Cloud Architect Salary in Portsmouth, VA: $125,724 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time cloud architect in Portsmouth, VA earns a median $125,724/year (≈ $60.45/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-1241). Once you factor in Portsmouth's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 103.2), that paycheck buys what $121,826 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.2% below the Virginia state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Portsmouth, Virginia, the projected median annual salary for cloud architects in 2026 is $125,724, representing a notable figure within the local technology sector. This salary range spans from $75,750 at the 10th percentile to $187,366 for the 90th percentile, reflecting the varying levels of expertise and specialization such as FinOps and cloud cost optimization that can command higher pay. These figures are derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for local cost factors. Assessing these trends, it's clear that Portsmouth's cloud architect job market offers significant potential for professionals willing to capitalize on the growing demand for skilled cloud architects, particularly those with expertise in key platforms like AWS, Azure, and GCP.
About the Portsmouth Market
Salary estimated from Virginia average ($150,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $75,750 | $36.42 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $97,887 | $47.06 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $125,724 | $60.45 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $156,963 | $75.47 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $187,366 | $90.08 |
Median Salary Position
15.52% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Portsmouth
In Portsmouth, VA, the cloud architect salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $111,616 (2026 est.). At $125,724, the local median is 15.52% below the national median of $148,828.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Portsmouth: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Portsmouth Cloud Architect Pay Compares
Portsmouth median: $125,724/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Portsmouth Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Average | $129,881 | -3.20% less |
| National Average | $148,828 | -15.52% less |
Cloud Architects in Portsmouth, VA earn a median of $125,724 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.52% lower than the national median of $148,828 and 3.20% below the Virginia state average of $129,881.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Portsmouth has a cost of living 3.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Portsmouth, VA has a cost-of-living index of 103.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $125,724 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $121,826 — a 3.1% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$102,812
2025 BLS Actual
$122,300
2026 Current Est.
$125,724
2019–2027 Growth
+25.7%
Salary Trajectory for Cloud Architects in Portsmouth (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.80% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $102,812 | Actual |
| 2020 | $106,544 | Actual |
| 2021 | $109,956 | Actual |
| 2022 | $115,777 | Actual |
| 2023 | $118,459 | Actual |
| 2024 | $149,789 | Actual |
| 2025 | $122,300 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $125,724 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $129,245 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Portsmouth metropolitan area, the median cloud architect salary grew 19.0% from $102,812 (2019) to $122,300 (2025). At a 2.80% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $129,245 by 2027 — a total increase of $26,433 (25.71%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Portsmouth 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $75,750 – $97,887 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $97,887 – $125,724 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $125,724 – $156,963 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $156,963 – $187,366 |
CA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual cloud architect compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Cloud Architect Job Market in Portsmouth
Analyzing the job market further reveals that Portsmouth employs approximately 17 cloud architects, which points to a targeted but potentially competitive landscape for these roles. With a cost-of-living index of 103.2, the purchasing power for cloud architects is somewhat above the national average, influencing overall compensation strategies. Major employers in the area, including consulting firms focused on cloud migrations, financial services, and government contractors, tend to offer the highest salaries. The disparity in pay among local positions is often driven by factors such as specialization in high-demand cloud platforms, relevant certifications like AWS Solutions Architect Professional or Azure SAA Expert, and the increasing importance of FinOps. To maximize earning potential in Portsmouth, cloud architects should focus on achieving advanced certifications, gaining experience in multi-cloud environments, and pursuing roles within consulting firms where compensation packages often include substantial bonuses and RSUs, especially with technology giants.
More salary data for Portsmouth, VA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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
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. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $122,300 for cloud architectsin the Portsmouth metropolitan area. A 2.80% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Portsmouth is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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