Career Atlas USA

Careers in Richmond, VA

Part of Virginia.

Richmond, VA’s regional price level is below the national average (index 97.858, where 100 = U.S. average, 2024 BEA data).

Unemployment rate: 3.8% · 689,987 people employed (2026-06, BLS LAUS, not seasonally adjusted).

Highest-Paying Careers

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  1. 1Cardiologists$450,480
  2. 2Chief Executives$326,160
  3. 3Psychiatrists$290,900
  4. 4Physicians, All Other$284,090
  5. 5Surgeons, All Other$259,310

Largest Occupations

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  1. 1Fast Food and Counter Workers17,100 employed
  2. 2Retail Salespersons16,210 employed
  3. 3General and Operations Managers15,770 employed
  4. 4Registered Nurses15,700 employed
  5. 5Cashiers14,460 employed

Highest Concentration

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  1. 1Life Scientists, All Other6.70× national avg
  2. 2Nuclear Engineers5.40× national avg
  3. 3Chemical Plant and System Operators4.83× national avg
  4. 4Insulation Workers, Mechanical3.75× national avg
  5. 5Surgical Assistants3.56× national avg

Best Purchasing Power

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cost-of-living adjusted

  1. 1Cardiologists$460,340
  2. 2Chief Executives$333,299
  3. 3Psychiatrists$297,267
  4. 4Physicians, All Other$290,308
  5. 5Surgeons, All Other$264,986

Sources

Wage and employment data: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS). Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities. Unemployment rate: BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS). Opportunity Score isn’t available at the metro level yet — see Virginia state page.