Overview Salaries

Salaries in Sterling, VA

Updated on Aug 21, 2026
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Salary

What is the average salary in Sterling, VA?

The average salary in Sterling, VA is $71,779 per year.
Yearly
Monthly
Weekly
Hourly
Graph depicting the yearly salary distribution for Sterling, VA, showing an average salary of $71,779 with varying distribution percentages across salary ranges.
Graph depicting the monthly salary distribution for Sterling, VA, showing an average salary of $5,982 with varying distribution percentages across salary ranges.
Graph depicting the weekly salary distribution for Sterling, VA, showing an average salary of $1,380 with varying distribution percentages across salary ranges.
Graph depicting the hourly salary distribution for Sterling, VA, showing an average salary of $35 with varying distribution percentages across salary ranges.

In Sterling, VA, job seekers can expect competitive salaries across various industries. The average yearly salary stands at $71,779, reflecting a strong job market. With a wide range of opportunities, professionals can find positions that match their skills and experience levels.


The salary distribution highlights a diverse range of earning potentials. The majority of workers earn between $29,000 and $121,182 annually. Key industries contributing to these salaries include management, professional, and related occupations; sales and office occupations; and service occupations. This variety offers job seekers the chance to find roles that align with their career goals and financial needs.

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What are the best paying jobs in Sterling, VA?

Sterling, VA, offers a range of high-paying job opportunities. Top earners include quality assurance specialists, systems engineers, and software engineers. These roles typically offer salaries above $100,000 annually, with quality assurance specialists leading at about $157,000. In addition to tech and engineering fields, healthcare professionals like dental hygienists and speech-language pathologists also enjoy competitive wages. Dental hygienists earn nearly $121,000, while speech-language pathologists make close to $115,000. Job seekers in Sterling can find rewarding careers in these high-demand areas.
Graph displaying best paying job salaries in Sterling, VA, highlighting Quality Assurance Specialist with the highest at $157,151 and Outside Sales Representative with the lowest at $101,500.

  1. Quality Assurance Specialist
    Average Salary: $157,151
    This role ensures products meet quality standards. It involves testing and evaluating. It is important in tech companies.
    Find Quality Assurance Specialist jobs in Sterling, VA


  2. Systems Engineer
    Average Salary: $153,588
    This position focuses on computer systems. It involves designing and maintaining them. It is crucial for IT firms.
    Find Systems Engineer jobs in Sterling, VA


  3. Software Engineer
    Average Salary: $133,879
    This job involves creating software. It requires coding and problem-solving skills. It is common in tech companies.
    Find Software Engineer jobs in Sterling, VA


  4. Dental Hygienist
    Average Salary: $121,469
    This role helps maintain oral health. It involves cleaning teeth and educating patients. It is important in dental clinics.
    Find Dental Hygienist jobs in Sterling, VA


  5. Engineer
    Average Salary: $121,182
    Engineers design and develop products. They work on projects for various industries. They need strong analytical skills.
    Find Engineer jobs in Sterling, VA


  6. Speech Language Pathologist
    Average Salary: $115,240
    This position helps patients with communication issues. It involves therapy and assessments. It is important in healthcare settings.
    Find Speech Language Pathologist jobs in Sterling, VA


  7. Technical Project Lead
    Average Salary: $115,136
    This role manages technical projects. It requires coordination and communication skills. It is crucial in tech and engineering firms.
    Find Technical Project Lead jobs in Sterling, VA


  8. Occupational Therapist
    Average Salary: $107,975
    This position helps people recover from injuries. It involves therapy and rehabilitation. It is important in healthcare facilities.
    Find Occupational Therapist jobs in Sterling, VA


  9. Programmer
    Average Salary: $105,334
    This job involves writing code. It requires logic and creativity. It is common in tech companies.
    Find Programmer jobs in Sterling, VA


  10. Outside Sales Representative
    Average Salary: $101,500
    This role involves selling products or services. It requires communication and negotiation skills. It is important in various industries.
    Find Outside Sales Representative jobs in Sterling, VA

What are the best paying jobs in Sterling, VA without a degree?

Sterling, VA, offers several well-paying jobs that do not require a college degree. Candidates can consider positions like concrete finishers, canvassers, or irrigation technicians to earn above $57,000 annually. These roles provide the opportunity to earn a good salary while gaining valuable experience. Lawn care technicians, service team members, and landscapers also offer attractive salaries. Servers, floor techs, dishwashers, and line cooks provide steady income with potential for growth. These jobs cater to those seeking financial stability and career development without a degree.
Graph displaying best paying job salaries in Sterling, VA without a degree, highlighting Concrete Finisher with the highest at $62,500 and Line Cook with the lowest at $35,784.

  1. Concrete Finisher
    Average Salary: $62,500
    This role involves smoothing, leveling, and finishing concrete surfaces. Work with local construction companies. Requires manual labor skills and safety training. Pay can be high with experience.
    Find Concrete Finisher jobs in Sterling, VA


  2. Canvasser
    Average Salary: $59,853
    This position involves collecting information or promoting products and services. Often for local businesses or political campaigns. Skills in communication and persuasion are key. Earnings can increase with commissions.
    Find Canvasser jobs in Sterling, VA


  3. Irrigation Technician
    Average Salary: $57,936
    This job entails installing, maintaining, and repairing irrigation systems. Work for landscaping companies. Basic mechanical skills and knowledge of irrigation systems are essential. Pay is influenced by experience and expertise.
    Find Irrigation Technician jobs in Sterling, VA


