Centreville vs Virginia Beach: Lawyer Salary (2026)
Compare lawyer salaries between Centreville, VA and Virginia Beach, VA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | Centreville, VA | Virginia Beach, VA |
|---|---|---|
| Median Salary | $132,276 | $139,649▲ |
| Hourly Rate | $63.59 | $67.14▲ |
| Entry Level (P10) | $76,720 | $79,247▲ |
| 25th Percentile | $95,238▲ | $93,989 |
| 75th Percentile | $169,314 | $191,947▲ |
| Top Earner (P90) | $205,028 | $328,423▲ |
| Total Employed | 14 | 2,280▲ |
Verdict
Virginia Beach, VA offers better overall compensation for lawyers, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Centreville.
The salary gap between Centreville and Virginia Beach is $7,373 (5.57%). Virginia Beach's median is -16.46% compared to the US national median of $167,174.
Salary Range Comparison
The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Centreville spans $128,308,Virginia Beach spans $249,176. Virginia Beach has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced lawyers.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison
After cost-of-living adjustment, Virginia Beach ($142,585 effective) pays 11.24% more than Centreville ($128,174 effective).
Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.
Which City Is Right for You?
Choose Centreville if…
- ✓You prefer the Virginia area and lifestyle
Choose Virginia Beach if…
- ✓Higher median salary ($139,649/year)
- ✓Better top-earner potential ($328,423)
- ✓Larger job market (2,280 employed)
- ✓Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $142,585)
- ✓You prefer the Virginia area and lifestyle
Historical Salary Growth Comparison
Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, lawyer salaries in Centreville grew -22.1% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 14.9% growth in Virginia Beach over the same period.
Centreville, VA
$162,116 (2024) → $126,338 (2025)
Virginia Beach, VA
$116,080 (2019) → $133,380 (2025)
View Full Salary Data
Centreville, VA
Virginia Beach, VA
Frequently Asked Questions
Which city pays lawyers more: Centreville or Virginia Beach?
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Should I relocate from Centreville to Virginia Beach as a lawyer?
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Written by Alexandra Chen, JD
Career Analyst
Alexandra has 10 years of experience in corporate law. She specializes in mergers and acquisitions. Alexandra works at a mid-sized law firm in New York City.
Methodology & Data Source
All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 4.70% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS , released .
Compiled and verified by Alexandra Chen, JD, a licensed lawyer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov