Nurse Practitioner Salary in Bristol, VA: $125,376 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nurse practitioner in Bristol, VA earns a median $125,376/year (≈ $60.28/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1171). Once you factor in Bristol's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 103.2), that paycheck buys what $121,488 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.6% below the Virginia state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, nurse practitioners in Bristol, Virginia, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $125,376, which reflects a noticeable difference when compared to the national median of $136,864. The salary range for nurse practitioners in this area varies widely, with the lowest 10% earning approximately $102,226 and the highest 90% taking home about $156,157. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS state-level data and regional price adjustments, emphasize the variation in pay that can occur depending on specialty. Nurse practitioners with a focus in psychiatric mental health may see higher earnings compared to their family or adult-gerontology counterparts, thus indicating the influence of specialization on salary potential within the Bristol job market.
About the Bristol Market
Salary estimated from Virginia average ($124,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $102,226 | $49.15 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $114,403 | $55.00 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $125,376 | $60.28 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $145,370 | $69.89 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $156,157 | $75.07 |
Median Salary Position
8.39% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bristol
In Bristol, VA, the nurse practitioner salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $53,931 (2026 est.). At $125,376, the local median is 8.39% below the national median of $136,864.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Bristol: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Bristol Nurse Practitioner Pay Compares
Bristol median: $125,376/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bristol Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Average | $130,058 | -3.60% less |
| National Average | $136,864 | -8.39% less |
Nurse Practitioners in Bristol, VA earn a median of $125,376 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.39% lower than the national median of $136,864 and 3.60% below the Virginia state average of $130,058.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bristol has a cost of living 3.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bristol, VA has a cost-of-living index of 103.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $125,376 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $121,488 — a 3.1% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$100,602
2025 BLS Actual
$121,195
2026 Current Est.
$125,376
2019–2027 Growth
+28.9%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Practitioners in Bristol (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.45% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $100,602 | Actual |
| 2020 | $102,306 | Actual |
| 2021 | $110,550 | Actual |
| 2022 | $111,402 | Actual |
| 2023 | $115,662 | Actual |
| 2024 | $123,057 | Actual |
| 2025 | $121,195 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $125,376 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $129,702 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bristol metropolitan area, the median nurse practitioner salary grew 20.5% from $100,602 (2019) to $121,195 (2025). At a 3.45% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $129,702 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,100 (28.93%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bristol 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) | $102,226 – $114,403 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $114,403 – $125,376 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $125,376 – $145,370 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $145,370 – $156,157 |
NP salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual nurse practitioner compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Nurse Practitioner Job Market in Bristol
The local job market for nurse practitioners in Bristol is relatively small, with just six employed in the area, suggesting limited competition but potentially varied opportunities across sectors. Currently, the cost-of-living index stands at 103.2, which indicates that everyday expenses in Bristol are slightly above the national average, impacting the effective purchasing power of salaries. Among various employers, hospital outpatient clinics and specialty clinics often provide better pay compared to primary care practices or retail clinics. Factors such as specialty population focus, state regulations mandating full-practice authority, and potential for productivity bonuses contribute to the salary spread. To maximize earnings, aspiring nurse practitioners should consider pursuing high-demand specialties like psychiatric mental health, actively seek productivity-driven roles, and explore telehealth opportunities that can supplement base pay in this competitive market.
More salary data for Bristol, 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 $121,195 for nurse practitionersin the Bristol 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 Bristol 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