Healthcare Resource
Registered Nurse Salary in Virginia 2026: City-by-City Pay Data
In brief
Registered nurse salary data for Virginia in 2026: average pay $79K, city breakdowns, top employers, highest-paying specialties, and travel RN rates.
In this article
The average registered nurse salary in Virginia in 2026 is $79,200/year ($38.08/hour) based on BLS Occupational Employment Statistics and compensation data from Inova Health System, Sentara Healthcare, VCU Health, and other major Virginia health systems. Salaries range significantly across the state based on city, employer, specialty unit, shift, and certifications held.
RN Salary by City in Virginia
| City / Metro | Avg Annual Salary | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Virginia / DC Metro | $94,000 | Inova Health System, proximity to DC premium |
| Richmond | $79,000 | VCU Health + Bon Secours Richmond, capital market |
| Virginia Beach / Hampton Roads | $75,000 | Sentara Healthcare, largest coastal VA market |
| Roanoke | $70,000 | Carilion Clinic, western VA hub |
| Charlottesville | $76,000 | UVA Health System, academic nursing hub |
Highest-Paying Nursing Specialties in Virginia
| Specialty | Avg Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| CRNA | $218,000 |
| ICU / Critical Care RN | $97,000 |
| OR / Surgical RN | $92,000 |
| Cardiac / Cath Lab RN | $95,000 |
| Emergency RN | $88,000 |
| Military / Federal RN | $91,000 |
Top Virginia Healthcare Employers for RNs
- Inova Health System
- Sentara Healthcare
- VCU Health
- Bon Secours Mercy Health
- Carilion Clinic
- HCA Virginia
- UVA Health
Compact License Status
Virginia is a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC). RNs holding a compact license in another NLC state can practice in Virginia without obtaining an additional state license.
Virginia RN Job Market Outlook
Virginia is a compact state and one of the original NLC compact members. Northern Virginia (Inova Health) commands some of the highest salaries in the state due to DC-metro COL. Sentara is the dominant coastal employer. Strong military healthcare presence (Langley, Norfolk Naval) creates consistent federal RN demand. Travel: $2,000-$2,500/week.
How to Maximize Your RN Salary in Virginia
- Pursue specialty unit certification: CCRN (critical care), CEN (emergency), RNC-OB (L&D), CNOR (OR), each adds $6,000-$15,000 at major Virginia health systems
- Night and weekend differential: Typically +$3-$7/hr, translating to $6,000-$14,000 in annualized additional income at full-time hours
- Charge nurse role: +$2-$5/hr at most facilities; first step toward nurse manager track
- Travel or PRN status: Experienced Virginia RNs earn 30-50% more as travelers or per-diem staff
- BSN or MSN completion: Most major Virginia systems pay $1-$3/hr more for BSN-prepared nurses; MSN opens management and APRN pathways
Related: RN Salary by State 2026, Travel Nurse Salary Guide, ICU Nurse Salary 2026, NP Salary Guide.
Hiring in this space?
Ava Health places nurses and allied health professionals across Florida
Permanent, travel, contract, and per diem placement. No fees to candidates.
Explore staffing services →Free tool
2026 Healthcare Salary Calculator
Estimate comp by specialty, state, experience, and practice setting. Based on MGMA, AMGA, and BLS benchmarks.
Try the salary calculator →Get Ava Health updates
Healthcare salary data and market updates from Ava Health. Sign up to hear when new resources are ready.
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime. We never share your email.