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2026 Salary Data — Virginia Beach, VA
Updated April 28, 2026

Data Scientist Salary in Virginia Beach: $106K Median

Data Scientists in Virginia Beach, VA earn between $66K and $180K per year.

That's -2% below the US national median of $108,020 for this role.

Quick Answer

As of April 2026, the median Data Scientist salary in Virginia Beach, VA is $105,860 per year — -2% below the US national median of $108,020. Salaries range from $66,424 (entry, 25th percentile) to $180,408 (90th percentile). Data Scientists in Virginia Beach earned approximately $17,074 in 2025, representing 520.0% year-over-year growth.

Median
$105,860
+520.0% YoY · $8,822/mo
Entry
$83,300
0–2 years
Experienced
$161,700
5+ years
Top 10%
$180,408
Senior/lead
Data Scientist Salary — Virginia Beach vs Nearby
Virginia Beach
$106K
Charlotte
$110K
-4% vs Virginia Beach
Fort Worth
$110K
-4% vs Virginia Beach
Mesa
$106K
+0% vs Virginia Beach

Free ATS scan · Virginia Beach employers · Results in 60 seconds

About Data Scientists in Virginia Beach

Data scientists analyze large datasets to extract insights, build predictive models, and inform business decisions. They combine statistics, programming, and domain expertise.

Core Responsibilities

  • Build machine learning models
  • Analyze structured/unstructured data
  • Deploy models to production
  • Communicate findings to stakeholders
  • A/B testing and experimentation

Education & Certifications

Typical path: Master's degree preferred (Bachelor's acceptable with strong portfolio)

In-demand certifications

Google Data AnalyticsTensorFlow DeveloperAWS ML SpecialtyMicrosoft DA-100

Virginia Beach Job Market

Military and tourism hub with strong defense industry.

Population
459K
Cost of Living
100
vs 100 US avg
Unemployment
3.8%
Median Home
$360K

Top Industries in Virginia Beach

Military/NavalTourismDefenseHealthcare

Top Employers Hiring Data Scientists

Major employers active in Virginia Beach or hiring remotely from this metro.

Google
Meta
Netflix
Uber
Airbnb
OpenAI
Anthropic
Databricks

All major employers use ATS software.

Workday, Greenhouse, Taleo, and iCIMS auto-screen 75% of resumes before a human ever sees them. Scan your resume free to see your match rate.

2026 Hot Skills & Resume Keywords

Skills that command salary premiums and pass ATS keyword filters.

Hottest 2026 Skills

These appear in the highest-paying Data Scientist listings.

LLMsPyTorchMLOpsdbtSnowflakeGenAI

ATS Resume Keywords

Include these naturally throughout your resume.

PythonSQLTensorFlowPyTorchmachine learningstatisticsA/B testingdata visualizationpandasscikit-learn
Career Outlook
+36% Growth Projected (2024-2034)

Data scientist employment is projected to grow 36% through 2034 — one of the fastest-growing occupations. AI/ML adoption across industries is driving unprecedented demand.

Data Scientist Salary Breakdown — Virginia Beach

PeriodEntry (25th)Median (50th)Top (90th)
Annual$66,424$105,860$180,408
Monthly$5,535$8,822$15,034
Weekly$1,277$2,036$3,469
Hourly$32$51$87

Based on 2080 working hours/year. Local figures derived from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics national median ($108,020) adjusted for Virginia Beach's cost-of-living multiplier (0.98×, sourced from BEA Regional Price Parities).

Data Scientist Take-Home Pay in Virginia Beach

After federal, state and FICA taxes — single filer, standard deduction.

Net Annual Take-Home
$77,477.51
Per month$6,456
Biweekly paycheck$2,980
Effective tax rate26.8%

Tax Breakdown on $105,860

Gross salary$105,860
Federal income tax−$14,991.2
Virginia state tax−$5,293
FICA (Social Security + Medicare)−$8,098.29
Take-home (net)$77,477.51

Estimates assume single filer, standard deduction ($14,600 for 2026), no 401(k)/HSA/dependents. Actual take-home varies with deductions, dependents, and benefits elections. Not tax advice.

Data Scientist Salary by Experience — Virginia Beach

Career-stage progression for Data Scientists in Virginia Beach.

ExperienceAnnual Salary
0–1 yr$76,636
2–3 yr$83,300
4–6 yr$122,500
7–10 yr$161,700
11–15 yr$190,806
15+ yr$171,054

Curve derived from BLS percentile data adjusted for Virginia Beach's 0.98× cost-of-living multiplier. Highlighted row = 7–10 year experienced level.

