AI Media & Entertainment Specialist.
Virginia Beach.
$144,000
median salary, 3% below the national average
$107,000 to $192,000. Last updated April 2026.
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Data points to own the conversation.
Virginia Beach is 2% cheaper than the national average. For AI Media & Entertainment Specialists, that shakes out to a median of $144,000, with the full range spanning $107,000 to $192,000. Compensation varies by studio size and content type. Know the range before you walk in.
Salary range
Where do you fall?
Salary by experience
The gap between entry and lead level is typically $129,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.
Entry (0-2 yrs)
$94,000
to $115,000
Mid (3-5 yrs)
$122,000
to $151,000
Senior (6-9 yrs)
$158,000
to $187,000
Lead (10+ yrs)
$180,000
to $223,000
Salary trend
+9% YoYTotal compensation
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $66,000 to the total package.
Base
$144,000
Equity
$40,000
Bonus
$17,000
Signing
$9,000
Estimated total: $210,000
How Virginia Beach compares
Virginia Beach, VA
$144,000
Cost of living: 2% below average
National Average
$148,000
Virginia Beach is $4,000 below
AI Media & Entertainment Specialist salary by city
Salary by role in Virginia Beach
What you should know
Here is what the AI Media & Entertainment Specialist market actually looks like in Virginia Beach. Virginia Beach anchors the Hampton Roads region with a strong military presence, growing cybersecurity sector, and expanding tech corridor. Naval Station Norfolk drives significant defense contractor employment. The lower cost of living compared to Northern Virginia attracts remote workers and military-to-civilian transitions. Compensation varies by studio size and content type. Major streaming platforms and game studios pay the most. Specialists working on content recommendation, procedural generation, visual effects automation, and audience analytics earn the highest rates in this creative-technical intersection.
Junior media data scientists start around $88,000. Senior AI entertainment specialists earn $140,000 to $170,000. Directors of content intelligence or VP of AI at major studios and platforms reach $220,000 to $300,000 with equity. In Virginia Beach, cost of living sits near the national average, so the numbers you see are roughly what you keep.
Base salary is not the full picture. Streaming platforms offer RSUs that can add 20% to 40% to total compensation. Game studios may include royalty participation. Entertainment companies often provide content perks, screening access, and flexible creative schedules. And on the tax side: virginia's flat 5.75% state income tax applies. Virginia Beach has no city income tax. The moderate rate combined with lower housing costs than Northern Virginia creates good take home pay. When someone quotes you $144,000, ask what the total package looks like. The gap between base and total comp is where real money hides.
On negotiation: Leverage military transition benefits. Hampton Roads employers value candidates with security clearances and military technical experience. The range for AI Media & Entertainment Specialists in Virginia Beach runs from $107,000 to $192,000. That is not a narrow window. Where you land inside it depends almost entirely on whether you negotiate and how well you prepare.
Sources: SEC filings, H-1B LCA (DOL), BLS OES, 50+ job posting platforms. COL: BEA Regional Price Parities (2025). Data verified by Justin Bartak, Founder & Chief AI Officer. Last verified April 8, 2026. Full methodology
Considering a related role?
- A AI Analytics Engineer in Virginia Beach earns $143,000 (1% less)
- The highest-paying role in Virginia Beach is Distinguished Engineer at $336,000
Common questions.
AI Media & Entertainment Specialist salary in other cities
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