Lead Quantitative Researcher.
Virginia Beach.
$257,000
median salary, 5% below the national average
$201,000 to $334,000. Last updated April 2026.
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Data points to own the conversation.
A Lead Quantitative Researcher in Virginia Beach earns a median of $257,000 in 2026. That is 5% below the national average. The range runs from $201,000 to $334,000, and where you land depends on your experience, your skills, and how well you negotiate. Tool expertise matters: Lead Quantitative Researchers proficient in modern data stack tools like dbt, Snowflake, and Spark earn more than those limited to legacy systems.
Salary range
Where do you fall?
Salary by experience
The gap between entry and lead level is typically $231,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.
Entry (0-2 yrs)
$167,000
to $206,000
Mid (3-5 yrs)
$218,000
to $270,000
Senior (6-9 yrs)
$283,000
to $334,000
Lead (10+ yrs)
$321,000
to $398,000
Salary trend
+5% YoYTotal compensation
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $68,000 to the total package.
Base
$257,000
Equity
$39,000
Bonus
$24,000
Signing
$5,000
Estimated total: $325,000
How Virginia Beach compares
Virginia Beach, VA
$257,000
Cost of living: 2% below average
National Average
$270,000
Virginia Beach is $13,000 below
Lead Quantitative Researcher salary by city
Salary by role in Virginia Beach
What you should know
Here is what the Lead Quantitative Researcher 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. Tool expertise matters: Lead Quantitative Researchers 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.
Entry-level Lead Quantitative Researchers start near $211,000. Mid-career professionals with three to five years of experience reach $270,000 to $351,000. Senior-level roles command $346,000 to $419,000. Management transitions to director-level positions offer $446,000 and above. 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 $257,000, 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 Lead Quantitative Researchers in Virginia Beach runs from $201,000 to $334,000. 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
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Common questions.
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