Year-Over-Year Trend

+520.0% vs 2025

2025 median:$17,074
2026 median:$105,860
Change:+$88,786

Technology sector growth driven by demand for LLMs and PyTorch.

Is This A Good Salary?

Excellent

Adjusted for local cost of living, this salary delivers top-tier real purchasing power - well above what the same nominal pay would buy in most US metros. Strong savings, home-buying, and discretionary spending are all realistic.

COL-Adjusted Purchasing Power
$105,860
Solidly middle-class on the median - manageable, but disciplined budgeting is needed to save aggressively or buy a home.

How to Negotiate Your Data Scientist Salary in Virginia Beach

Walk-away anchor: $92,052 (offers below this are below market for Virginia Beach).

Leverage Points

  • Reference levels.fyi total compensation data for your level (L4/L5/etc.) at comparable companies
  • Quantify recent shipped impact: latency reduced, revenue driven, on-call incidents resolved
  • Hold a competing offer (or credible interview pipeline) before the salary conversation
  • Highlight in-demand skill premiums: LLMs, Kubernetes, Rust, distributed systems

Beyond Base Salary, Negotiate

Sign-on bonus ($25K-$100K is standard at Big Tech)RSU refreshers and accelerated vesting cliffsRemote/hybrid flexibility and home-office stipendAnnual learning budget and conference allowanceSabbatical eligibility after 4-5 years

What To Say

"Based on levels.fyi data and what I'm seeing from comparable offers, total compensation for this level is closer to $X base plus equity. Can we close the gap on base or front-load the RSU grant?"

Anchor on $162K–$180K for experienced roles, citing Virginia Beach market data and your specific LLMs/PyTorch expertise.

