Software Developer salary in Richmond, VA
Software Developers in the Richmond, VA metro area earn a median of $132,120 a year ($63.52 an hour), based on BLS data for 7,680 workers.
Pay ranges from $84,290 for the lowest-paid 10% to $208,990 for the top 10%. That is 3% lower than the national median of $135,980. Pay here is 3% lower than the Virginia statewide median of $136,460. There are 12 software developers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $139,340, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for software developers in Richmond, VA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $84,290 | $40.53 |
| 25th percentile | $107,430 | $51.65 |
| Median | $132,120 | $63.52 |
| 75th percentile | $165,690 | $79.66 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $208,990 | $100.48 |
| Average (mean) | $139,340 | $66.99 |
Half of software developers 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 | $11,010 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,505 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,081.54 |
| Weekly | $2,540.77 |
| Hourly | $63.52 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Software Developer salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $154,930 | 69,060 |
| Winchester, VA-WV | $133,290 | 350 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $129,090 | 7,160 |
| Charlottesville, VA | $128,520 | 1,390 |
| Roanoke, VA | $121,110 | 770 |
| Harrisonburg, VA | $119,250 | 220 |
| Staunton-Stuarts Draft, VA | $115,610 | 140 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $115,310 | 430 |
| Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA | $111,630 | 590 |
| Lynchburg, VA | $109,840 | 510 |
Highest-paying states for software developers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $174,410 |
| Washington | $166,540 |
| New York | $166,180 |
| Massachusetts | $165,210 |
| Oregon | $142,720 |
| New Hampshire | $139,720 |
| Maryland | $138,680 |
| Colorado | $138,390 |
| District of Columbia | $136,880 |
| Virginia | $136,460 |
See Software Developer pay in every state or the Virginia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Richmond, VA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Systems Analyst | $105,190 | $50.57 |
| Computer User Support Specialist | $60,790 | $29.23 |
| Information Security Analyst | $126,230 | $60.69 |
| Network and Computer Systems Administrators | $99,750 | $47.96 |
| Computer Occupations, All Other | $111,070 | $53.40 |
| Computer Network Architect | $129,210 | $62.12 |
| Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers | $106,300 | $51.11 |
| Computer Network Support Specialist | $65,460 | $31.47 |
| Database Administrator | $99,690 | $47.93 |
| Database Architect | $133,770 | $64.31 |
| Computer Programmer | $112,690 | $54.18 |
| Web and Digital Interface Designers | $63,660 | $30.60 |
| Computer and Information Research Scientists | $162,910 | $78.32 |
| Web Developer | $117,090 | $56.30 |
More: Computer and Mathematical Occupations · all salaries in Richmond, VA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 15-1252. 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 software developer make in Richmond, VA?
The median salary for software developers in the Richmond, VA metro area is $132,120 a year, or $63.52 an hour. Pay ranges from $84,290 for the lowest-paid 10% to $208,990 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid software developers make in Richmond, VA?
The top 10% of software developers in the Richmond, VA metro area earn at least $208,990 a year. The top 25% earn $165,690 or more.
What is the starting pay for software developers in Richmond, VA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $84,290 a year, and a quarter of software developers earn $107,430 or less.
How many software developers work in Richmond, VA?
About 7,680 software developers are employed in the Richmond, VA metro area, not counting the self-employed.