Software Engineer Salary in Virginia
Based on 17K+ workers in Virginia
Median Annual Salary (VA)
$139,030
$66.84/hr
vs National Average
$106,671
+30.3% vs national median
Salary Range (10th–90th)
$77K – $186K
17K employed in Virginia
Software Engineer salary in Virginia averages $106,477 annually, based on data from 23 workers in the state. This figure sits approximately 5% below the national average for the position, suggesting that Virginia's tech compensation lags slightly behind the broader market. Understanding local salary trends helps both employers and professionals benchmark appropriate compensation levels.
Several factors influence software engineer compensation in Virginia, including experience level, specialization, company size, and geographic proximity to major tech hubs. The state's distance from Silicon Valley and limited concentration of Fortune 500 tech companies may contribute to lower salaries compared to national benchmarks. Additionally, cost of living variations across different Virginia regions and the specific industry sector can significantly impact individual earning potential in this field.
Salary Distribution — Software Engineer in Virginia
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $77,130 |
| 25th percentile | $108,160 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $139,030 |
| 75th percentile | $165,320 |
| 90th percentile | $185,950 |
Top H-1B Employers for Software Engineer 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 | COGNIZANT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS US CORP | 36 | $110,198 |
| 2 | People Tech Group, Inc | 9 | $106,454 |
| 3 | CGI Technologies and Solutions Inc. | 5 | $117,000 |
| 4 | S.W.I.F.T., Inc. | 5 | $145,000 |
| 5 | Uniplus Consultants, Inc. | 4 | $106,454 |
Source: U.S. Department of Labor OFLC LCA Disclosure Data, FY2026.
Software Engineer 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 | $84,448 | 20 |
| Level II | Qualified | $106,454 | 101 |
| Level III | Experienced | $128,461 | 54 |
| Level IV | Senior / Expert | $159,401 | 18 |
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 Engineer (U.S.)
Which industries pay Software Engineers the most — nationwide figures (industry-level data is not available by state). Software Engineers in Virginia tend to follow these industry patterns.
| Industry (U.S.) | Median Salary | Employed (U.S.) |
|---|---|---|
| Finance and Insurance | $131,760 | 27K |
| Information | $131,720 | 48K |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises | $128,070 | 25K |
| Government (excl. schools, hospitals & USPS) | $124,530 | 98K |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | $121,310 | 124K |
Source: U.S. BLS OEWS National Industry-Specific estimates, May 2025. National figures (not state-specific).
Historical Salary Trend — Software Engineer in Virginia vs National
| Year | Median Salary (Virginia) |
|---|---|
| 2022 | $120,330 |
| 2023 | $128,020 |
| 2024 | $132,810 |
| 2025 | $139,030 |
| 2026 (projected) | $145,541 |
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 | $120,330 | $89,712 |
| 2023 | $128,020 | $97,924 |
| 2024 | $132,810 | $101,746 |
| 2025 | $139,030 | $106,671 |
| 2026 (projected) | $145,541 | $111,667 |
Software Engineer Salary by Experience Level in Virginia
| Experience Level | Years | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Junior | 0-2 yrs | $108,160 |
| Mid-level | 3-5 yrs | $139,030 |
| Senior | 6-9 yrs | $165,320 |
| Staff / Lead | 10+ yrs | $185,950 |
Software Engineer Salary in Other States
Related Software Engineer Salaries in Virginia
How other high-demand occupations in Virginia compare to Software Engineer ($139,030 median).
| Occupation | Median Salary | vs Software Engineer | Hourly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer and Information Systems Manager in VA | $201,490 | +44.9% | $96.87/hr |
| Database Administrator in VA | $160,360 | +15.3% | $77.10/hr |
| Computer and Information Research Scientist in VA | $157,390 | +13.2% | $75.67/hr |
| Computer Network Architect in VA | $141,340 | +1.7% | $67.95/hr |
| Computer Hardware Engineer in VA | $139,030 | +0.0% | $66.84/hr |
| Software Developer in VA | $136,460 | -1.8% | $65.61/hr |
| Information Security Analyst in VA | $134,900 | -3.0% | $64.86/hr |
| Operations Research Analyst in VA | $129,460 | -6.9% | $62.24/hr |
| Web Developer in VA | $128,380 | -7.7% | $61.72/hr |
| Data Scientist in VA | $126,430 | -9.1% | $60.78/hr |
| Computer Programmer in VA | $121,610 | -12.5% | $58.47/hr |
| Computer Systems Analyst in VA | $120,840 | -13.1% | $58.10/hr |
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do software engineers make in Virginia?
- Software engineers in Virginia earn a median salary of $106,477 per year, or approximately $51 per hour. This is 5.1% below the national average for the role.
What is the salary range for software engineers in Virginia?
- The salary data for software engineers in Virginia shows a median of $106,477 annually, with salaries reaching up to $106,495 at the high end. The dataset is based on 23 employed software engineers in the state.
Is software engineer salary in Virginia competitive compared to the national average?
- Virginia's software engineer median salary of $106,477 per year falls slightly below the national average, representing a 5.1% difference. Despite this, it remains a solid compensation level for the profession in the state.
What hourly rate do software engineers earn in Virginia?
- Based on the annual median salary of $106,477, software engineers in Virginia earn approximately $51 per hour. This hourly rate reflects the median compensation across the 23 employed software engineers surveyed in the state.