Virginia Jobs and Career Information

RELATIVE POPULARITY

Top 100 Jobs Relatively More Common in Virginia Than Elsewhere

Whether you're looking for a career to pursue, or just want to get a feel for occupations in the state, the table below should be helpful. And we haven't seen anything like it from anyone else.

This table tells us which jobs are more common in Virginia, relative to the state population, compared to their popularity in every other US state. A Local Popularity Index of 1.0 matches the average across all US states; higher and lower numbers indicate the job is proportionally more or less popular here.

Rank	Job	Mean Local Salary 2006	Local Jobs 2006	Local Popularity Index
1	Ship engineers	$59,730	1,480	15.9
2	Nuclear engineers	$73,800	540	12.6
3	Radio mechanics	$38,575	240	11.9
4	Marine engineers and naval architects	$67,050	610	11.9
5	Riggers	$36,930	880	10.8
6	Sailors and marine oilers	$36,960	2,370	9.2
7	Power distributors and dispatchers	$52,760	100	7.4
8	Embalmers	$45,976	290	7.0
9	Captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels	$60,590	1,330	4.6
10	First-line supervisors/managers of correctional officers	$42,553	990	4.4
11	Precision instrument and equipment repairers	$42,855	290	3.6
12	Real estate sales agents	$37,883	6,500	3.5
13	Broadcast news analysts	$43,475	140	3.4
14	Lay-out workers, metal and plastic	$33,690	220	3.3
15	Earth drillers, except oil and gas	$33,935	180	3.1
16	Electric motor, power tool, and related repairers	$36,826	420	3.1
17	Insulation workers, floor, ceiling, and wall	$31,220	860	3.1
18	Sawing machine setters, operators, and tenders, wood	$23,074	1,100	3.0
19	Radiation therapists	$54,176	290	3.0
20	Helpers--brickmasons, blockmasons, stonemasons, and tile and marble setters	$23,061	2,100	3.0
21	Helpers, construction trades	$22,955	810	2.7
22	Materials scientists	$99,890	100	2.7
23	Emergency management specialists	$55,510	200	2.6
24	First-line supervisors/managers of fire fighting and prevention workers	$55,386	1,090	2.6
25	Power plant operators	$43,203	460	2.6
26	Fence erectors	$32,040	140	2.6
27	Life scientists	$58,440	270	2.5
28	Engineering technicians, except drafters	$57,042	1,850	2.4
29	Probation officers and correctional treatment specialists	$36,090	1,740	2.4
30	Helpers--pipelayers, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters	$22,515	2,100	2.4
31	Helpers--roofers	$20,650	390	2.4
32	Helpers--electricians	$22,653	2,480	2.3
33	Funeral attendants	$20,576	540	2.3
34	Conveyor operators and tenders	$25,634	760	2.2
35	Boilermakers	$36,860	260	2.2
36	Helpers--carpenters	$22,935	2,540	2.2
37	Eligibility interviewers, government programs	$33,776	1,330	2.2
38	Animal control workers	$30,905	200	2.1
39	Shampooers	$15,126	420	2.1
40	Millwrights	$40,340	850	2.1
41	Aerospace engineers	$94,420	1,000	2.1
42	Curators	$49,405	150	2.0
43	Farmworkers, farm and ranch animals	$20,274	520	2.0
44	Logging equipment operators	$26,015	160	2.0
45	Occupational health and safety specialists	$50,312	820	2.0
46	Tailors, dressmakers, and custom sewers	$21,515	580	2.0
47	Postmasters and mail superintendents	$51,990	270	2.0
48	Social scientists and related workers	$72,583	730	1.9
49	Painting, coating, and decorating workers	$22,302	410	1.9
50	Engineering teachers, postsecondary	$76,150	270	1.9
51	Helpers--painters, paperhangers, plasterers, and stucco masons	$18,970	380	1.9
52	Painters, transportation equipment	$35,840	1,080	1.9
53	Psychiatric technicians	$23,550	950	1.8
54	Cardiovascular technologists and technicians	$36,506	910	1.8
55	Brickmasons and blockmasons	$40,340	2,650	1.8
56	Crane and tower operators	$33,656	830	1.8
57	Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers	$32,733	5,690	1.8
58	Vocational education teachers, middle school	$44,433	170	1.7
59	Correctional officers and jailers	$30,643	5,480	1.7
60	Tour guides and escorts	$19,883	420	1.7
61	Biological science teachers, postsecondary	$67,180	590	1.7
62	Special education teachers, middle school	$42,524	1,750	1.7
63	Textile winding, twisting, and drawing out machine setters, operators, and tenders	$21,560	540	1.7
64	Crushing, grinding, and polishing machine setters, operators, and tenders	$28,266	520	1.7
65	Family and general practitioners	$126,630	2,150	1.7
66	Recreational therapists	$33,660	450	1.7
67	Environmental engineers	$58,905	1,050	1.7
68	Water and liquid waste treatment plant and system operators	$32,491	1,570	1.7
69	Separating, filtering, clarifying, precipitating, and still machine setters, operators, and tenders	$38,625	530	1.7
70	Locksmiths and safe repairers	$31,653	310	1.6
71	Electrical engineers	$69,468	3,270	1.6
72	Telecommunications line installers and repairers	$44,968	2,630	1.6
73	Security and fire alarm systems installers	$33,656	880	1.6
74	Medical equipment preparers	$22,635	760	1.6
75	Training and development specialists	$44,770	4,920	1.6
76	Maintenance workers, machinery	$34,962	1,440	1.6
77	Chemical engineers	$87,695	490	1.6
78	Furniture finishers	$24,612	350	1.6
79	Farm equipment mechanics	$27,877	250	1.6
80	Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters	$33,657	9,500	1.6
81	Welding, soldering, and brazing machine setters, operators, and tenders	$33,986	500	1.6
82	Museum technicians and conservators	$33,065	140	1.6
83	Sheet metal workers	$29,295	3,570	1.6
84	Production, planning, and expediting clerks	$37,987	6,190	1.6
85	Appraisers and assessors of real estate	$51,250	910	1.6
86	Lifeguards, ski patrol, and other recreational protective service workers	$16,155	1,800	1.6
87	Philosophy and religion teachers, postsecondary	$49,630	260	1.6
88	Electrical power-line installers and repairers	$42,658	1,310	1.5
89	Procurement clerks	$31,544	1,480	1.5
90	Urban and regional planners	$49,503	580	1.5
91	Fire fighters	$37,195	3,710	1.5
92	Bus drivers, school	$23,352	8,240	1.5
93	Structural iron and steel workers	$34,486	1,140	1.5
94	Hazardous materials removal workers	$29,225	710	1.5
95	Special education teachers, secondary school	$44,095	1,980	1.5
96	Hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks	$17,624	3,850	1.5
97	Adult literacy, remedial education, and GED teachers and instructors	$45,083	820	1.5
98	Human resources, training, and labor relations specialists	$49,328	3,730	1.5
99	Molders, shapers, and casters, except metal and plastic	$19,590	400	1.5
100	Physicists	$85,850	200	1.5

