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Bus Drivers, School Salary in Virginia: Cost of Living Adjusted (2025)

Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:

What does a Bus Drivers, School salary really buy you in Virginia?

Virginia is 2.1% pricier than the US average

Data: BLS OEWS 2025 + BEA Regional Price Parities 2022 • Updated 2026-05-19

Nominal Salary
$50,190
Median annual (2025)
-2.1%
Real Purchasing Power
$49,157
COL-adjusted (RPP=102.1)

Virginia Cost of Living Index

Virginia's Regional Price Parity (RPP) is 102.1, meaning prices are 2.1% higher the national average. A Bus Drivers, School earning $50,190 in Virginia has the equivalent purchasing power of $49,157 in an average-cost US state.

VA: 102.1
Cheapest (~85) US Avg (100) Priciest (~115)

Salary Breakdown: Nominal vs. COL-Adjusted

Every dollar goes further in low-cost states. Here is how each salary percentile compares after adjusting for Virginia's cost of living.

Percentile Nominal Salary COL-Adjusted Difference
10th Percentile (P10) $38,830 $38,031 $-798
25th Percentile (P25) $46,340 $45,386 $-953
Median (P50) $50,190 $49,157 $-1,032
75th Percentile (P75) $59,700 $58,472 $-1,227
90th Percentile (P90) $67,060 $65,680 $-1,379
Key Insight

Virginia's cost of living is close to the national average, so $50,190 keeps most of its value at $49,157 in real terms. Location choice here is more about career opportunities than cost arbitrage.

What the Cost-of-Living Data Says

Virginia Sits Near the National Cost Benchmark

RPP 102.1

With an RPP of 102.1, Virginia is within a few percent of the national cost-of-living baseline. Salary adjustment for Bus Drivers, School is therefore minor — what you earn is close to what you'd keep in real purchasing power.

Minor COL Adjustment for This Salary

-2.1%

After adjusting for Virginia's cost of living, $50,190 nominal nets out to $49,158 in real purchasing power — a small 2.1% loss. The state's cost profile is close enough to average that COL alone shouldn't drive location decisions for this Bus Drivers, School.

Below-Median Adjusted Pay

#31 / 51

Virginia's rank of #31 of 51 states means real purchasing power for Bus Drivers, School trails the national half-way line.

Best States for Bus Drivers, School (After Cost of Living)

Where does Bus Drivers, School salary stretch the furthest? Top 10 states ranked by COL-adjusted median salary.

$59,570
RPP 109.4
$57,819
RPP 106.4
$57,714
RPP 109.8
$57,260
RPP 88.7
$56,064
RPP 104.7
6. Utah
$55,968
RPP 94.5
7. Vermont
$55,964
RPP 101.1
$54,623
RPP 108.8
$54,257
RPP 112.5
10. Maryland
$53,761
RPP 105.0

Virginia ranks #31 out of 51 states for Bus Drivers, School after cost-of-living adjustment.

How much do you actually take home? See Bus Drivers, School take-home pay in Virginia after taxes →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the real salary for a Bus Drivers, School in Virginia after cost of living?

A Bus Drivers, School in Virginia earns a median salary of $50,190 per year. After adjusting for Virginia's cost of living (RPP=102.1), the real purchasing power is $49,157 — a -2.1% difference.

Is Virginia expensive to live in?

Virginia's cost of living is 2.1% higher than the national average according to the BEA Regional Price Parities (2022). The RPP index for Virginia is 102.1 (US average = 100).

What are Regional Price Parities (RPP)?

Regional Price Parities (RPPs) are price indexes published by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) that measure differences in price levels across states. They are expressed as a percentage of the national average (US = 100). Higher RPP means higher cost of living.

How is the cost-of-living adjusted salary calculated?

The adjusted salary is calculated as: Nominal Salary x (100 / RPP). For a Bus Drivers, School in Virginia: $50,190 x (100 / 102.1) = $49,157. This represents what the salary would be worth in a state with average living costs.

Does the high cost of living in Virginia offset the salary?

Partially — a Bus Drivers, School's nominal salary of $50,190 in Virginia has 2.1% less purchasing power due to higher living costs. The real value is $49,157. However, Virginia may offer better career opportunities, networking, and industry access.

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