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2024 Data

Registered Nurse Salary in Richmond, VA: $90,480 (2024)

Official 2024 BLS Data | $43.50/hour | $58,821 - $127,193 range

Median Annual Salary

$90,480

3.3% vs national

Hourly Rate

$43.50

/hour

Jobs in Area

3,153

employed

Salary Range$58,821 - $127,193
10th %Median90th %

Compare to Other Cities

See All →

Richmond, VA

$90,480

San Jose, CA

$130,316

$39,836 more (+44.0%)

in San Jose, CA

Registered Nurse Salary Range in Richmond, VA

Annual Salary Range

$90k

$59k

10th percentile

$74k

25th

$106k

75th

$127k

90th percentile

Salary Breakdown by Percentile

PercentileAnnual SalaryHourly Rate
10th Percentile (Entry Level)$58,821$28.28
25th Percentile$73,774$35.47
Median (50th Percentile)$90,480$43.50
75th Percentile$105,774$50.85
90th Percentile (Top Earners)$127,193$61.15
Average (Mean)$98,120$47.17

Registered Nurse Market Insights for Richmond, VA

Compensation Overview

Registered Nurse compensation in Richmond, VA aligns with regional expectations. The salary range from $58,821 to $127,193 provides a clear picture of earning potential at different career stages.

Local Market Context

Richmond, VA offers competitive compensation that aligns closely with national benchmarks. The Virginia economy supports a diverse range of industries, providing stable employment opportunities across multiple sectors.

Career Outlook

The Registered Nurse profession offers diverse career opportunities across industries. Professional development and continuous learning are key factors in advancing within this field. With a 116% salary range from entry-level to top earners, there is substantial room for financial growth as you advance in your career.

Tips for Increasing Your Salary

  • Develop specialized expertise to command higher compensation—top earners make 41% more than median salaries
  • Build a professional network through industry associations and local business groups
  • Pursue relevant certifications or advanced education to demonstrate expertise

-3%

vs National Avg

-10%

vs State Avg

116%

Salary Range

3,153

Jobs in Area

Career Path & Salary Progression

Typical Registered Nurse salary growth in Richmond, VA based on experience level.

🎓

Entry Level

0-2 years

10th percentile

$58,821

/year

📈

Early Career

2-5 years

25th percentile

$73,774

/year

💼

Mid Career

5-10 years

50th percentile

$90,480

/year

🎯

Senior

10-15 years

75th percentile

$105,774

/year

Expert

15+ years

90th percentile

$127,193

/year

Next Career Steps

Common career progressions from Registered Nurse:

Note: Career progression and salary growth vary based on company size, industry, skills, and performance. These estimates use percentile data from the BLS as a general guide for typical career paths.

Registered Nurse Job Market in Richmond, VA

Where Registered Nurses Work

Registered Nurses work across multiple industries including corporations, government agencies, healthcare organizations, and consulting firms. Each sector offers different compensation structures and career trajectories.

Local Employment Landscape

Richmond, VA has a notably high concentration of these positions relative to its population, indicating a robust local job market. Job seekers should find numerous opportunities, though competition for top positions remains strong.

Types of Employers Hiring

Large Corporations

Typically offer comprehensive benefits, structured advancement, and competitive base salaries with bonus potential

Small to Medium Businesses

May provide more responsibility earlier in your career, flexible work arrangements, and equity opportunities

Government Agencies

Known for job security, excellent benefits packages, pension plans, and work-life balance

Professional Services Firms

Provide client exposure, rapid skill development, and often above-market compensation for top performers

Skills That Increase Earning Potential

Advanced certifications in your specialtyLeadership and team managementData analysis and reportingCommunication and presentation skillsIndustry-specific software proficiency

Job Search Strategy for Richmond, VA

  • Research major employers in the Richmond area and follow them on LinkedIn for job alerts
  • Join local professional associations for networking and job leads specific to Virginia
  • Tailor your salary expectations based on the Richmond, VA market rate of $90,480
  • Consider roles at varying experience levels—entry positions start at $58,821 in this market

Frequently Asked Questions

The median registered nurse salary in Richmond, VA is $90,480 per year ($43.50/hour) as of 2026. This is based on official U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data. Salaries range from $58,821 for entry-level positions to $127,193 for experienced professionals in the top 10%.

Entry-level registered nurses in Richmond, VA typically start at around $58,821 per year ($28.28/hour), representing the 10th percentile. New graduates and those with less than 2 years of experience fall into this range. With experience and skill development, salaries can progress to the median of $90,480 within 3-5 years.

Registered Nurses in Richmond, VA earn a median hourly wage of $43.50 per hour. Hourly rates range from $28.28/hour at entry-level (10th percentile) to $61.15/hour for top earners (90th percentile). Based on a standard 2,080-hour work year, this translates to annual salaries between $58,821 and $127,193.

The median registered nurse salary of $90,480 in Richmond, VA is slightly below the national median of $93,600 (3.3% lower). The cost of living is also 2% below average. This salary places you at the 50th percentile, meaning half of registered nurses in the area earn more and half earn less.

Registered Nurses in Richmond, VA earn slightly below the national average. The local median salary of $90,480 is 3.3% lower than the national median of $93,600. The cost of living is also 2% below average. When adjusted for cost of living, the effective salary is approximately $92,138.

The top 10% of registered nurses in Richmond, VA earn $127,193 or more per year ($61.15/hour). These top earners typically have 10+ years of experience, advanced certifications, specialized expertise, or hold senior/management positions. The 75th percentile earns $105,774, which is a realistic goal for mid-career professionals.

Key skills that can boost registered nurse salary in Richmond, VA include: Clinical assessment and critical thinking skills, Strong communication and interpersonal abilities, Compassion and emotional resilience, Attention to detail and organizational skills. Professionals with these skills often earn above the median of $90,480, potentially reaching the 75th percentile ($105,774) or higher. Nursing specialty (ICU, emergency, oncology tend to pay more)

Richmond, VA has a healthy job market for registered nurses, with approximately 3,153 professionals employed in the area. The median salary of $90,480 is slightly below the national average. The cost of living is also 2% below average. Job seekers should consider both salary and local industry demand when evaluating opportunities.

Compare your registered nurse salary to these Richmond, VA benchmarks: 10th percentile (entry-level): $58,821, 25th percentile: $73,774, 50th percentile (median): $90,480, 75th percentile: $105,774, 90th percentile (top earners): $127,193. If you earn more than $90,480, you're above average for the area.

Beyond the $90,480 median base salary, registered nurses in Richmond, VA typically receive comprehensive benefits including health insurance (medical, dental, vision), retirement plans (401k with employer matching), paid time off (15-25 days), and potentially bonuses or profit-sharing. Total compensation including benefits typically adds 25-40% to base salary value.

Experienced registered nurses with 5-10 years in Richmond, VA typically earn $105,774 (75th percentile) to $127,193 (90th percentile) per year. Senior professionals with 10+ years, certifications, or management roles can reach the top 10% at $127,193. Mid-career professionals (3-5 years) usually earn around the median of $90,480.

Registered Nurses in Richmond, VA can see significant salary growth over their careers. Entry-level ($58,821) to median ($90,480) typically takes 3-5 years. Reaching the 90th percentile ($127,193) may take 10+ years and often requires specialized skills, certifications, or leadership experience. That's a potential growth of $68,372 over a career.

Data Source & Methodology

Official government statistics you can trust

Primary Source

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) Program

Visit Official BLS Website

Data Year

2024

2 Years Old

Geographic Area

Richmond

Metropolitan Statistical Area

Occupation Code

29-1141

SOC Classification

Sample Size

3,153

Employees Surveyed

How This Data Is Collected

The OEWS program produces employment and wage estimates annually for over 800 occupations across all metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas. Approximately 1.1 million establishments are surveyed over a three-year period, representing the most comprehensive wage data available for the U.S. labor market.

Note: Percentile wages represent actual reported wages and may differ from individual compensation packages that include benefits, bonuses, and equity.

Last updated: January 23, 2026

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Registered Nurse in Richmond, VA

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Median: $90,480/yr

How Richmond, VA Compares

vs National Average

$93,600

-3.3%

vs Virginia Average

$101,033

-10.4%

Cost-of-Living Adjusted

$92,138

+1.8%

Cost of living in Richmond, VA is 1.8% below the national average.

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