Software Engineering Talent: Supply vs Demand in Virginia.
2.72% of US computer science grads come from Virginia each year. Discover where most of them come from, and their job prospects. Identify emerging talent hubs, in-demand skills, and salary progression patterns.
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Where are Virginia computer science grads coming from?
Top cities producing the most CS grads
Blacksburg, Annandale and Fairfax produced the highest number of CS grads. This represents 46.34% of the total CS grads from Virginia.
Uncover other talent hubs with this interactive map.
Curious how this data compares to another state?
Use our comparison tool below.
Top institutions producing the most CS grads
Virginia produces 3,716 of CS grads each year.
We've identified the top institutions supplying the highest number of future software engineers. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University came out on top, with 682 CS grads. This represents 18.35% of total grads in Virginia.
Whether you're an employer recruiting rising tech talent or a student planning your academic career, these are definitely the schools to watch.
In-demand skills & job market outlook for Virginia.
Top Virginia cities with the highest number of job opportunities
Explore the Virginia cities with the highest number of software engineering jobs.
11.18% of all job postings in Virginia come from Arlington.
Most in-demand technical skills
Learning in-demand programming languages and technologies is essential for staying ahead of the curve in a competitive job market.
Here are the most sought-after skills in Virginia. Java was most in-demand, mentioned in 24.8% of the software engineering job postings we analyzed.
Average salary and job availability by education level
We analyzed 102,567 job postings in Virginia.
Here's an overview of how many jobs are available at each education level, and the mean salary.
Salaries by seniority in Virginia
Earning potential is an essential factor to consider when laying the groundwork for a career in software engineering.
This chart shows the median salaries for software engineers at different stages of their career.
While an entry-level software engineer in Virginia can expect to earn $121,940, that figure jumps to $150,020 for senior tech talent, representing a 23% increase.
Additional info about Virginia's talent landscape.
- Cybersecurity Nexus: Virginia, particularly the Northern Virginia area, has become a hotspot for cybersecurity. Software engineers here are at the forefront of developing advanced threat detection systems, blockchain-based secure communication platforms, and AI-driven security analytics tools.
- Edtech Revolution: With its high concentration of universities and proximity to policy makers, Virginia is driving innovation in educational technology. Developers can create adaptive learning platforms, AR/VR educational experiences, and data-driven tools to personalize and enhance learning outcomes.
- Space Coast 2.0: Virginia's Wallops Flight Facility is spurring a new wave of commercial space tech. Software professionals can work on lead-edging projects like launch control systems and satellite communication software. They may even develop apps for space tourism, as the state claims its position in the new space race.
- Smart Agriculture Hub: In contrast to its tech-heavy north, southern Virginia is blending agriculture with high-tech solutions. Software engineers can develop IoT systems for precision farming, creating AI models for crop prediction, and building blockchain solutions for supply chain transparency in the agriculture sector.
- Digital Shipyards: Virginia's historic shipbuilding industry is undergoing a digital transformation, which creates the need for advanced 3D modeling tools, AI-powered design optimization systems, and virtual reality training platforms for the next generation of shipbuilders.
Compare Virginia with another state.
Where are the most promising opportunities? Find out how different hubs compare in terms of job availability, cost of living, and earning potential.
*Calculated based on US average of 100. Numbers higher than 100 relate to a higher cost of living.
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