Chief Data Scientist.
Virginia Beach.
$245,000
median salary, 6% below the national average
$191,000 to $318,000. Last updated April 2026.
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Data points to own the conversation.
Here is what Chief Data Scientists actually make in Virginia Beach: $191,000 at the 25th percentile, $245,000 at the median, and $318,000 at the 75th. That is 6% below the national average. Virginia Beach anchors the Hampton Roads region with a strong military presence, growing cybersecurity sector, and expanding tech corridor. The number on your offer letter will depend on what you bring and how you ask.
Salary range
Where do you fall?
Salary by experience
The gap between entry and lead level is typically $221,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.
Entry (0-2 yrs)
$159,000
to $196,000
Mid (3-5 yrs)
$208,000
to $257,000
Senior (6-9 yrs)
$270,000
to $319,000
Lead (10+ yrs)
$306,000
to $380,000
Salary trend
+6% YoYTotal compensation
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $167,000 to the total package.
Base
$245,000
Equity
$91,000
Bonus
$56,000
Signing
$20,000
Estimated total: $412,000
How Virginia Beach compares
Virginia Beach, VA
$245,000
Cost of living: 2% below average
National Average
$260,000
Virginia Beach is $15,000 below
Chief Data Scientist salary by city
Salary by role in Virginia Beach
What you should know
Before you negotiate a Chief Data Scientist offer in Virginia Beach, understand the terrain. 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. Tool expertise matters: Chief Data Scientists proficient in modern data stack tools like dbt, Snowflake, and Spark earn more than those limited to legacy systems. Industry domain knowledge in finance, healthcare, or e-commerce creates additional leverage. The ability to communicate findings to non-technical stakeholders is increasingly valued.
Chief Data Scientists typically earn $203,000 to $338,000, with top performers at large organizations reaching $439,000. Lateral moves into adjacent executive functions or board advisory roles are common progression paths. C-suite advancement depends on demonstrated business impact and organizational scope. 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. Equity at top-tier companies adds 30% to 60% above base salary. Annual bonuses of 15% to 25% are standard. Signing bonuses of $25,000 to $75,000 are common when changing roles. Refresher equity grants vest annually. Relocation packages and executive benefits like financial planning are typical. 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 $245,000, 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 Chief Data Scientists in Virginia Beach runs from $191,000 to $318,000. 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 Chief Human Resources Officer in Virginia Beach earns $243,000 (1% less)
- The highest-paying role in Virginia Beach is Principal AI Research Scientist at $346,000
Common questions.
Chief Data Scientist salary in other cities
Other salaries in Virginia Beach
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