Computer Programmer salary in Virginia
Computer Programmers in Virginia earn a median of $121,610 a year ($58.47 an hour), based on BLS data for 3,070 workers.
Pay ranges from $67,010 for the lowest-paid 10% to $182,890 for the top 10%. That is 21% higher than the national median of $100,390. Virginia ranks 5th of 46 states for computer programmers pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.75 computer programmers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $122,060, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for computer programmers in Virginia
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $67,010 | $32.21 |
| 25th percentile | $87,520 | $42.08 |
| Median | $121,610 | $58.47 |
| 75th percentile | $160,530 | $77.18 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $182,890 | $87.93 |
| Average (mean) | $122,060 | $58.68 |
Half of computer programmers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $10,134.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,067.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,677.31 |
| Weekly | $2,338.65 |
| Hourly | $58.47 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Computer Programmer salary in cities in Virginia
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $130,390 | 2,680 |
| Richmond, VA | $112,690 | 310 |
| Charlottesville, VA | $109,770 | n/a |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $103,070 | 280 |
| Roanoke, VA | $92,830 | 50 |
| Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA | $87,100 | 30 |
Highest-paying states for computer programmers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Connecticut | $133,820 |
| Massachusetts | $128,390 |
| Washington | $125,620 |
| Maryland | $125,570 |
| Virginia | $121,610 |
| Hawaii | $118,180 |
| California | $116,760 |
| Arkansas | $111,840 |
| Minnesota | $107,250 |
| New Jersey | $104,940 |
Related jobs in Virginia
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Software Developer | $136,460 | $65.61 |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $120,840 | $58.09 |
| Computer User Support Specialist | $65,040 | $31.27 |
| Information Security Analyst | $134,900 | $64.86 |
| Computer Occupations, All Other | $139,030 | $66.84 |
| Network and Computer Systems Administrators | $109,610 | $52.70 |
| Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers | $121,590 | $58.46 |
| Computer Network Architect | $141,340 | $67.95 |
| Database Administrator | $93,320 | $44.86 |
| Computer Network Support Specialist | $76,760 | $36.90 |
| Database Architect | $160,360 | $77.09 |
| Web Developer | $128,380 | $61.72 |
| Computer and Information Research Scientists | $157,390 | $75.67 |
| Web and Digital Interface Designers | $77,140 | $37.09 |
More: Computer and Mathematical Occupations · all salaries in Virginia
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 15-1251. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a computer programmer make in Virginia?
The median salary for computer programmers in Virginia is $121,610 a year, or $58.47 an hour. Pay ranges from $67,010 for the lowest-paid 10% to $182,890 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid computer programmers make in Virginia?
The top 10% of computer programmers in Virginia earn at least $182,890 a year. The top 25% earn $160,530 or more.
What is the starting pay for computer programmers in Virginia?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $67,010 a year, and a quarter of computer programmers earn $87,520 or less.
How many computer programmers work in Virginia?
About 3,070 computer programmers are employed in Virginia, not counting the self-employed.