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2026 Salary Data — Virginia Beach, VA
Updated April 28, 2026

Registered Nurse Salary in Virginia Beach: $84K Median

Registered Nurses in Virginia Beach, VA earn between $62K and $130K per year.

That's -2% below the US national median of $86,070 for this role.

Quick Answer

As of April 2026, the median Registered Nurse salary in Virginia Beach, VA is $84,349 per year — -2% below the US national median of $86,070. Salaries range from $62,446 (entry, 25th percentile) to $130,026 (90th percentile). Registered Nurses in Virginia Beach earned approximately $12,780 in 2025, representing 560.0% year-over-year growth.

Median
$84,349
+560.0% YoY · $7,029/mo
Entry
$63,700
0–2 years
Experienced
$102,900
5+ years
Top 10%
$130,026
Senior/lead
Registered Nurse Salary — Virginia Beach vs Nearby
Virginia Beach
$84K
Charlotte
$88K
-4% vs Virginia Beach
Fort Worth
$88K
-4% vs Virginia Beach
Mesa
$84K
+0% vs Virginia Beach

Free ATS scan · Virginia Beach employers · Results in 60 seconds

About Registered Nurses in Virginia Beach

Registered nurses (RNs) provide direct patient care, administer medications, coordinate care plans, and educate patients about health conditions.

Core Responsibilities

  • Patient assessment and care planning
  • Medication administration
  • Wound care and clinical procedures
  • Patient and family education
  • Care coordination with physicians

Education & Certifications

Typical path: BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing) increasingly preferred over ADN

In-demand certifications

NCLEX-RNBLS/ACLSCCRN (critical care)CNOR (perioperative)Compact Nursing License

Virginia Beach Job Market

Military and tourism hub with strong defense industry.

Population
459K
Cost of Living
100
vs 100 US avg
Unemployment
3.8%
Median Home
$360K

Top Industries in Virginia Beach

Military/NavalTourismDefenseHealthcare

Top Employers Hiring Registered Nurses

Major employers active in Virginia Beach or hiring remotely from this metro.

HCA Healthcare
Kaiser Permanente
Mayo Clinic
Cleveland Clinic
CommonSpirit Health
Veterans Health

All major employers use ATS software.

Workday, Greenhouse, Taleo, and iCIMS auto-screen 75% of resumes before a human ever sees them. Scan your resume free to see your match rate.

2026 Hot Skills & Resume Keywords

Skills that command salary premiums and pass ATS keyword filters.

Hottest 2026 Skills

These appear in the highest-paying Registered Nurse listings.

TelehealthEpic EHRBSN credentialSpecialty certificationsNLC compact license

ATS Resume Keywords

Include these naturally throughout your resume.

patient caremedication administrationEHR (Epic, Cerner)critical thinkingBLSIV therapypatient education
Career Outlook
+6% Growth Projected (2024-2034)

RN employment projected to grow 6% through 2034, with 194,500 openings annually. Chronic shortage continues, driving competitive salaries and signing bonuses.

Registered Nurse Salary Breakdown — Virginia Beach

PeriodEntry (25th)Median (50th)Top (90th)
Annual$62,446$84,349$130,026
Monthly$5,204$7,029$10,836
Weekly$1,201$1,622$2,501
Hourly$30$41$63

Based on 2080 working hours/year. Local figures derived from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics national median ($86,070) adjusted for Virginia Beach's cost-of-living multiplier (0.98×, sourced from BEA Regional Price Parities).

Registered Nurse Take-Home Pay in Virginia Beach

After federal, state and FICA taxes — single filer, standard deduction.

Net Annual Take-Home
$63,420.072
Per month$5,285
Biweekly paycheck$2,439
Effective tax rate24.8%

Tax Breakdown on $84,349

Gross salary$84,349
Federal income tax−$10,258.78
Virginia state tax−$4,217.45
FICA (Social Security + Medicare)−$6,452.698
Take-home (net)$63,420.072

Estimates assume single filer, standard deduction ($14,600 for 2026), no 401(k)/HSA/dependents. Actual take-home varies with deductions, dependents, and benefits elections. Not tax advice.

Registered Nurse Salary by Experience — Virginia Beach

Career-stage progression for Registered Nurses in Virginia Beach.

ExperienceAnnual Salary
0–1 yr$58,604
2–3 yr$63,700
4–6 yr$83,300
7–10 yr$102,900
11–15 yr$121,422
15+ yr$116,463

Curve derived from BLS percentile data adjusted for Virginia Beach's 0.98× cost-of-living multiplier. Highlighted row = 7–10 year experienced level.

