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Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary Salary in Virginia: Cost of Living Adjusted (2024)

What does a Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary salary really buy you in Virginia?

Virginia is 2.1% pricier than the US average

Data: BLS OEWS 2024 + BEA Regional Price Parities 2022 • Updated 2026-03-31

Nominal Salary
$36,650
Median annual (2024)
-2.1%
Real Purchasing Power
$35,896
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 Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary earning $36,650 in Virginia has the equivalent purchasing power of $35,896 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) $26,480 $25,935 $-544
25th Percentile (P25) $29,780 $29,167 $-612
Median (P50) $36,650 $35,896 $-753
75th Percentile (P75) $44,480 $43,565 $-914
90th Percentile (P90) $49,300 $48,285 $-1,014
Key Insight

Virginia's cost of living is close to the national average, so $36,650 keeps most of its value at $35,896 in real terms. Location choice here is more about career opportunities than cost arbitrage.

Best States for Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary (After Cost of Living)

Where does Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary salary stretch the furthest? Top 10 states ranked by COL-adjusted median salary.

1. Maine
$43,521
RPP 100.8
$42,996
RPP 109.8
$41,499
RPP 88.7
$40,408
RPP 112.5
$39,058
RPP 97.7
$39,057
RPP 92.3
7. Ohio
$38,666
RPP 91.5
$37,510
RPP 98.0
9. Wyoming
$37,442
RPP 91.9
10. Montana
$37,342
RPP 90.3

Virginia ranks #13 out of 50 states for Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary after cost-of-living adjustment.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the real salary for a Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary in Virginia after cost of living?

A Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary in Virginia earns a median salary of $36,650 per year. After adjusting for Virginia's cost of living (RPP=102.1), the real purchasing power is $35,896 — 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 Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary in Virginia: $36,650 x (100 / 102.1) = $35,896. 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 Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary's nominal salary of $36,650 in Virginia has 2.1% less purchasing power due to higher living costs. The real value is $35,896. However, Virginia may offer better career opportunities, networking, and industry access.

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