Data Scientist Salary FAQ — Virginia Beach

What is the average Data Scientist salary in Virginia Beach, VA?
The average Data Scientist salary in Virginia Beach is $105,860 per year as of April 2026 — $8,822/month, $2,036/week, or about $51/hour. Salaries range from $66,424 (entry, 25th percentile) up to $180,408 (experienced, 90th percentile). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics adjusted for Virginia Beach's cost-of-living multiplier (0.98×).
Is $105,860 a good Data Scientist salary in Virginia Beach?
Excellent. Adjusted for local cost of living, this salary delivers top-tier real purchasing power - well above what the same nominal pay would buy in most US metros. Strong savings, home-buying, and discretionary spending are all realistic. Virginia Beach's cost-of-living index is 100 (vs 100 nationally), giving $105,860 a real purchasing power of approximately $105,860 in national terms. Solidly middle-class on the median - manageable, but disciplined budgeting is needed to save aggressively or buy a home.
Can you live on $105,860 in Virginia Beach?
Dual-income households support a comfortable family lifestyle. Single-earner families on the median may need to compromise on neighborhood, square footage, or college savings. Aim for 28-30% of pre-tax income on rent. The classic 30% rule still works here, though housing costs are creeping up faster than wages. For Virginia Beach specifically (median home price $360,000), a $105,860 salary supports a comfortable lifestyle.
Is $105,860 enough for a single person in Virginia Beach?
A single adult in Virginia Beach typically needs ~$45,000 for a comfortable lifestyle (housing, food, transport, healthcare, modest savings). A $105,860 salary is well above that threshold — a single person can live comfortably with significant savings room.
Is $105,860 enough for a couple in Virginia Beach?
A couple (one earner) in Virginia Beach typically needs ~$72,000 for a comfortable lifestyle. A $105,860 salary as the sole household income is sufficient — enabling moderate housing, savings, and discretionary spending. Two earners at $105,860 each ($211,720 household) provides solid middle-class comfort.
Is $105,860 enough for a family of 4 in Virginia Beach?
A family of 4 (one earner) in Virginia Beach typically needs ~$110,000 for a comfortable middle-class lifestyle (housing for 4, childcare/school, food, healthcare, transport, savings). A $105,860 salary as the sole household income is below the comfortable threshold — most families need a second income or to live in cheaper suburbs/exurbs of Virginia Beach. Childcare costs in Virginia Beach typically run $15K-$28K per child per year.
What is the take-home pay for a Data Scientist in Virginia Beach?
On a $105,860 Data Scientist salary in Virginia Beach, VA, you take home approximately $77,477.51 per year ($6,456/month, $2,980 per biweekly paycheck) after taxes. Breakdown: federal $14,991.2, state $5,293, FICA $8,098.29. Effective tax rate: 26.8%. (Single filer, standard deduction, no other adjustments.)
How much do Data Scientists in Virginia Beach earn compared to the US average?
Data Scientists in Virginia Beach earn approximately 2% less than the US national median for this role ($108,020 nationally vs $105,860 in Virginia Beach). However, Virginia Beach's cost-of-living index of 100 means real purchasing power is approximately $105,860 when adjusted for local prices.
What does an entry-level Data Scientist earn in Virginia Beach?
Entry-level Data Scientists in Virginia Beach typically start at around $83,300 (0–2 years experience). With 5+ years, Data Scientists earn $161,700 or more. Top earners (90th percentile) reach $180,408+, typically at senior or lead levels with specialized skills.
Did Data Scientist salaries in Virginia Beach increase in 2026?
Yes — Data Scientist salaries in Virginia Beach grew approximately 520.0% year-over-year, from $17,074 in 2025 to $105,860 in 2026 (+$88,786). This reflects the broader Technology sector's compensation trend, driven by LLMs and PyTorch demand.
What's the job outlook for Data Scientists in Virginia Beach?
Data scientist employment is projected to grow 36% through 2034 — one of the fastest-growing occupations. AI/ML adoption across industries is driving unprecedented demand. Virginia Beach's top industries include Military/Naval, Tourism, Defense, and the metro's current unemployment rate is 3.8% — a tight labor market favoring candidates.
What skills are most in demand for Data Scientists in 2026?
The hottest 2026 skills for Data Scientists are: LLMs, PyTorch, MLOps, dbt, Snowflake, GenAI. ATS systems specifically scan for these keywords. Adding them to your resume — naturally and in context — significantly improves your match rate with employers in Virginia Beach.
Who are the top employers hiring Data Scientists in Virginia Beach?
Top employers hiring Data Scientists in or near Virginia Beach include: Google, Meta, Netflix, Uber, Airbnb, OpenAI. Most use ATS software (Workday, Greenhouse, Taleo, iCIMS) to screen resumes — meaning your resume must be ATS-optimized to even get a human reader.
How do I negotiate a higher Data Scientist salary in Virginia Beach?
Based on levels.fyi data and what I'm seeing from comparable offers, total compensation for this level is closer to $X base plus equity. Can we close the gap on base or front-load the RSU grant? Key leverage points for Technology negotiations: Reference levels.fyi total compensation data for your level (L4/L5/etc.) at comparable companies; Quantify recent shipped impact: latency reduced, revenue driven, on-call incidents resolved; Hold a competing offer (or credible interview pipeline) before the salary conversation. Beyond base salary, negotiate for: Sign-on bonus ($25K-$100K is standard at Big Tech), RSU refreshers and accelerated vesting cliffs, Remote/hybrid flexibility and home-office stipend, Annual learning budget and conference allowance.
How can I increase my Data Scientist salary in Virginia Beach?
Three highest-leverage moves: (1) Add 2026's hot skills (LLMs, PyTorch, MLOps) — they command 15-30% premiums. (2) Get a recognized certification (e.g., Google Data Analytics or TensorFlow Developer). (3) Tailor your resume to each role's keywords — CVCraft's ATS scanner shows you exactly what's missing.
What education do I need to become a Data Scientist in Virginia Beach?
Master's degree preferred (Bachelor's acceptable with strong portfolio) is the typical path. However, Virginia Beach's competitive market increasingly values demonstrable skills, portfolios, and certifications alongside (or in place of) traditional degrees — particularly for Technology roles.

Methodology & Sources

Data Scientist salary figures for Virginia Beach are computed by adjusting the BLS national median ($108,020) by Virginia Beach's cost-of-living multiplier of 0.98× — a composite of regional wage data and price parities. Year-over-year change (520.0%) reflects the Technology sector's 2025-2026 wage growth per BLS Employment Cost Index trends. Last reviewed April 28, 2026.

Data Sources

Related Roles in Virginia Beach

Software Engineer →Machine Learning Engineer →Product Manager →Web Developer →DevOps Engineer →Cybersecurity Analyst →

Data Scientist Salary in Other Cities

Phoenix, AZ$108KSan Antonio, TX$100KFort Worth, TX$110KColumbus, OH$105KCharlotte, NC$110KIndianapolis, IN$100KDetroit, MI$100KNashville, TN$108K

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