Highest-paying jobs in Virginia
Answer
Emergency Medicine Physicians have the highest median pay in Virginia, $239,200+ a year, followed by cardiologists ($461,450) and chief executives ($310,740). The median for all jobs in Virginia is $55,690, 17th of the 50 states and DC; adjusted for local prices it ranks 15th.
- Median salary, all jobs
- $55,690
- 17th of 51 · US $50,980
- Median hourly wage
- $26.78
- US $24.51
- Price level (US = 100)
- 101.1
- Median worth $55,082 at US prices (15th)
- Jobs
- 4,109,320
- 694 occupations published
How these lists work
Occupations with at least 500 jobs in Virginia, ranked by median annual wage (BLS OEWS, May 2025, state estimates). Typical entry education from BLS Employment Projections 2025–35. Occupations BLS did not publish for Virginia are not listed. Methodology
The 25 highest-paying jobs in Virginia
| # | Occupation | Median pay | Hourly median | Jobs | US median | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Emergency Medicine Physicians | $239,200+ | $115.00+ | 920 | $335,550 | Doctoral or professional degree |
| 2 | Cardiologists | $461,450 | $221.85 | 810 | $496,010 | Doctoral or professional degree |
| 3 | Chief Executives | $310,740 | $149.40 | 4,870 | $213,990 | Bachelor's degree |
| 4 | Nurse Anesthetists | $252,110 | $121.21 | 700 | $236,590 | Master's degree |
| 5 | Family Medicine Physicians | $222,630 | $107.03 | 2,930 | $244,180 | Doctoral or professional degree |
| 6 | Computer and Information Systems Managers | $201,490 | $96.87 | 17,550 | $175,140 | Bachelor's degree |
| 7 | Dentists, General | $197,110 | $94.76 | 4,140 | $170,950 | Doctoral or professional degree |
| 8 | Pediatricians, General | $195,940 | $94.20 | 750 | $210,040 | Doctoral or professional degree |
| 9 | Air Traffic Controllers | $191,820 | $92.22 | 1,120 | $148,080 | Associate's degree |
| 10 | Sales Managers | $191,130 | $91.89 | 9,670 | $148,270 | Bachelor's degree |
| 11 | Marketing Managers | $187,820 | $90.30 | 6,890 | $166,790 | Bachelor's degree |
| 12 | Financial Managers | $185,220 | $89.05 | 20,850 | $166,570 | Bachelor's degree |
| 13 | Public Relations Managers | $176,340 | $84.78 | 2,610 | $146,910 | Bachelor's degree |
| 14 | Architectural and Engineering Managers | $176,160 | $84.69 | 4,390 | $171,270 | Bachelor's degree |
| 15 | Lawyers | $167,210 | $80.39 | 18,580 | $159,670 | Doctoral or professional degree |
| 16 | Purchasing Managers | $166,230 | $79.92 | 3,540 | $148,080 | Bachelor's degree |
| 17 | Human Resources Managers | $165,980 | $79.80 | 5,770 | $149,280 | Bachelor's degree |
| 18 | Database Architects | $160,360 | $77.09 | 5,260 | $139,500 | Bachelor's degree |
| 19 | Computer and Information Research Scientists | $157,390 | $75.67 | 3,590 | $140,300 | Master's degree |
| 20 | Natural Sciences Managers | $150,570 | $72.39 | 1,470 | $167,220 | Bachelor's degree |
| 21 | Physicists | $145,040 | $69.73 | 940 | $172,250 | Doctoral or professional degree |
| 22 | Pharmacists | $144,060 | $69.26 | 7,980 | $140,910 | Doctoral or professional degree |
| 23 | Fundraising Managers | $143,730 | $69.10 | 880 | $125,470 | Bachelor's degree |
| 24 | Aerospace Engineers | $143,210 | $68.85 | 2,540 | $134,960 | Bachelor's degree |
| 25 | Computer Network Architects | $141,340 | $67.95 | 9,380 | $134,050 | Bachelor's degree |
Highest-paying jobs in Virginia without a degree
Typical entry education is a high school diploma, no formal credential, some college or a postsecondary certificate.
