Cloud Architect Salary in Radford, VA: $132,202 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time cloud architect in Radford, VA earns a median $132,202/year (≈ $63.56/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-1241). Once you factor in Radford's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 103.2), that paycheck buys what $128,103 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.7% above the Virginia state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, cloud architects in Radford, Virginia, can expect a median annual salary of $132,202, which is roughly 11.17% lower than the national median of $148,828. The projected salary range extends from $82,072 (P10) to $183,130 (P90), reflecting the various levels of expertise and experience among professionals in this field. These figures, derived from state-level BLS data and adjusted for regional cost of living, underline the growing demand for cloud expertise in the context of the cloud cost optimization specialty, particularly FinOps. As organizations navigate multi-cloud environments, the need for skilled architects who can optimize cloud spending and enhance overall performance becomes integral to maintaining competitive advantages in Radford's job market.
About the Radford Market
Salary estimated from Virginia average ($150,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $82,072 | $39.45 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $109,738 | $52.76 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $132,202 | $63.56 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $158,447 | $76.17 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $183,130 | $88.05 |
Median Salary Position
11.17% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Radford
In Radford, VA, the cloud architect salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $101,058 (2026 est.). At $132,202, the local median is 11.17% below the national median of $148,828.
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At 40 hours/week in Radford: You'd be above the median
How Radford Cloud Architect Pay Compares
Radford median: $132,202/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Radford Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Average | $129,992 | +1.70% more |
| National Average | $148,828 | -11.17% less |
Cloud Architects in Radford, VA earn a median of $132,202 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.17% lower than the national median of $148,828 and 1.70% above the Virginia state average of $129,992.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Radford has a cost of living 3.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Radford, VA has a cost-of-living index of 103.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $132,202 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $128,103 — a 3.1% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$108,109
2025 BLS Actual
$128,601
2026 Current Est.
$132,202
2019–2027 Growth
+25.7%
Salary Trajectory for Cloud Architects in Radford (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.80% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $108,109 | Actual |
| 2020 | $112,033 | Actual |
| 2021 | $115,621 | Actual |
| 2022 | $121,742 | Actual |
| 2023 | $124,562 | Actual |
| 2024 | $148,056 | Actual |
| 2025 | $128,601 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $132,202 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $135,903 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Radford metropolitan area, the median cloud architect salary grew 19.0% from $108,109 (2019) to $128,601 (2025). At a 2.80% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $135,903 by 2027 — a total increase of $27,794 (25.71%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Radford metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.80% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $82,072 – $109,738 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $109,738 – $132,202 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $132,202 – $158,447 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $158,447 – $183,130 |
CA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual cloud architect compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Cloud Architect Job Market in Radford
In Radford, the local landscape for cloud architects is shaped by a modest employment pool of six professionals currently engaged in this specialty, highlighting a niche yet vital market. The cost-of-living index stands at 103.2, which indicates that while salaries may seem attractive, purchasing power requires careful consideration. Employers with deep pockets generally include tech giants engaged in cloud migration, consulting firms like Accenture and Deloitte, and health-focused organizations that demand HITRUST-compliant cloud solutions. The salary variance for cloud architects can often be attributed to the specialty areas they represent; AWS skills tend to dominate in demand, while professional certifications such as AWS Solutions Architect Professional, Azure SAA Expert, and GCP PCA can significantly enhance an architect's market value. To maximize compensation in Radford, professionals should focus on obtaining relevant certifications, fostering strategic partnerships through consulting roles, and actively engaging in continuous education around FinOps and multi-cloud strategies.
More salary data for Radford, VA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Maria Gonzalez, MS
Career Analyst
Maria has 10 years of experience in cloud architecture. She specializes in cloud security and compliance. She works in a technology consulting firm.
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $128,601 for cloud architectsin the Radford metropolitan area. A 2.80% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Radford is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.80%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for cloud architects (SOC 15-1241).
Compiled and verified by Maria Gonzalez, MS, a licensed cloud architect with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov