Registered Nurse Salary in Portsmouth, VA: $92,649 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time registered nurse in Portsmouth, VA earns a median $92,649/year (≈ $44.55/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1141). Once you factor in Portsmouth's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 103.2), that paycheck buys what $89,776 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.2% below the Virginia state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Registered nurses in Portsmouth, VA can expect a median annual salary of $92,649 in 2026, reflecting a competitive pay scale within the state. The salary range for registered nurses here spans from $66,075 at the 10th percentile to $128,554 at the 90th percentile, indicating a substantial variance in potential earnings. These figures are derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for local economic conditions. Employers that prioritize specialty certifications, such as CCRN or CEN, often provide additional pay premiums, enhancing the earning potential for those nurses who pursue advanced credentials. The compensation landscape in Portsmouth demonstrates a promising outlook, especially as the job market evolves to meet growing healthcare demands.
About the Portsmouth Market
Salary estimated from Virginia average ($82,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $66,075 | $31.76 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $76,120 | $36.60 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $92,649 | $44.55 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $106,122 | $51.02 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $128,554 | $61.81 |
Median Salary Position
9.81% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Portsmouth
In Portsmouth, VA, the registered nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $62,479 (2026 est.). At $92,649, the local median is 9.81% below the national median of $102,730.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Portsmouth: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Portsmouth Registered Nurse Pay Compares
Portsmouth median: $92,649/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Portsmouth Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Average | $95,711 | -3.20% less |
| National Average | $102,730 | -9.81% less |
Registered Nurses in Portsmouth, VA earn a median of $92,649 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.81% lower than the national median of $102,730 and 3.20% below the Virginia state average of $95,711.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Portsmouth has a cost of living 3.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Portsmouth, VA has a cost-of-living index of 103.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $92,649 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $89,776 — 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
$66,107
2025 BLS Actual
$87,977
2026 Current Est.
$92,649
2019–2027 Growth
+47.6%
Salary Trajectory for Registered Nurses in Portsmouth (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.31% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $66,107 | Actual |
| 2020 | $67,938 | Actual |
| 2021 | $69,985 | Actual |
| 2022 | $73,250 | Actual |
| 2023 | $77,624 | Actual |
| 2024 | $81,884 | Actual |
| 2025 | $87,977 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $92,649 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $97,568 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Portsmouth metropolitan area, the median registered nurse salary grew 33.1% from $66,107 (2019) to $87,977 (2025). At a 5.31% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $97,568 by 2027 — a total increase of $31,461 (47.59%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Portsmouth 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) | $66,075 – $76,120 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $76,120 – $92,649 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $92,649 – $106,122 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $106,122 – $128,554 |
RN salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual registered nurse compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Registered Nurse Job Market in Portsmouth
The employment scenario for registered nurses in Portsmouth is solid, with 17 nurses actively working in the area. However, the cost of living, indexed at 103.2, slightly exceeds the national average, which can impact take-home pay and overall purchasing power. Among local employers, hospital systems typically offer the most competitive pay, particularly in acute care, emergency departments, and surgical units. Factors such as shift differentials for nights and weekends or additional stipends for specialty certifications can further widen the salary range, with experienced nurses often benefitting from charge nurse responsibilities and hospital magnet status. To optimize earnings, nurses in Portsmouth might consider pursuing further education, such as a BSN, and actively seek opportunities in higher-paying specializations or facilities that favor RN certification, ensuring they maximize their market value.
More salary data for Portsmouth, VA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do registered nurses make in Portsmouth, VA in 2026?
Is Portsmouth, VA a good place to work as a registered nurse?
Can registered nurses make $100K in Portsmouth?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted registered nurse salary in Portsmouth?
How much does a registered nurse make per hour in Portsmouth?
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 $87,977 for registered nursesin the Portsmouth 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 Portsmouth 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