Cost of living

Cost of living in Virginia: what jobs pay vs rent

Typical rent in Virginia is about $1,547/mo (population-weighted Census gross rent, utilities included). Here's how 298 common jobs' estimated take-home pay compares.

JobEst. take-homeRent share
Chief Executive$15,548/mo10%
Family Physician$14,857/mo10%
Nurse Anesthetist$13,185/mo12%
IT Manager$11,807/mo13%
Dentist$11,296/mo14%
Marketing Manager$11,201/mo14%
Financial Manager$10,834/mo14%
Public Relations Manager$10,610/mo15%
Architectural and Engineering Manager$10,533/mo15%
Lawyer$10,371/mo15%
Sales Manager$10,270/mo15%
Human Resources Manager$10,233/mo15%
Purchasing Manager$9,984/mo15%
Computer Hardware Engineer$9,464/mo16%
Natural Sciences Manager$9,060/mo17%
Pharmacist$8,941/mo17%
Data Scientist$8,872/mo17%
Network Architect$8,867/mo17%
Software Developer$8,778/mo18%
Information Security Analyst$8,679/mo18%
Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Product$8,182/mo19%
Nurse Practitioner$8,057/mo19%
Physician Assistant$7,929/mo20%
Healthcare Manager$7,905/mo20%
Operations Manager$7,868/mo20%
Administrative Services Manager$7,704/mo20%
Actuary$7,649/mo20%
Operations Research Analyst$7,628/mo20%
Industrial Production Manager$7,605/mo20%
Veterinarian$7,516/mo21%
Electrical Engineer$7,205/mo21%
Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Tester$7,157/mo22%
Project Management Specialist$7,069/mo22%
Systems Analyst$7,043/mo22%
Facilities Manager$6,978/mo22%
Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Manager$6,939/mo22%
Construction Manager$6,938/mo22%
Web Developer$6,879/mo22%
Financial Analyst$6,699/mo23%
Network Administrator$6,697/mo23%
Database Administrator$6,671/mo23%
Financial Advisor$6,658/mo23%
Mechanical Engineer$6,624/mo23%
Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary$6,575/mo24%
Police and Detective$6,558/mo24%
Computer Programmer$6,413/mo24%
Industrial Engineer$6,409/mo24%
Architect$6,408/mo24%
Detectives and Criminal Investigator$6,408/mo24%
Occupational Therapist$6,403/mo24%
Credit Analyst$6,386/mo24%
Physical Therapist$6,291/mo25%
Non-Retail Sales Worker$6,201/mo25%
Speech Pathologist$6,118/mo25%
Chemist$6,076/mo25%
Financial Examiner$6,050/mo26%
Social and Community Service Manager$6,027/mo26%
Firefighting and Prevention Worker$5,927/mo26%
Dental Hygienist$5,919/mo26%
Psychologist$5,819/mo27%
Labor Relations Specialist$5,770/mo27%
Civil Engineer$5,709/mo27%
Logistician$5,631/mo27%
Medical Scientist$5,621/mo28%
Registered Nurse$5,467/mo28%
Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technician$5,450/mo28%
Sonographer$5,408/mo29%
Accountant$5,303/mo29%
Buyers and Purchasing Agent$5,300/mo29%
Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health$5,164/mo30%
Instructional Coordinator$5,130/mo30%
Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technician$5,116/mo30%
Web and Digital Interface Designer$5,114/mo30%
Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialist$5,030/mo31%
Loan Officer$5,010/mo31%
Writer$5,001/mo31%
HR Specialist$4,995/mo31%
Occupational Health and Safety Specialist$4,991/mo31%
Claims Adjuster$4,963/mo31%
Respiratory Therapist$4,955/mo31%
Radiologic Technologist$4,930/mo31%
Market Research Analyst$4,917/mo31%
Mechanics, Installers, and Repairer$4,867/mo32%
Computer Network Support Specialist$4,854/mo32%
Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agent$4,844/mo32%
Compliance Officer$4,842/mo32%
Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairer$4,822/mo32%
Dietitian$4,778/mo32%
Property Manager$4,752/mo33%
Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistant$4,683/mo33%
Construction Supervisor$4,680/mo33%
Training and Development Specialist$4,668/mo33%
Cost Estimator$4,574/mo34%
Public Relations Specialist$4,544/mo34%
Production and Operating Worker$4,470/mo35%
Editor$4,415/mo35%
Librarian$4,404/mo35%
Telecommunications Line Installers and Repairer$4,370/mo35%
Construction and Building Inspector$4,280/mo36%
Physical Therapist Assistant$4,280/mo36%
Career/Technical Education Teachers, Secondary School$4,236/mo37%
Insurance Underwriter$4,216/mo37%