Year-Over-Year Trend

+560.0% vs 2025

2025 median:$12,780
2026 median:$84,349
Change:+$71,569

Healthcare sector growth driven by demand for Telehealth and Epic EHR.

Is This A Good Salary?

Solid above median

Real purchasing power lands comfortably above the national middle-class threshold once cost of living is factored in. Homeownership and meaningful retirement savings are achievable on a single income.

COL-Adjusted Purchasing Power
$84,349
Solidly middle-class on the median - manageable, but disciplined budgeting is needed to save aggressively or buy a home.

How to Negotiate Your Registered Nurse Salary in Virginia Beach

Walk-away anchor: $76,681 (offers below this are below market for Virginia Beach).

Leverage Points

  • Specialty certifications (CCRN, OCS, BCPS, FNP) command 8-15% premiums
  • Compact license / multi-state authority and willingness to float between units
  • Night, weekend, and holiday shift differentials add up to $10K-$25K annually
  • Critical-shortage specialties (ICU, ER, NICU, oncology) have the most leverage

Beyond Base Salary, Negotiate

Sign-on bonus ($10K-$30K, often $50K+ for hard-to-fill roles)Tuition reimbursement and certification stipendsLoan repayment programs (especially federal/HRSA-eligible)Shift differentials (nights +15%, weekends +10%)Relocation package and housing stipend

What To Say

"Given the current shortage in this specialty and my certifications, I'm looking for $X base plus shift differential and a sign-on bonus. What flexibility do you have on those line items?"

Anchor on $103K–$130K for experienced roles, citing Virginia Beach market data and your specific Telehealth/Epic EHR expertise.

