Registered Nurse Salary in Norfolk, VA (2026)
Median Registered Nurse salary in Norfolk is approximately $84,300/year — 2.0% below the US national average.
Salary breakdown — Norfolk
After-tax estimate
| City | Cost mult. | Estimated annual | vs Norfolk |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dallas, TX | 0.99× | $85,100 | +$800 |
| Jacksonville, FL | 0.97× | $83,400 | -$900 |
| Charlotte, NC | 0.97× | $83,400 | -$900 |
| Nashville, TN | 0.99× | $85,100 | +$800 |
| Mesa, AZ | 0.97× | $83,400 | -$900 |
Registered Nurse salaries in Norfolk, VA
The estimated median Registered Nurse salary in Norfolk, Virginia is $84,300/year, working out to approximately $41/hour at full-time, $3,242 per biweekly paycheck, or $7,025/month before taxes. Norfolk's cost-of-living multiplier of 0.98× national reflects local prices, housing costs, and employer concentration in this metro area.
Compared to the Virginia state average for this role ($88,600), Norfolk pays about $4,300 less. This typically reflects how the metro area's cost of living and employer density differ from the state as a whole.
Take-home pay in Norfolk
Of the gross $84,300, you take home roughly $61,834 after:
- Federal income tax (~14% effective at this income)
- FICA — Social Security 6.2% + Medicare 1.45% = 7.65%
- Virginia state income tax (~5% effective)
- Norfolk has no local income tax
That works out to about $5,153/month after-tax — useful for budgeting rent (typically 25–35% of net income), savings (15–20% target), and other expenses. For an exact calculation including 401(k), HSA, and your filing status, use our Norfolk Paycheck Calculator.
What affects your actual pay
- Experience: entry-level often 25–35% below median; senior roles 40–60%+ above.
- Specific employer: top-tier employers in Norfolk pay 10–25% above market for the same role.
- Industry: a Software Engineer at a tech company in Norfolk typically out-earns one at a non-tech employer.
- Negotiation: simply negotiating an offer can shift comp by 5–15%.
- Education and credentials: degrees and licenses (especially for healthcare, legal, engineering) can move comp by 15–30%.
- Remote vs in-office: many Norfolk employers now base pay on cost of living, with remote workers in cheaper metros paid less.
Related calculators
Registered Nurse Salary in Virginia — state-level average. Salary Calculator — convert hourly ↔ annual. Norfolk Paycheck Calculator — exact take-home. Income Tax Calculator — federal tax with brackets. Investment Calculator — long-term portfolio growth.