| # | Occupation | Median pay | Hourly median | Jobs | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers | $119,140 | $57.28 | 3,380 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 2 | Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $112,760 | $54.21 | 3,180 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 3 | First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $101,230 | $48.67 | 3,750 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 4 | First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers | $98,170 | $47.20 | 9,020 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 5 | Locomotive Engineers | $90,780 | $43.64 | 790 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 6 | First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers | $80,770 | $38.83 | 16,910 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 7 | Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants | $80,330 | $38.62 | 10,360 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 8 | Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters | $79,900 | $38.41 | 900 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 9 | Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers | $79,810 | $38.37 | 5,570 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 10 | Telecommunications Line Installers and Repairers | $79,090 | $38.03 | 4,120 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 11 | First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers | $78,640 | $37.81 | 24,970 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 12 | Real Estate Brokers | $77,270 | $37.15 | 1,500 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 13 | Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers | $76,590 | $36.82 | 2,920 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 14 | Construction and Building Inspectors | $75,660 | $36.38 | 6,550 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 15 | Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators | $74,240 | $35.69 | 7,860 | High school diploma or equivalent |
Most common jobs in Virginia
| # | Occupation | Jobs | Median pay | Hourly median | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fast Food and Counter Workers | 104,460 | $30,110 | $14.48 | No formal educational credential |
| 2 | General and Operations Managers | 103,590 | $122,080 | $58.69 | Bachelor's degree |
| 3 | Retail Salespersons | 100,290 | $34,240 | $16.46 | No formal educational credential |
| 4 | Software Developers | 88,280 | $136,460 | $65.61 | Bachelor's degree |
| 5 | Cashiers | 83,890 | $30,580 | $14.70 | No formal educational credential |
| 6 | Registered Nurses | 77,490 | $93,600 | $45.00 | Bachelor's degree |
| 7 | Home Health and Personal Care Aides | 70,070 | $30,300 | $14.57 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 8 | Stockers and Order Fillers | 69,660 | $36,380 | $17.49 | No formal educational credential |
| 9 | Office Clerks, General | 66,550 | $46,410 | $22.31 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 10 | Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners | 65,970 | $35,170 | $16.91 | No formal educational credential |
| 11 | Customer Service Representatives | 59,850 | $42,730 | $20.54 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 12 | Management Analysts | 59,620 | $117,580 | $56.53 | Bachelor's degree |
| 13 | Waiters and Waitresses | 59,370 | $44,760 | $21.52 | No formal educational credential |
| 14 | Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | 58,000 | $39,380 | $18.94 | No formal educational credential |
| 15 | Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | 48,750 | $56,860 | $27.34 | Postsecondary nondegree award |
| 16 | Accountants and Auditors | 47,100 | $93,290 | $44.85 | Bachelor's degree |
| 17 | Project Management Specialists | 43,860 | $120,840 | $58.10 | Bachelor's degree |
| 18 | Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel | 41,390 | $72,640 | $34.92 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 19 | Nursing Assistants | 40,580 | $43,200 | $20.77 | Postsecondary nondegree award |
| 20 | Cooks, Restaurant | 40,310 | $36,750 | $17.67 | No formal educational credential |
Jobs concentrated in Virginia
Concentration is the location quotient: the occupation’s share of jobs in the state divided by its share nationally. 2.0× means twice as common as in the US overall.
