Data Scientists in Virginia. BLS OES + DOL OFLC + reader-reported submissions. How this is built →
What the numbers say
Virginia's median Data Scientist wage was $126,070 in 2024, about 9% above the national median of $115,636. That gap is real but modest compared to what some coastal states show for this occupation.
The bigger story is the spread. At the 10th percentile, Data Scientists in Virginia earned $78,570. At the 90th, they earned $197,430. Top earners make roughly 2.5 times what those at the bottom of the range do. That kind of gap usually reflects real differences in seniority, specialization, and the complexity of the problems someone is hired to solve.
Virginia's cost of living sits just 2.3% above the national baseline. That means the nominal premium over the US median survives almost intact once you account for what the money actually buys. A Data Scientist earning the state median here takes home purchasing power close to what that $126,070 headline suggests, which is not always true in higher-cost states where larger nominal premiums shrink considerably after adjustment.
BLS projects this occupation to grow 33.5% between 2024 and 2034, a rate it classifies as much faster than average. Virginia's concentration of federal agencies, defense contractors, and technology firms around the DC metro area likely contributes to that local demand, though the BLS projection covers the national picture, not the state alone.
Salary distribution
Where Virginia data scientists fall on the wage curve.
Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)
The middle 50% of workers earn between $97,390 and $165,610, with a median of $126,430.
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Data Scientists pay by experience level in Virginia
Each band reflects DOL Wage Levels I-IV mapped onto a four-step ladder. Click a level to see the disclosed-wage range for that segment.
Data Scientists specialties in Virginia
Real specialty titles employers file for, clustered from 1,178 certified offers. The most common variant is Senior Data Analyst at a median of $109,870.
| Specialty | Top employer | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Senior Data Analyst | Capital One Services, LLC | 382 | $109,870 |
| Senior Business Analyst | Capital One, National Association | 164 | $110,739 |
| Data Scientist | Navy Federal Credit Union | 157 | $125,000 |
| Data Engineer | Amazon.com Services LLC | 124 | $115,939 |
| Business Manager | Capital One, National Association | 95 | $166,858 |
| Manager, Data Science | Capital One Services, LLC | 71 | $166,858 |
| Business Intelligence Engineer | Amazon.com Services LLC | 67 | $115,939 |
| Data Analysis Manager | Capital One Services, LLC | 50 | $154,486 |
| Business Intelligence Analyst | Navy Federal Credit Union | 31 | $115,939 |
| Director, Data Analysis | Capital One Services, LLC | 15 | $166,858 |
| Business Director | Capital One, National Association | 11 | $166,858 |
| IT Consultant(Data Engineer) | People Tech Group, Inc | 11 | $115,939 |
Specialties with 10 or more filings link to a dedicated breakdown.
Data Scientists in Virginia, by industry
Median offered wage across 1,661 certified filings, grouped by NAICS industry sector. Finance and insurance leads with a median of $112,904.
| Industry | Largest employer | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Finance and insurance | Capital One, National Association | 832 | $112,904 |
| Technology and software | Amazon Web Services, Inc. | 495 | $110,739 |
| Retail and wholesale | Amazon.com Services LLC | 123 | $132,184 |
| Professional services | Carilion Services, Inc. | 105 | $110,739 |
| Manufacturing | Wartsila Energy Storage, Inc. | 34 | $134,068 |
| Education | Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University | 26 | $92,791 |
| Healthcare | Sentara Health | 18 | $88,920 |
| Energy and utilities | Fluence Energy, LLC | 7 | $130,000 |
| Media and entertainment | Fox Cable Network Services, LLC | 6 | $156,331 |
| Nonprofit and civic | Stand Together Foundation | 6 | $105,370 |
| Transportation and logistics | Federal Express Corporation | 5 | $116,840 |
| Government and public sector | Virginia Department of Transportation | 3 | $126,298 |
| Real estate | Snailkey Inc. | 1 | $82,680 |
Sectors with at least 25 filings link to a dedicated page with full distribution and sample employer breakdown.
Wage trend
Median annual wage in Virginia over the past 3 BLS OES releases. Real values are CPI-adjusted to 2025 dollars.
Typical entry
Education
Bachelor's degree
Experience
None
On-the-job training
None
Top skills (O*NET)
Common tasks (O*NET)
10-year outlook
Growth 2024 → 2034
+33.5%
Projected annual openings
—
BLS outlook
Growing much faster than average
Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034 cycle.
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Explore coursesTop metros in Virginia
Metro-level salary data for data scientists in major Virginia metropolitan areas.
- Richmond$122,510
- Virginia Beach$100,300
Compare Data Scientists pay across nearby states
Considering a move? Compare Virginia with another state
Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Data Scientists in Virginia?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, the median annual wage for Data Scientists in Virginia is $126,430.
- How does Virginia compare to the national median for Data Scientists?
- The Virginia median is +5.3% versus the BLS national figure of $120,042.
- What is the salary range for Data Scientists in Virginia?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $76,420 and the 90th-percentile at $207,890, which captures most full-time workers in the role.
- Is Data Scientists a growing field?
- BLS Employment Projections show employment growing by 33.5% over the projection cycle. See the 10-year outlook section above for details.
- What education is required for Data Scientists?
- BLS lists the typical entry-level education as Bachelor's degree. Many employers also weigh prior experience and credentials.
Information on this page is for general educational purposes only. It is not career, financial, or tax advice. Wage data reflects BLS estimates for the reference year shown and may not match individual offers, employer-specific ranges, or current market conditions. Confirm with a licensed professional before making career or compensation decisions.