TechnologyUpdated Q1 2026

Cloud Architect Salary
in Richmond, VA

Design and oversee cloud computing strategies, infrastructure, and migration plans. Median salary in Richmond: $170K/year. Data from BLS, O*NET, and H-1B disclosures.

Median salary
$170K
per year
Take-home: $110K

Salary range in Richmond

Entry level (25th)$130,000
Median (50th)$170,000
Senior (75th)$215,000
Top earner (90th)$265,000
Data freshness

Figures represent annual base salary in Richmond, Virginia. Reviewed by SalaryOptics Editorial · How we calculate this →

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What the numbers say for Richmond

Analysis derived from the salary, COL, tax, and labor-market figures above — specific to this role and city.

Cost-of-living adjusted picture

Adjusted for Richmond's cost-of-living index (98), the median Cloud Architect salary buys the equivalent of $173,469 in a US-average-cost city. That's $3,469 more purchasing power than the national median — a meaningful real-wage advantage.

Strong 6.8% annual wage growth

This role's national salaries are growing at 6.8% year-over-year, well above the BLS all-occupations average of ~3.5%. If that pace holds, the Richmond median reaches $236,214 in five years.

72% remote-eligible

This role is 72% remote-eligible nationally according to job-posting analysis, which significantly expands the job market for Richmond-based Cloud Architects. Many Richmond professionals in this role are paid on the locality scale of their employer's HQ rather than Richmond's local rate — verify which scale your offer references before negotiating.

Key facts for Richmond

Median salary
$170K
annual
Take-home pay
$110K
after fed/state tax
COL index
98
100 = US avg
State income tax
5.75%
effective rate
Avg 1BR rent
$1,350
per month
YoY growth
+6.8%
salary trend

Salary forecast: Richmond Cloud Architect to 2030

Based on BLS 2022–2032 Employment Projections and WEF Future of Jobs Report 2026. At current growth rates, median salary reaches $216K by 2030.

Salary trend & forecast — Richmond

Historical (2019–2025) + projected to 2030 based on BLS growth rates

HistoricalProjected
Cloud Architect salary trend 2019–2030PROJECTED →$120K$148K$175K$203K$230K201920212023202520272029
2026
$181K
projected
2027
$192K
projected
2028
$204K
projected
2029
$216K
projected
2030
$230K
projected

Projections based on BLS Employment Projections 2022–2032 CAGR and WEF Jobs Report 2025. Not financial advice.

YearProjected median salaryvs today
2027 projected$181,000+$11,000
2028 projected$192,000+$22,000
2029 projected$204,000+$34,000
2030 projected$216,000+$46,000

Projections use compound annual growth rate (CAGR) from BLS occupational outlook data. Actual salaries may vary.

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Cloud Architect Salary in Richmond, Virginia: Complete Guide (2026)

The median Cloud Architect salary in Richmond, VA is $170,000 per year as of Q1 2026. This figure represents the midpoint of all reported compensation for this role in the Richmond–VA metropolitan area, based on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment Statistics, H-1B visa disclosures from the Department of Labor, and O*NET occupational data.

Salary range for Cloud Architect in Richmond

Entry-level Cloud Architects in Richmond with 0–2 years of experience typically earn between $130,000 and $170,000 annually. Mid-career professionals with 3–7 years command $170,000 to $215,000, while senior-level practitioners with 8+ years of experience regularly earn $215,000 to $265,000 or more.

Cost of living in Richmond for Cloud Architects

Richmond has a cost of living index of 98 compared to the US national average of 100. This means your salary goes approximately 2% further in Richmond than the national average. Virginia has a 5.75% state income tax rate.

Education requirements for Cloud Architect

Bachelor's in CS; AWS/Azure/GCP certifications. This role is 72% remote-eligible nationally, which can significantly expand the job market for Richmond-based professionals.

Cloud Architect salary in nearby cities

CityMedian salaryCOL index
Richmond (current)$170K98
Virginia Beach$167K98
Norfolk$162K95
Chesapeake$167K98
Newport News$162K95
Arlington$230K148