Entry-level Systems Engineer / Architect salary in Richmond, VA

Based on 12 certified H-1B filings at DOL wage level I in the Richmond, VA metro area, FY2025–FY2026. Includes Glen Allen, Henrico, Mechanicsville, Chester, Midlothian.

Median salary$69,921
Middle 50%$65.2k–$77.5k
vs. all levels here−30%comparison median $100,298
Filings12FY2025–FY2026 · latest two fiscal years

Salary range

Box: middle 50% of filings. Whiskers: 10th–90th percentile. 99% of filings are between $60,229 and $104,500.
PercentileSalary
10th$60,690
25th$65,208
50th (median)$69,921
75th$77,537
90th$101,977

Cost of living

Richmond's median entry-level Systems Engineer / Architect salary of $69,921 is worth about $71,500 at national average prices.

Source: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024 (U.S. = 100; Richmond = 97.9).

Compared with all workers here

All Computer Systems Engineers/Architects in the Richmond, VA area earned a median of $111,070 in May 2025 (1,280 employed). The H-1B median here is $69,921, 37% lower.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS metropolitan area estimates. BLS wages include some incentive pay; H-1B figures are base salary.

Employers filing at this level

EmployerMedianFilings
Astir Servicestoo few2
CloudQuest ITtoo few2

Employers with at least 2 filings here. Median shown at 10+ filings.

By experience level

Wage levelMedianFilings
Entry-level · Level I $69,921 12
Mid-level · Level II $85,488 169
Senior · Level III $104,811 110
Expert · Level IV $130,000 88

Median shown when a level has at least 10 filings.

Minimum H-1B salary by level

Wage levelPrevailing wage (most common)Median offered salaryFilings
Entry-level · Level I$60,195$69,92112
Mid-level · Level II$80,246$85,488169
Senior · Level III$100,298$104,811110
Expert · Level IV$120,349$130,00088

The prevailing wage is the minimum an employer must pay for this job and area. Amounts vary by county within a metro and by wage source.