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Dermatologists Salary in Virginia: Cost of Living Adjusted (2025)

Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:

What does a Dermatologists 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
$280,060
Median annual (2025)
-2.1%
Real Purchasing Power
$274,299
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 Dermatologists earning $280,060 in Virginia has the equivalent purchasing power of $274,299 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) $107,590 $105,377 $-2,212
25th Percentile (P25) $143,190 $140,244 $-2,945
Median (P50) $280,060 $274,299 $-5,760
75th Percentile (P75) $553,060 $541,684 $-11,375
90th Percentile (P90) $583,390 $571,390 $-11,999
Key Insight

Virginia's cost of living is close to the national average, so $280,060 keeps most of its value at $274,299 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 Dermatologists 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, $280,060 nominal nets out to $274,300 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 Dermatologists.

Bottom-Quartile COL-Adjusted Pay

#21 / 26

Virginia ranks #21 of 26 — bottom quartile for Dermatologists real purchasing power. Relocation, employer negotiation, or remote roles at higher-paying markets tend to generate the biggest ROI.

Best States for Dermatologists (After Cost of Living)

Where does Dermatologists salary stretch the furthest? Top 10 states ranked by COL-adjusted median salary.

$640,522
RPP 97.7
$487,367
RPP 86.6
3. Iowa
$480,735
RPP 88.4
$479,767
RPP 107.6
$479,207
RPP 109.8
$477,475
RPP 92.3
$472,363
RPP 91.8
$451,142
RPP 98.0
9. Alabama
$449,373
RPP 87.8
10. Michigan
$444,229
RPP 93.4

Virginia ranks #21 out of 26 states for Dermatologists after cost-of-living adjustment.

How much do you actually take home? See Dermatologists take-home pay in Virginia after taxes →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the real salary for a Dermatologists in Virginia after cost of living?

A Dermatologists in Virginia earns a median salary of $280,060 per year. After adjusting for Virginia's cost of living (RPP=102.1), the real purchasing power is $274,299 — 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 Dermatologists in Virginia: $280,060 x (100 / 102.1) = $274,299. 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 Dermatologists's nominal salary of $280,060 in Virginia has 2.1% less purchasing power due to higher living costs. The real value is $274,299. However, Virginia may offer better career opportunities, networking, and industry access.

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