Technology & Innovation

A community born from innovation, the Roanoke Region is a center for technology development in the Commonwealth.

Extensive information technology operations support the region’s large technology companies and corporate headquarters. Thousands of information technology professionals work within one hour of Roanoke.

>4,000 employed
13% national employment growth through 2026

The Roanoke Region is an innovation hub. In the last five years, per capita growth of technology patents filed from within the region has exceeded the national average by more than 3.5 times. Those patent filers include entrepreneurial startups and results from the Virginia Tech Carilion Research Institute, as well as established advanced manufacturers such as GE, Optical Cable Corporation, Novozymes Biologicals, and Harris.

Fourteen colleges and universities currently provide some form of computer science credential, including industry certificates. Seven of those institutions provide four-year computer science or information technology-related programs. These include American National University, Ferrum College, Virginia Military Institute, Roanoke College, University of Lynchburg, Virginia Tech, and Washington & Lee University.

Average IT Salary in Roanoke = $77,000

When accounting for the cost of living, your earnings have to be adjusted in other locations to maintain the same lifestyle. Simply put, a considerably higher salary is necessary to have comparable buying power for things such as housing, groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare.

Metro	Average IT Salary	Cost of Living Index	Average IT Salary in Roanoke When Adjusted for Difference in Cost of Living
Washington, DC	$107,761	149.5	$127,498
Asheville, NC	$67,010	100.5	$85,709
Madison, WI	$103,310	106.6	$90,912
Pittsburgh, PA	$81,680	102.7	$87,586
Portland, ME	$81,490	116.6	$87,586
Roanoke, VA	$76,840	90.1	$76,840

Cost of living index (COLI) is a national study that determines the cost of living for a metro area against the national average (100). A number above 100 indicates the percentage of expense higher than the national average.

Skills to Succeed

Do you have what it takes for a job in IT or computer science? According to The Balance Careers, you are a perfect candidate if you have the following skills:

Coding or computer programming
Math
Communication
Network engineering
Agile development
Cloud-based computing
Knowledge of databases
Front- or back-end design
IT optimization
IT security
Degree/training in information technology, computer science or engineering, or project management and development