SOC 15-1243 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Database Architects — Virginia
Virginia · 4 metro areas compared
Median pay for this occupation in Virginia comes to $160,360 a year, ahead of the national median of $139,500 by 15.0%.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
Median pay for this occupation in Virginia comes to $160,360 a year, ahead of the national median of $139,500 by 15.0%. Pay ranges from under $105,210 at the tenth percentile to more than $210,160 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $125,540 to $176,610.
The area has 5,260 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 2.96 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Virginia ranks number 3rd out of 46 states by median pay for this occupation. Within the state, Virginia Beach records the highest median at $135,130. Of the 747 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 31st.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $105,210 | −24.6% |
| 25th | $125,540 | −10.0% |
| Median (50th) | $160,360 | +15.0% |
| 75th | $176,610 | +26.6% |
| 90th | $210,160 | +50.7% |
| Mean | $154,550 | +10.8% |
Highest-paying metro areas in Virginia
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Virginia Beach | $135,130 | 490 | |
| 2 | Richmond | $133,770 | 440 | |
| 3 | Charlottesville | $122,780 | 80 | |
| 4 | Roanoke | $120,460 | 40 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Virginia sit close to the national average, so $160,360 is worth roughly its face value against pay elsewhere.
Published median
$160,360as reported by BLSLocal price level
101.1US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$158,615US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $160,360 a year, 15.0% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $105,210 to $210,160 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 5,260 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 3rd of 46 states for this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Virginia Beach, at $135,130.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Database Architects in Virginia?
The median annual wage is $160,360, or $77.09 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 $139,500, so pay in Virginia is 15.0% 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 $210,160 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $105,210 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 Virginia Beach, at $135,130 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 5,260 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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