Career Atlas USA

Careers in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC

Part of Virginia.

Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC’s regional price level is below the national average (index 97.941, where 100 = U.S. average, 2024 BEA data).

Unemployment rate: 4% · 833,711 people employed (2026-06, BLS LAUS, not seasonally adjusted).

Highest-Paying Careers

See full list →
  1. 1Anesthesiologists$500,990
  2. 2Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric$478,700
  3. 3Cardiologists$430,900
  4. 4Chief Executives$297,350
  5. 5Psychiatrists$277,010

Largest Occupations

See full list →
  1. 1Fast Food and Counter Workers22,520 employed
  2. 2Retail Salespersons20,890 employed
  3. 3General and Operations Managers17,400 employed
  4. 4Registered Nurses16,870 employed
  5. 5Cashiers16,840 employed

Highest Concentration

See full list →
  1. 1Ship Engineers34.36× national avg
  2. 2Layout Workers, Metal and Plastic26.46× national avg
  3. 3Sailors and Marine Oilers18.24× national avg
  4. 4Nuclear Engineers16.75× national avg
  5. 5Riggers12.22× national avg

Best Purchasing Power

See full list →

cost-of-living adjusted

  1. 1Anesthesiologists$511,522
  2. 2Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric$488,764
  3. 3Cardiologists$439,959
  4. 4Chief Executives$303,601
  5. 5Psychiatrists$282,834

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.