SOC 19-1029 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Biological Scientists, All Other — Northeast Virginia
Northeast Virginia nonmetropolitan area · 3 metro areas compared
Median pay for this occupation in Northeast Virginia, VA comes to $116,630 a year, ahead of the national median of $98,920 by 17.9%.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
Median pay for this occupation in Northeast Virginia, VA comes to $116,630 a year, ahead of the national median of $98,920 by 17.9%. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $100,420 and $145,180. The lowest tenth earn under $92,680, while the highest tenth earn more than $156,440.
Virginia Beach leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $90,020. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 32nd of 253 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $92,680 | −6.3% |
| 25th | $100,420 | +1.5% |
| Median (50th) | $116,630 | +17.9% |
| 75th | $145,180 | +46.8% |
| 90th | $156,440 | +58.1% |
| Mean | $123,480 | +24.8% |
Other metro areas in Virginia
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Virginia Beach | $90,020 | 300 | |
| 2 | Charlottesville | $86,800 | — | |
| 3 | Richmond | $77,100 | 140 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Northeast Virginia sit close to the national average, so $116,630 is worth roughly its face value against pay elsewhere.
Published median
$116,630as reported by BLSLocal price level
101.1US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$115,361US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $116,630 a year, 17.9% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $92,680 to $156,440 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Virginia Beach, at $90,020.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Biological Scientists, All Other in Northeast Virginia, VA?
The median annual wage is $116,630, or $56.07 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $98,920, so pay in Northeast Virginia, VA is 17.9% higher. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Northeast Virginia, VA earns more than $156,440 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $92,680 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Virginia Beach, at $90,020 per year.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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