How Much Does an RN Make in Norfolk, VA in 2026?
Typical pay for RNs in Norfolk, from federal wage data (May 2024), with the ten-year trend and how the city compares across Virginia.
BLS OES May 2024 · Norfolk
A typical RN in Norfolk, Virginia earns $39.03 per hour, or $81,170 per year, according to the latest government wage data for the area (May 2024). Calculated from the annual figure, that is roughly $6,764 a month. Entry-level positions typically offer around $63,550, and the top 10% of earners make over $115,710.
That pay is 13% below the Virginia figure of $93,600 and 17% below the national figure of $97,550. About 16,270 RNs work in Norfolk.
RN pay in Norfolk at a glance
- Typical pay is $39.03 an hour, or $81,170 a year.
- That is 13% below the Virginia figure.
- Entry-level positions typically offer around $63,550; the top 10% make over $115,710.
BLS OES May 2024
How much does an RN make in Norfolk?
Pay in Norfolk runs from entry-level positions at around $30.55 an hour to more than $55.63 for the top 10% of earners. The table sets each career stage against the Virginia and national figures.
RN pay by career stage in Norfolk
| Career stage | Norfolk | Virginia | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting out | $63,550$30.55 an hour | $67,830$32.61 an hour | $68,940$33.14 an hour |
| First years | $76,700$36.87 an hour | $80,090$38.51 an hour | $80,330$38.62 an hour |
| Typical RN | $81,170$39.03 an hour | $93,600$45.00 an hour | $97,550$46.90 an hour |
| Experienced | $97,790$47.01 an hour | $103,030$49.53 an hour | $112,350$54.02 an hour |
| Top 10% | $115,710$55.63 an hour | $125,580$60.37 an hour | $137,470$66.09 an hour |
BLS OES May 2024 (the latest vintage BLS published for this area; state and national columns are May 2025) · city figures cover Norfolk as BLS defines it
How Norfolk compares with other Virginia cities
Arlington pays RNs the most in Virginia at $102,710 a year, $21,540 more than Norfolk. The lowest-paying area in the state is Bristol at $76,730.
| # | City | Typical pay | Hourly | Vs Norfolk | RNs employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arlington | $102,710 | $49.38 | +27% | 46,830 |
| 2 | Charlottesville | $99,320 | $47.75 | +22% | 3,040 |
| 3 | Winchester | $95,650 | $45.99 | +18% | 1,630 |
| 4 | Richmond | $93,580 | $44.99 | +15% | 15,700 |
| 5 | Staunton metro incl. Stuarts Draft | $92,390 | $44.42 | +14% | 1,500 |
| 6 | Virginia Beach | $89,450 | $43.00 | +10% | 16,870 |
| 7 | Christiansburg metro incl. Blacksburg · Radford | $81,230 | $39.05 | 0% | 1,330 |
| 8 | Lynchburg | $80,450 | $38.68 | -1% | 2,200 |
| 9 | Roanoke | $80,090 | $38.51 | -1% | 4,670 |
| 10 | Bristol | $76,730 | $36.89 | -5% | 2,660 |
Every metro area in Virginia with RN wage data · BLS OES May 2025 · Virginia typical pay $93,600
Is Norfolk a good place to work as an RN?
RNs in Norfolk earn less than the national figure: typical pay is $81,170 a year, 17% below the national rate.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does an RN make in Norfolk, VA?
- A typical RN in Norfolk earns $81,170 a year, or $39.03 an hour, according to BLS wage data for May 2024. Entry-level pay runs about $63,550 and the top 10% earn over $115,710.
- How much does an RN make an hour in Norfolk?
- Typical hourly pay for RNs in Norfolk is $39.03. Entry-level hourly pay runs about $30.55, and the top 10% earn over $55.63 an hour.
- What is the starting pay for an RN in Norfolk?
- Entry-level RN positions in Norfolk typically offer around $30.55 an hour, or $63,550 a year.
- Is RN pay in Norfolk higher than in the rest of Virginia?
- Norfolk pay is 13% below the Virginia figure of $93,600 a year. Arlington pays the most in Virginia at $102,710.