New registered nurses in Virginia typically earn around $67,830 per year, which represents the 10th percentile of the wage distribution. The 25th percentile sits at $80,090, so most early-career RNs with some initial experience fall in that $67,830 to $80,090 range. When setting an offer for a new graduate, anchoring to the 10th or 25th percentile gives you a defensible starting point while leaving room for merit increases as the nurse gains clinical experience.
Registered nurse salary in Virginia (2026)
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The average registered nurse salary in Virginia is $93,850 per year. A small pool of very high earners pulls that average upward, so the median of $93,600 gives employers a more reliable starting point for most hiring decisions. Virginia employs 77,490 registered nurses, and the $250 gap between the mean and median signals real variation in the candidate pool you will be evaluating. Junior registered nurses in Virginia typically earn around $67,830, while senior specialists typically reach or exceed the $125,580 level at the 90th percentile. Plan for a range rather than a single number when budgeting for a registered nurse hire in Virginia, and anchor that range to the seniority and specialization of the role you are filling.
Metric / Value
Metric | Value |
Median Annual Salary | $93,600 |
Average Annual Salary | $93,850 |
vs. National Average | 7.5% below the national mean of $101,420 |
Data comes from the BLS OEWS and covers 77,490 employed registered nurses across Virginia.
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Registered nurse salary percentiles in Virginia
Percentile | Annual Salary |
10th Percentile | $67,830 |
25th Percentile | $80,090 |
75th Percentile | $103,030 |
90th Percentile | $125,580 |
Employers hiring entry-level registered nurses in Virginia should expect offers in the $67,830 to $80,090 range, while experienced candidates with specialized skills will typically expect compensation closer to $103,030 or above. Senior specialists in Virginia regularly reach or exceed $125,580, so roles requiring advanced clinical experience or specialty credentials warrant a budget anchored toward the upper end of this range.
Registered nurse salary by city in Virginia
City | Average Annual Salary |
Arlington | $104,590 |
Charlottesville | $97,780 |
Richmond | $92,010 |
Virginia Beach | $89,350 |
Roanoke | $88,750 |
Location meaningfully affects what you will need to offer a registered nurse in Virginia, so employers should set compensation benchmarks by market rather than relying on a single statewide figure. Arlington commands the highest average at $104,590, which is $15,840 more than Roanoke at $88,750. If you are hiring across multiple Virginia locations, building location-specific pay bands will help you stay competitive without overpaying in lower-cost markets.
How Virginia compares to other states
State | Average Annual Salary | Median Annual Salary |
Virginia | $93,850 | $93,600 |
Maryland | $99,010 | $99,790 |
Georgia | $95,080 | $93,550 |
Pennsylvania | $94,020 | $96,430 |
North Carolina | $90,470 | $84,350 |
Tennessee | $85,390 | $81,500 |
Virginia sits in the middle of its peer group, making it a moderately cost-effective market for registered nurse hiring compared to neighboring states. Maryland and Pennsylvania both post higher averages at $99,010 and $94,020 respectively, so employers competing for candidates who might consider those markets should factor in the pay differential. North Carolina at $90,470 and Tennessee at $85,390 offer lower average costs, which may be relevant context if you are evaluating multi-state hiring strategies.
Frequently asked questions about registered nurse salary in Virginia
How much does a new RN make in Virginia?
How does Virginia compare to other states for registered nurse salary?
Virginia's average registered nurse salary of $93,850 falls 7.5% below the national mean of $101,420, placing it in the lower-middle tier nationally. Among nearby states, Maryland pays more at $99,010 on average, while North Carolina and Tennessee pay less at $90,470 and $85,390 respectively. If you are recruiting nurses who are weighing offers across state lines, the gap with Maryland in particular may require you to address total compensation or other factors to remain competitive.
What do the top-earning registered nurses make in Virginia?
The 90th percentile for registered nurses in Virginia is $125,580 per year, representing what senior specialists in the state typically reach or exceed. Employers competing for highly experienced or specialized RNs should budget at or above this threshold to attract candidates at that level. Roles requiring advanced certifications, specialty clinical skills, or leadership responsibilities will generally command compensation in this upper range.
What is the average registered nurse salary in Virginia?
The average registered nurse salary in Virginia is $93,850 per year, with a median of $93,600. The close alignment between the mean and median indicates a relatively even distribution of pay across the workforce, though the full range runs from $67,830 at the 10th percentile to $125,580 at the 90th percentile. When budgeting for a hire, use the median as your baseline and adjust up or down based on the seniority and specialization of the specific role you are filling.
Registered Nurse salary by state
Data sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2025, SOC code 29-1141 (Registered Nurses).
Disclaimer
Rippling and its affiliates do not provide tax, accounting, or legal advice. This material has been prepared for informational purposes only, and is not intended to provide or be relied on for tax, accounting, or legal advice. You should consult your own tax, accounting, and legal advisors before engaging in any related activities or transactions.
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