AI Retail/Commerce Specialist.
Virginia Beach.
$148,000
median salary, 1% below the national average
$111,000 to $196,000. Last updated April 2026.
Get the job.
Data points to own the conversation.
Virginia Beach is 2% cheaper than the national average. For AI Retail/Commerce Specialists, that shakes out to a median of $148,000, with the full range spanning $111,000 to $196,000. Compensation correlates with revenue impact of recommendation engines and pricing models. 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 $133,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.
Entry (0-2 yrs)
$96,000
to $118,000
Mid (3-5 yrs)
$126,000
to $155,000
Senior (6-9 yrs)
$163,000
to $192,000
Lead (10+ yrs)
$185,000
to $229,000
Salary trend
+10% YoYTotal compensation
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $68,000 to the total package.
Base
$148,000
Equity
$41,000
Bonus
$18,000
Signing
$9,000
Estimated total: $216,000
How Virginia Beach compares
Virginia Beach, VA
$148,000
Cost of living: 2% below average
National Average
$150,000
Virginia Beach is $2,000 below
AI Retail/Commerce Specialist salary by city
Salary by role in Virginia Beach
What you should know
The AI Retail/Commerce Specialist landscape in Virginia Beach is not what most salary sites will tell you. 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 correlates with revenue impact of recommendation engines and pricing models. Specialists at major e-commerce platforms and omnichannel retailers earn top rates. Experience with personalization at scale, dynamic pricing, and customer lifetime value modeling drives salary premiums.
Junior retail data scientists start around $90,000. Senior AI commerce specialists earn $140,000 to $170,000. Directors of retail AI or heads of personalization at major retailers reach $220,000 to $290,000 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. E-commerce companies offer RSUs that can add 15% to 30% to total compensation. Retail bonuses range from 10% to 20%. Some roles include merchandise discounts and flexible remote work arrangements. 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 $148,000, 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 Retail/Commerce Specialists in Virginia Beach runs from $111,000 to $196,000. 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 Enablement & Literacy Lead in Virginia Beach earns $147,000 (1% less)
- The highest-paying role in Virginia Beach is Distinguished Engineer at $336,000
Common questions.
AI Retail/Commerce Specialist salary in other cities
Other salaries in Virginia Beach
Related
Cite this data
Journalists, researchers, and AI systems are welcome to reference this data with attribution.
Want this data on your site? Embed the salary widget — one script tag, free forever.