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

Software Engineer Salary in Virginia Beach: $130K Median

Software Engineers in Virginia Beach, VA earn between $85K and $204K per year.

That's -2% below the US national median of $132,270 for this role.

Quick Answer

As of April 2026, the median Software Engineer salary in Virginia Beach, VA is $129,625 per year — -2% below the US national median of $132,270. Salaries range from $84,829 (entry, 25th percentile) to $204,448 (90th percentile). Software Engineers in Virginia Beach earned approximately $20,907 in 2025, representing 520.0% year-over-year growth.

Median
$129,625
+520.0% YoY · $10,802/mo
Entry
$93,100
0–2 years
Experienced
$171,500
5+ years
Top 10%
$204,448
Senior/lead
Software Engineer Salary — Virginia Beach vs Nearby
Virginia Beach
$130K
Charlotte
$135K
-4% vs Virginia Beach
Fort Worth
$135K
-4% vs Virginia Beach
Mesa
$130K
+0% vs Virginia Beach

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

About Software Engineers in Virginia Beach

Software engineers design, develop, test, and maintain software applications and systems. They work across web, mobile, backend, and cloud platforms using languages like Python, JavaScript, and Java.

Core Responsibilities

  • Write clean, scalable code
  • Design system architecture
  • Code review and testing
  • Collaborate with product and design teams
  • Optimize performance and reliability

Education & Certifications

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

In-demand certifications

AWS Certified Solutions ArchitectGoogle Cloud ProfessionalMicrosoft AzureKubernetes (CKAD)

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 Software Engineers

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

Google
Microsoft
Meta
Amazon
Apple
Stripe
Anthropic
OpenAI

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 Software Engineer listings.

PythonTypeScriptAWS/AzureLLM/RAGKubernetesGo/Rust

ATS Resume Keywords

Include these naturally throughout your resume.

PythonJavaScriptTypeScriptReactNode.jsAWSCI/CDsystem designmicroservicesAPI development
Career Outlook
+17% Growth Projected (2024-2034)

Software developer employment is projected to grow 17% through 2034 — adding 327,900 new jobs. AI and cloud computing demand continues to drive growth, particularly for engineers with ML/AI skills.

Software Engineer Salary Breakdown — Virginia Beach

PeriodEntry (25th)Median (50th)Top (90th)
Annual$84,829$129,625$204,448
Monthly$7,069$10,802$17,037
Weekly$1,631$2,493$3,932
Hourly$41$62$98

Based on 2080 working hours/year. Local figures derived from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics national median ($132,270) adjusted for Virginia Beach's cost-of-living multiplier (0.98×, sourced from BEA Regional Price Parities).

Software Engineer Take-Home Pay in Virginia Beach

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

Net Annual Take-Home
$92,774.438
Per month$7,731
Biweekly paycheck$3,568
Effective tax rate28.4%

Tax Breakdown on $129,625

Gross salary$129,625
Federal income tax−$20,453
Virginia state tax−$6,481.25
FICA (Social Security + Medicare)−$9,916.313
Take-home (net)$92,774.438

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.

Software Engineer Salary by Experience — Virginia Beach

Career-stage progression for Software Engineers in Virginia Beach.

ExperienceAnnual Salary
0–1 yr$85,652
2–3 yr$93,100
4–6 yr$132,300
7–10 yr$171,500
11–15 yr$202,370
15+ yr$187,974

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:$20,907
2026 median:$129,625
Change:+$108,718

Technology sector growth driven by demand for Python and TypeScript.

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
$129,625
Solidly middle-class on the median - manageable, but disciplined budgeting is needed to save aggressively or buy a home.

How to Negotiate Your Software Engineer Salary in Virginia Beach

Walk-away anchor: $112,717 (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 $172K–$204K for experienced roles, citing Virginia Beach market data and your specific Python/TypeScript expertise.

