SOC 15-1251 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Computer Programmers — Virginia
Virginia · 5 metro areas compared
The median wage for Computer Programmers in Virginia is $121,610 per year, 21.1% above the national median of $100,390.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Computer Programmers in Virginia is $121,610 per year, 21.1% above the national median of $100,390. Pay ranges from under $67,010 at the tenth percentile to more than $182,890 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $87,520 to $160,530.
The area has 3,070 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 0.7 of every thousand jobs. Among the 46 states with published data for this occupation, Virginia ranks 5th by median wage. Richmond leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $112,690. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 77th of 747 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $67,010 | −33.3% |
| 25th | $87,520 | −12.8% |
| Median (50th) | $121,610 | +21.1% |
| 75th | $160,530 | +59.9% |
| 90th | $182,890 | +82.2% |
| Mean | $122,060 | +21.6% |
Highest-paying metro areas in Virginia
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Richmond | $112,690 | 310 | |
| 2 | Charlottesville | $109,770 | — | |
| 3 | Virginia Beach | $103,070 | 280 | |
| 4 | Roanoke | $92,830 | 50 | |
| 5 | Blacksburg | $87,100 | 30 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Virginia sit close to the national average, so $121,610 is worth roughly its face value against pay elsewhere.
Published median
$121,610as reported by BLSLocal price level
101.1US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$120,287US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $121,610 a year, 21.1% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $67,010 to $182,890 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 3,070 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 5th of 46 states for this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Richmond, at $112,690.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Computer Programmers in Virginia?
The median annual wage is $121,610, or $58.47 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $100,390, so pay in Virginia is 21.1% higher. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Virginia earns more than $182,890 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $67,010 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Richmond, at $112,690 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 3,070 jobs in this occupation in Virginia. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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