2026 Tax Year · Single Filer · Virginia

$17 an Hour in Virginia — After-Tax Take-Home (2026)

At $17/hour (2,080 hours/year), your gross annual income is $35,360. After federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare, and Virginia state income tax, your take-home pay is $14.08/hr. In Virginia's high cost-of-living environment, this is below what's needed for comfortable living in Virginia.

Gross Annual

$35,360

Net Annual
$29,276

Net Monthly

$2,440

Net Hourly

$14.08

Pay Period Breakdown

Hourly $17.00 $2.92 $14.08

Daily (8 hrs) $136.00 $23.40 $112.60

Weekly (40 hrs) $680.00 $117.00 $563.00

Biweekly $1,360.00 $234.00 $1,126.00

Monthly $2,946.67 $506.99 $2,439.67

Annual $35,360 $6,084 $29,276

Full Tax Breakdown — Virginia, Single Filer

Gross Annual Income $17/hr × 2,080 hrs $35,360

Federal Standard Deduction Single 2026 −$16,100

Federal Taxable Income $19,260

Federal Income Tax 5.8% −$2,063.20

Social Security (6.2%) up to $184,500 −$2,192.32

Medicare (1.45%) −$512.72

Virginia Standard Deduction Single 2026 −$8,000

Virginia State Income Tax 3.7% −$1,315.70

Total Tax 17.2% effective −$6,083.94

Net Take-Home $29,276

How Does Virginia Compare?

See how $17/hr take-home differs in other states at the same wage:

California $588.78 $2,500/mo $30,003 Florida None $2,549/mo $30,592 New York $1,173.65 $2,452/mo $29,418 Texas None $2,549/mo $30,592 Washington None $2,549/mo $30,592

Open Full Calculator for Virginia — $17/hr →

Equivalent Annual Salary Pages

$17/hr = $35,360/year gross. See the full state-by-state salary breakdown:

Adjacent Rates in Virginia

Same Rate, Other States

Cost of Living in Virginia

✗ Difficult — $17/hr falls short in Virginia

Avg 1BR rent in Richmond: $1,500/mo — over the 30% rule (51% of gross monthly)
Minimum comfortable income in Virginia: $50,000/yr
Your net annual: $29,276 ($20,724 below comfortable threshold)
Purchasing power equivalent in Texas: ~$14.3/hr

Working at $17/hr in Virginia

This is a solid income in Virginia, especially outside Northern Virginia. The progressive tax tops out at 5.75% — moderate compared to neighboring Maryland's state + county burden. Richmond's growing financial sector and Hampton Roads' military economy create stable mid-wage employment.

At $17/hr, you work roughly 107 hours each month to cover a typical 1BR in Richmond ($1,500/mo) -- that's above the 30% gross income guideline. This wage is 1.3x Virginia's minimum wage of $13.5/hr. Your combined effective tax rate at $17/hr in Virginia is 17.2% -- federal income tax accounts for 5.8%, FICA 7.6%, and Virginia state tax 3.7%.

Virginia's economy is heavily influenced by the federal government — Northern Virginia (Arlington, Fairfax, Alexandria) hosts the Pentagon, CIA, NSA, and thousands of defense contractors. Amazon HQ2 in Arlington has accelerated tech growth. Outside NoVA, Richmond has a growing finance and healthcare sector; Hampton Roads has a major military and defense presence.

Virginia has a progressive income tax with rates from 2% to 5.75%. The standard deduction is $8,000 for single filers. NoVA workers benefit from Virginia's rates while working near DC's salaries — a significant advantage over Maryland residents who also pay county income taxes.

Virginia's minimum wage is $13.50/hr (2026).

Monthly Budget on $17/hr in Virginia

Based on $2,440/month take-home. Percentages follow common 50/30/20 guidelines adjusted for Virginia's cost of living.

Rent / Housing $1,500 $18,000 61.5%

Food (groceries + dining) $293 $3,516 12.0%

Transportation $244 $2,928 10.0%

Utilities $146 $1,752 6.0%

Healthcare $122 $1,464 5.0%

Entertainment $122 $1,464 5.0%

Savings (10% target) $244 $2,928 10.0%

Remaining / Surplus $-231 $-2,772 -9.5%

⚠ This budget is underwater — rent alone exceeds the 30% guideline in Virginia at $17/hr. Consider roommates, lower-cost areas, or targeting a higher wage to reach balance.

Overtime Pay — $17/hr in Virginia

At time-and-a-half ($25.50/hr), here's what overtime adds to your annual net income in Virginia. Your marginal tax rate at this income level is ~19.2%.

5 hrs/week $128 $103 $5,150

10 hrs/week $255 $206 $10,300

20 hrs/week $510 $412 $20,600

Hours to Afford Common Purchases at $17/hr

How many hours of work (gross) to buy common items. Actual cost in after-tax hours is higher — divide by your $14.08 net hourly rate for the true cost in time.

Tank of gas (12 gal) $50 3 hrs 3.6 hrs

Week of groceries $120 7.1 hrs 8.6 hrs

iPhone 16 (base) $799 47 hrs 56.8 hrs

1 month rent (Richmond) $1,500 88.3 hrs 106.6 hrs

Used car ($10k) $10,000 588.3 hrs 710.5 hrs

Median new car ($48k) $48,000 2823.6 hrs 3410.3 hrs

What Jobs Pay $17/hr in Virginia?