ABSOLUTE POPULARITY

The Most Common Jobs in Virginia

Unlike the table above, which shows where jobs in Virginia are unusually common compared to other states, the table below lists jobs which are the most common in raw numbers in the state.

Rank	Job	Local Jobs 2006	Mean Local Salary 2006	Local Popularity Index
1	Retail salespersons	67,730	$21,950	1.1
2	Office clerks, general	60,550	$23,650	1.4
3	Cashiers	58,120	$15,617	1.2
4	Combined food preparation and serving workers, including fast food	38,660	$15,007	1.2
5	Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand	33,490	$21,842	1.0
6	Waiters and waitresses	33,330	$14,870	1.0
7	Janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners	32,500	$18,696	1.1
8	Customer service representatives	30,960	$26,315	1.0
9	Registered nurses	27,430	$49,488	0.8
10	Stock clerks and order fillers	25,180	$21,105	1.1
11	Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks	24,270	$28,267	1.0
12	Truck drivers, heavy and tractor-trailer	20,460	$32,444	1.0
13	Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products	20,110	$50,187	1.0
14	Maintenance and repair workers, general	18,860	$31,500	1.1
15	Elementary school teachers, except special education	18,620	$45,804	1.0
16	Nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants	17,940	$20,448	1.0
17	First-line supervisors/managers of office and administrative support workers	17,440	$44,463	0.9
18	First-line supervisors/managers of retail sales workers	16,350	$36,086	1.1
19	Accountants and auditors	15,800	$53,720	1.0
20	Maids and housekeeping cleaners	15,630	$16,304	1.3
21	General and operations managers	15,050	$90,852	0.6
22	Carpenters	14,970	$31,450	1.2
23	Receptionists and information clerks	14,690	$20,847	0.9
24	Secondary school teachers, except special and vocational education	14,310	$46,335	1.2
25	Truck drivers, light or delivery services	14,310	$24,051	1.1
26	Teacher assistants	14,000	$19,345	0.9
27	Landscaping and groundskeeping workers	13,520	$20,745	1.1
28	Security guards	13,070	$22,965	0.9
29	Construction laborers	12,740	$21,943	1.0
30	Secretaries, except legal, medical, and executive	11,840	$28,120	0.5
31	Automotive service technicians and mechanics	11,820	$32,520	1.3
32	First-line supervisors/managers of food preparation and serving workers	11,430	$27,493	1.1
33	Cooks, restaurant	11,360	$19,337	1.0
34	Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses	11,270	$33,581	1.2
35	Shipping, receiving, and traffic clerks	11,240	$25,031	1.0
36	Industrial truck and tractor operators	11,180	$26,896	1.3
37	First-line supervisors/managers of construction trades and extraction workers	11,150	$50,220	1.4
38	Packers and packagers, hand	10,800	$19,320	0.9
39	Business operations specialists	10,690	$50,052	0.8
40	Electricians	10,470	$35,907	1.2
41	Food preparation workers	10,400	$16,588	0.8
42	Executive secretaries and administrative assistants	9,730	$34,986	0.5
43	Management analysts	9,630	$67,666	1.4
44	Middle school teachers, except special and vocational education	9,570	$46,580	1.3
45	Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters	9,500	$33,657	1.6
46	First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers	9,200	$49,506	1.0
47	Police and sheriff's patrol officers	8,620	$37,825	1.2
48	Computer systems analysts	8,470	$63,020	1.1
49	Cooks, fast food	8,390	$14,985	1.0
50	Team assemblers	8,340	$25,228	0.6
51	Bus drivers, school	8,240	$23,352	1.5
52	Sales representatives, services	8,080	$48,517	1.3
53	Bill and account collectors	7,980	$27,811	1.3
54	Tellers	7,970	$21,158	1.1
55	Child care workers	7,730	$17,143	1.0
56	Counter and rental clerks	7,660	$22,163	1.2
57	Billing and posting clerks and machine operators	7,500	$26,872	1.0
58	Computer support specialists	7,390	$39,498	1.0
59	First-line supervisors/managers of mechanics, installers, and repairers	7,230	$51,204	1.2
60	Dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers	7,120	$14,401	1.2
61	Inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers	7,020	$30,872	1.1
62	Packaging and filling machine operators and tenders	6,740	$26,641	1.3
63	Computer software engineers, applications	6,740	$69,441	1.0
64	Driver/sales workers	6,640	$24,338	1.2
65	Teachers and instructors	6,580	$33,840	1.1
66	Dishwashers	6,550	$15,102	0.9
67	Real estate sales agents	6,500	$37,883	3.5
68	Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators	6,430	$30,776	1.4
69	Hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists	6,310	$22,823	1.3
70	Production, planning, and expediting clerks	6,190	$37,987	1.6
71	Helpers--production workers	6,170	$21,998	0.9
72	Loan officers	6,000	$48,525	1.3
73	Home health aides	5,980	$18,240	0.7
74	Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers	5,690	$32,733	1.8
75	Purchasing agents, except wholesale, retail, and farm products	5,620	$47,516	1.4
76	All other information and record clerks	5,550	$34,338	1.3
77	Telemarketers	5,490	$21,386	1.1
78	Correctional officers and jailers	5,480	$30,643	1.7
79	Preschool teachers, except special education	5,340	$23,737	1.1
80	Hosts and hostesses, restaurant, lounge, and coffee shop	5,290	$14,700	1.1
81	Cleaners of vehicles and equipment	5,210	$19,825	1.1
82	Welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers	5,160	$30,144	1.2
83	Machinists	5,130	$34,167	1.1
84	Insurance sales agents	5,070	$47,228	1.2
85	Training and development specialists	4,920	$44,770	1.6
86	Lawyers	4,900	$108,217	0.6
87	Painters, construction and maintenance	4,820	$27,298	1.3
88	Computer programmers	4,680	$56,954	0.8
89	Recreation workers	4,610	$24,122	1.3
90	Financial managers	4,410	$89,170	0.6
91	Order clerks	4,390	$25,288	1.3
92	Postal service mail carriers	4,330	$43,005	0.9
93	Mechanical engineers	4,260	$66,077	1.4
94	Managers	4,260	$76,223	0.9
95	Network and computer systems administrators	4,250	$56,086	1.0
96	Computer software engineers, systems software	4,210	$75,440	1.0
97	Cooks, institution and cafeteria	4,170	$19,833	0.9
98	Industrial machinery mechanics	4,040	$39,803	1.4
99	Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, technical and scientific products	4,040	$67,600	0.8
100	Civil engineers	4,030	$65,477	1.2

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Career Schools in Virginia

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Virginia Jobs and Career Information

RELATIVE POPULARITY

ABSOLUTE POPULARITY

Career Schools in Virginia

The SeniorJobBankSM

Helping Employers connect with the over-50 Talent Pool.

Virginia Jobs and Career Information

RELATIVE POPULARITY

ABSOLUTE POPULARITY

Career Schools in Virginia

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