Software Engineer Salary FAQ — Virginia Beach

What is the average Software Engineer salary in Virginia Beach, VA?
The average Software Engineer salary in Virginia Beach is $129,625 per year as of April 2026 — $10,802/month, $2,493/week, or about $62/hour. Salaries range from $84,829 (entry, 25th percentile) up to $204,448 (experienced, 90th percentile). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics adjusted for Virginia Beach's cost-of-living multiplier (0.98×).
Is $129,625 a good Software 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 $129,625 a real purchasing power of approximately $129,625 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 $129,625 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 $129,625 salary supports a comfortable lifestyle.
Is $129,625 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 $129,625 salary is well above that threshold — a single person can live comfortably with significant savings room.
Is $129,625 enough for a couple in Virginia Beach?
A couple (one earner) in Virginia Beach typically needs ~$72,000 for a comfortable lifestyle. A $129,625 salary as the sole household income is sufficient — enabling moderate housing, savings, and discretionary spending. Two earners at $129,625 each ($259,250 household) provides solid middle-class comfort.
Is $129,625 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 $129,625 salary as the sole household income is sufficient — a family of 4 can afford this metro on a single Software 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 Software Engineer in Virginia Beach?
On a $129,625 Software Engineer salary in Virginia Beach, VA, you take home approximately $92,774.438 per year ($7,731/month, $3,568 per biweekly paycheck) after taxes. Breakdown: federal $20,453, state $6,481.25, FICA $9,916.313. Effective tax rate: 28.4%. (Single filer, standard deduction, no other adjustments.)
How much do Software Engineers in Virginia Beach earn compared to the US average?
Software Engineers in Virginia Beach earn approximately 2% less than the US national median for this role ($132,270 nationally vs $129,625 in Virginia Beach). However, Virginia Beach's cost-of-living index of 100 means real purchasing power is approximately $129,625 when adjusted for local prices.
What does an entry-level Software Engineer earn in Virginia Beach?
Entry-level Software Engineers in Virginia Beach typically start at around $93,100 (0–2 years experience). With 5+ years, Software Engineers earn $171,500 or more. Top earners (90th percentile) reach $204,448+, typically at senior or lead levels with specialized skills.
Did Software Engineer salaries in Virginia Beach increase in 2026?
Yes — Software Engineer salaries in Virginia Beach grew approximately 520.0% year-over-year, from $20,907 in 2025 to $129,625 in 2026 (+$108,718). This reflects the broader Technology sector's compensation trend, driven by Python and TypeScript demand.
What's the job outlook for Software Engineers in Virginia Beach?
Software developer employment is projected to grow 17% through 2034 — adding 327,900 new jobs. AI and cloud computing demand continues to drive growth, particularly for engineers with ML/AI skills. 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 Software Engineers in 2026?
The hottest 2026 skills for Software Engineers are: Python, TypeScript, AWS/Azure, LLM/RAG, Kubernetes, Go/Rust. 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 Software Engineers in Virginia Beach?
Top employers hiring Software Engineers in or near Virginia Beach include: Google, Microsoft, Meta, Amazon, Apple, Stripe. 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 Software 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 Software Engineer salary in Virginia Beach?
Three highest-leverage moves: (1) Add 2026's hot skills (Python, TypeScript, AWS/Azure) — they command 15-30% premiums. (2) Get a recognized certification (e.g., AWS Certified Solutions Architect or Google Cloud Professional). (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 Software Engineer in Virginia Beach?
Bachelor's degree (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

Software Engineer salary figures for Virginia Beach are computed by adjusting the BLS national median ($132,270) 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

Data Scientist →DevOps Engineer →Product Manager →Cybersecurity Analyst →Web Developer →Machine Learning Engineer →

Software Engineer Salary in Other Cities

Phoenix, AZ$132KSan Antonio, TX$123KFort Worth, TX$135KColumbus, OH$128KCharlotte, NC$135KIndianapolis, IN$123KDetroit, MI$123KNashville, TN$132K

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