Advances in Regional Broadband, along with a talented workforce pipeline developed by graduates of educational programs and skilled IT professionals exiting the military, make the Information Technology industry a major target for Norfolk, VA.  Fields within the Information Technology industry include cybersecurity, software development, custom computer programming, computer systems design, data processing and hosting, and modeling and simulation.

Competitive Advantages:

Regional Connectivity Ring:

  • In 2018, Hampton Roads won Venture Smarter’s 2018 Smart Infrastructure Challenge – Smart and Connected Development Track[1]
  • The Hampton Roads Planning District Commission (HRPDC) is working to establish a “Regional Connectivity Ring” to connect Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Suffolk, Portsmouth, and Chesapeake to the transatlantic cable landings1

Research Centers:

  • Old Dominion University (ODU) is home to the Virginia Modeling and Simulation Center (VMASC), established in July 1997[2]
    • VMASC has approximately 30 researchers and staff2
    • VMASC’s goal is to develop innovative ways to solve real-world problems via modeling and simulation10
    • VMASC’s research includes advanced analytics, cyber security, computational risk modeling, predictive analytics, etc.2
  • ODU’s Center for Cybersecurity Education and Research (CCSER) promotes education and research in cybersecurity[3]
    • CCSER responds to and address cybersecurity problems and issues11
    • CCSER works to expand and enhance the cybersecurity workforce11
  • Norfolk State University
    • Lead institution in a $25 million Cybersecurity education and workforce pipeline initiative

Educational Programs:

  • ODU offers the following related educational programs:
    • Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Ph.D. in Computer Science
    • Bachelor’s and Master’s in Cybersecurity
    • Bachelor’s in Information Systems and Technology
  • NSU offers the following related educational programs[4]:
    • Bachelor’s and Master’s in Computer Science and Information Technology
    • Master’s in Cybersecurity
    • Bachelor’s in Information Technology

[1]Source: Venture Smarter, “Hampton Roads Regional Connectivity Ring”, https://www.venturesmarter.com/hampton-roads-regional-connectivity-ring
[2]Source: Old Dominion University, Virginia Modeling, Analysis, and Simulation Center, https://www.odu.edu/vmasc
[3]Source: Old Dominion University, Center for Cybersecurity Education and Research, https://www.odu.edu/ccser
[4]Source: Norfolk State University, Computer Science, https://www.nsu.edu/cs

Information Technology

  • Total Jobs in MSA (2021): 29,773
  • Weighted Average Earnings per Job in MSA: $96,299
SOCDescription2021 Jobs (MSA)Avg. Annual Earnings (MSA)
15-1250Software & Web Developers, Programmers, & Testers7,991$95,744
15-1210Computer & Information Analysts4,641$105,765
15-1230Computer Support Specialists3,948$59,966
15-1240Database & Network Administrators & Architects3,927$90,587
15-1290Miscellaneous Computer Occupations3,270$97,066
17-2070Electrical & Electronics Engineers2,239$99,244
11-3020Computer & Information Systems Managers1,836$152,086
N/AOther1,920$104,035
N/ATotal29,773$96,299

Source: Economic Modeling Specialists Intl. (Emsi)

Key Employers in the Information Technology Industry in Norfolk

  • Booz Allen Hamilton
  • Serco
  • CACI
  • XTUPLE
  • Northrop Grumann
  • Techark Solutions

Source: Economic Modeling Specialists Intl. (Emsi)