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

Security Engineer Salary in Virginia Beach: $139K Median

Security Engineers in Virginia Beach, VA earn between $90K and $230K per year.

That's -2% below the US national median of $142,000 for this role.

Quick Answer

As of April 2026, the median Security Engineer salary in Virginia Beach, VA is $139,160 per year — -2% below the US national median of $142,000. Salaries range from $90,454 (entry, 25th percentile) to $229,614 (90th percentile). Security Engineers in Virginia Beach earned approximately $22,445 in 2025, representing 520.0% year-over-year growth.

Median
$139,160
+520.0% YoY · $11,597/mo
Entry
$108,545
0–2 years
Experienced
$183,691
5+ years
Top 10%
$229,614
Senior/lead
Security Engineer Salary — Virginia Beach vs Nearby
Virginia Beach
$139K
Charlotte
$145K
-4% vs Virginia Beach
Fort Worth
$145K
-4% vs Virginia Beach
Mesa
$139K
+0% vs Virginia Beach

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

About Security Engineers in Virginia Beach

Security engineers design and implement systems that protect organizations from cyber threats. They build secure infrastructure, perform threat modeling, and respond to incidents.

Core Responsibilities

  • Design secure infrastructure and architectures
  • Perform threat modeling and risk assessments
  • Implement zero-trust controls and EDR tooling
  • Lead incident response and forensics
  • Build security automation and tooling

Education & Certifications

Typical path: Bachelor's degree + security certifications (or equivalent experience)

In-demand certifications

CISSPSecurity+OSCPCEHCISMAWS Security Specialty

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 Security Engineers

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

CrowdStrike
Palo Alto Networks
Mandiant
Microsoft
Google
Amazon
Cloudflare
Okta

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 Security Engineer listings.

zero-trustcloud security (AWS/GCP)threat modelingEDR/XDRKubernetes securityAI security

ATS Resume Keywords

Include these naturally throughout your resume.

CISSPzero-trustthreat modelingEDRSIEMpenetration testingcloud securityIAMincident responseNIST
Career Outlook
+32% Growth Projected (2024-2034)

Security engineer demand projected to grow 32% through 2034 — among the fastest in tech. Severe talent shortage with 700K+ unfilled US cybersecurity roles.

Security Engineer Salary Breakdown — Virginia Beach

PeriodEntry (25th)Median (50th)Top (90th)
Annual$90,454$139,160$229,614
Monthly$7,538$11,597$19,135
Weekly$1,740$2,676$4,416
Hourly$43$67$110

Based on 2080 working hours/year. Local figures derived from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics national median ($142,000) adjusted for Virginia Beach's cost-of-living multiplier (0.98×, sourced from BEA Regional Price Parities).

Security Engineer Take-Home Pay in Virginia Beach

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

Net Annual Take-Home
$98,814.86
Per month$8,235
Biweekly paycheck$3,801
Effective tax rate29.0%

Tax Breakdown on $139,160

Gross salary$139,160
Federal income tax−$22,741.4
Virginia state tax−$6,958
FICA (Social Security + Medicare)−$10,645.74
Take-home (net)$98,814.86

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.

Security Engineer Salary by Experience — Virginia Beach

Career-stage progression for Security Engineers in Virginia Beach.

ExperienceAnnual Salary
0–1 yr$99,861
2–3 yr$108,545
4–6 yr$146,118
7–10 yr$183,691
11–15 yr$216,755
15+ yr$206,653

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:$22,445
2026 median:$139,160
Change:+$116,715

Technology sector growth driven by demand for zero-trust and cloud security (AWS/GCP).

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
$139,160
Solidly middle-class on the median - manageable, but disciplined budgeting is needed to save aggressively or buy a home.

How to Negotiate Your Security Engineer Salary in Virginia Beach

Walk-away anchor: $121,009 (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 $184K–$230K for experienced roles, citing Virginia Beach market data and your specific zero-trust/cloud security (AWS/GCP) expertise.

