Salary & Cost of Living in Petersburg, VA
Petersburg, VA: $64,334 median salary, cost of living index 94.6, $12.00/hr minimum wage. Calculate your take-home pay with our free paycheck calculator.
Median Salary
$64,334
$31/hr
Cost of Living
94.6
US avg = 100
Minimum Wage
$12.00
per hour
Unemployment
2.4%
rate
Petersburg, VA Overview
Population
32,420
Median Salary
$64,334
Average Salary
$72,054
Avg Commute
16 min
Median Home Price
$372,000
Median Rent
$1,504/mo
Job Growth
+2.2%
Sales Tax
5.3%
Petersburg is located in Virginia with a population of 32,420. The median household salary is $64,334 per year ($31/hour), which is $4,950 above the national median of $59,384. The average commute time is 16 minutes, and the city has a job growth rate of +2.2%.
Petersburg Salary by Experience Level (2026)
Wage distribution in Petersburg, VA based on BLS percentile breakdown of the $64,334 median salary. Entry-level represents 10th–25th percentile; mid-level is the median; senior-level represents 75th–90th percentile.
| Experience Level | Annual Salary | Hourly Wage | Years Exp |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-Level | $39,887 | $19.18/hr | 0–2 years |
| Mid-Level (Median) | $64,334 | $30.93/hr | 3–7 years |
| Senior-Level | $91,354 | $43.92/hr | 8–15 years |
| Top 10% (90th Percentile) | $114,515 | $55.06/hr | 15+ years / leadership |
Percentile multipliers (62%, 100%, 142%, 178%) derived from 2024 BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics distribution across all occupations in metro areas. Specific roles vary; see jobs by city for role-specific data.
Petersburg Paycheck Calculator
Enter your annual salary to see your estimated take-home pay in Petersburg, VA, after federal, state, and local taxes.
Estimated Annual Take-Home Pay
$49,946
$4,162.15/month · $1,920.99/biweekly · Effective Rate: 22.4%
Gross Pay
$64,334
Federal Tax
-$5,767
State Tax
-$3,699
Local Tax
$0
FICA
-$4,922
Net Pay
$49,946
Pay Breakdown
| Item | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Salary | $5,361.17 | $64,334.00 |
| Federal Income Tax | -$480.62 | -$5,767.48 |
| Virginia State Tax (5.75%) | -$308.27 | -$3,699.21 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | -$332.39 | -$3,988.71 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | -$77.74 | -$932.84 |
| Net Take-Home Pay | $4,162.15 | $49,945.76 |
Salary Comparison: Petersburg vs Other Cities
See how Petersburg's median salary and cost of living compare to the national average and similar cities.
| City | Median Salary | COL Index | Adj. Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petersburg, VA | $64,334 | 94.6 | $68,006 |
| National Average | $59,384 | 100 | $59,384 |
| Perris, CA | $64,352 | 140.9 | $45,672 |
| Bellflower, CA | $64,355 | 155.1 | $41,493 |
| Shakopee, MN | $64,360 | 98.4 | $65,407 |
| Auburn, WA | $64,372 | 108.7 | $59,220 |
Adjusted salary reflects purchasing power when cost of living is factored in. A higher adjusted salary means your money goes further.
Cost of Living in Petersburg
Petersburg's cost of living index is 94.6 (national average = 100). Living in Petersburg is 5.400000000000006% less expensive than the national average.
Median Home Price
$372,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,504
Annual Rent Cost
$18,048
Your Salary's Purchasing Power
Your $49,946 annual take-home pay in Petersburg has the purchasing power of approximately $52,797 in an average-cost US area. Your $64,334 salary stretches further here than in most US cities.
Top Industries in Petersburg
Petersburg's economy is driven by these key industries. Workers in top industries often earn significantly above the median salary of $64,334.
Salary Tips for Petersburg Workers
- Maximize pre-tax deductions. With a 5.75% state income tax rate, maximizing 401(k) contributions (up to $24,500 in 2026) and HSA contributions can significantly reduce both your federal and state tax burden.
- Research top industries. Petersburg's top industries include Military, Technology, Government. Targeting roles in these sectors can help you earn above the $64,334 median salary.
- Review your W-4 withholding. If you regularly receive large tax refunds, adjust your W-4 to increase your per-paycheck take-home pay instead of giving the government an interest-free loan.
Methodology & Local Economy Data Sources
How we calculate Petersburg salary data: Our citywide compensation figures aggregate occupation-specific salary data from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for the Petersburg-VA metropolitan statistical area (MSA), weighted by local employment counts. Cost-of-living adjustments use the C2ER Cost of Living Index baseline of 100 (national average), with Petersburg indexed at 94.6.
- Median salary calculation: weighted average of Petersburg's occupation-specific medians from BLS OEWS, adjusted for local cost of living. Net result: $64,334 annual median.
- Tax burden reflects Virginia state income tax (5.75%) (no local income tax), sales tax (5.3%), and federal taxes per IRS 2026 brackets.
- Unemployment rate for Petersburg: 2.4%, sourced from BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS).
- Top industries: Military, Technology, Government — based on QCEW employment concentration data.
- Job growth: 2.2% projected through 2034, derived from BLS Employment Projections program for Virginia.
- Housing context: median home price $372,000, median rent $1,504/mo, sourced from Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
Authoritative US data sources for Petersburg, VA:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) — metropolitan area salary data
- BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics — Petersburg unemployment rate
- U.S. Census Bureau — Petersburg QuickFacts — population, housing, demographics
- BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW) — county-level industry employment
- BLS Economy at a Glance — Virginia — state economic indicators
- U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) — local GDP and personal income data
- BLS Consumer Price Index (CPI-U) — regional inflation tracking
Disclaimer: Salary and cost data are estimates for general guidance. Individual compensation varies by employer, experience, education, negotiation, and skills. Petersburg's rapidly changing economy can shift these baselines — always verify with current job listings, employer offers, and recent Virginia labor market reports for the most current figures.
Reviewed by Brazora Monk· Last updated 2026 · BLS & Census data current as of latest releases
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the median salary in Petersburg, VA?
The median salary in Petersburg, VA is $64,334 per year, or $31 per hour. The average salary is $72,054. This is $4,950 above the national median of $59,384.
What is the cost of living in Petersburg, VA?
Petersburg's cost of living index is 94.6 (national average = 100), meaning it is 5.400000000000006% less expensive compared to the national average. The median home price is $372,000 and the median monthly rent is $1,504.
What are the best industries in Petersburg?
The top industries in Petersburg, VA include Military, Technology, Government. The city has a job growth rate of 2.2% and an unemployment rate of 2.4%. Workers in these industries often earn above the city's median salary of $64,334.
How does Petersburg's salary compare to other cities?
Petersburg's median salary of $64,334 is 8.3% above the national median of $59,384. However, when adjusted for cost of living (index: 94.6), the real purchasing power is approximately $68,006.
What is the minimum wage in Petersburg, VA?
The minimum wage in Petersburg, VA is $12.00 per hour. This equals approximately $24,960 per year for a full-time worker (40 hours/week). This is $4.75 above the federal minimum wage of $7.25/hour.