Average is probably closer to 200K or more for primary care. If you stay long term, retirement benefits are quite excellent. I like the actual 40 hour work week, the 30-60 minute appointments, and team support. I can do specialty e-consults for advice on how to treat anything so I don't have to send vets to specialists if I don't want. Of course, I can still send them if I'd like. The other providers and pharmacists are very helpful. There are many opportunities for CME and further training, mini-residencies,. grand rounds, etc. I have time to read and learn how to manage more and more issues on my own. I'm always learning more and honing my clinical skills. I play a very small role in some of the research that is done with some of my patients, but I'm not really into research. You can make a lot more crushing through 5 patients an hour and working more hours in private practice if you'd like, but that's not my cup of tea.
Veterans tend to be more male, older, and more complicated. I still have many patients in their 20s, male and female. I don't see pediatrics anymore, which was hard to let go of. I can do women's health, musculoskeletal stuff, addiction, procedures, etc. as I am interested. We obviously don't do OB (although I have pregnant patients), and I don't do inpatient anymore.
There is a lot of bureaucracy and paperwork (computer work I guess). In my experience, there is a fair amount of paperwork private practice with insurance. There is more at the VA for sure, but not a soul sucking amount. If paperwork is your least favorite part of your job, then the VA might not be for you.
The biggest thing is probably how well you like to work within a system, or if you like to do you own thing. If you don't like playing in the sandbox, the VA is not for you. Specialists, pharmacists, and some policies will change how your patients are managed or limit the options if you like to try non-traditional treatments. If you like following the most mainstream guidelines, then it really shouldn't affect you much.
I've heard a lot of negative things about the VA from physician, but only ones who have never worked at a VA. I've never spoken to a physician (or other provider) that had many negative things to say, but there are pros and cons.