Security Engineer Salary FAQ — Virginia Beach

What is the average Security Engineer salary in Virginia Beach, VA?
The average Security Engineer salary in Virginia Beach is $139,160 per year as of April 2026 — $11,597/month, $2,676/week, or about $67/hour. Salaries range from $90,454 (entry, 25th percentile) up to $229,614 (experienced, 90th percentile). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics adjusted for Virginia Beach's cost-of-living multiplier (0.98×).
Is $139,160 a good Security Engineer 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 $139,160 a real purchasing power of approximately $139,160 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 $139,160 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 $139,160 salary supports a comfortable lifestyle.
Is $139,160 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 $139,160 salary is well above that threshold — a single person can live comfortably with significant savings room.
Is $139,160 enough for a couple in Virginia Beach?
A couple (one earner) in Virginia Beach typically needs ~$72,000 for a comfortable lifestyle. A $139,160 salary as the sole household income is sufficient — enabling moderate housing, savings, and discretionary spending. Two earners at $139,160 each ($278,320 household) provides solid middle-class comfort.
Is $139,160 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 $139,160 salary as the sole household income is sufficient — a family of 4 can afford this metro on a single Security Engineer income with prudent budgeting. Childcare costs in Virginia Beach typically run $15K-$28K per child per year.
What is the take-home pay for a Security Engineer in Virginia Beach?
On a $139,160 Security Engineer salary in Virginia Beach, VA, you take home approximately $98,814.86 per year ($8,235/month, $3,801 per biweekly paycheck) after taxes. Breakdown: federal $22,741.4, state $6,958, FICA $10,645.74. Effective tax rate: 29.0%. (Single filer, standard deduction, no other adjustments.)
How much do Security Engineers in Virginia Beach earn compared to the US average?
Security Engineers in Virginia Beach earn approximately 2% less than the US national median for this role ($142,000 nationally vs $139,160 in Virginia Beach). However, Virginia Beach's cost-of-living index of 100 means real purchasing power is approximately $139,160 when adjusted for local prices.
What does an entry-level Security Engineer earn in Virginia Beach?
Entry-level Security Engineers in Virginia Beach typically start at around $108,545 (0–2 years experience). With 5+ years, Security Engineers earn $183,691 or more. Top earners (90th percentile) reach $229,614+, typically at senior or lead levels with specialized skills.
Did Security Engineer salaries in Virginia Beach increase in 2026?
Yes — Security Engineer salaries in Virginia Beach grew approximately 520.0% year-over-year, from $22,445 in 2025 to $139,160 in 2026 (+$116,715). This reflects the broader Technology sector's compensation trend, driven by zero-trust and cloud security (AWS/GCP) demand.
What's the job outlook for Security Engineers in Virginia Beach?
Security engineer demand projected to grow 32% through 2034 — among the fastest in tech. Severe talent shortage with 700K+ unfilled US cybersecurity roles. 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 Security Engineers in 2026?
The hottest 2026 skills for Security Engineers are: zero-trust, cloud security (AWS/GCP), threat modeling, EDR/XDR, Kubernetes security, AI security. 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 Security Engineers in Virginia Beach?
Top employers hiring Security Engineers in or near Virginia Beach include: CrowdStrike, Palo Alto Networks, Mandiant, Microsoft, Google, Amazon. 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 Security 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 Security Engineer salary in Virginia Beach?
Three highest-leverage moves: (1) Add 2026's hot skills (zero-trust, cloud security (AWS/GCP), threat modeling) — they command 15-30% premiums. (2) Get a recognized certification (e.g., CISSP or Security+). (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 Security Engineer in Virginia Beach?
Bachelor's degree + security certifications (or equivalent experience) 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

Security Engineer salary figures for Virginia Beach are computed by adjusting the BLS national median ($142,000) 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

Cybersecurity Analyst →DevOps Engineer →Software Engineer →Data Scientist →Product Manager →Web Developer →

Security Engineer Salary in Other Cities

Phoenix, AZ$142KSan Antonio, TX$132KFort Worth, TX$145KColumbus, OH$138KCharlotte, NC$145KIndianapolis, IN$132KDetroit, MI$132KNashville, TN$142K

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