Special Ed Teacher$4,196/mo37%
Security Worker$4,171/mo37%
Chiropractor$4,162/mo37%
High School Teacher$4,136/mo37%
Special Education Teachers, Secondary School$4,132/mo37%
IT Support Specialist$4,124/mo38%
Architectural and Civil Drafter$4,123/mo38%
Interior Designer$4,112/mo38%
Graphic Designer$4,094/mo38%
Special Education Teachers, Middle School$4,089/mo38%
Surgical Technologist$4,087/mo38%
Food Service Manager$4,075/mo38%
Sales Representative$4,070/mo38%
Office and Administrative Support Worker$4,062/mo38%
Police Officer$4,029/mo38%
School Counselor$4,025/mo38%
Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technician$4,019/mo38%
Fundraiser$4,015/mo39%
Elementary School Teacher$3,998/mo39%
Producers and Director$3,998/mo39%
Civil Engineering Technologists and Technician$3,983/mo39%
Healthcare Social Worker$3,982/mo39%
Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technician$3,975/mo39%
Real Estate Agent$3,945/mo39%
Electrician$3,921/mo39%
Postal Service Clerk$3,905/mo40%
Tax Preparer$3,896/mo40%
Paralegals and Legal Assistant$3,873/mo40%
Insurance Agent$3,871/mo40%
Machinist$3,844/mo40%
Industrial Machinery Mechanic$3,834/mo40%
Meeting, Convention, and Event Planner$3,789/mo41%
Licensed Practical Nurse$3,783/mo41%
HVAC Technician$3,777/mo41%
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Worker$3,775/mo41%
Landscaping, Lawn Service, and Groundskeeping Worker$3,752/mo41%
Plumber$3,751/mo41%
Social Worker$3,721/mo42%
Security and Fire Alarm Systems Installer$3,680/mo42%
Postal Service Mail Carrier$3,661/mo42%
Sheet Metal Worker$3,654/mo42%
Diesel Mechanic$3,638/mo43%
Opticians, Dispensing$3,617/mo43%
Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselor$3,548/mo44%
Cargo and Freight Agent$3,544/mo44%
Firefighter$3,521/mo44%
Welder$3,508/mo44%
Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operator$3,474/mo45%
Audio and Video Technician$3,457/mo45%
Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerk$3,455/mo45%
Clergy$3,443/mo45%
Advertising Sales Agent$3,422/mo45%
Automotive Body and Related Repairer$3,400/mo46%
Payroll and Timekeeping Clerk$3,394/mo46%
Massage Therapist$3,382/mo46%
Paramedic$3,377/mo46%
Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tender$3,369/mo46%
Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialist$3,359/mo46%
Journalist$3,289/mo47%
Medical Records Specialist$3,289/mo47%
Truck Driver$3,275/mo47%
Biological Technician$3,269/mo47%
Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installer$3,258/mo47%
Medical Equipment Repairer$3,244/mo48%
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operator$3,229/mo48%
Chef$3,228/mo48%
Veterinary Technologists and Technician$3,191/mo48%
Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity$3,182/mo49%
Equipment Operator$3,178/mo49%
Auto Mechanic$3,174/mo49%
Carpenter$3,167/mo49%
Cement Masons and Concrete Finisher$3,164/mo49%
Loan Interviewers and Clerk$3,163/mo49%
Sports Coach$3,158/mo49%
Dental Assistant$3,120/mo50%
Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistant$3,116/mo50%
Tutor$3,112/mo50%
Retail Supervisor$3,109/mo50%
Self-Enrichment Teacher$3,105/mo50%
Eligibility Interviewers, Government Program$3,102/mo50%
Roofer$3,088/mo50%
Correctional Officer$3,056/mo51%
Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weigher$3,054/mo51%
Industrial Truck and Tractor Operator$3,051/mo51%
Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tender$3,032/mo51%
Maintenance Worker$3,027/mo51%
Bookkeeper$3,025/mo51%
Bus Drivers, School$3,011/mo51%
Housekeeping and Janitorial Worker$2,987/mo52%
Personal Service Worker$2,982/mo52%
Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and Tender$2,980/mo52%
Public Safety Telecommunicator$2,978/mo52%
Chemical Equipment Operators and Tender$2,974/mo52%
Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$2,973/mo52%
Painter$2,971/mo52%
Insurance Claims and Policy Processing Clerk$2,969/mo52%
Photographer$2,969/mo52%
Computer, Automated Teller, and Office Machine Repairer$2,929/mo53%
Fitness Trainer$2,922/mo53%
Highway Maintenance Worker$2,912/mo53%
Billing and Posting Clerk$2,911/mo53%
Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator$2,911/mo53%
Bill and Account Collector$2,898/mo53%
Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$2,867/mo54%
Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$2,867/mo54%
Rehabilitation Counselor$2,857/mo54%
Medical Equipment Preparer$2,848/mo54%
Admin Assistant$2,837/mo55%
Phlebotomist$2,831/mo55%
Food Service Supervisor$2,814/mo55%
Bartender$2,785/mo56%
Pest Control Worker$2,733/mo57%
Reservation and Transportation Ticket Agents and Travel Clerk$2,696/mo57%
Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistant$2,694/mo57%
Delivery Driver$2,654/mo58%
Psychiatric Technician$2,654/mo58%
Food Batchmaker$2,630/mo59%
Court, Municipal, and License Clerk$2,624/mo59%
Ophthalmic Medical Technician$2,623/mo59%
Office Clerk$2,621/mo59%
Medical Assistant$2,616/mo59%
Order Clerk$2,588/mo60%
Pharmacy Technician$2,587/mo60%
Couriers and Messenger$2,584/mo60%
Printing Press Operator$2,582/mo60%
Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerk$2,546/mo61%
Library Technician$2,544/mo61%
Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tender$2,521/mo61%
Security Guard$2,521/mo61%
Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenter$2,518/mo61%
EMT$2,517/mo61%
Counter and Rental Clerk$2,501/mo62%
Social and Human Service Assistant$2,484/mo62%
Teller$2,484/mo62%
Residential Advisor$2,471/mo63%
Butchers and Meat Cutter$2,463/mo63%
Preschool Teacher$2,458/mo63%
Warehouse Worker$2,454/mo63%
Skincare Specialist$2,453/mo63%
Construction Laborer$2,439/mo63%
Customer Service Rep$2,435/mo64%
Telemarketer$2,433/mo64%
Substitute Teachers, Short-Term$2,431/mo64%
Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$2,412/mo64%
Landscaper$2,406/mo64%
Driver/Sales Worker$2,404/mo64%
Nursing Assistant$2,393/mo65%
File Clerk$2,391/mo65%
Teaching Assistant$2,384/mo65%
Manicurists and Pedicurist$2,368/mo65%
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria$2,361/mo66%
Hairdresser$2,353/mo66%
Parts Salesperson$2,337/mo66%
Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmer$2,317/mo67%
Crossing Guards and Flagger$2,298/mo67%
Stockers and Order Filler$2,283/mo68%
Tire Repairers and Changer$2,282/mo68%
Receptionist$2,278/mo68%
Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretaker$2,272/mo68%
Restaurant Cook$2,268/mo68%
Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse$2,248/mo69%
Slaughterers and Meat Packer$2,243/mo69%
Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmer$2,237/mo69%
Server$2,220/mo70%
Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeur$2,218/mo70%
Sewing Machine Operator$2,190/mo71%
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collector$2,166/mo71%
Library Assistants, Clerical$2,153/mo72%
Data Entry Keyer$2,137/mo72%
Recreation Worker$2,129/mo73%
Baker$2,127/mo73%
Automotive and Watercraft Service Attendant$2,094/mo74%
Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment$2,051/mo75%
Packers and Packagers, Hand$2,046/mo76%
Retail Salesperson$2,044/mo76%
Janitor$2,025/mo76%
School Bus Monitor$1,990/mo78%
Food Servers, Nonrestaurant$1,985/mo78%
Cooks, Short Order$1,958/mo79%
Maids and Housekeeping Cleaner$1,949/mo79%
Parking Attendant$1,947/mo79%
Animal Caretaker$1,933/mo80%
Childcare Worker$1,917/mo81%
Hotel, Motel, and Resort Desk Clerk$1,914/mo81%
Food Preparation Worker$1,903/mo81%
Dishwasher$1,899/mo81%
Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Worker$1,881/mo82%
Cooks, Fast Food$1,878/mo82%
Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helper$1,869/mo83%
Cashier$1,866/mo83%
Fast Food and Counter Worker$1,866/mo83%
Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Taker$1,865/mo83%
Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Worker$1,833/mo84%
Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop$1,821/mo85%
Amusement and Recreation Attendant$1,783/mo87%
Home Health Aide$1,759/mo88%

Pay is BLS OEWS 2023 state median wages after a rough ~22% tax estimate — a ballpark, not a real paycheck. It doesn't include state taxes, insurance, transport, or the cost of moving.

See your own numbers in Headroom