Average and median wage in Virginia
Half of the 4,109,320 workers in Virginia earn less than $55,690 a year, the median wage, while the average pay is $74,040, or $35.60 an hour. The lowest-paid 10% make $30,530 or less and the top 10% $139,010 or more. The average is 6% more than the U.S. average ($69,770) and the median 9% more than the U.S. median ($50,980).
- $31K10th
- $38K25th
- $56KMedian
- $89K75th
- $139K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Virginia per year | Per hour* | U.S. per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $74,040 | $35.60 | $69,770 |
| Median | $55,690 | $26.77 | $50,980 |
| 10th percentile | $30,530 | $14.68 | $31,200 |
| 25th percentile | $37,720 | $18.13 | $37,590 |
| 75th percentile | $89,420 | $42.99 | $80,520 |
| 90th percentile | $139,010 | $66.83 | $128,560 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Statewide figures include every employer in the state, metro and rural. Median vs. average salary · reading percentiles.
Average salary by city in Virginia
- Charlottesville$74,000
- Richmond$68,400
- Virginia Beach$64,130
- Blacksburg$61,090
- Roanoke$60,590
- Winchester$60,410
- Lynchburg$57,880
- Staunton$57,310
- Harrisonburg$56,890
Map of Virginia metro areas
Loading map…
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
Salary, take-home pay and cost of living by city
| City | Average | Median | Take-home* | Cost of living | Home value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charlottesville | $74,000 | $55,180 | $57,448 | 99 | $473,058 |
| Richmond | $68,400 | $51,460 | $53,830 | 98 | $397,705 |
| Virginia Beach | $64,130 | $49,430 | $50,835 | 98 | $373,678 |
| Blacksburg | $61,090 | $48,120 | $48,567 | 93 | $291,346 |
| Roanoke | $60,590 | $47,140 | $48,194 | 94 | $301,139 |
| Winchester | $60,410 | $47,070 | $48,060 | 96 | $390,773 |
| Lynchburg | $57,880 | $46,190 | $46,173 | 89 | $291,459 |
| Staunton | $57,310 | $48,040 | $45,747 | 91 | $334,927 |
| Harrisonburg | $56,890 | $46,110 | $45,434 | 95 | $352,185 |
*Average salary after federal and state income tax and payroll taxes for a single filer. Cost of living: BEA price parity, U.S. = 100.
Highest-paying jobs in Virginia
- Cardiologists · Winchester$434,080
- Cardiologists · Virginia Beach$433,900
- Cardiologists · Richmond$425,280
- Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric · Virginia Beach$388,490
- Anesthesiologists · Roanoke$387,340
- Chief Executives · Charlottesville$352,900
- Anesthesiologists · Virginia Beach$346,790
- Family Medicine Physicians · Virginia Beach$334,940
- Chief Executives · Virginia Beach$333,240
- Chief Executives · Richmond$328,500
Most common jobs in Virginia
| Job | Jobs statewide | Average | Median | Highest city average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | 104,460 | $31,930 | $30,110 | $32,130 |
| General and Operations Managers | 103,590 | $141,370 | $122,080 | $134,880 |
| Retail Salespersons | 100,290 | $36,290 | $34,240 | $36,520 |
| Software Developers | 88,280 | $146,340 | $136,460 | $139,340 |
| Cashiers | 83,890 | $32,140 | $30,580 | $32,660 |
| Registered Nurses | 77,490 | $93,850 | $93,600 | $97,780 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | 70,070 | $32,640 | $30,300 | $32,700 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | 69,660 | $38,070 | $36,380 | $40,400 |
| Office Clerks, General | 66,550 | $48,220 | $46,410 | $47,700 |
| Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners | 65,970 | $36,490 | $35,170 | $37,470 |
Jobs, average and median: BLS statewide estimates. Highest city average: best-paid metro area we cover in the state.
Average salary by job family in Virginia
Virginia income tax and take-home pay
Take-home figures on these pages apply Virginia's 2025 income tax rules for a single filer with the standard deduction, plus federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security and Medicare.
Virginia at a glance
Average salary in other states
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Puerto Rico
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Washington
- Washington, D.C.
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Salary in Virginia: questions
What is the average salary in Virginia?
$74,040 a year across all jobs, according to BLS statewide estimates (OEWS, May 2025). That is 6% more than the U.S. average ($69,770).
What is the median salary in Virginia?
$55,690 a year: half of Virginia workers earn more and half earn less. The median is lower than the average because a minority of high earners lifts the average.
What is the average hourly wage in Virginia?
$35.60 an hour on average, and $26.78 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
Which city in Virginia pays the most?
Charlottesville, with an average of $74,000 a year among the metro areas we cover.
Is Virginia expensive to live in?
BEA puts Virginia prices in line with the U.S. average (price parity 101.1). Within the state, Charlottesville 99, Virginia Beach 98, Richmond 98 are the most expensive metros.
Sources and how to read this page
- Statewide figures: BLS OEWS state estimates, May 2025, all occupations and every employer in the state (metro and rural areas).
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. City figures: the metro areas we cover in Virginia.
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
- Population and median household income: Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates, 2023.
- Crime: FBI Crime Data Explorer, violent and property crimes reported by agencies statewide, latest 12 months available.
Read the full methodology. Spotted an error? Tell us.