Stafford Hourly Wage & Salary 2026
Stafford, VA: $30.37/hr median hourly wage, $63,170 median annual salary, cost of living index 106.5, and $12.00/hr minimum wage. Calculate take-home pay with federal and Virginia taxes.
Stafford Hourly Wage Quick Answer
The median hourly wage in Stafford, VA is $30.37/hr, equivalent to $63,170 per year at 2,080 work hours. Entry-level pay estimates around $18.83/hr, senior-level pay estimates around $43.13/hr, and the local minimum wage is $12.00/hr.
Median Salary
$63,170
$30.37/hr
Cost of Living
106.5
US avg = 100
Minimum Wage
$12.00
per hour
Unemployment
2.6%
rate
Stafford, VA Overview
Population
45,000
Median Salary
$63,170
Average Salary
$70,750
Avg Commute
16 min
Median Home Price
$307,000
Median Rent
$1,251/mo
Job Growth
+2.1%
Sales Tax
5.3%
Stafford is located in Virginia with a population of 45,000. The median household salary is $63,170 per year ($30.37/hour), which is $3,786 above the national median of $59,384. The average commute time is 16 minutes, and the city has a job growth rate of +2.1%.
Stafford Salary by Experience Level (2026)
Wage distribution in Stafford, VA based on BLS percentile breakdown of the $63,170 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 | $39,165 | $18.83/hr | 0–2 years |
| Mid-Level (Median) | $63,170 | $30.37/hr | 3–7 years |
| Senior-Level | $89,701 | $43.13/hr | 8–15 years |
| Top 10% (90th Percentile) | $112,443 | $54.06/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.
Stafford Paycheck Calculator
Enter your annual salary to see your estimated take-home pay in Stafford, VA, after federal, state, and local taxes.
Estimated Annual Take-Home Pay
$49,305
$4,108.74/month · $1,896.34/biweekly · Effective Rate: 21.9%
Gross Pay
$63,170
Federal Tax
-$5,400
State Tax
-$3,632
Local Tax
$0
FICA
-$4,833
Net Pay
$49,305
Pay Breakdown
| Item | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Salary | $5,264.17 | $63,170.00 |
| Federal Income Tax | -$450.03 | -$5,400.40 |
| Virginia State Tax (5.75%) | -$302.69 | -$3,632.28 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | -$326.38 | -$3,916.54 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | -$76.33 | -$915.97 |
| Net Take-Home Pay | $4,108.74 | $49,304.82 |
Salary Comparison: Stafford vs Other Cities
See how Stafford's median salary and cost of living compare to the national average and similar cities.
| City | Median Salary | COL Index | Adj. Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stafford, VA | $63,170 | 106.5 | $59,315 |
| National Average | $59,384 | 100 | $59,384 |
| Walnut, CA | $63,136 | 143.3 | $44,059 |
| Lacey, NY | $63,220 | 125.9 | $50,214 |
| Palo Alto, CA | $63,223 | 145 | $43,602 |
| Pittsburg, CA | $63,237 | 145.9 | $43,343 |
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 Stafford
Stafford's cost of living index is 106.5 (national average = 100). Living in Stafford is 6.5% more expensive than the national average.
Median Home Price
$307,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,251
Annual Rent Cost
$15,012
Your Salary's Purchasing Power
Your $49,305 annual take-home pay in Stafford has the purchasing power of approximately $46,296 in an average-cost US area. You would need to earn $67,276 in Stafford to match a $63,170 salary in an average-cost city.
Top Industries in Stafford
Stafford's economy is driven by these key industries. Workers in top industries often earn significantly above the median salary of $63,170.
Salary Tips for Stafford 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. Stafford's top industries include Military, Technology, Government. Targeting roles in these sectors can help you earn above the $63,170 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 Stafford salary data: Our citywide compensation figures aggregate occupation-specific salary data from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for the Stafford-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 Stafford indexed at 106.5.
- Median salary calculation: weighted average of Stafford's occupation-specific medians from BLS OEWS, adjusted for local cost of living. Net result: $63,170 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 Stafford: 2.6%, sourced from BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS).
- Top industries: Military, Technology, Government — based on QCEW employment concentration data.
- Job growth: 2.1% projected through 2034, derived from BLS Employment Projections program for Virginia.
- Housing context: median home price $307,000, median rent $1,251/mo, sourced from Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
Authoritative US data sources for Stafford, VA:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) — metropolitan area salary data
- BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics — Stafford unemployment rate
- U.S. Census Bureau — Stafford 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. Stafford'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 hourly wage in Stafford, VA?
The median hourly wage in Stafford, VA is $30.37 per hour. At a standard 2,080-hour work year, that equals about $63,170 per year. Entry-level workers are estimated around $18.83/hr, while senior-level workers are estimated around $43.13/hr before overtime, bonuses, or benefits.
What is the median salary in Stafford, VA?
The median salary in Stafford, VA is $63,170 per year, or $30.37 per hour. The average salary is $70,750. This is $3,786 above the national median of $59,384.
What is the cost of living in Stafford, VA?
Stafford's cost of living index is 106.5 (national average = 100), meaning it is 6.5% more expensive compared to the national average. The median home price is $307,000 and the median monthly rent is $1,251.
What are the best industries in Stafford?
The top industries in Stafford, VA include Military, Technology, Government. The city has a job growth rate of 2.1% and an unemployment rate of 2.6%. Workers in these industries often earn above the city's median salary of $63,170.
How does Stafford's salary compare to other cities?
Stafford's median salary of $63,170 is 6.4% above the national median of $59,384. However, when adjusted for cost of living (index: 106.5), the real purchasing power is approximately $59,315.
What is the minimum wage in Stafford, VA?
The minimum wage in Stafford, 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.