Data Scientist Salary in Virginia
Based on 9K+ workers in Virginia
Median Annual Salary (VA)
$126,430
$60.78/hr
vs National Average
$107,281
+17.8% vs national median
Salary Range (10th–90th)
$76K – $208K
9K employed in Virginia
The median Data Scientist salary in Virginia is $115,939 per year, based on data from 121 employed professionals in the state. This figure sits approximately 14% below the national average, reflecting regional variations in compensation. Salaries in Virginia typically range up to $128,112, providing insight into earning potential within the local market.
Several factors influence Data Scientist salary in Virginia, including experience level, educational background, and industry sector. Geographic proximity to major tech hubs and cost of living differences also play roles in compensation structures. Additionally, specific employer size, company funding stage, and specialized technical skills can significantly impact earning potential for data science professionals in the region.
Salary Distribution — Data Scientist in Virginia
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $76,420 |
| 25th percentile | $97,390 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $126,430 |
| 75th percentile | $165,610 |
| 90th percentile | $207,890 |
Top H-1B Employers for Data Scientist in Virginia
Companies that filed the most H-1B (LCA) applications for this role in Virginia — ranked by application count.
| # | Employer | Applications | Median Wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Capital One, National Association | 101 | $131,155 |
| 2 | Capital One Services, LLC | 84 | $112,904 |
| 3 | Amazon.com Services LLC | 12 | $132,100 |
| 4 | People Tech Group, Inc | 11 | $115,939 |
| 5 | Navy Federal Credit Union | 8 | $165,502 |
Source: U.S. Department of Labor OFLC LCA Disclosure Data, FY2026.
Data Scientist H-1B Salary by Wage Level in Virginia
DOL prevailing wage levels approximate seniority — Level I is entry-level, Level IV is senior/expert. Based on certified H-1B (LCA) filings in Virginia.
| Wage Level | Experience | Median Salary | Filings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level I | Entry-level | $92,000 | 41 |
| Level II | Qualified | $115,940 | 79 |
| Level III | Experienced | $143,400 | 22 |
| Level IV | Senior / Expert | $171,011 | 60 |
Source: U.S. Department of Labor OFLC LCA Disclosure Data, FY2026. Based on certified filings with a disclosed wage level.
Top-Paying Industries for Data Scientist (U.S.)
Which industries pay Data Scientists the most — nationwide figures (industry-level data is not available by state). Data Scientists in Virginia tend to follow these industry patterns.
| Industry (U.S.) | Median Salary | Employed (U.S.) |
|---|---|---|
| Information | $141,440 | 32K |
| Transportation and Warehousing | $137,840 | 4K |
| Real Estate and Rental and Leasing | $133,750 | 2K |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises | $128,050 | 29K |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | $126,730 | 70K |
Source: U.S. BLS OEWS National Industry-Specific estimates, May 2025. National figures (not state-specific).
Historical Salary Trend — Data Scientist in Virginia vs National
| Year | Median Salary (Virginia) |
|---|---|
| 2022 | $132,400 |
| 2023 | $136,490 |
| 2024 | $126,070 |
| 2025 | $126,430 |
| 2026 (projected) | $126,791 |
The latest year is a projection based on recent wage trends — BLS has not yet released that year’s data.
| Year | Virginia Median | National Median |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | $132,400 | $98,212 |
| 2023 | $136,490 | $104,916 |
| 2024 | $126,070 | $105,473 |
| 2025 | $126,430 | $107,281 |
| 2026 (projected) | $126,791 | $107,587 |
Data Scientist Salary by Experience Level in Virginia
| Experience Level | Years | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Junior | 0-2 yrs | $97,390 |
| Mid-level | 3-5 yrs | $126,430 |
| Senior | 6-9 yrs | $165,610 |
| Staff / Lead | 10+ yrs | $207,890 |
Data Scientist Salary in Other States
Related Data Scientist Salaries in Virginia
How other high-demand occupations in Virginia compare to Data Scientist ($126,430 median).
| Occupation | Median Salary | vs Data Scientist | Hourly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer and Information Systems Manager in VA | $201,490 | +59.4% | $96.87/hr |
| Database Administrator in VA | $160,360 | +26.8% | $77.10/hr |
| Computer and Information Research Scientist in VA | $157,390 | +24.5% | $75.67/hr |
| Computer Network Architect in VA | $141,340 | +11.8% | $67.95/hr |
| Software Engineer in VA | $139,030 | +10.0% | $66.84/hr |
| Computer Hardware Engineer in VA | $139,030 | +10.0% | $66.84/hr |
| Software Developer in VA | $136,460 | +7.9% | $65.61/hr |
| Information Security Analyst in VA | $134,900 | +6.7% | $64.86/hr |
| Operations Research Analyst in VA | $129,460 | +2.4% | $62.24/hr |
| Web Developer in VA | $128,380 | +1.5% | $61.72/hr |
| Computer Programmer in VA | $121,610 | -3.8% | $58.47/hr |
| Computer Systems Analyst in VA | $120,840 | -4.4% | $58.10/hr |
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do data scientists make in Virginia?
- The median salary for data scientists in Virginia is $115,939 per year, or $56 per hour. This is 13.8% below the national average for the role.
What is the salary range for data scientists in Virginia?
- Data scientists in Virginia earn up to $128,112 annually at the high end of the salary range. The salary data shows there are approximately 121 data scientists employed in the state.
Is the data scientist salary in Virginia competitive compared to the national average?
- No, Virginia's data scientist median salary of $115,939 is 13.8% lower than the national average. However, the upper range reaches $128,112 for experienced professionals in the field.
How many data scientists are employed in Virginia?
- There are currently 121 data scientists employed in Virginia, earning a median of $115,939 per year with salaries reaching up to $128,112 for top earners.