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

QA Engineer Salary in Virginia Beach: $90K Median

QA Engineers in Virginia Beach, VA earn between $59K and $149K per year.

That's -2% below the US national median of $92,000 for this role.

Quick Answer

As of April 2026, the median QA Engineer salary in Virginia Beach, VA is $90,160 per year — -2% below the US national median of $92,000. Salaries range from $58,604 (entry, 25th percentile) to $148,764 (90th percentile). QA Engineers in Virginia Beach earned approximately $14,542 in 2025, representing 520.0% year-over-year growth.

Median
$90,160
+520.0% YoY · $7,513/mo
Entry
$70,325
0–2 years
Experienced
$119,011
5+ years
Top 10%
$148,764
Senior/lead
QA Engineer Salary — Virginia Beach vs Nearby
Virginia Beach
$90K
Charlotte
$94K
-4% vs Virginia Beach
Fort Worth
$94K
-4% vs Virginia Beach
Mesa
$90K
+0% vs Virginia Beach

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

About QA Engineers in Virginia Beach

QA engineers ensure software quality through automated and manual testing. They build test frameworks, write integration tests, and prevent regressions from reaching production.

Core Responsibilities

  • Write automated tests (Selenium, Cypress, Playwright)
  • Design test plans and strategies
  • Perform regression and smoke testing
  • Build CI/CD test pipelines
  • Track and triage defects

Education & Certifications

Typical path: Bachelor's degree or equivalent (bootcamps acceptable)

In-demand certifications

ISTQB FoundationCertified Software Tester (CSTE)Selenium WebDriver

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 QA Engineers

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

Microsoft
Google
Amazon
Salesforce
Oracle
Adobe
Cisco
Capgemini

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 QA Engineer listings.

PlaywrightCypressAPI testingCI/CD test pipelinesAI-assisted testingperformance testing

ATS Resume Keywords

Include these naturally throughout your resume.

SeleniumCypressPlaywrighttest automationJIRACI/CDAPI testingPostmanregression testingagile
Career Outlook
+10% Growth Projected (2024-2034)

QA engineer roles projected to grow 10% through 2034. Shift-left testing and test automation skills commanding premiums.

QA Engineer Salary Breakdown — Virginia Beach

PeriodEntry (25th)Median (50th)Top (90th)
Annual$58,604$90,160$148,764
Monthly$4,884$7,513$12,397
Weekly$1,127$1,734$2,861
Hourly$28$43$72

Based on 2080 working hours/year. Local figures derived from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics national median ($92,000) adjusted for Virginia Beach's cost-of-living multiplier (0.98×, sourced from BEA Regional Price Parities).

QA Engineer Take-Home Pay in Virginia Beach

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

Net Annual Take-Home
$67,217.56
Per month$5,601
Biweekly paycheck$2,585
Effective tax rate25.4%

Tax Breakdown on $90,160

Gross salary$90,160
Federal income tax−$11,537.2
Virginia state tax−$4,508
FICA (Social Security + Medicare)−$6,897.24
Take-home (net)$67,217.56

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.

QA Engineer Salary by Experience — Virginia Beach

Career-stage progression for QA Engineers in Virginia Beach.

ExperienceAnnual Salary
0–1 yr$64,699
2–3 yr$70,325
4–6 yr$94,668
7–10 yr$119,011
11–15 yr$140,433
15+ yr$133,888

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:$14,542
2026 median:$90,160
Change:+$75,618

Technology sector growth driven by demand for Playwright and Cypress.

Is This A Good Salary?

Solid above median

Real purchasing power lands comfortably above the national middle-class threshold once cost of living is factored in. Homeownership and meaningful retirement savings are achievable on a single income.

COL-Adjusted Purchasing Power
$90,160
Solidly middle-class on the median - manageable, but disciplined budgeting is needed to save aggressively or buy a home.

How to Negotiate Your QA Engineer Salary in Virginia Beach

Walk-away anchor: $78,400 (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 $119K–$149K for experienced roles, citing Virginia Beach market data and your specific Playwright/Cypress expertise.

