Nurse Practitioner Pay

Entry-Level Nurse Practitioner Salary in Williamsburg, VA: $97,141 (2026)

Quick Answer:New nurse practitioners entering the Williamsburg, VA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $97,141 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1171, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Williamsburg's local price level (BEA RPP 103.23% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $94,129 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($123,149) within a few years of clinical practice.

$97,141
Starting Salary
$46.70/hr
Starting Hourly
$97,141
Entry Level
$123,149
Career Median Target

Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Nurse Practitioner Entry Level Salary in Williamsburg, VA — 2026 est., based on 2025 BLS
Williamsburg, VA nurse practitioner entry level salary overview (2026 est., based on 2025 BLS)

New graduates entering the nurse practitioner field in Williamsburg, Virginia, can expect starting salaries around $97,141 in 2026, which is significantly lower than the median annual salary of $123,149 for more experienced professionals in the area. For early-career nurse practitioners, the path from entry-level compensation to the median can be promising, with potential salary increases to $109,993 at the 25th percentile within just a few years. With a projected annual growth rate of 3.45%, the early years in this profession hold a favorable outlook, especially considering the local demand for healthcare practitioners. Williamsburg is an encouraging market for new grads, as the community's growing healthcare needs offer ample opportunities for new nurse practitioners to establish their careers.

About the Williamsburg Market

Salary estimated from Virginia average ($124,000) adjusted for local cost of living.

Career Earnings Timeline in Williamsburg

Year 0-2

New Graduate

$97,141/yr
Year 2-5

Early Career

$109,993/yr
Year 5-10

Mid Career

$123,149/yr
Year 10+

Experienced

$137,939/yr

Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.

2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Williamsburg

Vertical bar chart of 10th through 90th percentile salaries for nurse practitioners in Williamsburg. The median salary is $123,149, compared to the national median of $136,864.$87.4K$106.8K$126.2K$145.6K$165.0K$97.1K10th Pctl$110.0K25th Pctl$123.1KMedian$137.9K75th Pctl$157.1K90th PctlUS Median$136.9K

Entry-level nurse practitioners in Williamsburg, VA typically start between $97,141 and $109,993 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $59,983 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $123,14910.02% below the national median.

Source: BLS OEWS projected to 2026. Percentiles reflect the distribution of nurse practitioner pay in the Williamsburg metro area.

Return on Investment

$90,000
Avg VA Program Cost
$97,141
Starting Salary
92.65%
Cost-to-Salary Ratio
<1 yr
Payback Estimate

The average advanced practice nursing program cost in Virginia of $90,000 represents just 92.65% of the starting nurse practitioner pay ($97,141/year) in Williamsburg. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.

Program cost estimates based on CCNE- and ACEN-accredited graduate nursing programs. Tuition varies significantly between public in-state MSN programs and private DNP programs, and often requires completed BSN coursework as a prerequisite.

NP Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Williamsburg

  • 1Research the Williamsburg market: entry-level nurse practitioner pay ranges from $97,141 to $109,993, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
  • 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the advanced practice nursing field — employers in VA often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
  • 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Williamsburg, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
  • 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Williamsburg for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
  • 5Williamsburg's moderate cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.

Nurse Practitioner Compensation Range

The nurse practitioner wage spread in Williamsburg is $59,983 ( 61.75%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $97,141, experienced hygienists can earn up to $157,124.

Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.

2019 BLS Actual

$75,434

2025 BLS Actual

$93,901

2026 Current Est.

$97,141

2019–2027 Growth

+33.2%

Salary Trajectory for Nurse Practitioners in Williamsburg (20192027)

2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.45% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected
Salary trajectory chart for nurse practitioners in Williamsburg. Baseline $75,434 in 2025, projected to $100,492 by 2027.$68.3K$77.7K$87.1K$96.5K$105.9K2019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$75.4K$76.9K$73.6K$80.9K$87.6K$94.6K$93.9K$97.1K$100.5K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2019$75,434Actual
2020$76,870Actual
2021$73,636Actual
2022$80,929Actual
2023$87,591Actual
2024$94,576Actual
2025$93,901Actual
2026(current)$97,141Estimated
2027$100,492Projected

Entry-level nurse practitioner compensation (10th percentile) in Williamsburg, VA grew 24.5% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $75,434 in 2019 to $93,901 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $100,492. New graduates entering the Williamsburg job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.

