How Much Does an RN Make in Virginia in 2026?

A typical RN in Virginia earns about $45.00 per hour ($93,600 per year), according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). That works out to roughly $7,800 a month and $1,800 a week, calculated from the annual figure. These figures describe pay across hospitals, clinics, and other settings statewide, before overtime or shift differentials are added in.

Virginia's typical RN pay sits 4% below the national figure of $97,550 a year (or $46.90 an hour), placing the state 26th out of 51 states and territories ranked by RN pay. Roughly 77,490 RNs work across Virginia, compared with about 3,379,720 nationwide. The gap with the national figure is modest, and pay still varies significantly from one Virginia city to another.

Entry-level positions in Virginia typically offer around $32.61 an hour, or about $67,830 a year, for RNs just starting out. Pay tends to move toward the statewide typical figure of $45.00 an hour within the first several years on the job. New graduates often start in lower-paying settings or smaller cities before moving into higher-paying hospitals or metro areas.

Experienced RNs in Virginia often earn upwards of $60.37 an hour, or around $125,580 a year, once they reach the top 10% of earners. That puts the gap between entry-level and top-tier pay at $57,750 a year. Setting, years of experience, and city each play a part in where an individual RN lands within that range.

Virginia RN pay has climbed steadily over the past decade, from $63,640 in 2015 to $93,600 in 2025. That is a gain of $29,960, or 47%, over ten years. The rise has been consistent year over year, without any notable dips along the way.

That 47% rise outpaces the national decade gain of 45% for RNs, a modest lead over the country as a whole. Pay in Virginia has moved up steadily for ten years. Someone starting an RN career in the state today enters at a higher point than nurses did a decade ago, though future gains are not guaranteed.

Pay runs highest in Arlington, where RNs typically earn $102,710 a year ($49.38 an hour), about 10% above the statewide figure. Charlottesville follows at $99,320 a year, and Winchester at $95,650. These figures cover each city's full metro area, not just the city center.

Bristol pays the least among Virginia's metro areas tracked, with RNs typically earning $76,730 a year ($36.89 an hour), a spread of $25,980 between the highest- and lowest-paying cities. Arlington also has the largest RN workforce in the state, with 46,830 nurses. Higher pay in cities like Arlington generally tracks a higher cost of living, so a bigger paycheck there doesn't necessarily stretch further than a smaller one in a lower-cost city.

Virginia RN pay compares closely with its neighbors. The District of Columbia pays $102,540 a year (10% above Virginia) and Maryland pays $99,790 (7% above). North Carolina pays $84,350, Tennessee $81,500, Kentucky $81,040, and West Virginia $80,130, all 10% to 14% below Virginia. RN licenses can often be transferred or endorsed between neighboring states, making it easier to compare offers across state lines.

RNs in Virginia typically earn $93,600 a year, close to the national figure and up 47% over the past decade. Pay varies by city, experience, and setting, so anyone weighing a move or a new role should check Virginia's nursing licensure and registry requirements alongside city-level pay figures before deciding where to work.