Virginia Beach Hourly Wage & Salary 2026
Virginia Beach, VA: $31.25/hr median hourly wage, $65,000 median annual salary, cost of living index 105, and $12.41/hr minimum wage. Calculate take-home pay with federal and Virginia taxes.
Virginia Beach Hourly Wage Quick Answer
The median hourly wage in Virginia Beach, VA is $31.25/hr, equivalent to $65,000 per year at 2,080 work hours. Entry-level pay estimates around $19.38/hr, senior-level pay estimates around $44.38/hr, and the local minimum wage is $12.41/hr.
Median Salary
$65,000
$31.25/hr
Cost of Living
105
US avg = 100
Minimum Wage
$12.41
per hour
Unemployment
3%
rate
Virginia Beach, VA Overview
Population
459,470
Median Salary
$65,000
Average Salary
$72,000
Avg Commute
25 min
Median Home Price
$310,000
Median Rent
$1,400/mo
Job Growth
+1.8%
Sales Tax
6%
Virginia Beach is located in Virginia with a population of 459,470. The median household salary is $65,000 per year ($31.25/hour), which is $5,616 above the national median of $59,384. The average commute time is 25 minutes, and the city has a job growth rate of +1.8%.
Virginia Beach Salary by Experience Level (2026)
Wage distribution in Virginia Beach, VA based on BLS percentile breakdown of the $65,000 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 | $40,300 | $19.38/hr | 0–2 years |
| Mid-Level (Median) | $65,000 | $31.25/hr | 3–7 years |
| Senior-Level | $92,300 | $44.38/hr | 8–15 years |
| Top 10% (90th Percentile) | $115,700 | $55.63/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.
Virginia Beach Paycheck Calculator
Enter your annual salary to see your estimated take-home pay in Virginia Beach, VA, after federal, state, and local taxes.
Estimated Annual Take-Home Pay
$50,670
$4,222.50/month · $1,948.85/biweekly · Effective Rate: 22.0%
Biweekly paycheck estimate: this salary equals about $1,948.85 take-home per paycheck after estimated Virginia and federal taxes. For the 26-paycheck formula, three-paycheck months, and withholding examples, see the Biweekly Paycheck Calculator.
Gross Pay
$65,000
Federal Tax
-$5,620
State Tax
-$3,738
Local Tax
$0
FICA
-$4,973
Net Pay
$50,670
Pay Breakdown
| Item | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Salary | $5,416.67 | $65,000.00 |
| Federal Income Tax | -$468.33 | -$5,620.00 |
| Virginia State Tax (5.75%) | -$311.46 | -$3,737.50 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | -$335.83 | -$4,030.00 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | -$78.54 | -$942.50 |
| Net Take-Home Pay | $4,222.50 | $50,670.00 |
Salary Comparison: Virginia Beach vs Other Cities
See how Virginia Beach's median salary and cost of living compare to the national average and similar cities.
| City | Median Salary | COL Index | Adj. Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia Beach, VA | $65,000 | 105 | $61,905 |
| National Average | $59,384 | 100 | $59,384 |
| Long Beach, CA | $65,000 | 148 | $43,919 |
| Oceanside, CA | $65,000 | 145 | $44,828 |
| Colorado Springs, CO | $65,000 | 100 | $65,000 |
| Pembroke Pines, FL | $65,000 | 115 | $56,522 |
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 Virginia Beach
Virginia Beach's cost of living index is 105 (national average = 100). Living in Virginia Beach is 5% more expensive than the national average.
Median Home Price
$310,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,400
Annual Rent Cost
$16,800
Your Salary's Purchasing Power
Your $50,670 annual take-home pay in Virginia Beach has the purchasing power of approximately $48,257 in an average-cost US area. You would need to earn $68,250 in Virginia Beach to match a $65,000 salary in an average-cost city.
Top Industries in Virginia Beach
Virginia Beach's economy is driven by these key industries. Workers in top industries often earn significantly above the median salary of $65,000.
Salary Tips for Virginia Beach 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. Virginia Beach's top industries include Military, Tourism, Healthcare. Targeting roles in these sectors can help you earn above the $65,000 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.
Job Salaries in Virginia Beach, VA
Browse occupation-specific salary estimates adjusted for Virginia Beach's cost of living. These pages connect national role benchmarks with local take-home pay and market context.
Methodology & Local Economy Data Sources
How we calculate Virginia Beach salary data: Our citywide compensation figures aggregate occupation-specific salary data from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for the Virginia Beach-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 Virginia Beach indexed at 105.
- Median salary calculation: weighted average of Virginia Beach's occupation-specific medians from BLS OEWS, adjusted for local cost of living. Net result: $65,000 annual median.
- Tax burden reflects Virginia state income tax (5.75%) (no local income tax), sales tax (6%), and federal taxes per IRS 2026 brackets.
- Unemployment rate for Virginia Beach: 3%, sourced from BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS).
- Top industries: Military, Tourism, Healthcare — based on QCEW employment concentration data.
- Job growth: 1.8% projected through 2034, derived from BLS Employment Projections program for Virginia.
- Housing context: median home price $310,000, median rent $1,400/mo, sourced from Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
Authoritative US data sources for Virginia Beach, VA:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) — metropolitan area salary data
- BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics — Virginia Beach unemployment rate
- U.S. Census Bureau — Virginia Beach 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. Virginia Beach'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 Virginia Beach, VA?
The median hourly wage in Virginia Beach, VA is $31.25 per hour. At a standard 2,080-hour work year, that equals about $65,000 per year. Entry-level workers are estimated around $19.38/hr, while senior-level workers are estimated around $44.38/hr before overtime, bonuses, or benefits.
What is the median salary in Virginia Beach, VA?
The median salary in Virginia Beach, VA is $65,000 per year, or $31.25 per hour. The average salary is $72,000. This is $5,616 above the national median of $59,384.
What is the cost of living in Virginia Beach, VA?
Virginia Beach's cost of living index is 105 (national average = 100), meaning it is 5% more expensive compared to the national average. The median home price is $310,000 and the median monthly rent is $1,400.
What are the best industries in Virginia Beach?
The top industries in Virginia Beach, VA include Military, Tourism, Healthcare. The city has a job growth rate of 1.8% and an unemployment rate of 3%. Workers in these industries often earn above the city's median salary of $65,000.
How does Virginia Beach's salary compare to other cities?
Virginia Beach's median salary of $65,000 is 9.5% above the national median of $59,384. However, when adjusted for cost of living (index: 105), the real purchasing power is approximately $61,905.
What is the minimum wage in Virginia Beach, VA?
The minimum wage in Virginia Beach, VA is $12.41 per hour. This equals approximately $25,813 per year for a full-time worker (40 hours/week). This is $5.16 above the federal minimum wage of $7.25/hour.