Virginia Teaching Salaries and Benefits
Virginia teacher salary figures range from a median annual wage of $63,520 to $72,170 depending on grade level, according to BLS data from May 2025. Kindergarten and elementary teachers fall in between, both close to $64,000 to $65,500. Beyond salary, the state offers a defined-benefit pension through VRS and subsidized health insurance.
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Virginia ties teacher pay to grade level and years of experience, and the gap between the two ends of that scale is wider than many candidates expect. A kindergarten teacher and a high school teacher can both be a decade into their careers with a real difference in take-home pay. Beyond the paycheck, the state builds in a defined-benefit pension and a health plan most private-sector jobs don’t match. If you’re still working toward licensure, it helps to know the Virginia teacher certification requirements before you factor salary into your decision, and candidates without a full license yet can also look into substitute teaching in Virginia as a way to get classroom experience along the way.
Virginia Teacher Salaries by Grade Level
Virginia teacher salary figures vary by the age group a teacher instructs. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, here’s how median and mean annual wages compare across grade levels as of May 2025:
| Occupation | Median Annual Wage | Mean Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Kindergarten Teachers | $63,920 | $69,880 |
| Elementary School Teachers | $65,550 | $71,540 |
| Middle School Teachers | $63,520 | $69,870 |
| Secondary (High) School Teachers | $72,170 | $75,060 |
Secondary teachers post the highest median wage in the state, about $8,650 above kindergarten teachers. Elementary and middle school figures sit close together, within about $2,000 of each other. Actual pay still depends on the district, the teacher’s degree level, and years of service, but these BLS figures reflect what teachers in Virginia are earning statewide
Job Growth and Outlook for Virginia Teachers
Job growth for teachers in Virginia runs ahead of the national trend. The Virginia Works labor market data cited by the BLS projects a 5.6% increase in elementary teaching positions between 2024 and 2034, adding about 2,730 openings a year from growth and turnover combined. Middle school teaching positions are projected to grow 5.7%, secondary positions 6%, and kindergarten positions 5.5% over the same decade.
That outlook stands out because the national picture looks different. Nationally, the BLS projects a slight decline in these same occupations through 2034, driven mostly by falling enrollment in some regions. Virginia’s growth across every grade band means the state is adding teaching jobs while much of the country holds flat or shrinks.
Retiring in Virginia
As public employees, Virginia teachers enroll in the Virginia Retirement System (VRS), which provides a defined-benefit pension guaranteeing monthly payments for life once you retire.
VRS members currently contribute 5% of their monthly salary to the fund on a pre-tax basis. That balance accrues 4% interest, compounded annually on June 30.
How the Basic Benefit Is Calculated
The Basic Benefit option, VRS’s standard payout, is based on your age, total years of service credit, and average final compensation. The formula is:
1.7 percent of your average final compensation
multiplied by
total years of service credit
divided by
12
For example, a teacher who worked 30 years with an average final compensation of $65,000 would receive a monthly benefit of $2,762.50.
Other VRS Payout Options
VRS offers three additional options beyond the Basic Benefit, each trading off monthly income differently:
- Survivor Option: You accept a lower monthly benefit so a beneficiary can keep receiving payments after your death. You choose what percentage of your benefit transfers.
- Partial Lump-Sum Option Payment: If you work at least one year past your required retirement age, you can take a one-time lump-sum payment, which lowers your ongoing monthly benefit.
- Advance Pension Option: You increase your monthly benefit for a set period, then receive a reduced benefit for the remainder of retirement.
Retirement eligibility depends on your VRS plan. For members under Plan 1, full retirement benefits require reaching age 65 with at least 5 years of service credit, or age 50 with at least 30 years of service credit. Plan 2 and Hybrid members follow different age and service thresholds. For plan details, visit Virginia Retirement Services.
Health Insurance and Benefits for Virginia Teachers
Eligible teachers employed by Virginia public school divisions generally have access to employer-sponsored health benefits, although plan design, premiums, eligibility, and carriers vary by employer.
Medical plans vary by provider and district, but most ask you to select a primary care physician while still covering care from any in-network provider. Your monthly premium, deductible, and other costs depend on which plan you choose. Most plans include:
- Doctor visits
- Inpatient and outpatient hospital services
- Laboratory tests
- Outpatient therapy
- Infusion services
Delta Dental of Virginia administers dental coverage across plan options, including diagnostic and preventive care plus standard procedures like root canals and fillings. Teachers can pay extra to enroll in an expanded plan covering orthodontic care and major restorative work.
Prescription drug coverage runs through your medical plan, and prescriptions cost less at in-network pharmacies. Under the state employee health plan administered through DHRM, behavioral health benefits cover up to four counseling visits for mental health, substance use, family concerns, or financial and legal issues, with care requiring authorization in advance. Behavioral health coverage details can differ under other district-sponsored plans.
For full plan details, visit Virginia’s Department of Human Resource Management.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average teacher salary in Virginia?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, median annual wages for Virginia teachers range from about $63,520 for middle school teachers to $72,170 for secondary teachers as of May 2025. Kindergarten and elementary teachers fall in between, both close to $64,000 to $65,500.
Do Virginia teachers get a pension?
Yes. Virginia teachers participate in the Virginia Retirement System (VRS), a defined-benefit plan that pays a monthly pension for life based on years of service and average final compensation. Members contribute 5% of their salary on a pre-tax basis.
Do Virginia teachers get health insurance?
Yes. School divisions in Virginia offer teachers medical, dental, prescription drug, and behavioral health coverage. Specific plan options and costs vary by district and provider.
Is the demand for teachers growing in Virginia?
Yes, and Virginia’s projections outpace the national trend. The BLS projects Virginia teaching positions will grow between 5.5% and 6% across all grade levels from 2024 to 2034, compared to a flat-to-declining national outlook for the same occupations.
How much do Virginia teachers contribute to their retirement?
VRS members currently contribute 5% of their monthly salary to the retirement fund on a pre-tax salary reduction basis. That balance earns 4% interest, compounded annually each June 30.
- Salary varies by grade level — Secondary teachers earn the highest median wage in Virginia at $72,170, roughly $8,650 more than kindergarten teachers.
- Virginia’s job outlook beats the national trend — Teaching positions are projected to grow 5.5% to 6% through 2034, while the national outlook is flat to declining.
- Retirement is a defined benefit — VRS guarantees a monthly pension for life, calculated from years of service and average final compensation, not a 401(k)-style account balance.
- Health coverage is built in — Every Virginia teacher has access to medical, dental, prescription, and behavioral health benefits through their school division.
Contact Virginia state-approved educator preparation programs to learn how they prepare candidates to meet Virginia licensure requirements established by the Virginia Board of Education.
May 2025 US Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS wage estimates and 2024-2034 employment projections for Kindergarten and Elementary School Teachers, Middle School Teachers, and High School Teachers reflect state and national data, not school-specific outcomes. State or district job-growth projections are sourced separately from national BLS outlook data. Conditions vary by school sector, subject area, and district. Data accessed July 2026.