| # | Occupation | Concentration vs. US | Jobs | Median pay |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Layout Workers, Metal and Plastic | 6.8× | 1,080 | $70,260 |
| 2 | Ship Engineers | 6.5× | 1,450 | $82,370 |
| 3 | Nuclear Technicians | 4.0× | 680 | $98,930 |
| 4 | Information Security Analysts | 3.8× | 19,120 | $134,900 |
| 5 | Computer and Information Research Scientists | 3.6× | 3,590 | $157,390 |
| 6 | Sailors and Marine Oilers | 3.5× | 2,970 | $49,120 |
| 7 | Riggers | 3.2× | 1,920 | $63,620 |
| 8 | Database Administrators | 3.2× | 5,940 | $93,320 |
| 9 | Database Architects | 3.0× | 5,260 | $160,360 |
| 10 | Textile Winding, Twisting, and Drawing Out Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | 2.6× | 1,530 | $50,770 |
| 11 | Management Analysts | 2.5× | 59,620 | $117,580 |
| 12 | Web Developers | 2.5× | 4,590 | $128,380 |
What 134 careers pay in Virginia
Click a heading to sort
| Anesthesiologist | $488,310 | 4 | $482,978 | $391,490 | — |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Orthopedic Surgeon | $478,710 | 12 | $473,483 | $358,550 | 170 |
| Cardiologist | $461,450 | 15 | $456,411 | $496,010 | 810 |
| Radiologist | $376,270 | 20 | $372,161 | $420,860 | — |
| Psychiatrist | $295,010 | 16 | $291,789 | $281,870 | 370 |
| OB-GYN | $282,410 | 28 | $279,326 | $292,910 | — |
| Dermatologist | $280,060 | 20 | $277,002 | $328,730 | — |
| CRNA | $252,110 | 20 | $249,357 | $236,590 | 700 |
| Pathologist | $240,780 | 25 | $238,151 | $312,400 | 110 |
| Dentist | $197,110 | 11 | $194,958 | $170,950 | 4,140 |
| Pediatrician | $195,940 | 35 | $193,800 | $210,040 | 750 |
| Air Traffic Controller | $191,820 | 1 | $189,725 | $148,080 | 1,120 |
| Marketing Manager | $187,820 | 3 | $185,769 | $166,790 | 6,890 |
| Lawyer | $167,210 | 7 | $165,384 | $159,670 | 18,580 |
| HR Manager | $165,980 | 8 | $164,168 | $149,280 | 5,770 |
| Pharmacist | $144,060 | 17 | $142,487 | $140,910 | 7,980 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $143,210 | 9 | $141,646 | $134,960 | 2,540 |
| Network Engineer | $141,340 | 9 | $139,797 | $134,050 | 9,380 |
| Computer Engineer | $139,030 | 13 | $137,512 | $161,740 | 1,720 |
| Software Engineer | $136,460 | 10 | $134,970 | $135,980 | 88,280 |
| Chemical Engineer | $136,380 | 2 | $134,891 | $125,040 | 790 |
| Physician Assistant | $135,940 | 20 | $134,456 | $135,880 | 4,340 |
| Nurse Midwife | $135,710 | 14 | $134,228 | $134,040 | — |
| Cybersecurity Analyst | $134,900 | 8 | $133,427 | $129,180 | 19,120 |
| Actuary | $131,900 | 11 | $130,460 | $130,000 | 440 |
| Optometrist | $131,570 | 34 | $130,133 | $136,570 | 1,110 |
| Healthcare Administrator | $129,270 | 16 | $127,858 | $123,860 | 10,210 |
| Web Developer | $128,380 | 2 | $126,978 | $92,650 | 4,590 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $127,810 | 41 | $126,414 | $132,300 | 7,110 |
| Veterinarian | $126,730 | 23 | $125,346 | $130,100 | 2,700 |
| Data Scientist | $126,430 | 10 | $125,049 | $120,230 | 8,920 |
| Operations Manager | $122,080 | 12 | $120,747 | $105,770 | 103,590 |
| Project Manager | $120,840 | 6 | $119,520 | $102,320 | 43,860 |
| Construction Manager | $119,110 | 17 | $117,809 | $114,990 | 7,290 |
| Electrical Engineer | $119,030 | 17 | $117,730 | $120,630 | 7,260 |
| Business Analyst | $117,580 | 4 | $116,296 | $101,860 | 59,620 |
| Detective | $112,760 | 9 | $111,529 | $93,790 | 3,180 |
| Elevator Mechanic | $108,250 | 19 | $107,068 | $109,910 | 280 |
| Biomedical Engineer | $106,140 | 15 | $104,981 | $109,370 | 330 |
| School Principal | $106,100 | 24 | $104,941 | $105,870 | 8,470 |
| Financial Analyst | $105,490 | 10 | $104,338 | $102,740 | 10,410 |
| Commercial Pilot | $104,890 | 31 | $103,745 | $123,220 | 1,130 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $104,180 | 19 | $103,042 | $104,110 | 7,470 |
| Judge | $104,000 | 30 | $102,864 | $153,990 | 1,270 |
| Radiation Therapist | $103,310 | 18 | $102,182 | $105,310 | 500 |
| Dental Hygienist | $102,950 | 12 | $101,826 | $98,100 | 3,770 |
| Financial Advisor | $102,640 | 16 | $101,519 | $105,070 | 6,340 |
| Physical Therapist | $101,450 | 23 | $100,342 | $102,760 | 7,630 |
| Occupational Therapist | $100,710 | 20 | $99,610 | $100,330 | 4,150 |
| MRI Technician | $98,640 | 20 | $97,563 | $95,480 | 1,070 |
| Architect | $97,680 | 26 | $96,613 | $99,280 | 2,130 |
| Civil Engineer | $97,120 | 34 | $96,060 | $100,840 | 11,350 |
| Speech-language Pathologist | $96,250 | 21 | $95,199 | $97,870 | 4,460 |
| Ultrasound Technician | $95,660 | 27 | $94,615 | $96,590 | 2,160 |
| Registered Nurse | $93,600 | 26 | $92,578 | $97,550 | 77,490 |
| Labor and Delivery Nurse (RN data) | $93,600 | 26 | $92,578 | $97,550 | 77,490 |
| NICU Nurse (RN data) | $93,600 | 26 | $92,578 | $97,550 | 77,490 |
| Travel Nurse (RN data) | $93,600 | 26 | $92,578 | $97,550 | 77,490 |
| ICU Nurse (RN data) | $93,600 | 26 | $92,578 | $97,550 | 77,490 |
| Pediatric Nurse (RN data) | $93,600 | 26 | $92,578 | $97,550 | 77,490 |
| Accountant | $93,290 | 11 | $92,271 | $83,680 | 47,100 |
| Chiropractor | $88,030 | 8 | $87,069 | $79,200 | 900 |
| Psychologist | $86,520 | 32 | $85,575 | $100,580 | 2,140 |
| School Psychologist | $85,670 | 20 | $84,735 | $95,990 | 1,200 |
| Meteorologist | $83,880 | 36 | $82,964 | $99,070 | 350 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $82,910 | 22 | $82,005 | $82,280 | 3,340 |
| Aircraft Mechanic | $82,200 | 16 | $81,302 | $79,870 | 2,260 |
| HR Specialist | $82,090 | 8 | $81,194 | $75,940 | 28,540 |
| Radiology Technician | $80,670 | 21 | $79,789 | $80,110 | 5,140 |
| Audiologist | $80,010 | 46 | $79,136 | $95,780 | 260 |
| Marriage and Family Therapist | $79,900 | 7 | $79,028 | $66,940 | 930 |
| Train Conductor | $79,900 | 7 | $79,028 | $78,000 | 900 |
| Loan Officer | $78,320 | 22 | $77,465 | $76,690 | 8,790 |
| Librarian | $77,430 | 14 | $76,585 | $68,270 | 4,590 |
| Nutritionist | $77,380 | 15 | $76,535 | $76,400 | 1,510 |
| UX Designer | $77,140 | 28 | $76,298 | $104,000 | 1,990 |
| Cardiovascular Technologist | $76,880 | 27 | $76,041 | $74,310 | 2,410 |
| Lineman | $76,590 | 46 | $75,754 | $95,320 | 2,920 |
| Claims Adjuster | $74,240 | 35 | $73,429 | $78,000 | 7,860 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $73,760 | 10 | $72,955 | $68,380 | 3,370 |
| Marine Biologist (Zoologist and Wildlife Biologist data) | $72,340 | 32 | $71,550 | $76,780 | 290 |
| Graphic Designer | $72,310 | 10 | $71,520 | $62,960 | 4,740 |
| High School Teacher | $72,170 | 24 | $71,382 | $72,040 | 31,100 |
| TSA Officer | $69,910 | 12 | $69,147 | $66,770 | 1,870 |
