Highest-paying and most in-demand trades in Virginia
28 trades ranked by median hourly wage, with the range, the rank among states, the union scale and the state's own projection of which trades are growing.
Every trade in Virginia, ranked by median pay
| # | Trade | Median $/hr | Median $/yr | 90th pct $/hr | Jobs | State rank | 10-yr real change | vs US |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Construction manager | $57.26 | $119,110 | $88.45 | 7,290 | 17th of 51 | -8.4% | 4% above |
| 2 | Elevator mechanic | $52.04 | $108,250 | $63.28 | 280 | 19th of 37 | +10.8% | 2% below |
| 3 | Construction supervisor | $37.81 | $78,640 | $56.49 | 24,970 | 27th of 51 | -3.0% | 2% below |
| 4 | Lineman | $36.82 | $76,590 | $51.37 | 2,920 | 46th of 51 | -7.5% | 20% below |
| 5 | Boilermaker | $32.47 | $67,540 | $37.75 | 150 | 30th of 37 | -4.6% | 12% below |
| 6 | Crane operator | $32.02 | $66,600 | $42.54 | 1,120 | 27th of 50 | -10.0% | 2% below |
| 7 | Plasterer | $30.83 | $64,120 | $31.89 | 100 | 11th of 28 | +23.8% | 11% above |
| 8 | Electrician | $30.24 | $62,900 | $50.83 | 23,630 | 31st of 51 | -1.5% | about the same as |
| 9 | Machinist | $29.47 | $61,290 | $41.53 | 5,660 | 14th of 51 | +3.5% | 4% above |
| 10 | Diesel mechanic | $29.37 | $61,090 | $38.05 | 8,070 | 27th of 51 | +2.7% | 1% below |
| 11 | Plumber | $29.07 | $60,470 | $37.52 | 13,780 | 38th of 51 | +0.8% | 5% below |
| 12 | Ironworker | $28.97 | $60,260 | $35.53 | 2,300 | 31st of 50 | -1.0% | 4% below |
| 13 | HVAC technician | $28.72 | $59,730 | $40.11 | 14,690 | 33rd of 51 | -7.1% | 2% below |
| 14 | Glazier | $28.49 | $59,260 | $34.68 | 890 | 22nd of 50 | +7.6% | 4% above |
| 15 | Welder | $28.45 | $59,180 | $38.29 | 10,100 | 19th of 51 | -0.5% | 10% above |
| 16 | Heavy equipment operator | $27.48 | $57,160 | $37.62 | 12,100 | 36th of 51 | +11.0% | 5% below |
| 17 | