Software Developer salary in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC
Software Developers in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area earn a median of $129,090 a year ($62.06 an hour), based on BLS data for 7,160 workers.
Pay ranges from $80,090 for the lowest-paid 10% to $178,830 for the top 10%. That is 5% lower than the national median of $135,980. Pay here is 5% lower than the Virginia statewide median of $136,460. There are 9.4 software developers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $129,340, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for software developers in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $80,090 | $38.51 |
| 25th percentile | $99,230 | $47.71 |
| Median | $129,090 | $62.06 |
| 75th percentile | $160,550 | $77.19 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $178,830 | $85.98 |
| Average (mean) | $129,340 | $62.18 |
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 | $10,757.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,378.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,965 |
| Weekly | $2,482.50 |
| Hourly | $62.06 |
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 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $135,920 | 20,820 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $135,620 | 9,790 |
| Asheville, NC | $134,350 | 780 |
| Winchester, VA-WV | $133,290 | 350 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $132,770 | 12,580 |
| Richmond, VA | $132,120 | 7,680 |
| Rocky Mount, NC | $130,600 | 120 |
| Pinehurst-Southern Pines, NC | $130,240 | 200 |
| Charlottesville, VA | $128,520 | 1,390 |
| Burlington, NC | $127,570 | 270 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $125,190 | 1,710 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $124,130 | 1,050 |
| Wilmington, NC | $123,730 | 880 |
| Greenville, NC | $123,680 | 230 |
| Jacksonville, NC | $123,110 | 140 |
| Fayetteville, NC | $122,900 | 420 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | $122,540 | 420 |
| 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 |
| Goldsboro, NC | $96,140 | 50 |
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 Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Computer Programmer | $103,070 | $49.55 |
| 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 15-1252. 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 Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC?
The median salary for software developers in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area is $129,090 a year, or $62.06 an hour. Pay ranges from $80,090 for the lowest-paid 10% to $178,830 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid software developers make in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC?
The top 10% of software developers in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area earn at least $178,830 a year. The top 25% earn $160,550 or more.
What is the starting pay for software developers in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $80,090 a year, and a quarter of software developers earn $99,230 or less.
How many software developers work in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC?
About 7,160 software developers are employed in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area, not counting the self-employed.