  4. Lawn Care Technician
    Average Salary: $48,127
    Responsibilities include mowing, trimming, weeding, and applying treatments. Work for local landscaping and maintenance companies. Manual labor and attention to detail are crucial. Income varies based on hours worked and size of properties.
    Find Lawn Care Technician jobs in Sterling, VA


  5. Service Team Member
    Average Salary: $41,487
    This position involves serving customers in various settings. Typically for restaurants, cafes, or retail stores. Friendly and efficient service is vital. Wages can include tips, increasing overall income.
    Find Service Team Member jobs in Sterling, VA


  6. Landscaper
    Average Salary: $39,833
    This role includes planting, trimming, and maintaining gardens. Work for landscape companies. Requires physical fitness and knowledge of plants. Pay depends on the complexity of projects and hours worked.
    Find Landscaper jobs in Sterling, VA


  7. Server
    Average Salary: $38,235
    Responsible for taking orders and serving food and drinks in restaurants. Must have good customer service skills. Income can be supplemented with tips. Experience and location can affect earnings.
    Find Server jobs in Sterling, VA


  8. Floor Tech
    Average Salary: $36,738
    This position involves cleaning and maintaining floors in various settings. Often for maintenance companies or commercial buildings. Requires physical stamina and a clean work ethic. Pay is based on hours and scope of work.
    Find Floor Tech jobs in Sterling, VA


  9. Dishwasher
    Average Salary: $36,578
    Responsible for washing dishes and maintaining kitchen cleanliness. Work in restaurants and cafes. Must be detail-oriented and work well under pressure. Wages can include tips.
    Find Dishwasher jobs in Sterling, VA


  10. Line Cook
    Average Salary: $35,784
    This role involves preparing ingredients and cooking food. Work in kitchens for restaurants or cafes. Requires speed, precision, and culinary skills. Pay varies with experience and hours worked.
    Find Line Cook jobs in Sterling, VA

Which companies offer the top salaries in Sterling, VA?

Job seekers in Sterling, VA, will find competitive salaries at several top companies. BAE Systems USA offers the highest average salary at $174,195, providing attractive opportunities for professionals. Raytheon and CACI International also offer strong compensation packages, with average salaries over $140,000, making them excellent choices for career advancement.
Graph displaying company salaries in Sterling, VA, highlighting BAE Systems USA with the highest at $174,195 and Graybar with the lowest at $63,648.

  1. BAE Systems USA
    Average Salary: $174,195
    BAE Systems USA is a leading defense and aerospace company. They focus on creating advanced technologies for the military and government.


  2. Raytheon
    Average Salary: $148,302
    Raytheon is a global defense company. They offer a range of products and services, including cyber and intelligence services.


  3. CACI International
    Average Salary: $144,459
    CACI International is a technology company. They provide IT services and solutions to the U.S. government and its allies.


  4. Collins Aerospace
    Average Salary: $134,199
    Collins Aerospace is part of Raytheon Technologies. They design and manufacture aircraft systems for both commercial and defense use.


  5. Peraton
    Average Salary: $120,532
    Peraton is a national security company. They offer a wide range of services, including defense, intelligence, and engineering.


  6. General Dynamics Information Technology
    Average Salary: $108,442
    General Dynamics Information Technology is a tech company. They provide IT services to the government and other large organizations.


  7. Rosendin Electric
    Average Salary: $102,114
    Rosendin Electric is a leading electrical contractor. They offer services like design, installation, and maintenance of electrical systems.


  8. Amazon.com
    Average Salary: $95,758
    Amazon is a global e-commerce and cloud computing giant. They offer a range of products and services online.


  9. Loudoun County, VA
    Average Salary: $88,984
    Loudoun County government provides a variety of services to its residents, including education, public safety, and transportation.


  10. Graybar
    Average Salary: $63,648
    Graybar is a leading electrical distributor. They provide electrical and communication products to businesses and organizations.

How does the cost of living in Sterling, VA compare to the national average?

Sterling, VA, shows a higher cost of living than the nationwide average in several key areas. Housing costs, for example, are 12% higher, while groceries are 5% more expensive. Utilities, however, are slightly lower at 2% below the national average. When considering the overall cost of living, Sterling's index stands at 106, indicating a 6% increase over the average. This rise is primarily driven by higher housing and grocery prices, though transportation and healthcare costs remain close to the national average. Job seekers should weigh these factors when planning their move to Sterling.
Cost of living comparison graph for Sterling, VA vs. Nationwide: housing 12% higher, groceries 5% higher, utilities 2% lower, transportation 2% higher, healthcare 3% higher, miscellaneous 10% higher.

Sterling, VA, has a cost of living index of 106, which is slightly above the nationwide average of 100. This means that, overall, it costs about 6% more to live in Sterling compared to the rest of the country. The housing index in Sterling stands at 112, indicating that housing expenses are 12% higher here. For those considering a move, this might mean budgeting more for rent or mortgage payments.


When looking at other areas, groceries in Sterling are about 5% more expensive than the national average, with an index of 105. Utilities remain close to the average at 98, which suggests minimal difference in costs for electricity, gas, and water. Transportation costs also hover just above average at 102, meaning expenses like car maintenance and public transit are slightly higher. Healthcare costs in Sterling are comparable to the nationwide average at 103, while miscellaneous expenses, including clothing and entertainment, are 10% higher, with an index of 110.

There are 1,121 job openings in Sterling, VA, today!

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Discover what it's like to work in Sterling, VA. Learn if you need a car, explore popular employers, the job market, and the best neighborhoods to live in.
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Sterling, VA
1,121 Job Openings

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