Are you interested in registered nurse (RN) opportunities in Virginia? The average RN salary in Virginia mirrors the national average, and RNs can expect myriad job opportunities in the state.
A recent study from Northern Health Care Workforce Alliance analyzed staffing data in northern Virginia and found that nursing comprises two-thirds of the healthcare workforce gaps, with an RN vacancy rate just above 10%. Long-term care facilities experience an even higher RN vacancy rate at 14.4%.
Keep reading for more details about registered nurse salaries in Virginia.
Average Virginia RN Salary: $76,680 (Ranks 23rd among all states)
Hourly Virginia RN Salary: $36.87
Projected Virginia RN Employment Growth (2018-2028): 11.7%
Source:BLS, Projections Central
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Average RN Salaries in Virginia
RN salaries in Virginia average $76,680 per year, or $36.87 an hour, ranking the state 23rd in the nation for RN salaries. The salary range for Virginia RNs spans $59,170 for the lowest 10% of earners to $100,990 for the top 10%. Average wages for Virginia RNs are 7.3% lower than the national average of $82,750 but higher than those of neighboring North Carolina ($71,200) and West Virginia ($67,640).
Wage data shows variation influenced by education level, location, workplace, cost of living, and supply and demand. For example, Northern Virginia RNs employed at medical clinics and outpatient facilities make a median hourly wage of nearly $45.
| Percentile | Average Annual RN Salary | Average Hourly RN Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 10% | $59,170 | $28.45 |
| 25% | $61,730 | $29.68 |
| 50% (Median) | $76,900 | $36.97 |
| 75% | $87,030 | $41.84 |
| 90% | $100,990 | $48.56 |
Source:BLS
Virginia RN Salary, Adjusted for Cost of Living
A state's cost-of-living index affects salaries, and statisticians calculate wages adjusted for cost of living based on prices of clothing, education, groceries, healthcare service, housing, and transportation. Adjusted for the state's 1% higher-than-average cost of living, the average RN salary in Virginia decreases from $76,680 to $75,913. This adjustment moves Virginia from 23rd to 33rd among U.S. states for average salaries.
RNs in more expensive areas of the state, such as the Washington, D.C. suburbs of Arlington and Alexandria, earn higher annual wages, averaging $89,060. This figure reflects a cost-of-living index that is 56% higher than the national average.
Average RN Salary Adjusted for Cost of Living: $75,913 (Ranks 33rd among all states)
Cost of Living Index (RPP): 101 (1% higher than the U.S. average)
Highest-Paying Cities for RNs in Virginia
As listed in the table below, Virginia's top-paying cities for RNs outside of the Washington, D.C. beltway offer average salaries ranging from $70,930 to $76,940. These include the state capital, Richmond, on the James River; Charlottesville, home to the University of Virginia (UVA) and accessible to Shenandoah National Park; Winchester and Staunton, located in the Shenandoah Valley between the Blue Ridge and Allegheny Mountains; and coastal Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News.
Virginia's higher-paying metro areas host a number of top medical facilities, many of which hold Magnet designation recognized for nursing program excellence. These include Bon Secours hospitals in Newport News and Richmond, Sentara hospitals in Charlottesville, Norfolk, and Virginia Beach, and UVA Medical Center in Charlottesville.
| City | Average RN Salary |
|---|---|
| Richmond, VA | $76,940 |
| Charlottesville, VA | $75,950 |
| Winchester, VA-WV | $75,410 |
| Virginia Beach — Norfolk — Newport News, VA-NC | $75,370 |
| Staunton — Waynesboro, VA | $70,930 |
Source:BLS
Average Salaries for Other Nursing Roles in Virginia
Other nursing roles in Virginia offer average salaries of $30,890 for nursing assistants and $48,430 for licensed practical nurses. RNs interested in pursuing a graduate degree at schools like UVA, James Madison University, or Virginia Commonwealth University can qualify for higher-salaried positions as nurse midwives and nurse practitioners, which pay average annual salaries that exceed $100,000. Nurse anesthetists need a doctor of nursing practice, but earn wages over $200,000 a year.
Nursing Assistants: $30,890
LPN/LVNs: $48,430
Nurse Midwives: $106,610
Nurse Practitioners: $112,320
Nurse Anesthetists: $203,600
Source:BLS
Methodology and Sources
Registered nursing salary data by state is collected from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program, released on March 31, 2022. Data reflects RN salaries as of May 2021. The highest-paying cities and states for RNs are ranked by average annual salary.
Cost-of-living data is collected from the U.S Bureau of Economic Analysis real personal income for states and metropolitan areas, released on December 14, 2021. RN salary adjusted for cost of living is calculated by multiplying each state's RN salary by its regional price parity (RPP). RPP measures differences in the cost of goods and services in a region compared to national prices.
Projected employment growth data by state is collected from Projections Central.
