Epidemiologists Salary
In Virginia, epidemiologists earn $84,930 at the median, or about $40.83 an hour. The range runs from $60K at the entry level to $122K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 94.79), which stretches that salary to about $89,598 in buying power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,646/month, about 30.7% 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 $85K get you in Virginia?
About epidemiologists
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What this looks like in Virginia
Epidemiologists pay in Virginia tracks closely to the national median, $85K locally vs. $87K nationwide, a 3% difference. Rent runs $1,646/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 31% 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. Pay and costs are both near average, leaving limited margin for savings at the median wage.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Virginia
Entry-level epidemiologists (10th percentile) start around $60K. Mid-career wages sit at $85K. Top earners bring in $122K or more, a $62K spread from bottom to top.
Epidemiologists salary by metro in Virginia
1 metro area with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Richmond | $82K | -3% | 100 |
Compare to other states
Track epidemiologists salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Virginia numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a epidemiologist afford a 2BR apartment alone in Virginia?
It’s a stretch — at the median salary of $85K, rent takes 31% 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 $1,600/month in rent — so roommates or a 1-bedroom would ease the math significantly.
What’s the entry-level salary for epidemiologists in Virginia?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new epidemiologists typically earn — is $60K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $3,592/month. At HUD’s $1,646/month FMR, rent would take 46% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is epidemiologist a high-paying job in Virginia?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $85K locally vs. $87K nationally, a 3% difference.
How does Virginia compare to the national average for epidemiologists?
Virginia pays $85K median vs. the U.S. average of $87K — that’s -3%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 94.79), the purchasing-power equivalent is $90K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do epidemiologists make in Virginia?
The median is $84,930 a year, that works out to about $41 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $59,870, and experienced epidemiologists can clear $121,580. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $85K enough to live in Virginia?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,314/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,646/month, which eats 31% 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 epidemiologists 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 epidemiologists salary is worth about $89,598 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do epidemiologists 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.