Dialysis Technician Salary

Richmond vs Suffolk: Dialysis Technician Salary (2026)

Compare dialysis technician salaries between Richmond, VA and Suffolk, VA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Richmond, VA
$44,610
$21.44/hr
Suffolk, VA
$40,145
$19.30/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricRichmond, VASuffolk, VA
Median Salary$44,610$40,145
Hourly Rate$21.44$19.30
Entry Level (P10)$33,570$31,790
25th Percentile$35,246$35,944
75th Percentile$67,645$50,384
Top Earner (P90)$69,321$62,224
Total Employed82015
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Richmond ($44,610) and Suffolk ($40,145) dialysis technician salaries.RichmondSuffolkMedian Salary$44,610$40,145Entry Level (P10)$33,570$31,790Top Earner (P90)$69,321$62,224US Median $45,322

Verdict

Richmond, VA offers better overall compensation for dialysis technicians, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Suffolk.

The salary gap between Richmond and Suffolk is $4,465 (11.12%). Richmond's median is -1.57% compared to the US national median of $45,322.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Richmond spans $35,751,Suffolk spans $30,434. Richmond has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Richmond
P10 (Entry)$33,570
P25$35,246
Median$44,610
P75$67,645
P90 (Top)$69,321
Suffolk
P10 (Entry)$31,790
P25$35,944
Median$40,145
P75$50,384
P90 (Top)$62,224

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Richmond ($45,586 effective) pays 17.19% more than Suffolk ($38,900 effective).

Richmond
Nominal: $44,610
CoL Index: 97.858
Adjusted: $45,586
Suffolk
Nominal: $40,145
CoL Index: 103.2
Adjusted: $38,900

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Richmond if…

  • Higher median salary ($44,610/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($69,321)
  • Larger job market (820 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $45,586)
  • You prefer the Virginia area and lifestyle

Choose Suffolk if…

  • You prefer the Virginia area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dialysis technician salaries in Richmond grew 16.3% from 2021 to 2025, compared to -12.2% growth in Suffolk over the same period.

Richmond, VA

+16.3%

$37,440 (2021) → $43,560 (2025)

Suffolk, VA

+-12.2%

$44,646 (2024) → $39,200 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dialysis technicians more: Richmond or Suffolk?

Richmond has a higher median dialysis technician salary at $44,610/year, compared to Suffolk at $40,145/year — a difference of $4,465 (11.12%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Richmond and Suffolk?

Richmond dialysis technicians earn $21.44/hr while Suffolk hygienists earn $19.30/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Richmond to Suffolk as a dialysis technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Richmond and Suffolk. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Richmond = $45,586, Suffolk = $38,900), job availability (820 vs 15 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dialysis technicians earn in Richmond vs Suffolk?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dialysis technicians earn $33,570 in Richmond and $31,790 in Suffolk. The Richmond area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

JT

Written by Jessica Tran, CCRN

Career Analyst

Jessica has over 10 years as a dialysis technician. She specializes in chronic kidney disease management. She works at a community hospital.

Clinically reviewed by Michael Robinson, RNData verified by Amina Patel, BSN

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 2.41% 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 Jessica Tran, CCRN, a licensed dialysis technician with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov