HOURLY WAGE INDEX

Let’s talk wages in Virginia Beach

$12

What is the minimum wage in Virginia Beach?

The current minimum wage in Virginia Beach is $12.00 per hour. This is the same as the state minimum wage, which was last increased on January 1, 2023. The federal minimum wage is currently $7.25 per hour, so workers in Virginia Beach earn more than the federal minimum wage. The minimum wage in Virginia Beach is higher than the national average of $7.25 per hour. As of January 1, 2023, there are 22 states and Washington, D.C. that have a minimum wage that is higher than the federal minimum wage. The minimum wage in Virginia Beach has increased lately.

The minimum wage was last increased on January 1, 2023. The minimum wage is scheduled to increase gradually each year until it reaches $15 per hour on January 1, 2026. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that there are about 100,000 workers in Virginia Beach who earn the minimum wage. This represents about 6% of all workers in the city.

$15.24

What is the living wage in Virginia Beach?

A livable wage in Virginia Beach is the amount of money a worker needs to earn in order to afford basic necessities like housing, food, transportation, and healthcare. According to a study by the Economic Policy Institute, a single adult working full-time in Virginia Beach needs to earn at least $15.24 per hour in order to afford a basic standard of living. The minimum wage in Virginia Beach is currently $12.00 per hour, which is higher than the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between gross wages and net wages?

It's important to remember that the Hourly Wage Index data above reflects gross wages, or the amount of money an employee earns before accounting for payroll deductions like taxes, benefits, or wage garnishments. Due to variability in tax rates across locations, slightly lower gross wages in a certain location might result in higher take home pay, or vice versa.

What is a good hourly wage?

This question is a difficult one to answer, as a "good hourly wage" is highly subjective according to experience, work responsibilities, cost of living, and other factors. We recommend using Hourly Wage Index data as a starting point. Once you have established a baseline for certain positions, do further research into similar businesses in your area. Lastly, consider surveying your employees. They're the best resource to help you know what is a good hourly wage, what competitive pay looks like in your location, and how competitive wages change in your industry over time.

Offering competitive pay is one of my top priorities—what other resources do you have that might help?

We know that getting applicants to pay attention to your business can be extremely challenging, and that offering competitive pay is a huge part of that. Wages aren’t everything, however! Applicant experience is another important factor that can help set you apart from your competition. A few examples include:

Short, easy to understand job descriptions
Mobile-friendliness
Quick communication
Streamlined interview stages

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A Workstream hiring specialist can help you identify high impact ways to improve your applicant experience, and even help you determine what is a good hourly wage for your location and business.