Software Developer Salary in Virginia
Based on 88K+ workers in Virginia
Median Annual Salary (VA)
$136,460
$65.61/hr
vs National Average
$127,401
+7.1% vs national median
Salary Range (10th–90th)
$83K – $212K
88K employed in Virginia
Software Developer salary in Virginia averages $126,095 annually, according to current labor data covering 768 employed professionals in the state. This figure falls approximately 3% below the national average, reflecting Virginia's competitive but slightly modest tech compensation landscape. The salary range extends up to $147,674, providing insight into earning potential for experienced developers in the region.
Several factors influence software developer compensation in Virginia, including years of experience, specific technical skills, and industry sector. Geographic proximity to major tech hubs like Northern Virginia and the presence of government contracting opportunities also shape salary offerings. Educational background, certifications, and the size of employing companies further contribute to variations in what individual developers earn across the state.
Salary Distribution — Software Developer in Virginia
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $83,350 |
| 25th percentile | $106,600 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $136,460 |
| 75th percentile | $171,090 |
| 90th percentile | $211,930 |
Top H-1B Employers for Software Developer 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 Services, LLC | 101 | $178,400 |
| 2 | Amazon.com Services LLC | 98 | $143,700 |
| 3 | Amazon Web Services, Inc. | 71 | $150,100 |
| 4 | Elevance Health, Inc. | 38 | $136,810 |
| 5 | Amazon Development Center U.S., Inc. | 38 | $152,100 |
Source: U.S. Department of Labor OFLC LCA Disclosure Data, FY2026.
Software Developer 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 | $101,421 | 248 |
| Level II | Qualified | $126,090 | 877 |
| Level III | Experienced | $151,111 | 313 |
| Level IV | Senior / Expert | $178,400 | 270 |
Source: U.S. Department of Labor OFLC LCA Disclosure Data, FY2026. Based on certified filings with a disclosed wage level.
Top-Paying Industries for Software Developer (U.S.)
Which industries pay Software Developers the most — nationwide figures (industry-level data is not available by state). Software Developers in Virginia tend to follow these industry patterns.
| Industry (U.S.) | Median Salary | Employed (U.S.) |
|---|---|---|
| Information | $166,400 | 347K |
| Transportation and Warehousing | $147,010 | 18K |
| Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction | $139,270 | 810 |
| Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation | $136,610 | 3K |
| Manufacturing | $136,330 | 136K |
Source: U.S. BLS OEWS National Industry-Specific estimates, May 2025. National figures (not state-specific).
Historical Salary Trend — Software Developer in Virginia vs National
| Year | Median Salary (Virginia) |
|---|---|
| 2022 | $130,980 |
| 2023 | $135,040 |
| 2024 | $134,470 |
| 2025 | $136,460 |
| 2026 (projected) | $138,479 |
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 | $130,980 | $111,597 |
| 2023 | $135,040 | $118,750 |
| 2024 | $134,470 | $121,352 |
| 2025 | $136,460 | $127,401 |
| 2026 (projected) | $138,479 | $129,286 |
Software Developer Salary by Experience Level in Virginia
| Experience Level | Years | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Junior | 0-2 yrs | $106,600 |
| Mid-level | 3-5 yrs | $136,460 |
| Senior | 6-9 yrs | $171,090 |
| Staff / Lead | 10+ yrs | $211,930 |
Software Developer Salary in Other States
Related Software Developer Salaries in Virginia
How other high-demand occupations in Virginia compare to Software Developer ($136,460 median).
| Occupation | Median Salary | vs Software Developer | Hourly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer and Information Systems Manager in VA | $201,490 | +47.7% | $96.87/hr |
| Database Administrator in VA | $160,360 | +17.5% | $77.10/hr |
| Computer and Information Research Scientist in VA | $157,390 | +15.3% | $75.67/hr |
| Computer Network Architect in VA | $141,340 | +3.6% | $67.95/hr |
| Software Engineer in VA | $139,030 | +1.9% | $66.84/hr |
| Computer Hardware Engineer in VA | $139,030 | +1.9% | $66.84/hr |
| Information Security Analyst in VA | $134,900 | -1.1% | $64.86/hr |
| Operations Research Analyst in VA | $129,460 | -5.1% | $62.24/hr |
| Web Developer in VA | $128,380 | -5.9% | $61.72/hr |
| Data Scientist in VA | $126,430 | -7.4% | $60.78/hr |
| Computer Programmer in VA | $121,610 | -10.9% | $58.47/hr |
| Computer Systems Analyst in VA | $120,840 | -11.4% | $58.10/hr |
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do software developers make in Virginia?
- The median salary for software developers in Virginia is $126,095 per year, or approximately $61 per hour. This is about 3.5% below the national average for the role.
What is the salary range for software developers in Virginia?
- Software developers in Virginia earn up to $147,674 at the high end of the salary range. The specific entry-level salary floor is not currently available, but the median sits at $126,095.
Is the software developer salary in Virginia competitive compared to the US average?
- Virginia's software developer median salary of $126,095 is slightly below the national average, trailing by 3.5%. However, with approximately 768 software developers employed in the state, there are still solid job opportunities available.
How many software developer jobs are available in Virginia?
- There are currently 768 software developers employed in Virginia, indicating a moderate job market for this position in the state.