Computer Programmer salary in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC
Computer Programmers in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area earn a median of $103,070 a year ($49.55 an hour), based on BLS data for 280 workers.
Pay ranges from $66,150 for the lowest-paid 10% to $153,350 for the top 10%. That is 3% higher than the national median of $100,390. Pay here is 15% lower than the Virginia statewide median of $121,610. There are 0.37 computer programmers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.62). The average (mean) salary is $107,770, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for computer programmers in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $66,150 | $31.81 |
| 25th percentile | $80,830 | $38.86 |
| Median | $103,070 | $49.55 |
| 75th percentile | $131,260 | $63.11 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $153,350 | $73.73 |
| Average (mean) | $107,770 | $51.81 |
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 | $8,589.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,294.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,964.23 |
| Weekly | $1,982.12 |
| Hourly | $49.55 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Computer Programmer salary in other metro areas nearby
| 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 |
| Greenville, NC | $106,770 | 60 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $105,160 | 450 |
| Roanoke, VA | $92,830 | 50 |
| Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA | $87,100 | 30 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $84,720 | 670 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $84,700 | 190 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $83,760 | 230 |
| Wilmington, NC | $79,530 | 70 |
| Asheville, NC | $77,460 | n/a |
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 |
See Computer Programmer pay in every state or the Virginia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Software Developer | $129,090 | $62.06 |
| Computer Occupations, All Other | $116,920 | $56.21 |
| Computer User Support Specialist | $59,650 | $28.68 |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $103,760 | $49.89 |
| Network and Computer Systems Administrators | $98,640 | $47.42 |
| Information Security Analyst | $126,030 | $60.59 |
| Computer Network Support Specialist | $61,840 | $29.73 |
| Computer Network Architect | $111,030 | $53.38 |
| Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers | $105,970 | $50.95 |
| Database Architect | $135,130 | $64.97 |
| Computer and Information Research Scientists | $132,870 | $63.88 |
| Database Administrator | $92,800 | $44.61 |
| Web Developer | $103,440 | $49.73 |
| Web and Digital Interface Designers | $68,590 | $32.97 |
More: Computer and Mathematical Occupations · all salaries in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC
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 Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC?
The median salary for computer programmers in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area is $103,070 a year, or $49.55 an hour. Pay ranges from $66,150 for the lowest-paid 10% to $153,350 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid computer programmers make in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC?
The top 10% of computer programmers in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area earn at least $153,350 a year. The top 25% earn $131,260 or more.
What is the starting pay for computer programmers in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $66,150 a year, and a quarter of computer programmers earn $80,830 or less.
How many computer programmers work in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC?
About 280 computer programmers are employed in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area, not counting the self-employed.