Project Manager in Virginia Beach, VA

As a career analyst who has tracked the Hampton Roads job market for over a decade, I can tell you that Virginia Beach offers a distinct, often overlooked, path for Project Managers. It’s not the high-octane tech hub of Northern Virginia, nor is it the historic bureaucracy of Richmond. Virginia Beach is a coastal economy built on defense, tourism, and logistics. For a Project Manager (PM), that means opportunities in shipbuilding, federal contracting, and large-scale hospitality. The cost of living is relatively forgiving, but the job market is specialized. Here’s the unvarnished breakdown.

The Salary Picture: Where Virginia Beach Stands

First, let's ground ourselves in the data. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and local market analysis, the financial outlook for Project Managers in Virginia Beach is stable but slightly below the national average. The median salary is $100,490/year, or $48.31/hour. This is a solid middle-class income in a metro area where the cost of living index sits at 97.4 (US average = 100). For context, the national average for Project Managers is $101,280/year, meaning you’re trading a negligible $790 in annual salary for significantly lower housing costs and no state income tax on Social Security benefits.

The local market has 907 active jobs, which is a healthy number for a mid-sized metro. The 10-year job growth is projected at 6%, which is modest but positive, indicating stability rather than explosive boomtown growth.

Experience-Level Breakdown

Salaries here are heavily influenced by whether you’re working for a prime defense contractor or a smaller commercial firm. The table below estimates typical base salaries in the Virginia Beach area.

Experience Level	Typical Years	Estimated Salary Range	Notes
Entry-Level	0-3 years	$70,000 - $85,000	Often starts in assistant PM roles, coordinator for construction firms, or junior roles in IT services.
Mid-Level	4-8 years	$90,000 - $115,000	This is where you'll find the median of $100,490. Leads for smaller projects in hospitality or commercial construction.
Senior	9-15 years	$120,000 - $150,000	Senior PMs for large defense contracts (e.g., ship repair, IT infrastructure for the Navy).
Expert/Program Manager	15+ years	$150,000 - $180,000+	Manages multi-million dollar programs, usually with a security clearance. Top tier in the local market.

Comparison to Other VA Cities

• Northern Virginia (NoVA): Salaries are 20-30% higher (often exceeding $120,000 median), but housing costs are 50-100% higher. The trade-off is immense.
• Richmond: Comparable salaries (~$98,000 median), similar cost of living, but the job market is more focused on state government and corporate HQs (e.g., Capital One, Altria).
• Hampton/Chesapeake: Within the Hampton Roads region, salaries are nearly identical. The choice between them often comes down to commute and lifestyle preference.

The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

Let’s be practical. A $100,490 salary doesn't mean you take home that amount. Here’s a realistic monthly budget for a single PM with no dependents, taking the standard deduction.

Assumptions:

• Gross Monthly Income: $8,374
• Federal Tax (approx. 15% effective): ~$1,256
• FICA (7.65%): ~$641
• Net Monthly Take-Home: ~$6,477

Now, let's factor in the local cost of living. The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment is $1,287/month. This leaves you with $5,190 for all other expenses.

Monthly Budget Breakdown for a Project Manager Earning $100,490:

• Housing (1BR Rent): $1,287
• Utilities (Electric, Water, Internet): $250
• Groceries & Household: $600
• Car Payment/Insurance/Gas: $650 (Assuming a moderate car payment)
• Health Insurance (Employer-sponsored): $350
• Dining & Entertainment: $500
• Student Loans/Personal Debt: $500 (Variable)
• Savings/Retirement (401k match): $1,500
• Miscellaneous: $253

Total Expenses: ~$4,890
Remaining Buffer: ~$307

This budget is tight but manageable. It assumes no major emergencies and a moderate lifestyle. The key is the $1,500/month savings. This allows for wealth accumulation and a down payment.

Can they afford to buy a home? Yes, but with caution. The median home price in Virginia Beach is roughly $375,000. With a 20% down payment ($75,000), a 30-year mortgage at 6.5% would have a monthly payment of around $1,900, including taxes and insurance. This is a significant jump from the $1,287 rent. A PM earning the median salary could afford it, but it would require a tighter budget and a solid emergency fund. It’s advisable to rent for the first year to understand the neighborhoods and save aggressively.

