Registered Nurse Salary in Virginia Beach, VA: $94,200 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time registered nurse in Virginia Beach, VA earns a median $94,200/year (≈ $45.28/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1141). Once you factor in Virginia Beach's price level (2% below national, BEA RPP 97.9), that paycheck buys what $96,180 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.6% below the Virginia state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the projected median annual registered nurse salary in Virginia Beach is estimated at $94,200, reflecting slightly lower compensation when compared to the national median of $102,730. This city offers a salary range from $67,135 at the lower end (P10) to $120,696 at the top (P90), based on official BLS OEWS surveys. For nurses with specialty certifications, such as CCRN or CEN, the financial benefits can be significant, often translating into higher base pay. The local job market is bolstered by a robust healthcare system that continues to demand skilled nursing professionals. Understanding the salary dynamics in Virginia Beach can provide valuable insights for registered nurses seeking to advance their careers and negotiate their pay effectively.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $67,135 | $32.28 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $81,331 | $39.10 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $94,200 | $45.28 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $102,498 | $49.27 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $120,696 | $58.03 |
Median Salary Position
8.3% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Virginia Beach
In Virginia Beach, VA, the registered nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $53,561 (2026 est.). At $94,200, the local median is 8.3% below the national median of $102,730.
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At 40 hours/week in Virginia Beach: You'd be above the median
How Virginia Beach Registered Nurse Pay Compares
Virginia Beach median: $94,200/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Virginia Beach Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Average | $95,731 | -1.60% less |
| National Average | $102,730 | -8.30% less |
Registered Nurses in Virginia Beach, VA earn a median of $94,200 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.30% lower than the national median of $102,730 and 1.60% below the Virginia state average of $95,731.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Virginia Beach has a cost of living 2.06% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Virginia Beach, VA has a cost-of-living index of 97.941 (below the national average of 100). A registered nurse earning $94,200 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $96,180 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.1% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$68,280
2025 BLS Actual
$89,450
2026 Current Est.
$94,200
2019–2027 Growth
+45.3%
Salary Trajectory for Registered Nurses in Virginia Beach (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.31% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $68,280 | Actual |
| 2020 | $70,620 | Actual |
| 2021 | $77,030 | Actual |
| 2022 | $79,560 | Actual |
| 2023 | $82,540 | Actual |
| 2024 | $81,170 | Actual |
| 2025 | $89,450 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $94,200 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $99,202 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Virginia Beach metropolitan area, the median registered nurse salary grew 31.0% from $68,280 (2019) to $89,450 (2025). At a 5.31% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $99,202 by 2027 — a total increase of $30,922 (45.29%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Virginia Beach 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) | $67,135 – $81,331 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $81,331 – $94,200 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $94,200 – $102,498 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $102,498 – $120,696 |
RN salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual registered nurse compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Registered Nurse Job Market in Virginia Beach
As of 2025 data, approximately 16,870 registered nurses are employed in Virginia Beach, indicating a strong demand for nursing professionals in the area. The cost-of-living index stands at 97.941, slightly below the national average, which enhances the purchasing power of local nurses. Hospitals, particularly those with magnet status, and acute care centers generally offer the highest pay, along with specialized facilities such as surgical centers and emergency departments. Factors influencing salary variation include shift differentials, with night and weekend shifts typically commanding a premium of $3 to $7 per hour, along with additional compensation for nurses in charge or with advanced certifications. To maximize their earnings, registered nurses in Virginia Beach should consider seeking positions in high-demand specialties or pursuing travel nursing roles, which often provide competitive rates and flexibility in scheduling.
More salary data for Virginia Beach, 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 $89,450 for registered nursesin the Virginia Beach 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