ScienceUpdated Q1 2026

Geologist Salary
in Virginia Beach, VA

Study the Earth's materials, structure, and processes to understand its history and resources. Median salary in Virginia Beach: $88K/year. Data from BLS, O*NET, and H-1B disclosures.

Median salary
$88K
per year
Take-home: $57K

Salary range in Virginia Beach

Entry level (25th)$62,000
Median (50th)$88,000
Senior (75th)$118,000
Top earner (90th)$155,000
Data freshness

Figures represent annual base salary in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Reviewed by SalaryOptics Editorial Β· How we calculate this β†’

Help build this dataset. Add your own Geologist salary so other workers in Virginia Beach have better numbers to work with.
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What the numbers say for Virginia Beach

Analysis derived from the salary, COL, tax, and labor-market figures above β€” specific to this role and city.

Rent eats 30% of take-home

Average 1-bedroom rent in Virginia Beach ($1,400/mo) consumes approximately 30% of an after-tax median Geologist salary. Financial planners typically recommend keeping housing under 30% of take-home β€” a salary at the 75th percentile ($118K) brings that ratio into a more comfortable range here.

Key facts for Virginia Beach

Median salary
$88K
annual
Take-home pay
$57K
after fed/state tax
COL index
98
100 = US avg
State income tax
5.75%
effective rate
Avg 1BR rent
$1,400
per month
YoY growth
+3.8%
salary trend

Salary forecast: Virginia Beach Geologist to 2030

Based on BLS 2022–2032 Employment Projections and WEF Future of Jobs Report 2026. At current growth rates, median salary reaches $88K by 2030.

Salary trend & forecast β€” Virginia Beach

Historical (2019–2025) + projected to 2030 based on BLS growth rates

HistoricalProjected
Geologist salary trend 2019–2030PROJECTED β†’$74K$81K$87K$94K$100K201920212023202520272029
2026
$90K
projected
2027
$92K
projected
2028
$95K
projected
2029
$97K
projected
2030
$100K
projected

Projections based on BLS Employment Projections 2022–2032 CAGR and WEF Jobs Report 2025. Not financial advice.

YearProjected median salaryvs today
2027 projected$88,000+$0
2028 projected$88,000+$0
2029 projected$88,000+$0
2030 projected$88,000+$0

Projections use compound annual growth rate (CAGR) from BLS occupational outlook data. Actual salaries may vary.

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Geologist Salary in Virginia Beach, Virginia: Complete Guide (2026)

The median Geologist salary in Virginia Beach, VA is $88,000 per year as of Q1 2026. This figure represents the midpoint of all reported compensation for this role in the Virginia Beach–VA metropolitan area, based on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment Statistics, H-1B visa disclosures from the Department of Labor, and O*NET occupational data.

Salary range for Geologist in Virginia Beach

Entry-level Geologists in Virginia Beach with 0–2 years of experience typically earn between $62,000 and $88,000 annually. Mid-career professionals with 3–7 years command $88,000 to $118,000, while senior-level practitioners with 8+ years of experience regularly earn $118,000 to $155,000 or more.

Cost of living in Virginia Beach for Geologists

Virginia Beach has a cost of living index of 98 compared to the US national average of 100. This means your salary goes approximately 2% further in Virginia Beach than the national average. Virginia has a 5.75% state income tax rate.

Education requirements for Geologist

Bachelor's or Master's in Geology. 20% of these roles offer some remote flexibility.

Geologist salary in nearby cities

CityMedian salaryCOL index
Virginia Beach (current)$88K98
Norfolk$84K95
Chesapeake$86K98
Richmond$86K98
Newport News$84K95
Arlington$110K148