Note: Historical values (20192025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Williamsburg metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 20262026 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.

Starting Your advanced practice nursing Career in Williamsburg

In Williamsburg, primary care clinics and urgent care chains are among the key employers that hire entry-level nurse practitioners, often providing structured onboarding programs for new graduates. Large hospital systems also tend to offer residency or fellowship programs, allowing for a smoother transition into the workforce. For those specializing as psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners (PMHNPs), opportunities abound in telehealth platforms, which have surged in demand. Graduates should ensure they have the appropriate credentials, including an active RN license, a Master’s or Doctorate in nursing, and national certification from AANP or ANCC, as these factors can significantly enhance their starting pay in Virginia. Given the varying scope of practice laws across the nation, new nurse practitioners in Virginia, which allows for more independent practice, can anticipate accelerated career growth. Within the first few years, many can aim for salary increases that align with the local market dynamics once they have accumulated experience and specialized certifications.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the starting salary for nurse practitioners in Williamsburg in 2026?

Entry-level nurse practitioners in Williamsburg start at approximately $97,141/year (10th percentile), based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 3.45% annual growth). This is the typical range for new graduates with less than 1 year of clinical experience. The starting hourly equivalent is approximately $46.70/hour for full-time work. Starting pay depends on the practice type (private vs. large organization), patient volume, location within the metro area, and whether the position includes benefits.

How fast do nurse practitioner salaries grow in Williamsburg?

Most nurse practitioners in Williamsburg progress from the entry-level salary of $97,141 to the area median of $123,149 within 3–5 years of clinical experience. Top earners with specializations and certifications reach $157,124 (90th percentile). The biggest salary jumps typically come in years 2–5 as clinical skills develop, and again when obtaining advanced certifications or expanded-function credentials. Salary growth after 10 years tends to plateau unless moving into management or education roles.

Is advanced practice nursing school worth it in Williamsburg?

With a starting salary of $97,141/year in Williamsburg and typical program costs ranging from $20,000–$80,000 for the required degree, graduates can expect a strong return on investment. Most new nurse practitioners recoup their tuition within 1–3 years of working full-time. The profession also offers excellent work-life balance, flexible scheduling, low unemployment rates, and growing demand driven by an aging population's care needs.

What do new nurse practitioners make right out of school in Williamsburg?

New advanced practice nursing graduates in Williamsburg typically start near the 10th percentile at $97,141/year, or approximately $46.70/hour. Starting pay varies based on the practice type, patient volume, geographic location within the metro area, and whether the compensation package includes benefits like health insurance and retirement contributions. Graduates with internships at high-production practices often secure higher starting offers.

How do I become a nurse practitioner in Virginia?

To become a licensed nurse practitioner in Virginia, you typically need rn license + master's (msn) or doctor of nursing practice (dnp) degree from an acen/ccne-accredited program with np track (family, adult-gerontology, pediatric, psych-mental health, etc.), national board certification (aanp or ancc), and state aprn licensure with prescriptive authority., then pass the required national and state licensing examinations. Most states, including Virginia, also require a clinical licensing exam. After obtaining licensure, you must maintain it through continuing education credits. Some nurse practitioners pursue advanced degrees for career advancement into education, research, or public health roles.

Related Pages

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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.

Clinically reviewed by James Patel, DNP, APRNData verified by Aisha Khan, MSN, FNP-BC

Methodology & Data Source

Entry-level 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 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new advanced practice nursing graduates. A 3.45% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Williamsburg. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.

Data Sources & Methodology

Salary data for Williamsburg is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).

View estimation methodology

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

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