |
Registered Nurses in Winchester, VA earn a median of $100,729 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.95% lower than the national median of $102,730 and 5.20% above the Virginia state average of $95,750.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Winchester has a cost of living 3.55% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Winchester, VA has a cost-of-living index of 96.45 (below the national average of 100). A registered nurse earning $100,729 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $104,436 in an average-cost city — an effective 3.68% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$67,270
2025 BLS Actual
$95,650
2026 Current Est.
$100,729
2019–2027 Growth
+57.7%
Salary Trajectory for Registered Nurses in Winchester (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.31% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $67,270 | Actual |
| 2020 | $70,550 | Actual |
| 2021 | $79,320 | Actual |
| 2022 | $81,940 | Actual |
| 2023 | $90,030 | Actual |
| 2024 | $91,280 | Actual |
| 2025 | $95,650 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $100,729 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $106,078 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Winchester metropolitan area, the median registered nurse salary grew 42.2% from $67,270 (2019) to $95,650 (2025). At a 5.31% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $106,078 by 2027 — a total increase of $38,808 (57.69%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Winchester 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) | $82,890 – $88,924 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $88,924 – $100,729 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $100,729 – $110,618 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $110,618 – $138,809 |
RN salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual registered nurse compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Registered Nurse Job Market in Winchester
Over the years, Winchester has employed approximately 1,630 registered nurses, reflecting a healthy demand for healthcare professionals in this Virginia location. The cost-of-living index stands at 96.45, indicating that while salaries may be slightly lower than the national average, the purchasing power for residents remains competitive. Among local employers, acute care hospitals and specialty clinics typically offer higher compensation, particularly for roles in critical care or emergency departments. Employment dynamics can shape earnings, with night shift differential raising rates by $3-7 per hour and weekend work adding $3-5. Registered nurses looking to maximize pay should consider obtaining specialty certifications or pursuing positions in magnet-status hospitals, as these factors not only enhance skill sets but also lead to higher salaries in the competitive Winchester pay market.
More salary data for Winchester, 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 $95,650 for registered nursesin the Winchester 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
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