The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

(Continuing from above, with a focus on home affordability)

The jump from renting to buying is the biggest financial decision. While the math can work, the "real take-home" after a mortgage would be significantly less. If you stretch for a $375,000 home, your housing cost nearly doubles. This leaves less room for savings, travel, or dining—key lifestyle elements in a beach town. My insider tip: Many PMs in the area live in neighboring Chesapeake or Suffolk for slightly more house for the money, accepting a 20-30 minute commute. The trade-off is worth it for many families.

Where the Jobs Are: Virginia Beach's Major Employers

The Virginia Beach job market is dominated by a few key sectors. You don't find many Fortune 500 corporate HQs here; instead, you find massive operations of national and global companies.

1. Huntington Ingalls Industries (Newport News Shipbuilding): While the shipyard is in Newport News, it's a massive employer for PMs across the region, especially for Project Managers with engineering or construction backgrounds. They handle multi-billion dollar Navy contracts. Clearance is a huge plus here.
2. The City of Virginia Beach: A stable employer with a hiring trend focused on infrastructure projects (e.g., stormwater management, public works). The pace is slower but offers excellent benefits and work-life balance. Look for PM roles in the Public Works or Parks & Recreation departments.
3. Military Contractors (General Dynamics, BAE Systems, Leidos): These companies have a massive footprint at Naval Air Station Oceana and the adjacent commercial parks. They hire PMs for IT, logistics, and facilities projects supporting the Department of Defense. Security clearance is often a requirement or a major advantage. Hiring trends are tied to federal budget cycles.
4. Bon Secours Mercy Health: With multiple hospitals in the region (including Bon Secours in Virginia Beach), there is a steady demand for Healthcare Project Managers. These roles often involve IT system implementations (EPIC), facility expansions, and process improvement projects.
5. Tourism & Hospitality Giants (Hilton, Marriott, Virginia Beach Convention Center): The hospitality industry is a massive economic engine. Project Managers are needed for hotel renovations, new construction (especially along the Oceanfront and Town Center), and event logistics. The work can be seasonal but offers high visibility.
6. Logistics & Port-Related Companies: The Port of Virginia is a key driver. Companies like Maersk or local logistics firms hire PMs for supply chain optimization, warehouse construction, and IT projects related to port operations.

Insider Tip: The most lucrative PM jobs often require a DoD Security Clearance. If you don’t have one, getting a job with a contractor that will sponsor you is the golden ticket. It can instantly boost your salary by $15,000-$25,000.

Getting Licensed in VA

Project Management as a profession isn't state-licensed like engineering or nursing. However, certifications are the de facto license.

• Primary Credential: The Project Management Professional (PMP) from the Project Management Institute (PMI) is the gold standard. While not mandated by the state, it is often a prerequisite for senior and federal contract roles in Virginia Beach.
• Process & Cost:
  • Cost: The exam fee is $555 for non-members and $405 for PMI members (membership fee is ~$129). Study materials and courses can add $500-$2,000.
  • Timeline: You need 36 months of leading projects (if you have a bachelor’s degree) and 35 hours of project management education.
  • State-Specific Note: Virginia has no separate state-level PM license. Your PMP is universally recognized. For government contracts, familiarity with FAR (Federal Acquisition Regulation) is invaluable and often learned on the job.

Best Neighborhoods for Project Managers

Your home base will shape your commute and lifestyle. Virginia Beach is vast and sprawling.

1. Town Center: The business heart. A mix of modern apartments and condos. You’re close to corporate offices (like the City government) and upscale dining. Commute: Easy to most jobs. Rent (1BR): $1,400 - $1,700.
2. Chick’s Beach (North End): Popular with young professionals. Close to the Oceanfront, breweries, and the North End bars. A more vibrant, social scene. Commute: 15-20 minutes to most job hubs. Rent (1BR): $1,300 - $1,500.
3. Princess Anne Plaza: More suburban, family-oriented. Closer to the Virginia Beach Oceanfront and the resort area. Quieter than the North End. Commute: 10-25 minutes depending on your job. Rent (1BR): $1,100 - $1,300.
4. Kemps River: Located in the southern central part of the city. Excellent shopping, newer apartment complexes, and very central to the military bases and major employers. Commute: 10-20 minutes to most places. Rent (1BR): $1,200 - $1,400.
5. Salem (Suffolk border): A quiet, established suburb. Great for families looking for more space. A longer commute to the Oceanfront or Town Center (25-35 mins). Rent (1BR): $1,100 - $1,250.

Commute Insight: Traffic is concentrated on I-264 (the main east-west artery) and the VA Beach Blvd corridor. Living east of I-264 can cut your commute time significantly for jobs located in the central business district.

The Long Game: Career Growth

In Virginia Beach, career growth is less about hopping between Fortune 100 companies and more about deepening your expertise in a sector or obtaining a clearance.

• Specialty Premiums:
  • Cleared PM (Secret/Top Secret): +$15k-$30k on base salary.
  • PMP Certification: +$5k-$15k, often tied to promotion eligibility.
  • Construction/Engineering PM: Higher base pay due to technical demand.
  • IT/Agile PM: Growing in demand, especially with contractors and healthcare.
• Advancement Paths: The typical path is from Project Coordinator to Project Manager, to Senior PM, and then to Program Manager (overseeing multiple projects) or Director of Project Management. The latter roles are fewer and often require 10-15 years of experience and a strong network.
• 10-Year Outlook: The 6% job growth is modest but reflects a stable economy. Growth will be strongest in IT projects for defense, healthcare facility management, and sustainable infrastructure (driven by coastal resilience projects). The rise of remote work is a double-edged sword: it allows you to compete for higher-paying DC-based jobs without moving, but it also introduces competition from remote PMs. The advantage of being local is your network and ability to be on-site for critical meetings or site visits.

The Verdict: Is Virginia Beach Right for You?

Virginia Beach is a pragmatic choice for Project Managers who value work-life balance, lower cost of living, and a stable, if not flashy, job market. It’s ideal for those with or willing to get a security clearance.

Pros	Cons
Lower Cost of Living (Rent is ~30% less than national avg)	Lower Salary Ceiling than NoVA or national hubs
No State Tax on Retirement Income	Job Market is Specialized (Defense, Tourism, Health)
Outdoor Lifestyle (Beach, parks, boating is accessible)	Limited "Big Tech" or startup scene
Stable Job Market (Tied to federal spending)	Traffic can be congested on main arteries
Friendly, Relaxed Culture	Public Transit is Limited (Car is essential)

Final Recommendation: If you are a PM with 3+ years of experience, especially with a security clearance or in construction/engineering, Virginia Beach offers a financially viable and enjoyable career path. You can afford a comfortable lifestyle and save money. If you are a tech PM seeking the fastest growth in a cutting-edge startup environment, you may find the market too small. For most mid-career PMs, it’s a "strong buy."

FAQs

Q: Is a security clearance necessary to get a Project Manager job in Virginia Beach?
A: No, but it is a major advantage. You can find PM jobs in hospitality, healthcare, and local government without one. However, the highest-paying roles (often $120,000+) with large defense contractors will almost always require or strongly prefer a clearance.

Q: How is the commute really?
A: It’s car-dependent. The average commute in the metro is about 25-30 minutes. Traffic is worst on I-264 during rush hour (7-9 AM and 4-6 PM). Living and working on the same side of I-264 can cut your commute to 15 minutes or less.

Q: What’s the best way to find jobs?
A: Beyond LinkedIn and Indeed, check ClearanceJobs.com for defense roles and the City of Virginia Beach’s official jobs portal. Networking with local chapters of PMI or industry-specific groups (like the Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce) is highly effective in this tight-knit community.

Q: Can I work remotely for a company based elsewhere?
A: Absolutely. Virginia Beach’s cost of living makes it attractive for remote PMs earning salaries from DC, Richmond, or even NYC. This is a growing trend and can significantly boost your household income above the local median.

Q: What’s the "X-factor" for success in Virginia Beach?
A: Networking and local knowledge. Understanding the unique dynamics of the military-contractor ecosystem and building relationships with key employers (like the City, Bon Secours, and HII) will open doors that online applications never will. Attend local industry events and get involved in the community.