Registered Nurse Salary in Bristol, VA: $82,663 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time registered nurse in Bristol, VA earns a median $82,663/year (≈ $39.74/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1141). Once you factor in Bristol's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 103.2), that paycheck buys what $80,100 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 13.7% below the Virginia state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Among registered nurses working in Bristol, Virginia, the projected median annual salary in 2026 is $82,663, which is notably lower than the national median of $102,730, reflecting a difference of nearly 20%. Salaries for registered nursing positions in this city span a range from $62,188 at the 10th percentile to $110,017 at the 90th percentile. These figures represent local estimates that incorporate both state-level data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and regional cost of living adjustments unique to Bristol, where the cost of living index stands at 103.2, slightly above the national average. The local job market is quite competitive, with employers often presenting additional compensation for shift differentials, particularly for those working nights and weekends, contributing to effective earnings that may sway nurses towards certain shifts.
About the Bristol Market
Salary estimated from Virginia average ($82,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $62,188 | $29.90 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $69,600 | $33.46 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $82,663 | $39.74 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $93,224 | $44.82 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $110,017 | $52.90 |
Median Salary Position
19.53% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bristol
In Bristol, VA, the registered nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $47,829 (2026 est.). At $82,663, the local median is 19.53% below the national median of $102,730.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Bristol: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Bristol Registered Nurse Pay Compares
Bristol median: $82,663/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bristol Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Average | $95,786 | -13.70% less |
| National Average | $102,730 | -19.53% less |
Registered Nurses in Bristol, VA earn a median of $82,663 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.53% lower than the national median of $102,730 and 13.70% below the Virginia state average of $95,786.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bristol has a cost of living 3.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bristol, VA has a cost-of-living index of 103.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $82,663 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $80,100 — a 3.1% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$58,982
2025 BLS Actual
$78,495
2026 Current Est.
$82,663
2019–2027 Growth
+47.6%
Salary Trajectory for Registered Nurses in Bristol (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.31% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $58,982 | Actual |
| 2020 | $60,615 | Actual |
| 2021 | $62,442 | Actual |
| 2022 | $65,355 | Actual |
| 2023 | $69,257 | Actual |
| 2024 | $81,376 | Actual |
| 2025 | $78,495 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $82,663 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $87,052 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bristol metropolitan area, the median registered nurse salary grew 33.1% from $58,982 (2019) to $78,495 (2025). At a 5.31% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $87,052 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,070 (47.59%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bristol 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) | $62,188 – $69,600 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $69,600 – $82,663 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $82,663 – $93,224 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $93,224 – $110,017 |
RN salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual registered nurse compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Registered Nurse Job Market in Bristol
In Bristol, the landscape for registered nurse pay illustrates a local employment scenario that isn’t large in scale, with only six registered nurses reported in the area. This limited number highlights the particularity of demand and may indicate potential saturation in certain nursing specialties. The above-average cost of living influences purchasing power and can often dictate negotiation strategies for pay. Hospitals, especially those with Magnet status, tend to offer the highest salaries, particularly in acute care settings such as ICUs and emergency departments. Pay disparities can arise from several factors, including shift differentials that pay more for night and weekend shifts—typically an additional $3-7 per hour. Registered nurses aiming for enhanced pay should consider seeking specialty certifications and pursuing roles in high-demand areas, including travel nursing, which has gained momentum post-COVID. Exploring part-time opportunities in ambulatory clinics or home health agencies can also augment overall income while providing flexibility.
More salary data for Bristol, 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 $78,495 for registered nursesin the Bristol 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 Bristol 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