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CAREER AND SALARY GUIDE CompTIA Security+ Salary in Virginia 2026
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Explore CompTIA Security+ Salary in Virginia 2026. Compare retained salary examples by role and experience, with clear limits on what these estimates establish.

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CompTIA Security+ Salary in Virginia 2026

Requirements depend on the specific work role and employer. Check current DoD 8140 qualification requirements and the job posting; a single certificate is not universally mandatory for every government cybersecurity position.

How to read the salary examples

The monetary ranges and percentage differences retained below are illustrative estimates from the earlier site content. They have not been verified as current certification-specific wage measurements. A certification alone does not determine pay. Compare current roles by occupation, location, duties and experience.

BLS occupational wage data and definitions

15-25%
Above National Avg
Medium-High
Cost of Living
$130,000+
Top Earners
+15-30%
Clearance Premium
🔐 DoD 8570/8140 Requirement: Security+ is the most commonly accepted certification for DoD IAT Level II positions. In Virginia, where nearly half of all cybersecurity jobs are government or contractor roles, this certification is effectively mandatory. Cleared Security+ holders with TS/SCI access can earn $120K-$160K+ at major defense contractors.

Salary by Experience Level

Virginia salaries reflect the premium for government clearance work. Northern Virginia rates often match or exceed California when factoring in the lower cost of living and clearance premiums:

Entry Level

$65,000 - $78,000

0-2 years experience

Legacy illustrative range; not a verified current wage estimate: $68,000 - $82,000

Mid-Career

$80,000 - $95,000

3-5 years experience

Legacy illustrative range; not a verified current wage estimate: $88,000 - $108,000

Senior Level

$100,000 - $120,000

6-10 years experience

Legacy illustrative range; not a verified current wage estimate: $115,000 - $140,000

Top Earners

$130,000+

10+ years or TS/SCI cleared

10+ years or management

Salary by Location in Virginia

Northern Virginia dominates cybersecurity hiring, but other regions offer opportunities with significantly lower living costs. The NoVA-DC corridor has the densest concentration of cybersecurity employers in the United States:

Arlington: $75K-$140K Alexandria: $72K-$135K Reston: $70K-$130K McLean: $75K-$138K Tysons Corner: $72K-$132K Richmond: $58K-$100K Virginia Beach: $55K-$95K

Top Employers Hiring Security+ in Virginia

Virginia's cybersecurity market is dominated by defense contractors and intelligence community support companies. These employers often sponsor security clearances for qualified candidates:

Booz Allen Hamilton Leidos SAIC General Dynamics IT Northrop Grumman Raytheon ManTech CACI BAE Systems Amazon (HQ2) Capital One Dominion Energy

Industry Breakdown

Virginia's cybersecurity economy is uniquely government-focused, creating exceptional stability and clear career paths:

Security Clearance Strategy

Virginia's clearance-heavy market requires deliberate career planning. Here's the proven path for maximizing your Security+ investment:

Career Growth Path in Virginia

Security+ Salaries in Other Regions

California
$70,000+

View all Security+ salary data →

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Overview and next steps

Virginia employers actively compete for CompTIA Security+ talent, driving salaries that often exceed national averages in key metro areas.

Northern Virginia's government contractor concentration creates exceptional demand for security-cleared, certified IT professionals.

Virginia Tech Ecosystem Overview

Virginia's Northern Virginia (NoVA) region is America's defense and cybersecurity capital. The proximity to Washington D.C., Pentagon, and major intelligence agencies creates unparalleled demand for cleared IT professionals. Amazon's HQ2 in Arlington has accelerated commercial tech growth, while data center alley in Ashburn hosts 70% of the world's internet traffic. Richmond and Hampton Roads offer lower-cost alternatives with growing tech scenes. Security clearances are the career accelerator unique to this market.

vs. National

+18% above national

Legacy illustrative range; not a verified current wage estimate: $155,000+

Arlington

Amazon HQ2, Pentagon adjacent. Highest NoVA salaries.

Legacy illustrative range; not a verified current wage estimate: $85,000 - $110,000

average salary

Tysons Corner

Defense contractor hub. Booz Allen, CACI, Leidos.

Legacy illustrative range; not a verified current wage estimate: $82,000 - $105,000

Ashburn

Data center capital. Specialized infrastructure roles.

Legacy illustrative range; not a verified current wage estimate: $80,000 - $100,000

Richmond

Growing tech hub. Capital One, Dominion Energy. Lower cost.

Hampton Roads

Navy presence. Shipyard IT, defense contractors.

Legacy illustrative range; not a verified current wage estimate: $65,000 - $80,000

Top Employers Hiring CompTIA Security+

CISA

Career Growth in Virginia

Legacy illustrative range; not a verified current wage estimate: Security clearances are the unique accelerator in Virginia. A+ → Security+ → Secret clearance path can add $15,000-$30,000 to salaries within 2-3 years. Typical progression: IT Support ($45K) → Security+ with Secret ($65K) → TS/SCI cleared role ($90K+) → Senior cleared engineer ($130K+). The clearance process takes 6-12 months but opens doors to otherwise inaccessible high-paying positions.

CompTIA Security+ Salaries in Other Regions

Legacy illustrative range; not a verified current wage estimate: $72,000+

Texas

Legacy illustrative range; not a verified current wage estimate: $58,000+

Maryland

Legacy illustrative range; not a verified current wage estimate: $65,000+

New York

Legacy illustrative range; not a verified current wage estimate: $68,000+

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Additional details from the guide

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average CompTIA Security+ salary in Virginia?
The average CompTIA Security+ salary in Virginia ranges from $65,000 for entry-level to $130,000+ for senior cybersecurity professionals in 2026. Northern Virginia and the DC metro area typically pay 15-25% above the state average, especially for cleared positions.
Is Security+ required for DoD jobs in Virginia?
Yes. Under DoD Directive 8570/8140, Security+ is required for IAT Level II positions. Since Virginia hosts the Pentagon, CIA, NSA, and hundreds of defense contractors, Security+ is essentially mandatory for most government cybersecurity roles in the state.
How much does a security clearance add to Security+ salary in Virginia?
A security clearance typically adds 15-30% to your base salary in Virginia. A Secret clearance adds $10K-$20K, while a Top Secret/SCI can add $20K-$40K+ annually. Cleared Security+ professionals are in extremely high demand.
Which Virginia cities have the most cybersecurity jobs?
Northern Virginia dominates: Arlington, Alexandria, Reston, McLean, and Tysons Corner have the highest concentration of cybersecurity jobs due to proximity to the Pentagon, CIA, and defense contractor headquarters. Richmond and Virginia Beach also offer growing opportunities.
What employers hire the most Security+ professionals in Virginia?
Top employers include Booz Allen Hamilton, Leidos, SAIC, General Dynamics IT, Northrop Grumman, Raytheon, ManTech, CACI, and BAE Systems. Amazon HQ2 in Arlington and Capital One also hire extensively for cybersecurity roles.
How much does a security clearance add to salary?

Legacy illustrative range; not a verified current wage estimate: A Secret clearance typically adds $10,000-$20,000 to base salary. A Top Secret/SCI clearance adds $25,000-$40,000+. Combined with Security+ (DoD requirement), cleared professionals are highly sought after.

Is NoVA cost of living worth the higher salaries?

For cleared professionals, absolutely. The salary premiums for clearances are substantial and unique to this region. Uncleared roles require more careful cost analysis.

How do I get a security clearance?

An employer must sponsor you. Many defense contractors hire entry-level IT professionals specifically to sponsor clearances, as cleared talent is scarce. Start with A+ and Security+ to be eligible.

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