Pros
Campus environment is good energy. Access to educational community. Some tuition perks.
Cons
Unless you're part of senior leadership or closely connected to them, don’t expect fair compensation. Base salaries are already below national averages, and most positions fall below both national and local living wage benchmarks. If you’re supporting even one dependent, your income will likely fall under 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI)—which is $80K in Fairfax and $90K in Alexandria—making you potentially eligible for public assistance such as food and housing support. You’ll also pay $1,000 annually just to park at work. Health insurance premiums increase by 2–4% each year, often canceling out the typical 2–3% state salary increase—if one is even approved by the Governor. There’s no merit-based pay or bonuses, and career advancement opportunities are limited. In most cases, the only way to increase your salary is by applying for a different position entirely.
