Checked
Virginia Wages by Occupation
Median pay for every occupation in Virginia and its metro areas from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025).
- Median wage
- $55,690 a year
- All occupations
- U.S. median
- $50,980 a year
- Employment
- 4,109,320
- Wage and salary jobs
- Occupations with data
- 756
Pay range in Virginia
All occupations: 10th to 90th percentile, middle half shaded
Highest paying occupations
Occupations with at least 50 jobs here
Swipe the table sideways to see more columns.
| # | Occupation | Employment | Median wage | Mean wage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric | 170 | $478,710 | $432,290 |
| 2 | Cardiologists | 810 | $461,450 | $446,630 |
| 3 | Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons | 210 | $403,430 | $412,860 |
| 4 | Surgeons, All Other | 260 | $360,510 | $313,960 |
| 5 | Chief Executives | 4,870 | $310,740 | $340,580 |
| 6 | Psychiatrists | 370 | $295,010 | $272,960 |
| 7 | Physicians, All Other | 8,480 | $278,530 | $266,010 |
| 8 | Nurse Anesthetists | 700 | $252,110 | $254,820 |
| 9 | Physicians, Pathologists | 110 | $240,780 | $245,900 |
| 10 | Emergency Medicine Physicians | 920 | $239,200 or more | $239,200 or more |
| 11 | Family Medicine Physicians | 2,930 | $222,630 | $252,590 |
| 12 | Computer and Information Systems Managers | 17,550 | $201,490 | $206,920 |
| 13 | Dentists, General | 4,140 | $197,110 | $197,820 |
| 14 | Pediatricians, General | 750 | $195,940 | $210,010 |
| 15 | Air Traffic Controllers | 1,120 | $191,820 | $175,740 |
Most common occupations
Swipe the table sideways to see more columns.
| # | Occupation | Employment | Median wage | Mean wage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fast Food and Counter Workers | 104,460 | $30,110 | $31,930 |
| 2 | General and Operations Managers | 103,590 | $122,080 | $141,370 |
| 3 | Retail Salespersons | 100,290 | $34,240 | $36,290 |
| 4 | Software Developers | 88,280 | $136,460 | $146,340 |
| 5 | Cashiers | 83,890 | $30,580 | $32,140 |
| 6 | Registered Nurses | 77,490 | $93,600 | $93,850 |
| 7 | Home Health and Personal Care Aides | 70,070 | $30,300 | $32,640 |
| 8 | Stockers and Order Fillers | 69,660 | $36,380 | $38,070 |
| 9 | Office Clerks, General | 66,550 | $46,410 | $48,220 |
| 10 | Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners | 65,970 | $35,170 | $36,490 |
| 11 | Customer Service Representatives | 59,850 | $42,730 | $44,960 |
| 12 | Management Analysts | 59,620 | $117,580 | $137,480 |
| 13 | Waiters and Waitresses | 59,370 | $44,760 | $46,680 |
| 14 | Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | 58,000 | $39,380 | $42,330 |
| 15 | Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | 48,750 | $56,860 | $57,770 |
Jobs concentrated here
Highest location quotient: the share of jobs compared with the U.S. (2.0 = twice the national share)
Lowest paying occupations
Swipe the table sideways to see more columns.
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage | Mean wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taxi Drivers | 190 | $28,490 | $36,320 |
| Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers | 3,130 | $28,580 | $29,690 |
| Shampooers | 350 | $28,920 | $30,350 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | 12,520 | $29,950 | $31,980 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | 8,920 | $30,070 | $31,700 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | 104,460 | $30,110 | $31,930 |
| Parking Attendants | 1,830 | $30,110 | $31,710 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | 70,070 | $30,300 | $32,640 |
| Automotive and Watercraft Service Attendants | 4,060 | $30,350 | $33,080 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | 10,890 | $30,490 | $33,240 |
Every occupation in Virginia
Median wage by occupation group
Management Occupations (36)
- Administrative Services Managers$130,850 a year
- Advertising and Promotions Managers$148,400 a year
- Architectural and Engineering Managers$176,160 a year
- Chief Executives$310,740 a year
- Compensation and Benefits Managers$153,660 a year
- Computer and Information Systems Managers$201,490 a year
- Construction Managers$119,110 a year
- Education Administrators, All Other$108,820 a year
- Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary$106,100 a year
- Education Administrators, Postsecondary$120,840 a year
- Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare$53,320 a year
- Emergency Management Directors$99,860 a year
- Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling$74,800 a year
- Facilities Managers$116,540 a year
- Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers$66,780 a year
- Financial Managers$185,220 a year
- Food Service Managers$71,230 a year
- Fundraising Managers$143,730 a year
- Funeral Home Managers$81,700 a year
- General and Operations Managers$122,080 a year
- Human Resources Managers$165,980 a year
- Industrial Production Managers$128,230 a year
- Lodging Managers$66,990 a year
- Managers, All Other$166,230 a year
- Marketing Managers$187,820 a year
- Medical and Health Services Managers$129,270 a year
- Natural Sciences Managers$150,570 a year
- Personal Service Managers, All Other$65,800 a year
- Postmasters and Mail Superintendents$94,790 a year
- Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers$79,810 a year
- Public Relations Managers$176,340 a year
- Purchasing Managers$166,230 a year
- Sales Managers$191,130 a year
- Social and Community Service Managers$94,970 a year
- Training and Development Managers$137,520 a year
- Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers$119,140 a year
Business and Financial Operations Occupations (31)
- Accountants and Auditors$93,290 a year
- Agents and Business Managers of Artists, Performers, and Athletes$73,400 a year
- Budget Analysts$105,470 a year
- Business Operations Specialists, All Other$85,200 a year
- Buyers and Purchasing Agents$89,210 a year
- Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators$74,240 a year
- Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists$81,190 a year
- Compliance Officers$80,380 a year
- Cost Estimators$80,530 a year
- Credit Analysts$102,430 a year
- Credit Counselors$51,550 a year
- Financial and Investment Analysts$105,490 a year
- Financial Examiners$104,060 a year
- Financial Risk Specialists$126,510 a year
- Financial Specialists, All Other$92,930 a year
- Fundraisers$72,610 a year
- Human Resources Specialists$82,090 a year
- Insurance Appraisers, Auto Damage$81,470 a year
- Insurance Underwriters$81,870 a year
- Labor Relations Specialists$98,730 a year
- Loan Officers$78,320 a year
- Logisticians$98,920 a year
- Management Analysts$117,580 a year
- Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists$76,980 a year
- Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners$60,930 a year
- Personal Financial Advisors$102,640 a year
- Project Management Specialists$120,840 a year
- Property Appraisers and Assessors$76,080 a year
- Tax Examiners and Collectors, and Revenue Agents$59,610 a year
- Tax Preparers$58,520 a year
- Training and Development Specialists$77,690 a year
Computer and Mathematical Occupations (21)
- Actuaries$131,900 a year
- Computer and Information Research Scientists$157,390 a year
- Computer Network Architects$141,340 a year
- Computer Network Support Specialists$76,760 a year
- Computer Occupations, All Other$139,030 a year
- Computer Programmers$121,610 a year
- Computer Systems Analysts$120,840 a year
- Computer User Support Specialists$65,040 a year
- Data Scientists$126,430 a year
- Database Administrators$93,320 a year
- Database Architects$160,360 a year
- Information Security Analysts$134,900 a year
- Mathematical Science Occupations, All Other$59,990 a year
- Mathematicians$148,030 a year
- Network and Computer Systems Administrators$109,610 a year
- Operations Research Analysts$129,460 a year
- Software Developers$136,460 a year
- Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers$121,590 a year
- Statisticians$114,920 a year
- Web and Digital Interface Designers$77,140 a year
- Web Developers$128,380 a year
Architecture and Engineering Occupations (33)
- Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians$81,040 a year
- Aerospace Engineers$143,210 a year
- Architects, Except Landscape and Naval$97,680 a year
- Architectural and Civil Drafters$63,450 a year
- Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers$106,140 a year
- Calibration Technologists and Technicians$72,730 a year
- Cartographers and Photogrammetrists$86,660 a year
- Chemical Engineers$136,380 a year
- Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians$67,100 a year
- Civil Engineers$97,120 a year
- Computer Hardware Engineers$139,030 a year
- Drafters, All Other$67,220 a year
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians$79,540 a year
- Electrical and Electronics Drafters$64,650 a year
- Electrical Engineers$119,030 a year
- Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians$74,880 a year
- Electronics Engineers, Except Computer$119,990 a year
- Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other$98,410 a year
- Engineers, All Other$148,160 a year
- Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians$52,330 a year
- Environmental Engineers$104,940 a year
- Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors$104,920 a year
- Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians$66,310 a year
- Industrial Engineers$102,550 a year
- Landscape Architects$81,380 a year
- Materials Engineers$116,720 a year
- Mechanical Drafters$69,630 a year
- Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians$75,650 a year
- Mechanical Engineers$104,180 a year
- Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers$104,960 a year
- Nuclear Engineers$128,890 a year
- Surveying and Mapping Technicians$56,760 a year
- Surveyors$71,070 a year
Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations (43)
- Agricultural Technicians$41,210 a year
- Anthropologists and Archeologists$80,230 a year
- Astronomers$128,930 a year
- Atmospheric and Space Scientists$83,880 a year
- Biochemists and Biophysicists$105,780 a year
- Biological Scientists, All Other$96,030 a year
- Biological Technicians$53,360 a year
- Chemical Technicians$51,850 a year
- Chemists$96,650 a year
- Clinical and Counseling Psychologists$86,520 a year
- Conservation Scientists$77,380 a year
- Economists$137,590 a year
- Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health$49,430 a year
- Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health$82,230 a year
- Epidemiologists$84,930 a year
- Food Science Technicians$65,360 a year
- Food Scientists and Technologists$93,590 a year
- Forensic Science Technicians$68,900 a year
- Forest and Conservation Technicians$49,960 a year
- Foresters$71,990 a year
- Geographers$108,020 a year
- Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians$59,290 a year
- Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers$88,390 a year
- Historians$101,920 a year
- Hydrologic Technicians$52,190 a year
- Hydrologists$132,080 a year
- Life Scientists, All Other$81,600 a year
- Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other$67,240 a year
- Materials Scientists$124,150 a year
- Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists$93,620 a year
- Microbiologists$77,820 a year
- Nuclear Technicians$98,930 a year
- Occupational Health and Safety Specialists$90,800 a year
- Occupational Health and Safety Technicians$62,380 a year
- Physical Scientists, All OtherNot reported
- Physicists$145,040 a year
- Psychologists, All Other$140,640 a year
- School Psychologists$85,670 a year
- Social Science Research Assistants$53,260 a year
- Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other$140,670 a year
- Soil and Plant Scientists$73,920 a year
- Urban and Regional Planners$86,030 a year
- Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists$72,340 a year
Community and Social Service Occupations (17)
- Child, Family, and School Social Workers$61,330 a year
- Clergy$55,430 a year
- Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other$69,810 a year
- Community Health Workers$48,910 a year
- Counselors, All Other$76,450 a year
- Directors, Religious Activities and Education$59,020 a year
- Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors$67,660 a year
- Health Education Specialists$64,040 a year
- Healthcare Social Workers$66,550 a year
- Marriage and Family Therapists$79,900 a year
- Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers$64,240 a year
- Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists$58,820 a year
- Rehabilitation Counselors$47,530 a year
- Religious Workers, All Other$48,210 a year
- Social and Human Service Assistants$43,450 a year
- Social Workers, All Other$92,930 a year
- Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors$59,880 a year
Legal Occupations (7)
- Arbitrators, Mediators, and Conciliators$79,530 a year
- Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates$104,000 a year
- Judicial Law Clerks$65,940 a year
- Lawyers$167,210 a year
- Legal Support Workers, All Other$179,960 a year
- Paralegals and Legal Assistants$63,990 a year
- Title Examiners, Abstractors, and Searchers$54,230 a year
Educational Instruction and Library Occupations (62)
- Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors$64,540 a year
- Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary$105,330 a year
- Anthropology and Archeology Teachers, Postsecondary$94,260 a year
- Architecture Teachers, Postsecondary$105,940 a year
- Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary$85,960 a year
- Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary$74,870 a year
- Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary$119,940 a year
- Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary$79,190 a year
- Business Teachers, Postsecondary$103,860 a year
- Career/Technical Education Teachers, Middle School$67,460 a year
- Career/Technical Education Teachers, Postsecondary$57,820 a year
- Career/Technical Education Teachers, Secondary School$75,580 a year
- Chemistry Teachers, Postsecondary$80,330 a year
- Communications Teachers, Postsecondary$73,750 a year
- Computer Science Teachers, Postsecondary$106,780 a year
- Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Teachers, PostsecondaryNot reported
- Curators$58,200 a year
- Economics Teachers, Postsecondary$128,790 a year
- Education Teachers, Postsecondary$77,060 a year
- Educational Instruction and Library Workers, All Other$52,590 a year
- Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education$65,550 a year
- Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary$121,880 a year
- English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary$67,330 a year
- Environmental Science Teachers, Postsecondary$104,730 a year
- Family and Consumer Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary$63,580 a year
- Farm and Home Management Educators$76,710 a year
- Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary$74,000 a year
- Forestry and Conservation Science Teachers, Postsecondary$132,820 a year
- Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary$106,880 a year
- History Teachers, Postsecondary$85,910 a year
- Instructional Coordinators$83,230 a year
- Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education$63,920 a year
- Law Teachers, Postsecondary$136,270 a year
- Librarians and Media Collections Specialists$77,430 a year
- Library Science Teachers, Postsecondary$82,880 a year
- Library Technicians$45,560 a year
- Mathematical Science Teachers, Postsecondary$75,830 a year
- Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education$63,520 a year
- Museum Technicians and Conservators$52,190 a year
- Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary$82,550 a year
- Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary$85,310 a year
- Physics Teachers, Postsecondary$104,490 a year
- Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary$101,430 a year
- Postsecondary Teachers, All Other$84,060 a year
- Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education$37,140 a year
- Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary$77,950 a year
- Recreation and Fitness Studies Teachers, Postsecondary$65,320 a year
- Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education$72,170 a year
- Self-Enrichment Teachers$49,160 a year
- Social Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary, All Other$94,740 a year
- Social Work Teachers, Postsecondary$77,180 a year
- Sociology Teachers, Postsecondary$78,120 a year
- Special Education Teachers, All Other$77,280 a year
- Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School$67,740 a year
- Special Education Teachers, Middle School$63,820 a year
- Special Education Teachers, Preschool$77,570 a year
- Special Education Teachers, Secondary School$68,400 a year
- Substitute Teachers, Short-Term$39,020 a year
- Teachers and Instructors, All Other$85,280 a year
- Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary$38,520 a year
- Teaching Assistants, Postsecondary$49,890 a year
- Tutors$40,750 a year
Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations (36)
- Art Directors$101,150 a year
- Artists and Related Workers, All Other$111,530 a year
- Athletes and Sports Competitors$61,500 a year
- Audio and Video Technicians$53,960 a year
- Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys$44,400 a year
- Broadcast Technicians$57,940 a year
- Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film$58,440 a year
- Coaches and Scouts$46,290 a year
- Commercial and Industrial Designers$82,230 a year
- Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners$55,210 a year
- Designers, All Other$60,000 a year
- Editors$80,590 a year
- Entertainers and Performers, Sports and Related Workers, All Other$16.98 an hour
- Fashion Designers$94,120 a year
- Film and Video Editors$78,740 a year
- Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators$47,930 a year
- Floral Designers$37,350 a year
- Graphic Designers$72,310 a year
- Interior Designers$62,560 a year
- Interpreters and Translators$63,030 a year
- Lighting Technicians$60,340 a year
- Media and Communication Equipment Workers, All Other$117,640 a year
- Media and Communication Workers, All Other$69,420 a year
- Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers$37,750 a year
- Music Directors and Composers$59,050 a year
- Musicians and Singers$50.60 an hour
- News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists$62,140 a year
- Photographers$46,550 a year
- Producers and Directors$65,900 a year
- Public Relations Specialists$80,380 a year
- Set and Exhibit Designers$58,650 a year
- Sound Engineering Technicians$49,920 a year
- Special Effects Artists and Animators$81,510 a year
- Technical Writers$93,600 a year
- Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials$40,840 a year
- Writers and Authors$85,000 a year
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations (65)
- Anesthesiologists$488,310 a year
- Athletic Trainers$61,860 a year
- Audiologists$80,010 a year
- Cardiologists$461,450 a year
- Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians$76,880 a year
- Chiropractors$88,030 a year
- Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians$61,050 a year
- Dental Hygienists$102,950 a year
- Dentists, General$197,110 a year
- Dermatologists$280,060 a year
- Diagnostic Medical Sonographers$95,660 a year
- Dietetic Technicians$38,790 a year
- Dietitians and Nutritionists$77,380 a year
- Emergency Medical Technicians$45,420 a year
- Emergency Medicine Physicians$239,200 or more a year
- Exercise Physiologists$52,400 a year
- Family Medicine Physicians$222,630 a year
- General Internal Medicine PhysiciansNot reported
- Genetic Counselors$99,960 a year
- Health Information Technologists and Medical Registrars$59,060 a year
- Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other$47,340 a year
- Healthcare Diagnosing or Treating Practitioners, All Other$87,530 a year
- Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Workers, All Other$63,410 a year
- Hearing Aid Specialists$75,300 a year
- Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses$64,920 a year
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists$98,640 a year
- Medical Dosimetrists$142,830 a year
- Medical Records Specialists$53,290 a year
- Nuclear Medicine Technologists$101,820 a year
- Nurse Anesthetists$252,110 a year
- Nurse Midwives$135,710 a year
- Nurse Practitioners$127,810 a year
- Obstetricians and Gynecologists$282,410 a year
- Occupational Therapists$100,710 a year
- Ophthalmic Medical Technicians$40,920 a year
- Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric$177,410 a year
- Opticians, Dispensing$55,820 a year
- Optometrists$131,570 a year
- Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons$403,430 a year
- Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric$478,710 a year
- Orthotists and Prosthetists$92,930 a year
- Paramedics$60,480 a year
- Pediatricians, General$195,940 a year
- Pharmacists$144,060 a year
- Pharmacy Technicians$44,610 a year
- Physical Therapists$101,450 a year
- Physician Assistants$135,940 a year
- Physicians, All Other$278,530 a year
- Physicians, Pathologists$240,780 a year
- Podiatrists$133,640 a year
- Psychiatric Technicians$48,320 a year
- Psychiatrists$295,010 a year
- Radiation Therapists$103,310 a year
- Radiologic Technologists and Technicians$80,670 a year
- Radiologists$376,270 a year
- Recreational Therapists$61,270 a year
- Registered Nurses$93,600 a year
- Respiratory Therapists$82,910 a year
- Speech-Language Pathologists$96,250 a year
- Surgeons, All Other$360,510 a year
- Surgical Assistants$78,910 a year
- Surgical Technologists$67,580 a year
- Therapists, All Other$70,890 a year
- Veterinarians$126,730 a year
- Veterinary Technologists and Technicians$52,090 a year
Healthcare Support Occupations (16)
- Dental Assistants$46,670 a year
- Healthcare Support Workers, All Other$46,060 a year
- Home Health and Personal Care Aides$30,300 a year
- Massage Therapists$62,220 a year
- Medical Assistants$44,740 a year
- Medical Equipment Preparers$46,580 a year
- Medical Transcriptionists$35,130 a year
- Nursing Assistants$43,200 a year
- Occupational Therapy Assistants$74,960 a year
- Orderlies$36,960 a year
- Pharmacy Aides$36,390 a year
- Phlebotomists$46,340 a year
- Physical Therapist Aides$33,390 a year
- Physical Therapist Assistants$73,760 a year
- Psychiatric Aides$37,280 a year
- Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers$37,450 a year
Protective Service Occupations (21)
- Animal Control Workers$49,010 a year
- Bailiffs$62,290 a year
- Correctional Officers and Jailers$50,140 a year
- Crossing Guards and Flaggers$37,560 a year
- Detectives and Criminal Investigators$112,760 a year
- Fire Inspectors and Investigators$70,460 a year
- Firefighters$58,670 a year
- First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers$64,190 a year
- First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers$97,780 a year
- First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives$101,230 a year
- First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers$60,790 a year
- Fish and Game Wardens$66,540 a year
- Gambling Surveillance Officers and Gambling Investigators$41,980 a year
- Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers$30,070 a year
- Parking Enforcement Workers$46,840 a year
- Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers$65,870 a year
- Private Detectives and Investigators$56,160 a year
- Protective Service Workers, All Other$35,230 a year
- School Bus Monitors$36,510 a year
- Security Guards$43,640 a year
- Transportation Security Screeners$69,910 a year
Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations (16)
- Bartenders$47,070 a year
- Chefs and Head Cooks$63,270 a year
- Cooks, All Other$35,810 a year
- Cooks, Fast Food$29,950 a year
- Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria$37,890 a year
- Cooks, Restaurant$36,750 a year
- Cooks, Short Order$31,200 a year
- Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers$32,410 a year
- Dishwashers$33,130 a year
- Fast Food and Counter Workers$30,110 a year
- First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers$45,550 a year
- Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other$35,870 a year
- Food Preparation Workers$34,900 a year
- Food Servers, Nonrestaurant$35,090 a year
- Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop$30,490 a year
- Waiters and Waitresses$44,760 a year
Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance Occupations (10)
- Building Cleaning Workers, All Other$51,210 a year
- First-Line Supervisors of Housekeeping and Janitorial Workers$48,660 a year
- First-Line Supervisors of Landscaping, Lawn Service, and Groundskeeping Workers$58,400 a year
- Grounds Maintenance Workers, All Other$54,990 a year
- Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners$35,170 a year
- Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers$38,410 a year
- Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners$33,820 a year
- Pest Control Workers$45,950 a year
- Pesticide Handlers, Sprayers, and Applicators, Vegetation$48,610 a year
- Tree Trimmers and Pruners$48,550 a year
Personal Care and Service Occupations (23)
- Amusement and Recreation Attendants$30,910 a year
- Animal Caretakers$34,380 a year
- Animal Trainers$62,960 a year
- Baggage Porters and Bellhops$36,530 a year
- Barbers$46,730 a year
- Childcare Workers$34,330 a year
- Concierges$38,050 a year
- Costume Attendants$46,790 a year
- Embalmers$63,810 a year
- Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors$40,820 a year
- First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services$47,410 a year
- First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers$48,990 a year
- Funeral Attendants$35,010 a year
- Gambling Dealers$26,170 a year
- Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and CosmetologistsNot reported
- Locker Room, Coatroom, and Dressing Room Attendants$38,010 a year
- Manicurists and Pedicurists$36,630 a year
- Personal Care and Service Workers, All Other$33,910 a year
- Recreation Workers$36,120 a year
- Residential Advisors$42,890 a year
- Shampooers$28,920 a year
- Skincare Specialists$39,350 a year
- Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers$28,580 a year
Sales and Related Occupations (20)
- Cashiers$30,580 a year
- Counter and Rental Clerks$45,540 a year
- Demonstrators and Product Promoters$41,600 a year
- Door-to-Door Sales Workers, News and Street Vendors, and Related Workers$32,320 a year
- First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers$98,170 a year
- First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers$47,990 a year
- Insurance Sales Agents$60,520 a year
- Models$45,720 a year
- Parts Salespersons$38,070 a year
- Real Estate Brokers$77,270 a year
- Real Estate Sales Agents$63,980 a year
- Retail Salespersons$34,240 a year
- Sales and Related Workers, All Other$35,730 a year
- Sales EngineersNot reported
- Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel$72,640 a year
- Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products$63,400 a year
- Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products$128,270 a year
- Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents$62,910 a year
- Telemarketers$37,440 a year
- Travel Agents$45,260 a year
Office and Administrative Support Occupations (51)
- Bill and Account Collectors$43,770 a year
- Billing and Posting Clerks$47,580 a year
- Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks$51,620 a year
- Brokerage Clerks$62,560 a year
- Cargo and Freight Agents$49,680 a year
- Correspondence Clerks$48,310 a year
- Couriers and Messengers$37,820 a year
- Court, Municipal, and License Clerks$45,650 a year
- Credit Authorizers, Checkers, and Clerks$47,300 a year
- Customer Service Representatives$42,730 a year
- Data Entry Keyers$38,900 a year
- Desktop PublishersNot reported
- Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance$50,710 a year
- Eligibility Interviewers, Government Programs$50,960 a year
- Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants$80,330 a year
- File Clerks$39,900 a year
- Financial Clerks, All Other$61,040 a year
- First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers$67,170 a year
- Hotel, Motel, and Resort Desk Clerks$33,270 a year
- Human Resources Assistants, Except Payroll and Timekeeping$51,950 a year
- Information and Record Clerks, All Other$50,670 a year
- Insurance Claims and Policy Processing Clerks$46,430 a year
- Interviewers, Except Eligibility and Loan$44,280 a year
- Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants$55,320 a year
- Library Assistants, Clerical$38,020 a year
- Loan Interviewers and Clerks$50,140 a year
- Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operators, Except Postal Service$36,780 a year
- Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants$46,180 a year
- Meter Readers, Utilities$44,020 a year
- New Accounts Clerks$46,350 a year
- Office and Administrative Support Workers, All Other$53,170 a year
- Office Clerks, General$46,410 a year
- Office Machine Operators, Except Computer$41,920 a year
- Order Clerks$42,580 a year
- Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks$58,250 a year
- Postal Service Clerks$62,610 a year
- Postal Service Mail Carriers$62,070 a year
- Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators$58,300 a year
- Procurement Clerks$54,660 a year
- Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks$61,780 a year
- Proofreaders and Copy Markers$48,090 a year
- Public Safety Telecommunicators$50,490 a year
- Receptionists and Information Clerks$37,060 a year
- Reservation and Transportation Ticket Agents and Travel Clerks$44,140 a year
- Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive$47,620 a year
- Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks$44,290 a year
- Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service$36,730 a year
- Telephone Operators$42,350 a year
- Tellers$45,120 a year
- Weighers, Measurers, Checkers, and Samplers, Recordkeeping$45,360 a year
- Word Processors and Typists$46,130 a year
Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Occupations (11)
- Agricultural Equipment Operators$47,890 a year
- Agricultural Inspectors$47,380 a year
- Fallers$48,340 a year
- Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse$35,580 a year
- Farmworkers, Farm, Ranch, and Aquacultural Animals$38,670 a year
- First-Line Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers$56,990 a year
- Forest and Conservation Workers$54,560 a year
- Graders and Sorters, Agricultural Products$34,860 a year
- Log Graders and Scalers$36,220 a year
- Logging Equipment Operators$46,090 a year
- Logging Workers, All Other$42,910 a year
Construction and Extraction Occupations (52)
- Boilermakers$67,540 a year
- Brickmasons and Blockmasons$54,680 a year
- Carpenters$55,690 a year
- Carpet Installers$48,920 a year
- Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers$50,930 a year
- Construction and Building Inspectors$75,660 a year
- Construction Laborers$43,560 a year
- Continuous Mining Machine Operators$63,480 a year
- Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers$55,840 a year
- Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas$55,470 a year
- Electricians$62,900 a year
- Elevator and Escalator Installers and Repairers$108,250 a year
- Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining$59,480 a year
- Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters$63,920 a year
- Fence Erectors$40,050 a year
- First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers$78,640 a year
- Floor Layers, Except Carpet, Wood, and Hard Tiles$50,440 a year
- Floor Sanders and Finishers$46,860 a year
- Glaziers$59,260 a year
- Hazardous Materials Removal Workers$45,320 a year
- Helpers--Brickmasons, Blockmasons, Stonemasons, and Tile and Marble Setters$43,960 a year
- Helpers--Carpenters$43,730 a year
- Helpers--Electricians$44,530 a year
- Helpers--Extraction Workers$50,350 a year
- Helpers--Painters, Paperhangers, Plasterers, and Stucco Masons$43,160 a year
- Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters$38,190 a year
- Helpers--Roofers$46,030 a year
- Helpers, Construction Trades, All Other$42,310 a year
- Highway Maintenance Workers$50,800 a year
- Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall$44,810 a year
- Insulation Workers, Mechanical$57,010 a year
- Loading and Moving Machine Operators, Underground Mining$76,900 a year
- Miscellaneous Construction and Related Workers$49,880 a year
- Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators$57,160 a year
- Painters, Construction and Maintenance$47,470 a year
- Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators$48,060 a year
- Pile Driver Operators$59,910 a year
- Pipelayers$48,700 a year
- Plasterers and Stucco Masons$64,120 a year
- Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters$60,470 a year
- Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators$84,750 a year
- Reinforcing Iron and Rebar Workers$55,120 a year
- Roof Bolters, Mining$78,260 a year
- Roofers$48,420 a year
- Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas$61,410 a year
- Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners$47,150 a year
- Sheet Metal Workers$52,220 a year
- Solar Photovoltaic Installers$49,190 a year
- Stonemasons$48,550 a year
- Structural Iron and Steel Workers$60,260 a year
- Tile and Stone Setters$48,880 a year
- Underground Mining Machine Operators, All Other$61,990 a year
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations (49)
- Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians$82,200 a year
- Audiovisual Equipment Installers and Repairers$56,310 a year
- Automotive Body and Related Repairers$57,760 a year
- Automotive Glass Installers and Repairers$47,730 a year
- Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics$59,330 a year
- Avionics Technicians$85,660 a year
- Bicycle Repairers$36,420 a year
- Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists$61,090 a year
- Camera and Photographic Equipment Repairers$65,170 a year
- Coin, Vending, and Amusement Machine Servicers and Repairers$44,720 a year
- Commercial Divers$62,340 a year
- Computer, Automated Teller, and Office Machine Repairers$44,750 a year
- Control and Valve Installers and Repairers, Except Mechanical Door$68,000 a year
- Electric Motor, Power Tool, and Related Repairers$63,690 a year
- Electrical and Electronics Installers and Repairers, Transportation Equipment$87,860 a year
- Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Commercial and Industrial Equipment$71,320 a year
- Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Powerhouse, Substation, and Relay$99,390 a year
- Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers$76,590 a year
- Electronic Equipment Installers and Repairers, Motor Vehicles$49,210 a year
- Farm Equipment Mechanics and Service Technicians$47,700 a year
- First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers$80,770 a year
- Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers$59,730 a year
- Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers$38,890 a year
- Home Appliance Repairers$59,820 a year
- Industrial Machinery Mechanics$64,020 a year
- Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers, All Other$47,910 a year
- Locksmiths and Safe Repairers$53,590 a year
- Maintenance and Repair Workers, General$49,470 a year
- Maintenance Workers, Machinery$65,500 a year
- Manufactured Building and Mobile Home Installers$50,500 a year
- Mechanical Door Repairers$50,880 a year
- Medical Equipment Repairers$61,070 a year
- Millwrights$51,430 a year
- Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines$63,950 a year
- Motorboat Mechanics and Service Technicians$63,450 a year
- Motorcycle Mechanics$49,400 a year
- Musical Instrument Repairers and Tuners$45,140 a year
- Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanics$47,480 a year
- Precision Instrument and Equipment Repairers, All Other$81,850 a year
- Radio, Cellular, and Tower Equipment Installers and Repairers$67,790 a year
- Rail Car Repairers$83,720 a year
- Recreational Vehicle Service Technicians$41,280 a year
- Riggers$63,620 a year
- Security and Fire Alarm Systems Installers$60,790 a year
- Signal and Track Switch Repairers$95,620 a year
- Telecommunications Equipment Installers and Repairers, Except Line Installers$61,340 a year
- Telecommunications Line Installers and Repairers$79,090 a year
- Tire Repairers and Changers$42,370 a year
- Watch and Clock Repairers$80,410 a year
Production Occupations (93)
- Adhesive Bonding Machine Operators and Tenders$47,250 a year
- Bakers$34,430 a year
- Butchers and Meat Cutters$39,770 a year
- Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters$45,910 a year
- Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders$59,970 a year
- Chemical Plant and System Operators$63,000 a year
- Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tenders$45,330 a year
- Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$49,880 a year
- Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers$56,230 a year
- Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators$49,590 a year
- Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers$74,390 a year
- Cooling and Freezing Equipment Operators and Tenders$35,370 a year
- Crushing, Grinding, and Polishing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$45,560 a year
- Cutters and Trimmers, Hand$32,470 a year
- Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$44,790 a year
- Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$47,300 a year
- Dental Laboratory Technicians$51,900 a year
- Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$90,390 a year
- Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers$44,660 a year
- Engine and Other Machine Assemblers$36,030 a year
- Etchers and Engravers$39,360 a year
- Extruding and Drawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$45,220 a year
- Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers$40,770 a year
- Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$49,390 a year
- Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers$45,390 a year
- Fiberglass Laminators and Fabricators$39,140 a year
- First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers$74,150 a year
- Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders$59,260 a year
- Food Batchmakers$41,080 a year
- Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders$35,140 a year
- Food Processing Workers, All Other$37,810 a year
- Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$54,230 a year
- Foundry Mold and Coremakers$43,130 a year
- Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders$49,650 a year
- Furniture Finishers$38,020 a year
- Gas Plant Operators$86,500 a year
- Grinding and Polishing Workers, Hand$48,830 a year
- Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, & Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, & Tenders, Metal & Plastic$43,170 a year
- Heat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$55,070 a year
- Helpers--Production Workers$37,740 a year
- Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers$49,590 a year
- Jewelers and Precious Stone and Metal Workers$61,940 a year
- Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$48,920 a year
- Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers$32,140 a year
- Layout Workers, Metal and Plastic$70,260 a year
- Machinists$61,290 a year
- Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers$36,170 a year
- Medical Appliance Technicians$56,260 a year
- Metal Workers and Plastic Workers, All Other$51,690 a year
- Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders$57,000 a year
- Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$56,410 a year
- Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators$44,900 a year
- Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$49,970 a year
- Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic$45,410 a year
- Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$45,370 a year
- Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$50,600 a year
- Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians$34,170 a year
- Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders$44,950 a year
- Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers$47,090 a year
- Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$49,900 a year
- Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers$58,970 a year
- Photographic Process Workers and Processing Machine Operators$47,380 a year
- Plant and System Operators, All Other$61,940 a year
- Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$43,380 a year
- Pourers and Casters, Metal$39,420 a year
- Power Distributors and Dispatchers$81,080 a year
- Power Plant Operators$73,640 a year
- Prepress Technicians and Workers$49,100 a year
- Pressers, Textile, Garment, and Related Materials$31,220 a year
- Print Binding and Finishing Workers$42,780 a year
- Printing Press Operators$44,020 a year
- Production Workers, All Other$38,340 a year
- Rolling Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$46,450 a year
- Sawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Wood$35,790 a year
- Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$59,480 a year
- Sewing Machine Operators$35,790 a year
- Shoe and Leather Workers and Repairers$37,230 a year
- Slaughterers and Meat Packers$37,430 a year
- Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators$64,150 a year
- Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters$53,940 a year
- Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers$46,060 a year
- Textile Cutting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$34,410 a year
- Textile Knitting and Weaving Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$39,470 a year
- Textile Winding, Twisting, and Drawing Out Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$50,770 a year
- Textile, Apparel, and Furnishings Workers, All Other$38,660 a year
- Tool and Die Makers$64,050 a year
- Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners$38,370 a year
- Upholsterers$31,950 a year
- Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators$59,420 a year
- Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers$59,180 a year
- Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$49,160 a year
- Woodworkers, All Other$62,730 a year
- Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing$39,370 a year
Transportation and Material Moving Occupations (43)
- Air Traffic Controllers$191,820 a year
- Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors$78,420 a year
- Aircraft Service Attendants$39,210 a year
- Airfield Operations Specialists$72,250 a year
- Ambulance Drivers and Attendants, Except Emergency Medical Technicians$36,980 a year
- Automotive and Watercraft Service Attendants$30,350 a year
- Bridge and Lock Tenders$47,120 a year
- Bus Drivers, School$50,190 a year
- Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity$52,940 a year
- Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels$87,610 a year
- Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment$34,450 a year
- Commercial Pilots$104,890 a year
- Conveyor Operators and Tenders$39,840 a year
- Crane and Tower Operators$66,600 a year
- Driver/Sales Workers$37,180 a year
- First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling$62,130 a year
- Flight AttendantsNot reported
- Gas Compressor and Gas Pumping Station Operators$64,990 a year
- Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers$56,860 a year
- Hoist and Winch Operators$37,020 a year
- Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators$46,920 a year
- Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand$39,380 a year
- Light Truck Drivers$42,450 a year
- Locomotive Engineers$90,780 a year
- Machine Feeders and Offbearers$36,290 a year
- Material Moving Workers, All Other$49,770 a year
- Motor Vehicle Operators, All Other$36,520 a year
- Packers and Packagers, Hand$35,000 a year
- Parking Attendants$30,110 a year
- Passenger Attendants$38,810 a year
- Pump Operators, Except Wellhead Pumpers$66,500 a year
- Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters$79,900 a year
- Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors$46,530 a year
- Sailors and Marine Oilers$49,120 a year
- Ship Engineers$82,370 a year
- Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs$38,670 a year
- Stockers and Order Fillers$36,380 a year
- Subway and Streetcar Operators$61,970 a year
- Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders$41,190 a year
- Taxi Drivers$28,490 a year
- Traffic Technicians$62,270 a year
- Transportation Inspectors$68,610 a year
- Transportation Workers, All Other$51,110 a year
Metro and nonmetro areas in Virginia
All occupations. Areas that cross state lines are listed under their main state
Swipe the table sideways to see more columns.
| Area | Median wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $71,060 | 3,136,190 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $49,430 | 763,060 |
| Richmond, VA | $51,460 | 660,350 |
| Roanoke, VA | $47,140 | 153,980 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $45,240 | 119,560 |
| Southwest Virginia nonmetropolitan area | $44,440 | 116,480 |
| Charlottesville, VA | $55,180 | 114,780 |
| Southside Virginia nonmetropolitan area | $45,510 | 103,030 |
| Lynchburg, VA | $46,190 | 97,190 |
| Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA | $48,120 | 74,070 |
| Winchester, VA-WV | $47,070 | 67,740 |
| Harrisonburg, VA | $46,110 | 65,460 |
| Northwest Virginia nonmetropolitan area | $46,320 | 65,220 |
| Northeast Virginia nonmetropolitan area | $47,010 | 57,660 |
| Staunton-Stuarts Draft, VA | $48,040 | 51,640 |
Frequently asked questions
- What is the median wage in Virginia?
- The median wage for all occupations in Virginia is $55,690 a year, compared with $50,980 a year for the U.S. (Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2025).
- What is the highest paying job in Virginia?
- Among occupations with at least 50 jobs, orthopedic surgeons, except pediatric have the highest median wage in Virginia at $478,710 a year.
- What is the most common job in Virginia?
- Fast Food and Counter Workers is the largest occupation, with 104,460 jobs and a median wage of $30,110 a year.