Career Atlas USA

Careers in Virginia

Virginia’s regional price level is above the national average (index 101.104, where 100 = U.S. average, 2024 BEA data).

Unemployment rate: 3.7% · Labor force participation: 63.3% · 4,328,714 people employed (2026-07, BLS LAUS, not seasonally adjusted).

Highest-Paying Careers

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  1. 1Anesthesiologists$488,310
  2. 2Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric$478,710
  3. 3Cardiologists$461,450
  4. 4Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons$403,430
  5. 5Radiologists$376,270

Largest Occupations

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  1. 1Fast Food and Counter Workers104,460 employed
  2. 2General and Operations Managers103,590 employed
  3. 3Retail Salespersons100,290 employed
  4. 4Software Developers88,280 employed
  5. 5Cashiers83,890 employed

Highest Concentration

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  1. 1Mathematicians7.45× national avg
  2. 2Layout Workers, Metal and Plastic6.83× national avg
  3. 3Ship Engineers6.53× national avg
  4. 4Fallers4.04× national avg
  5. 5Nuclear Technicians3.96× national avg

Best Purchasing Power

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cost-of-living adjusted

  1. 1Anesthesiologists$482,978
  2. 2Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric$473,483
  3. 3Cardiologists$456,411
  4. 4Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons$399,025
  5. 5Radiologists$372,161

Strongest Opportunity Score

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  1. 1Buyers and Purchasing Agents96.8 / 100
  2. 2Project Management Specialists96.2 / 100
  3. 3Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other95.8 / 100
  4. 4Network and Computer Systems Administrators95.6 / 100
  5. 5Management Analysts95.4 / 100

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 is a Career Atlas USA calculation — see methodology.