How Much Does It Cost to Hire an Employee in Virginia? (2026)

State-specific payroll taxes, workers' comp, and total employer costs in Virginia.

Total Cost at $60K Salary

$65,285

Cost multiplier: 1.09x

SUTA Rate (Mid)

1.56%

Wage base: $8,000

Workers' Comp Rate

0.88%

Has state income tax

Virginia Employer Tax Details

State-specific payroll obligations for employers

SUTA Rate Range 0.17% – 6.5%
SUTA New Employer Rate (typical) 1.56%
SUTA Wage Base $8,000
Workers' Compensation (avg) 0.88% of payroll
State Income Tax Yes

Example Employer Costs in Virginia

Mandatory employer taxes only (no benefits or overhead)

Component $40,000 Salary $60,000 Salary $80,000 Salary
Social Security (6.2%) $2,480 $3,720 $4,960
Medicare (1.45%) $580 $870 $1,160
FUTA $42 $42 $42
SUTA (VA) $125 $125 $125
Workers' Comp $352 $528 $704
Total Employer Taxes $3,579 $5,285 $6,991
Total Cost (salary + taxes) $43,579 (1.09x) $65,285 (1.09x) $86,991 (1.09x)

These estimates include mandatory employer payroll taxes only. Add benefits ($7K-$17K) and overhead (~10% of salary) for full cost.

How Virginia Compares

Virginia's typical SUTA rate of 1.56% is below the national average of ~1.70%. With a relatively low wage base of $8,000, the maximum SUTA cost per employee is capped early.

Workers' compensation at 0.88% of payroll is below the national average of ~1.20%.

Calculate Your Exact Employee Cost

Use our interactive calculator with your specific salary, state, and benefits to get an exact number.

Open Employee Cost Calculator

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