Registered Nurse Salary FAQ — Virginia Beach

What is the average Registered Nurse salary in Virginia Beach, VA?
The average Registered Nurse salary in Virginia Beach is $84,349 per year as of April 2026 — $7,029/month, $1,622/week, or about $41/hour. Salaries range from $62,446 (entry, 25th percentile) up to $130,026 (experienced, 90th percentile). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics adjusted for Virginia Beach's cost-of-living multiplier (0.98×).
Is $84,349 a good Registered Nurse salary in Virginia Beach?
Solid above median. Real purchasing power lands comfortably above the national middle-class threshold once cost of living is factored in. Homeownership and meaningful retirement savings are achievable on a single income. Virginia Beach's cost-of-living index is 100 (vs 100 nationally), giving $84,349 a real purchasing power of approximately $84,349 in national terms. Solidly middle-class on the median - manageable, but disciplined budgeting is needed to save aggressively or buy a home.
Can you live on $84,349 in Virginia Beach?
Dual-income households support a comfortable family lifestyle. Single-earner families on the median may need to compromise on neighborhood, square footage, or college savings. Aim for 28-30% of pre-tax income on rent. The classic 30% rule still works here, though housing costs are creeping up faster than wages. For Virginia Beach specifically (median home price $360,000), a $84,349 salary supports a comfortable lifestyle.
Is $84,349 enough for a single person in Virginia Beach?
A single adult in Virginia Beach typically needs ~$45,000 for a comfortable lifestyle (housing, food, transport, healthcare, modest savings). A $84,349 salary is well above that threshold — a single person can live comfortably with significant savings room.
Is $84,349 enough for a couple in Virginia Beach?
A couple (one earner) in Virginia Beach typically needs ~$72,000 for a comfortable lifestyle. A $84,349 salary as the sole household income is sufficient — enabling moderate housing, savings, and discretionary spending. Two earners at $84,349 each ($168,698 household) provides solid middle-class comfort.
Is $84,349 enough for a family of 4 in Virginia Beach?
A family of 4 (one earner) in Virginia Beach typically needs ~$110,000 for a comfortable middle-class lifestyle (housing for 4, childcare/school, food, healthcare, transport, savings). A $84,349 salary as the sole household income is below the comfortable threshold — most families need a second income or to live in cheaper suburbs/exurbs of Virginia Beach. Childcare costs in Virginia Beach typically run $15K-$28K per child per year.
What is the take-home pay for a Registered Nurse in Virginia Beach?
On a $84,349 Registered Nurse salary in Virginia Beach, VA, you take home approximately $63,420.072 per year ($5,285/month, $2,439 per biweekly paycheck) after taxes. Breakdown: federal $10,258.78, state $4,217.45, FICA $6,452.698. Effective tax rate: 24.8%. (Single filer, standard deduction, no other adjustments.)
How much do Registered Nurses in Virginia Beach earn compared to the US average?
Registered Nurses in Virginia Beach earn approximately 2% less than the US national median for this role ($86,070 nationally vs $84,349 in Virginia Beach). However, Virginia Beach's cost-of-living index of 100 means real purchasing power is approximately $84,349 when adjusted for local prices.
What does an entry-level Registered Nurse earn in Virginia Beach?
Entry-level Registered Nurses in Virginia Beach typically start at around $63,700 (0–2 years experience). With 5+ years, Registered Nurses earn $102,900 or more. Top earners (90th percentile) reach $130,026+, typically at senior or lead levels with specialized skills.
Did Registered Nurse salaries in Virginia Beach increase in 2026?
Yes — Registered Nurse salaries in Virginia Beach grew approximately 560.0% year-over-year, from $12,780 in 2025 to $84,349 in 2026 (+$71,569). This reflects the broader Healthcare sector's compensation trend, driven by Telehealth and Epic EHR demand.
What's the job outlook for Registered Nurses in Virginia Beach?
RN employment projected to grow 6% through 2034, with 194,500 openings annually. Chronic shortage continues, driving competitive salaries and signing bonuses. Virginia Beach's top industries include Military/Naval, Tourism, Defense, and the metro's current unemployment rate is 3.8% — a tight labor market favoring candidates.
What skills are most in demand for Registered Nurses in 2026?
The hottest 2026 skills for Registered Nurses are: Telehealth, Epic EHR, BSN credential, Specialty certifications, NLC compact license. ATS systems specifically scan for these keywords. Adding them to your resume — naturally and in context — significantly improves your match rate with employers in Virginia Beach.
Who are the top employers hiring Registered Nurses in Virginia Beach?
Top employers hiring Registered Nurses in or near Virginia Beach include: HCA Healthcare, Kaiser Permanente, Mayo Clinic, Cleveland Clinic, CommonSpirit Health, Veterans Health. Most use ATS software (Workday, Greenhouse, Taleo, iCIMS) to screen resumes — meaning your resume must be ATS-optimized to even get a human reader.
How do I negotiate a higher Registered Nurse salary in Virginia Beach?
Given the current shortage in this specialty and my certifications, I'm looking for $X base plus shift differential and a sign-on bonus. What flexibility do you have on those line items? Key leverage points for Healthcare negotiations: Specialty certifications (CCRN, OCS, BCPS, FNP) command 8-15% premiums; Compact license / multi-state authority and willingness to float between units; Night, weekend, and holiday shift differentials add up to $10K-$25K annually. Beyond base salary, negotiate for: Sign-on bonus ($10K-$30K, often $50K+ for hard-to-fill roles), Tuition reimbursement and certification stipends, Loan repayment programs (especially federal/HRSA-eligible), Shift differentials (nights +15%, weekends +10%).
How can I increase my Registered Nurse salary in Virginia Beach?
Three highest-leverage moves: (1) Add 2026's hot skills (Telehealth, Epic EHR, BSN credential) — they command 15-30% premiums. (2) Get a recognized certification (e.g., NCLEX-RN or BLS/ACLS). (3) Tailor your resume to each role's keywords — CVCraft's ATS scanner shows you exactly what's missing.
What education do I need to become a Registered Nurse in Virginia Beach?
BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing) increasingly preferred over ADN is the typical path. However, Virginia Beach's competitive market increasingly values demonstrable skills, portfolios, and certifications alongside (or in place of) traditional degrees — particularly for Healthcare roles.

Methodology & Sources

Registered Nurse salary figures for Virginia Beach are computed by adjusting the BLS national median ($86,070) by Virginia Beach's cost-of-living multiplier of 0.98× — a composite of regional wage data and price parities. Year-over-year change (560.0%) reflects the Healthcare sector's 2025-2026 wage growth per BLS Employment Cost Index trends. Last reviewed April 28, 2026.

Data Sources

Related Roles in Virginia Beach

Nurse Practitioner →Pharmacist →Physical Therapist →Occupational Therapist →Physician →Dentist →

Registered Nurse Salary in Other Cities

Phoenix, AZ$86KSan Antonio, TX$80KFort Worth, TX$88KColumbus, OH$83KCharlotte, NC$88KIndianapolis, IN$80KDetroit, MI$80KNashville, TN$86K

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