At $17/hour, you earn 37% below the estimated median hourly wage in Virginia. Jobs that commonly pay around this rate include:

medical assistant, customer service rep, administrative assistant, delivery driver, phlebotomist, dental receptionist

These figures reflect statewide averages for Virginia. The Richmond metro area typically pays 18% more than rural parts of the state for the same role. Specialized certifications, union membership, or government employment at this wage tier often add meaningful benefits that raise total compensation above the base hourly figure.

At 17/hr in Virginia, your net income of $29,276 falls $20,724 short of the estimated $50,000 comfortable living threshold. Roommates, a side income, or a wage increase would significantly improve financial stability.

Geographic Wage Variation Within Virginia

The $17/hr figure reflects a statewide average. Wages for the same job title can differ significantly by location within Virginia. The Richmond metro area generally commands a 18% premium over the state average, while rural areas typically pay 9% less.

Richmond metro$20.1/hr+18%Higher pay, higher COL

Virginia average$17/hrBaselineThis page's figures

Rural Virginia$15.5/hr-9%Lower pay, lower COL

When choosing between metro and rural Virginia at this wage tier, compare net monthly surplus rather than gross hourly rates. Rural areas have lower rent, shorter commutes, and lower day-to-day costs -- the purchasing power difference is often smaller than the raw wage gap suggests.

Savings Goals at $17/hr in Virginia

Saving $244/month (10% of net), here is how long it takes to reach common financial milestones from a starting balance of zero:

Weekend getaway$3,00013 monthsFlights + hotel, domestic

3-month emergency fund$6,91529 monthsCore expenses only

6-month emergency fund$13,83057 monthsFull financial cushion

Used car (no loan)$8,00033 monthsReliable used vehicle

New car down payment$25,000103 months~50% down to minimize payments

Home down payment$7,50031 months10% on a starter home in Virginia

At 17/hr in Virginia, hitting these savings goals requires strict discipline. Track expenses for 30 days to identify spending leaks -- small cuts in food and entertainment often free up $100-$200/month without affecting quality of life.

Debt Payoff on $17/hr in Virginia

Allocating 15% of net monthly income ($366/month) toward debt repayment is sustainable while still allowing for savings and essentials.

Credit card$5,000$36614 months

Student loan$30,000$36682 months

These timelines exclude interest, which meaningfully extends payoff for high-APR credit cards. Prioritize high-interest debt first. Even an extra $50/month toward a credit card balance can cut months off your payoff timeline and save hundreds in interest.

401(k) and Retirement at $17/hr

Contributing 6% ($2,122/year) to a pre-tax 401(k) saves you $377 in taxes at your 17.8% marginal rate -- your actual out-of-pocket cost is only $1,745/year. If your employer matches up to 6%, that match is $2,122 in additional annual compensation -- never leave it uncaptured.

Saving $2,928/year and investing at a 7% average annual return builds significant wealth over time:

5 years$14,640$15,518$878 interest

10 years$29,280$31,125$1,845 interest

20 years$58,560$62,776$4,216 interest

What Would a Raise Mean at $17/hr in Virginia?

A $1/hr raise adds $1,681 to your annual net take-home in Virginia after taxes. Your marginal rate on additional income is approximately 19.2%, so you keep 80.8% of every extra dollar earned.

$1/hr raise$18/hr$1,681$140

5% raise$17.9/hr$1,513$126

10% raise$18.7/hr$2,857$238

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 17 an hour a good wage in Virginia?

17/hr in Virginia gives you $29,276/year after taxes -- below what's needed for comfortable living in Virginia. Avg 1BR rent in Richmond: $1,500/month (exceeds the 30% rule). It places you 37% below the estimated state median wage.

What is 17 an hour after taxes in Virginia?

17/hr in Virginia = $29,276/year or $2,440/month net. Effective tax rate: 17.2%, made up of 5.8% federal, 7.6% FICA, and 3.7% Virginia state tax.

What jobs pay 17 an hour in Virginia?

Common roles at 17/hr in Virginia include medical assistant, administrative assistant, delivery driver. Metro areas like Richmond typically pay 18% more for the same role.

How does 17/hr go further -- Virginia or Texas?

17/hr in Virginia has similar purchasing power to ~14.3/hr in Texas. Virginia state income tax reduces take-home vs Texas.

How long to build an emergency fund at 17/hr in Virginia?

Saving $244/month (10% of net), you reach a 3-month emergency fund of $6,915 in 29 months. A 6-month fund takes 57 months.

What does a 401(k) cost at 17/hr in Virginia?

A 6% contribution ($2,122/year) saves $377 in taxes at your 17.8% marginal rate. Your net out-of-pocket cost is only $1,745/year -- and if your employer matches, it is essentially free money.

What does a $1/hr raise mean at 17/hr in Virginia?

A $1/hr raise adds $1,681/year to your net take-home in Virginia after the 19.2% marginal tax rate. You keep 80.8% of every additional dollar earned.

What is the effective tax rate at 17/hr in Virginia?

At 17/hr in Virginia, your total effective tax rate is 17.2%: federal income tax 5.8%, Social Security 6.2%, Medicare 1.5%, and Virginia state tax 3.7%. You keep 82.8% of every gross dollar.

Can you afford rent in Richmond on 17/hr?

The average 1BR in Richmond is $1,500/month. At 17/hr, rent consumes 51% of your gross monthly pay -- above the 30% affordability guideline. Your net hourly rate of $14.08 means you work 107 hours per month to cover rent.

What does 17/hr look like as an annual salary?

17/hr times 2,080 hours equals $35,360/year gross. After all taxes in Virginia, your net annual income is $29,276 -- an effective take-home rate of 82.8%.