Chemistry Teachers, Postsecondary Salary
Chemistry Teachers, Postsecondaries in Virginia make a median of $80,330 a year. The range runs from $53K at the entry level to $139K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 94.79), which stretches that salary to about $84,745 in buying power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,646/month, about 32.4% of take-home, which is tight.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Virginia. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $80K get you in Virginia?
About chemistry teachers, postsecondaries
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What this looks like in Virginia
Pay for chemistry teachers, postsecondary in Virginia runs about 14% below the U.S. median of $93K. Rent runs $1,646/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 32.5% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Regional Price Parity sits at 94.79 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 5% cheaper here. Your dollar stretches further than the headline salary suggests. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Virginia
Entry-level chemistry teachers, postsecondaries (10th percentile) start around $53K. Mid-career wages sit at $80K. Top earners bring in $139K or more, a $87K spread from bottom to top.
Chemistry Teachers, Postsecondary salary by metro in Virginia
3 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Richmond | $85K | +6% | 130 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk | $80K | +0% | 120 |
| Harrisonburg | $77K | -4% | 50 |
Compare to other states
Track chemistry teachers, postsecondary salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Virginia numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a chemistry teachers, postsecondary afford a 2BR apartment alone in Virginia?
It’s a stretch — at the median salary of $80K, rent takes 32.5% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,646/month. The 30% guideline puts the comfortable ceiling at roughly $1,500/month in rent — so roommates or a 1-bedroom would ease the math significantly.
What’s the entry-level salary for chemistry teachers, postsecondaries in Virginia?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new chemistry teachers, postsecondaries typically earn — is $53K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $3,152/month. At HUD’s $1,646/month FMR, rent would take 52% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is chemistry teachers, postsecondary a high-paying job in Virginia?
Local pay runs 14% below the national median — $80K here vs. $93K nationally. Cost of living is 5% below the national average, which narrows that gap in real purchasing power.
How does Virginia compare to the national average for chemistry teachers, postsecondaries?
Virginia pays $80K median vs. the U.S. average of $93K — that’s -14%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 94.79), the purchasing-power equivalent is $85K — below the national median.
How much do chemistry teachers, postsecondaries make in Virginia?
The median is $80,330 a year. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $52,540, and experienced chemistry teachers, postsecondaries can clear $139,460. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $80K enough to live in Virginia?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,066/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,646/month, which eats 32.5% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb, housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a chemistry teachers, postsecondary salary go in Virginia?
Virginia has a Regional Price Parity of 94.79 (100 is the national average). That's below average, your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median chemistry teachers, postsecondary salary is worth about $84,745 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do chemistry teachers, postsecondaries get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.