Top Paying Jobs in Virginia
Virginia has 100 tracked occupation categories totaling 671,750 jobs. The highest-paying occupations include Anesthesiologists ($488,310), Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric ($478,710), Cardiologists ($461,450). The cost of living index is 94.79 (national average = 100). Median 2-bedroom rent is $1,646/month.
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State-level averages. Salaries, rent, and cost of living vary significantly between metros. For more accurate data, select a metro area from the list below or browse all metros.
$166K
Avg. median salary
94.79
Cost of living index
$1,646
Median 2BR rent
8,797,004
Population
Highest paying careers in Virginia
| Rank | Occupation | Category | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Anesthesiologists | Healthcare | $488K | $234.77/hr |
| 2 | Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric | Healthcare | $479K | $230.15/hr |
| 3 | Cardiologists | Healthcare | $461K | $221.85/hr |
| 4 | Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons | Healthcare | $403K | $193.96/hr |
| 5 | Radiologists | Healthcare | $376K | $180.9/hr |
| 6 | Surgeons, All Other | Healthcare | $361K | $173.32/hr |
| 7 | Chief Executives | Management | $311K | $149.4/hr |
| 8 | Psychiatrists | Healthcare | $295K | $141.83/hr |
| 9 | Obstetricians and Gynecologists | Healthcare | $282K | $135.77/hr |
| 10 | Dermatologists | Healthcare | $280K | $134.65/hr |
Affordability snapshot: Virginia
These are statewide averages. Costs vary widely between metros, click into a specific city for precise numbers.
Cost of living vs. national average-5.2% less expensive
2-bedroom apartment (FMR)$1,646/mo
Planning a move? Compare costs with other locations:
Metro areas in Virginia
Click a metro for detailed salary, rent, and cost-of-living data specific to that area.
Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford
$1,271/mo rentRPP 92.7
Charlottesville$1,824/mo rentRPP 99.1
Harrisonburg$1,322/mo rentRPP 94.9
Lynchburg$1,187/mo rentRPP 89.4
Richmond$1,655/mo rentRPP 97.9
Roanoke$1,254/mo rentRPP 93.6
Staunton-Stuarts Draft$1,261/mo rentRPP 91.1
Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk$1,713/mo rentRPP 97.9
Winchester$1,573/mo rentRPP 96.5
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