Nurse Practitioner Salary in Salem, VA: $126,090 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nurse practitioner in Salem, VA earns a median $126,090/year (≈ $60.62/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1171). Once you factor in Salem's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 103.2), that paycheck buys what $122,180 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.0% below the Virginia state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, nurse practitioners in Salem, Virginia, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $126,090, reflecting a slight decline compared to the national median of $136,864. The salary range within the local market spans from $94,621 at the 10th percentile to $156,324 at the 90th percentile, showcasing considerable variation that largely depends on specialty focus and practice settings. For example, psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners (PMHNP) tend to command higher pay scales compared to family nurse practitioners (FNP) and adult-gerontology acute care nurse practitioners (AGACNP) due to the pressing demand for mental health services. The figures provided are based on estimates derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost variations, which highlight the competitive nature of healthcare roles within Salem's job market.
About the Salem Market
Salary estimated from Virginia average ($124,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $94,621 | $45.49 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $117,367 | $56.42 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $126,090 | $60.62 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $144,924 | $69.67 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $156,324 | $75.16 |
Median Salary Position
7.87% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Salem
In Salem, VA, the nurse practitioner salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $61,703 (2026 est.). At $126,090, the local median is 7.87% below the national median of $136,864.
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At 40 hours/week in Salem: You'd be above the median
How Salem Nurse Practitioner Pay Compares
Salem median: $126,090/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Salem Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Average | $129,990 | -3.00% less |
| National Average | $136,864 | -7.87% less |
Nurse Practitioners in Salem, VA earn a median of $126,090 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.87% lower than the national median of $136,864 and 3.00% below the Virginia state average of $129,990.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Salem has a cost of living 3.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Salem, VA has a cost-of-living index of 103.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $126,090 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $122,180 — a 3.1% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$101,175
2025 BLS Actual
$121,885
2026 Current Est.
$126,090
2019–2027 Growth
+28.9%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Practitioners in Salem (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.45% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $101,175 | Actual |
| 2020 | $102,888 | Actual |
| 2021 | $111,180 | Actual |
| 2022 | $112,037 | Actual |
| 2023 | $116,320 | Actual |
| 2024 | $124,074 | Actual |
| 2025 | $121,885 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $126,090 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $130,440 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Salem metropolitan area, the median nurse practitioner salary grew 20.5% from $101,175 (2019) to $121,885 (2025). At a 3.45% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $130,440 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,265 (28.93%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Salem metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 3.45% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $94,621 – $117,367 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $117,367 – $126,090 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $126,090 – $144,924 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $144,924 – $156,324 |
NP salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual nurse practitioner compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Nurse Practitioner Job Market in Salem
When examining the local job market, it's notable that only six nurse practitioners are currently employed in Salem, making it a relatively small community for this profession. With a cost-of-living index of 103.2, the economic reality for nurse practitioners is that seaside adjustment affects take-home purchasing power. Among the employers in town, hospital outpatient clinics and specialty clinics are more likely to offer higher salaries than primary care practices and retail clinics. The wide earnings disparity in Salem is influenced by factors such as specialization, full-practice authority rules, productivity incentives, and additional side income from telehealth services or 1099 arrangements. For professionals aiming to enhance their earnings, pursuing further specialization, engaging in collaborative practices with higher-paying facilities, and keeping abreast of local demand trends are key strategies to maximize nurse practitioner pay in Salem, VA.
More salary data for Salem, VA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Maria Gonzalez, MSN, NP-C
Career Analyst
Maria has 10 years of experience in adult healthcare. She works in a community health clinic. Her specialty is chronic disease management.
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $121,885 for nurse practitionersin the Salem metropolitan area. A 3.45% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Salem is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.45%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for nurse practitioners (SOC 29-1171).
Compiled and verified by Maria Gonzalez, MSN, NP-C, a licensed nurse practitioner with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov