Cloud Architect Salary in Virginia: $132,310 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Virginia's 42 metropolitan areas, the average median cloud architect pay sits at $132,310/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 15-1241. Because Virginia sits at BEA RPP 103.2 (3% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $128,207 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Alexandria ($171,149), Bristol ($145,198), Winchester ($143,100).
In Virginia, cloud architects will find an average median salary of $132,310 in 2026, which is 11.1% lower than the national median of $148,828. Alexandria leads the state with the highest average salary at $175,941, while Falls Church offers the lowest at $119,805, highlighting a significant gap of $56,136 between these cities. This disparity can be attributed to factors such as local demand for tech talent, the presence of major employers, and varying costs of living. Virginia's job market for cloud architects is expected to grow at an annual rate of 2.80%. This growth is driven by the increasing reliance on cloud technologies across sectors, reflecting the state's strategic position in the tech and government sectors. While Virginia does not require specific state licensing for cloud architects, understanding pertinent regulations and industry standards is essential for career advancement. Cities such as Bristol, Winchester, Richmond, and Roanoke are also projected to offer competitive salaries, with figures of $149,264, $147,107, $143,454, and $137,226, respectively. Overall, the landscape for cloud architects in Virginia is shaped by regional economic factors, industry demands, and varying employment opportunities across its metro areas.
Virginia Cloud Architect Salary Range
Overall salary range in Virginia: $71,774 (lowest entry-level) to $272,645 (highest top earner)
Virginia vs National Average
Virginia cloud architects earn 11.1% less than the national median ($-16,518/year difference).
Virginia Cloud Architect Salary Distribution (2026)
Cloud Architect salaries in Virginia range from $84,138 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $193,824 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $132,310. The Virginia median is $16,518 below the US national median of $148,828. The average hourly rate is $63.61/hr. Approximately 2,626 cloud architects are employed across 42 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$102,947
2025 BLS Actual
$128,706
2026 Current Est.
$132,310
2019–2027 Growth
+32.1%
Salary Trajectory for Cloud Architects in Virginia (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.80% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $102,947 | Actual |
| 2020 | $108,249 | Actual |
| 2021 | $108,828 | Actual |
| 2022 | $112,941 | Actual |
| 2023 | $112,117 | Actual |
| 2024 | $128,271 | Actual |
| 2025 | $128,706 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $132,310 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $136,015 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Virginia metropolitan area, the median cloud architect salary grew 25.0% from $102,947 (2019) to $128,706 (2025). At a 2.80% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $136,015 by 2027 — a total increase of $33,068 (32.12%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Virginia metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.80% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Virginia
Lowest Paying Cities in Virginia
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Falls Church | $119,805 |
| Lynchburg | $120,949 |
| Herndon | $121,710 |
| Williamsburg | $123,039 |
| Virginia Beach | $123,270 |
Best Value Cities for Cloud Architects in Virginia
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Virginia cities offer the most purchasing power for cloud architects.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alexandria | $175,941 | 103.2 | $170,485 |
| Winchester | $147,107 | 96.45 | $152,522 |
| Richmond | $143,454 | 97.858 | $146,594 |
| Roanoke | $137,226 | 93.618 | $146,581 |
| Bristol | $149,264 | 103.2 | $144,636 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Virginia
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $84,138 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $132,310 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $193,824 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Virginia metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 42 Cities in Virginia
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alexandria | $175,941 |
| 2 | Bristol | $149,264 |
| 3 | Winchester | $147,107 |
| 4 | Richmond | $143,454 |
| 5 | Roanoke | $137,226 |
| 6 | Radford | $132,202 |
| 7 | Newport News | $130,942 |
| 8 | Blacksburg | $129,931 |
| 9 | Hampton | $129,787 |
| 10 | Centreville | $129,183 |
| 11 | Charlottesville | $129,165 |
| 12 | Burke | $128,307 |
| 13 | Harrisonburg | $128,039 |
| 14 | Suffolk | $127,752 |
| 15 | Tuckahoe | $127,389 |
| 16 | Ashburn | $127,207 |
| 17 | McLean | $127,198 |
| 18 | Reston | $127,063 |
| 19 | Danville | $127,036 |
| 20 | Fredericksburg | $126,492 |
| 21 | Dale City | $126,466 |
| 22 | Manassas | $126,331 |
| 23 | Salem | $125,977 |
| 24 | Leesburg | $125,796 |
| 25 | Portsmouth | $125,724 |
| 26 | Mechanicsville | $125,524 |
| 27 | Norfolk | $125,109 |
| 28 | Springfield | $125,080 |
| 29 | Woodbridge | $124,909 |
| 30 | Sterling | $124,667 |
| 31 | Staunton | $124,576 |
| 32 | Lake Ridge | $124,505 |
| 33 | Linton Hall | $124,364 |
| 34 | Fairfax | $124,046 |
| 35 | Chesapeake | $123,748 |
| 36 | Waynesboro | $123,439 |
| 37 | Annandale | $123,276 |
| 38 | Virginia Beach | $123,270 |
| 39 | Williamsburg | $123,039 |
| 40 | Herndon | $121,710 |
| 41 | Lynchburg | $120,949 |
| 42 | Falls Church | $119,805 |
More Virginia Salary Data
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced cloud architects.
Compare Cities in Virginia
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much do cloud architects make in Virginia in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for cloud architects in Virginia?
How does Virginia cloud architect pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level cloud architect salary in Virginia?
How many cloud architects are employed in Virginia?
Which Virginia city offers the best value for cloud architects?
Written by Maria Gonzalez, MS
Career Analyst
Maria has 10 years of experience in cloud architecture. She specializes in cloud security and compliance. She works in a technology consulting firm.
Methodology & Data Source
Statewide salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 2.80% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 cloud architect compensation across Virginia. State averages are employment-weighted across 42 metro areas — larger metro areas with more cloud architectscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.80%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for cloud architects (SOC 15-1241).
Compiled and verified by Maria Gonzalez, MS, a licensed cloud architect with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov