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2026 Salary — Virginia
Updated April 29, 2026

Software Engineer Salary in Virginia: $140K Median

Software Engineers in Virginia earn between $92K and $221K per year.

That's +6% above the US national median.

Quick Answer

As of April 2026, the median Software Engineer salary in Virginia is $140,206 per year — +6% above the US national median of $132,270. Salaries range from $91,754 (entry, 25th percentile) to $221,137 (90th percentile). Virginia's cost-of-living index is 104. State income tax applies.

Median
$140,206
+520.0% YoY
Entry
$100,700
Experienced
$185,500
Top 10%
$221,137

About Software Engineers in Virginia

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.

Hot 2026 Skills

PythonTypeScriptAWS/AzureLLM/RAGKubernetesGo/Rust

ATS Keywords

PythonJavaScriptTypeScriptReactNode.jsAWSCI/CDsystem designmicroservicesAPI development

Software Engineer Salary in Virginia Metros

Click any city for full breakdown including take-home pay calculator.

CityMedian
Virginia Beach$129,625

How to Negotiate Your Software Engineer Salary in Virginia

Walk-away anchor: $121,918.

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

Negotiate Beyond Base

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

Software Engineer Salary FAQ — Virginia

What is the average Software Engineer salary in Virginia?
The average Software Engineer salary in Virginia is $140,206 per year as of April 2026. Salaries range from $91,754 (entry, 25th percentile) up to $221,137 (90th percentile). State income tax applies.
How does Software Engineer pay in Virginia compare to the US average?
Software Engineers in Virginia earn approximately 6% more than the US national median ($132,270 nationally vs $140,206 in Virginia). Virginia's cost-of-living index of 104 is close to the national average.
Did Software Engineer salaries in Virginia increase in 2026?
Yes — Software Engineer salaries in Virginia grew approximately 520.0% year-over-year, from $22,614 in 2025 to $140,206 in 2026. This reflects the broader Technology sector's wage growth, driven by Python and TypeScript demand.
Which Virginia cities pay Software Engineers the most?
Top-paying Virginia metros for Software Engineers: Virginia Beach ($130K). Click any city for full breakdown including take-home pay.
What's the job outlook for Software Engineers in Virginia?
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's top industries include Government/Defense, Tech (Data Centers), Shipbuilding, and the state's unemployment rate is 3.3% — a tight labor market favoring candidates.
Does Virginia have state income tax?
Yes, Virginia has state income tax. This affects take-home pay — at $140,206, expect 4-7% effective state tax depending on filing status. See city pages for detailed take-home calculations.
What skills are most in demand for Software Engineers in 2026?
Hottest 2026 skills: Python, TypeScript, AWS/Azure, LLM/RAG, Kubernetes, Go/Rust. ATS systems specifically scan for these. Adding them to your resume — naturally and in context — improves your match rate with Virginia employers.
How can I increase my Software Engineer salary in Virginia?
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? Beyond base, negotiate: 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. Walk-away anchor for Virginia: $121,918.

Methodology

Virginia Software Engineer salary is the BLS national median ($132,270) adjusted by Virginia's state multiplier (1.06×). YoY rate from BLS Employment Cost Index. Last reviewed April 29, 2026.

Software Engineer Salary in Other States

Alabama$116KAlaska$139KArizona$130KArkansas$112KCalifornia$156KColorado$139KConnecticut$148KDelaware$135K

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