| Forensic Scientist | $68,900 | 19 | $68,148 | $72,060 | 770 |
| School Counselor | $67,660 | 15 | $66,921 | $64,330 | 9,450 |
| Surgical Technician | $67,580 | 20 | $66,842 | $64,650 | 1,910 |
| Crane Operator | $66,600 | 27 | $65,873 | $68,080 | 1,120 |
| Police Officer | $65,870 | 37 | $65,151 | $76,210 | 19,970 |
| Elementary School Teacher | $65,550 | 22 | $64,834 | $63,970 | 37,880 |
| IT Support Specialist | $65,040 | 9 | $64,330 | $61,860 | 20,910 |
| LPN | $64,920 | 23 | $64,211 | $64,400 | 15,550 |
| Paralegal | $63,990 | 13 | $63,291 | $62,890 | 10,250 |
| Real Estate Agent | $63,980 | 11 | $63,281 | $52,830 | 5,750 |
| Chef | $63,270 | 21 | $62,579 | $62,470 | 3,600 |
| Electrician | $62,900 | 31 | $62,213 | $63,190 | 23,630 |
| Interior Designer | $62,560 | 29 | $61,877 | $67,190 | 1,550 |
| Underwater Welder (Commercial Diver data) | $62,340 | 13 | $61,659 | $72,990 | — |
| Massage Therapist | $62,220 | 17 | $61,541 | $58,450 | 2,730 |
| Mail Carrier | $62,070 | 10 | $61,392 | $60,550 | 7,900 |
| Athletic Trainer | $61,860 | 23 | $61,185 | $62,520 | 830 |
| Diesel Mechanic | $61,090 | 27 | $60,423 | $61,770 | 8,070 |
| Medical Lab Technician | $61,050 | 29 | $60,383 | $62,930 | 7,150 |
| Insurance Agent | $60,520 | 33 | $59,859 | $62,280 | 9,480 |
| Paramedic | $60,480 | 24 | $59,820 | $60,600 | 1,960 |
| Plumber | $60,470 | 38 | $59,810 | $63,800 | 13,780 |
| Mental Health Counselor | $59,880 | 25 | $59,226 | $59,350 | 17,940 |
| HVAC Technician | $59,730 | 33 | $59,078 | $61,010 | 14,690 |
| Auto Mechanic | $59,330 | 7 | $58,682 | $50,620 | 17,880 |
| Welder | $59,180 | 19 | $58,534 | $53,750 | 10,100 |
| Firefighter | $58,670 | 22 | $58,029 | $59,280 | 11,160 |
| Truck Driver | $56,860 | 38 | $56,239 | $58,640 | 48,750 |
| Private Investigator | $56,160 | 13 | $55,547 | $51,220 | 1,280 |
| Carpenter | $55,690 | 34 | $55,082 | $60,580 | 20,460 |
| Court Reporter | $55,210 | 33 | $54,607 | $72,420 | 320 |
| Medical Billing and Coding Specialist | $53,290 | 23 | $52,708 | $51,140 | 4,630 |
| Bus Driver | $52,940 | 24 | $52,362 | $59,050 | 3,800 |
| Vet Tech | $52,090 | 7 | $51,521 | $47,380 | 2,790 |
| Correctional Officer | $50,140 | 36 | $49,592 | $58,940 | 11,270 |
| Bartender | $47,070 | 6 | $46,556 | $34,340 | 13,370 |
| Barber | $46,730 | 11 | $46,220 | $38,210 | 160 |
| Dental Assistant | $46,670 | 36 | $46,160 | $48,070 | 10,760 |
| Sterile Processing Technician | $46,580 | 29 | $46,071 | $47,700 | 1,840 |
| Garbage Collector | $46,530 | 34 | $46,022 | $49,690 | 4,330 |
| Phlebotomist | $46,340 | 15 | $45,834 | $45,230 | 3,600 |
| EMT | $45,420 | 21 | $44,924 | $44,470 | 4,490 |
| Medical Assistant | $44,740 | 29 | $44,251 | $45,690 | 16,650 |
| Pharmacy Technician | $44,610 | 30 | $44,123 | $45,750 | 10,720 |
| Construction Worker | $43,560 | 41 | $43,084 | $47,120 | 25,830 |
| CNA | $43,200 | 24 | $42,728 | $42,260 | 40,580 |
| Personal Trainer | $40,820 | 38 | $40,374 | $47,160 | 12,100 |
| Esthetician | $39,350 | 35 | $38,920 | $45,330 | 1,970 |
| Substitute Teacher | $39,020 | 19 | $38,594 | $41,670 | 24,350 |
| Nail Technician | $36,630 | 21 | $36,230 | $35,760 | 4,230 |
BLS OEWS, May 2025, state estimates; adjusted with BEA regional price parities (2024). Rank among states: 1 = highest median of the states with published data.