Nursing Assistant salary in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC
Nursing Assistants in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area earn a median of $38,990 a year ($18.75 an hour), based on BLS data for 8,110 workers.
Pay ranges from $31,210 for the lowest-paid 10% to $47,440 for the top 10%. That is 8% lower than the national median of $42,260. Pay here is 10% lower than the Virginia statewide median of $43,200. There are 11 nursing assistants per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $40,420, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for nursing assistants in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,210 | $15.00 |
| 25th percentile | $36,820 | $17.70 |
| Median | $38,990 | $18.75 |
| 75th percentile | $45,560 | $21.90 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $47,440 | $22.81 |
| Average (mean) | $40,420 | $19.43 |
Half of nursing assistants earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $3,249.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,624.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,499.62 |
| Weekly | $749.81 |
| Hourly | $18.75 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $38,990 salary, see how much house you can afford in Virginia at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Nursing Assistant salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $45,730 | 25,520 |
| Charlottesville, VA | $44,140 | 1,610 |
| Lynchburg, VA | $43,660 | 1,300 |
| Richmond, VA | $42,720 | 6,660 |
| Staunton-Stuarts Draft, VA | $42,490 | 640 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $40,560 | 4,830 |
| Asheville, NC | $40,170 | 2,590 |
| Winchester, VA-WV | $39,970 | 810 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $39,710 | 6,420 |
| Greenville, NC | $39,480 | 1,730 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $39,430 | 13,580 |
| Burlington, NC | $39,090 | 1,020 |
| Roanoke, VA | $38,960 | 2,430 |
| Harrisonburg, VA | $38,830 | 540 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $38,660 | 4,450 |
| Goldsboro, NC | $38,540 | 600 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $38,260 | 5,280 |
| Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA | $37,850 | 760 |
| Wilmington, NC | $37,710 | 2,390 |
| Rocky Mount, NC | $37,650 | 940 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $37,550 | 1,400 |
| Fayetteville, NC | $37,530 | 2,130 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | $37,430 | 2,780 |
| Pinehurst-Southern Pines, NC | $36,930 | 950 |
| Jacksonville, NC | $35,880 | 530 |
Highest-paying states for nursing assistants
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Oregon | $49,830 |
| Washington | $49,180 |
| New York | $48,590 |
| New Hampshire | $47,870 |
| District of Columbia | $47,700 |
| California | $47,630 |
| Colorado | $47,380 |
| Vermont | $47,130 |
| Maine | $47,070 |
| New Jersey | $46,830 |
See Nursing Assistant pay in every state or the Virginia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $28,420 | $13.66 |
| Orderly | $37,000 | $17.79 |
| Psychiatric Aide | $37,280 | $17.92 |
| Medical Assistant | $43,620 | $20.97 |
| Dental Assistant | $46,670 | $22.44 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $36,320 | $17.46 |
| Phlebotomist | $44,380 | $21.34 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $73,300 | $35.24 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $46,020 | $22.12 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $38,890 | $18.70 |
| Massage Therapist | $57,510 | $27.65 |
| Medical Transcriptionist | $36,980 | $17.78 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $65,730 | $31.60 |
| Physical Therapist Aide | $34,280 | $16.48 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 31-1131. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a nursing assistant make in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC?
The median salary for nursing assistants in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area is $38,990 a year, or $18.75 an hour. Pay ranges from $31,210 for the lowest-paid 10% to $47,440 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid nursing assistants make in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC?
The top 10% of nursing assistants in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area earn at least $47,440 a year. The top 25% earn $45,560 or more.
What is the starting pay for nursing assistants in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $31,210 a year, and a quarter of nursing assistants earn $36,820 or less.
How many nursing assistants work in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC?
About 8,110 nursing assistants are employed in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area, not counting the self-employed.