Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other Salary
The median pay for a social scientists and related workers, all other in Virginia is $140,670/year ($67.63/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $83K at the entry level to $218K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 94.79), which stretches that salary to about $148,402 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,646/month, or 19.3% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Virginia. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $141K get you in Virginia?
About social scientists and related workers, all others
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What this looks like in Virginia
Virginia sits well above the national pay line for social scientists and related workers, all other, local pay runs about 39% higher than the U.S. median of $101K. Housing is manageable: a 2-bedroom at the HUD median costs $1,646/month, 19.9% of take-home, well inside the 30% guideline. 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. Combined with manageable housing costs, Virginia offers a genuinely strong financial position for social scientists and related workers, all others at the median.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Virginia
Entry-level social scientists and related workers, all others (10th percentile) start around $83K. Mid-career wages sit at $141K. Top earners bring in $218K or more, a $135K spread from bottom to top.
Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other salary by metro in Virginia
3 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charlottesville | $119K | -15% | 350 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk | $108K | -23% | 440 |
| Richmond | $85K | -40% | 140 |
Compare to other states
Track social scientists and related workers, all other salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Virginia numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a social scientists and related workers, all other afford a 2BR apartment alone in Virginia?
Yes — at the median salary of $141K, rent takes 19.9% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,646/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for social scientists and related workers, all others in Virginia?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new social scientists and related workers, all others typically earn — is $83K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $4,960/month. At HUD’s $1,646/month FMR, rent would take 33% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is social scientists and related workers, all other a high-paying job in Virginia?
Local pay is 39% above the national median — $141K here vs. $101K nationally.
How does Virginia compare to the national average for social scientists and related workers, all others?
Virginia pays $141K median vs. the U.S. average of $101K — that’s +39%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 94.79), the purchasing-power equivalent is $148K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do social scientists and related workers, all others make in Virginia?
The median is $140,670 a year, that works out to about $68 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $82,660, and experienced social scientists and related workers, all others can clear $218,040. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $141K enough to live in Virginia?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $8,277/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,646/month, which eats 19.9% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a social scientists and related workers, all other 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 social scientists and related workers, all other salary is worth about $148,402 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do social scientists and related workers, all others 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.