What is the average RN salary in Arlington?

The average RN salary in Arlington is $87,261 per year. This figure is $6,339 below the U.S. RN median of $93,600 and is reflected in the local RN Salary vs U.S. median metric of -6.8%, showing Arlington nurses earn 6.8% less than the national median.

How many hospitals are in Arlington?

Arlington has 3 hospitals serving the county. The top hospitals include Virginia Hospital Center and key affiliated hospital partnerships; the local hospital count of 3 indicates where most acute-care and inpatient positions are concentrated within Arlington's 235,764 population.

What is the cost of living in Arlington?

The cost of living index in Arlington is 135.2, with the U.S. average set at 100. That 135.2 index indicates housing and daily expenses are well above the national average; housing costs are a major driver of the higher COL for Arlington residents.

Is Arlington a good place for nurses?

Arlington can be a viable option for nurses seeking proximity to the D.C. area but it is costly: RN pay is $87,261 while the cost of living index is 135.2. With 3 hospitals in a 235,764 population, clinical opportunities exist, though adjusted purchasing power and housing costs should be weighed.

What is the real purchasing power for nurses in Arlington?

Adjusted purchasing power for Arlington RNs is $64,542 after accounting for local costs (Adjusted Salary = $64,542). Compared to the U.S. RN median salary of $93,600, Arlington’s adjusted figure highlights reduced real earnings when the COL index of 135.2 is applied to $87,261.

Can nurses use a multistate compact license to work in Arlington?

Yes — Virginia is part of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC), so nurses with a multistate compact license have practice privileges in Arlington. Holding an NLC license allows nurses licensed in other compact states to work in Arlington without obtaining a separate Virginia single-state license.

What nursing specialties are most in demand in Arlington?

ICU and Emergency Department (ED) roles are most relevant in Arlington due to its acute-care hospital base; med-surg and Labor & Delivery (L&D) are also common hospital settings. With 3 hospitals in Arlington, behavioral health and med-surg units are frequently staffed across those inpatient facilities.

Nursing in Arlington, VA

Practical guide to nursing in Arlington, VA — salaries, cost of living, hospitals, climate, and what nurses actually earn after local taxes and rent.