How much is the oncology nurse vs med-surg nurse pay gap in Virginia?

The estimated gap in Virginia is about $4,780 a year, or roughly 5% more for oncology nurses. Your actual pay depends on experience, specialty, shift, and employer — use the calculator to compare both for your situation.

Are these Virginia figures exact?

No — they're modeled estimates, not verified Virginia wages. They start from each role's national pay and adjust for Virginia's cost of labor, and they update to verified numbers when official state data is loaded.

Why are some figures verified and others estimates?

National pay for the main nursing roles — registered nurses, LPNs/LVNs, nurse practitioners, CRNAs, nurse midwives, and nursing assistants — comes from verified public wage data. State, city, and specialty figures that aren't reported on their own start from that national pay and are labeled "Estimated" or "Specialty estimate." We never show an estimate as a verified figure.

Virginia · VA

Oncology Nurse vs Med-Surg Nurse salary in Virginia

In Virginia, oncology nurses earn more — an estimated $100,380 a year versus $95,600 for med-surg nurses, a gap of about $4,780 (roughly 5% more). Both are estimates based on national pay for each role adjusted for Virginia.

Oncology Nurse — Virginia

Specialty estimate

Median annual pay

$100,380

Near national

Hourly

$48.26/hr

Median $100,380

$70,940Middle 50%: $82,660–$115,610$141,460

Typical range: $82,660–$115,610; What most nurses earn
High end: $141,460; Top earners
Entry level: $70,940; Newer nurses

Med-Surg Nurse — Virginia

Specialty estimate

Median annual pay

$95,600

Near national

Hourly

$45.96/hr

Median $95,600

$67,560Middle 50%: $78,720–$110,100$134,720

Typical range: $78,720–$110,100; What most nurses earn
High end: $134,720; Top earners
Entry level: $67,560; Newer nurses

Why the gap in Virginia

Oncology and med-surg nurse pay is comparable, as both draw on the same registered-nurse wage base. Oncology certifications such as the OCN and chemotherapy competencies can nudge pay up, but the roles are close; the bigger differences are the patient population and the pace of the work. The Virginia figures apply the same local pay adjustment to both roles, so the gap here mirrors the national picture, shifted for Virginia's cost of labor. Actual pay varies with experience, specialty, shift, and employer — compare the national Oncology Nurse vs Med-Surg Nurse comparison or personalize the calculator.

Oncology Nurse vs Med-Surg Nurse in Virginia — FAQ

Do oncology nurses or med-surg nurses earn more in Virginia?: In Virginia, oncology nurses earn more — an estimated $100,380 a year versus $95,600 for med-surg nurses, a gap of about $4,780 (roughly 5% more). Both are estimates based on national pay for each role adjusted for Virginia's local pay level.
How much is the oncology nurse vs med-surg nurse pay gap in Virginia?: The estimated gap in Virginia is about $4,780 a year, or roughly 5% more for oncology nurses. Your actual pay depends on experience, specialty, shift, and employer — use the calculator to compare both for your situation.
Are these Virginia figures exact?: No — they're modeled estimates, not verified Virginia wages. They start from each role's national pay and adjust for Virginia's cost of labor, and they update to verified numbers when official state data is loaded.
Why are some figures verified and others estimates?: National pay for the main nursing roles — registered nurses, LPNs/LVNs, nurse practitioners, CRNAs, nurse midwives, and nursing assistants — comes from verified public wage data. State, city, and specialty figures that aren't reported on their own start from that national pay and are labeled "Estimated" or "Specialty estimate." We never show an estimate as a verified figure.

Source & confidence— An estimate for a specialty that public pay data does not list on its own. A ballpark to start from, not an exact figure.

Modeled estimate (BLS national × state wage index)

Virginia figures are estimated by adjusting the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS national median for local pay levels (a state adjustment of 0.98×).

Source year 2025. Last reviewed July 3, 2026. Full methodology

Estimated figures for Virginia. Last reviewed July 3, 2026.