Average RN Salary in Virginia: See How Much VA Nurses Make

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.

Source: BLS, Projections Central

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.

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.

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.

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.

Source: BLS