QA Engineer Salary FAQ — Virginia Beach

What is the average QA Engineer salary in Virginia Beach, VA?
The average QA Engineer salary in Virginia Beach is $90,160 per year as of April 2026 — $7,513/month, $1,734/week, or about $43/hour. Salaries range from $58,604 (entry, 25th percentile) up to $148,764 (experienced, 90th percentile). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics adjusted for Virginia Beach's cost-of-living multiplier (0.98×).
Is $90,160 a good QA Engineer salary in Virginia Beach?
Solid above median. Real purchasing power lands comfortably above the national middle-class threshold once cost of living is factored in. Homeownership and meaningful retirement savings are achievable on a single income. Virginia Beach's cost-of-living index is 100 (vs 100 nationally), giving $90,160 a real purchasing power of approximately $90,160 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 $90,160 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 $90,160 salary supports a comfortable lifestyle.
Is $90,160 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 $90,160 salary is well above that threshold — a single person can live comfortably with significant savings room.
Is $90,160 enough for a couple in Virginia Beach?
A couple (one earner) in Virginia Beach typically needs ~$72,000 for a comfortable lifestyle. A $90,160 salary as the sole household income is sufficient — enabling moderate housing, savings, and discretionary spending. Two earners at $90,160 each ($180,320 household) provides solid middle-class comfort.
Is $90,160 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 $90,160 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 QA Engineer in Virginia Beach?
On a $90,160 QA Engineer salary in Virginia Beach, VA, you take home approximately $67,217.56 per year ($5,601/month, $2,585 per biweekly paycheck) after taxes. Breakdown: federal $11,537.2, state $4,508, FICA $6,897.24. Effective tax rate: 25.4%. (Single filer, standard deduction, no other adjustments.)
How much do QA Engineers in Virginia Beach earn compared to the US average?
QA Engineers in Virginia Beach earn approximately 2% less than the US national median for this role ($92,000 nationally vs $90,160 in Virginia Beach). However, Virginia Beach's cost-of-living index of 100 means real purchasing power is approximately $90,160 when adjusted for local prices.
What does an entry-level QA Engineer earn in Virginia Beach?
Entry-level QA Engineers in Virginia Beach typically start at around $70,325 (0–2 years experience). With 5+ years, QA Engineers earn $119,011 or more. Top earners (90th percentile) reach $148,764+, typically at senior or lead levels with specialized skills.
Did QA Engineer salaries in Virginia Beach increase in 2026?
Yes — QA Engineer salaries in Virginia Beach grew approximately 520.0% year-over-year, from $14,542 in 2025 to $90,160 in 2026 (+$75,618). This reflects the broader Technology sector's compensation trend, driven by Playwright and Cypress demand.
What's the job outlook for QA Engineers in Virginia Beach?
QA engineer roles projected to grow 10% through 2034. Shift-left testing and test automation skills commanding premiums. 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 QA Engineers in 2026?
The hottest 2026 skills for QA Engineers are: Playwright, Cypress, API testing, CI/CD test pipelines, AI-assisted testing, performance testing. 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 QA Engineers in Virginia Beach?
Top employers hiring QA Engineers in or near Virginia Beach include: Microsoft, Google, Amazon, Salesforce, Oracle, Adobe. 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 QA Engineer 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 QA Engineer salary in Virginia Beach?
Three highest-leverage moves: (1) Add 2026's hot skills (Playwright, Cypress, API testing) — they command 15-30% premiums. (2) Get a recognized certification (e.g., ISTQB Foundation or Certified Software Tester (CSTE)). (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 QA Engineer in Virginia Beach?
Bachelor's degree or equivalent (bootcamps acceptable) 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

QA Engineer salary figures for Virginia Beach are computed by adjusting the BLS national median ($92,000) 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 →DevOps Engineer →Frontend Developer →Data Scientist →Product Manager →Web Developer →

QA Engineer Salary in Other Cities

Phoenix, AZ$92KSan Antonio, TX$86KFort Worth, TX$94KColumbus, OH$89KCharlotte, NC$94KIndianapolis, IN$86KDetroit, MI$86KNashville, TN$92K

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