Virginia Salaries 2025
Federal contractor capital with America's wealthiest counties
Median Household Income
Virginia Salary Overview 2025
Virginia is home to America's wealthiest counties and the nation's federal contractor ecosystem. The state's median household income of $80,000 is among the highest nationally, driven by Northern Virginia's concentration of government, defense, and tech. Loudoun County has the highest median income of any U.S. county.
Northern Virginia (NoVA) dominates the economy with Pentagon proximity, defense contractors (Northrop Grumman, General Dynamics, Leidos), tech companies (Amazon HQ2, Capital One), and data centers (world's largest concentration). Hampton Roads offers military and shipbuilding. Richmond provides state government and finance.
Virginia's moderate taxes (5.75% top rate) and proximity to DC create exceptional earning potential, though Northern Virginia housing costs are substantial. For careers in defense, cybersecurity, or federal contracting, Virginia is the epicenter. For comprehensive salary data, see salary trends 2025.
Salaries by Virginia Region
Northern Virginia (NoVA) – Wealth Epicenter
Median Household Income: $125,000+
NoVA contains America's wealthiest counties: Loudoun ($156,000 median), Fairfax ($134,000), Arlington ($128,000). Amazon HQ2 in Arlington. Defense contractors cluster near Pentagon. Data centers dominate Loudoun (70%+ of world's internet traffic). Software engineers $110,000-$180,000, cleared defense $90,000-$160,000, federal employees competitive.
Housing extremely expensive ($700,000-$900,000 median depending on county) but incomes support it. Traffic notorious; Metro helps in core areas.
Hampton Roads (Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Newport News)
Median Household Income: $65,000
Naval Station Norfolk (world's largest), Newport News Shipbuilding (aircraft carriers), and military create employment. Defense contractors, healthcare. More affordable ($320,000 median) than NoVA with beach access. Shipyard engineers $75,000-$130,000.
Richmond – State Capital
Median Household Income: $68,000
State government, Capital One operations, healthcare (VCU Health), and growing tech. Affordable ($350,000 median) with improving urban core. Finance $65,000-$130,000, healthcare competitive.
Charlottesville
Median Household Income: $65,000
University of Virginia creates education and healthcare employment. Charming but expensive for size ($480,000 median). Limited corporate employment.
| Region | Median Income | Median Home | Key Industries |
|---|---|---|---|
| Loudoun County | $156,000 | $750,000 | Data Centers, Tech, Defense |
| Fairfax County | $134,000 | $700,000 | Defense, Federal, Tech |
| Arlington | $128,000 | $800,000 | Amazon HQ2, Federal |
| Hampton Roads | $65,000 | $320,000 | Navy, Shipbuilding |
| Richmond | $68,000 | $350,000 | Finance, Government |
Top Paying Industries in Virginia
Defense Contracting
Virginia is the defense contractor capital. Northrop Grumman, General Dynamics, Leidos, SAIC, Booz Allen, and dozens of contractors cluster near Pentagon. Security clearances (TS/SCI) command 20-40% premiums. Engineers $90,000-$160,000, program managers $100,000-$180,000, cleared cyber $100,000-$200,000.
Technology (Amazon HQ2, Capital One)
Amazon's HQ2 in Arlington brings 25,000+ jobs. Capital One (McLean) is a tech-forward bank employing thousands of engineers. Data science, cloud, and software roles abundant. Software engineers $110,000-$190,000, data scientists $100,000-$170,000.
Data Centers
Loudoun County has the world's largest data center concentration. AWS, Microsoft, Google, and hyperscalers create infrastructure employment. Data center technicians $50,000-$85,000, engineers $90,000-$150,000.
Federal Government
CIA (Langley), numerous agencies, and federal employees. GS pay scales plus locality adjustments. Federal employees in DC area earn 32%+ locality premium.
| Industry | Entry Level | Mid-Career | Senior Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Defense (Cleared) | $80,000 | $120,000 | $170,000+ |
| Software (Amazon/Capital One) | $100,000 | $150,000 | $200,000+ |
| Cybersecurity (Cleared) | $90,000 | $130,000 | $180,000+ |
| Shipbuilding (Newport News) | $55,000 | $85,000 | $130,000+ |
Virginia Tax Analysis
| Taxable Income | Tax Rate |
|---|---|
| $0 – $3,000 | 2% |
| $3,001 – $5,000 | 3% |
| $5,001 – $17,000 | 5% |
| $17,001+ | 5.75% |
| Salary | VA Tax | MD Tax | DC Tax |
|---|---|---|---|
| $100,000 | ~$5,200 | ~$5,800 | ~$6,500 |
| $150,000 | ~$8,100 | ~$9,200 | ~$11,000 |
| $200,000 | ~$11,000 | ~$12,500 | ~$15,500 |
Virginia's taxes are lower than Maryland or DC, creating incentive to live in VA while working in the region.
Highest Paying Jobs in Virginia 2025
| Occupation | Average Salary | Top 10% Earn |
|---|---|---|
| Physicians/Surgeons | $300,000 | $480,000+ |
| IT Directors (Cleared) | $175,000 | $230,000+ |
| Software Architects (Amazon) | $185,000 | $250,000+ |
| Cybersecurity Directors | $170,000 | $220,000+ |
| Defense Program Managers | $155,000 | $200,000+ |
Frequently Asked Questions
How important are security clearances?
Extremely in NoVA. TS/SCI clearances command 20-40% salary premium and open most lucrative defense/intel roles. Clearances are employer-sponsored but take 6-18 months. Past issues (drug use, foreign contacts, financial problems) may disqualify.
Virginia vs. Maryland for DC work?
Virginia has lower taxes, but choice depends on where you work. Virginia side for Pentagon, defense contractors, Amazon. Maryland side for NIH, FDA, some agencies. Virginia generally preferred for tax reasons if commute is similar.
Is NoVA worth the cost?
Depends on career. For defense, federal, or Amazon—yes, salaries support costs. $700K house is manageable on $180K household income. Those without high-paying careers find it challenging. Richmond and Hampton Roads offer better value with different opportunities.