What the numbers say
About 6,740 Software Developers work in the Virginia Beach metro, which gives the local market real scale without reaching the size of Northern Virginia's tech corridor.
The median annual wage here was $125,930 in 2024, roughly 6% below the Virginia state median of $134,470 and about 9% below the national figure of $138,520. That gap is worth naming directly: Virginia Beach pays less than both benchmarks, and the difference is not trivial. Most of the state's higher-paying software work clusters around the DC suburbs, so the statewide median reflects a mix that skews well above what the Hampton Roads market typically offers.
The mean wage of $125,540 sits just below the median, which is unusual. In most tech markets, a small group of high earners pulls the average above the midpoint. Here the two figures are nearly identical, which suggests the local pay distribution is fairly even across experience levels rather than being stretched by a handful of outliers at the top.
The spread from the 10th to 90th percentile runs from $77,080 to $173,820. Top earners in the metro make a little over twice what those near the bottom do. That range is wide enough to leave meaningful room for progression, even if the ceiling sits below what the Richmond or Northern Virginia markets show.
Salary distribution
Where Virginia Beach software developers fall on the wage curve.
Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)
The middle 50% of workers earn between $99,230 and $160,550, with a median of $129,090.
Typical entry
Education
Bachelor's degree
Experience
None
On-the-job training
None
Top skills (O*NET)
Common tasks (O*NET)
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How the Virginia Beach metro compares to other major Virginia metro areas for software developers.
- Richmond$132,120
Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Software Developers in Virginia Beach, Virginia?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, the median annual wage for Software Developers in the Virginia Beach metropolitan area is $129,090.
- Does Virginia Beach pay more than the Virginia state average for Software Developers?
- The Virginia Beach metro median is -5.4% versus the Virginia state median of $136,460.
- How does Virginia Beach compare to the national median for Software Developers?
- The Virginia Beach metro median is -9.7% versus the BLS national figure of $142,947.
- What is the salary range for Software Developers in Virginia Beach?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $80,090 and the 90th-percentile at $178,830 for the Virginia Beach metro area.
- What education is required for Software Developers?
- 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. BLS metro estimates reflect the Virginia Beach CBSA boundary 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.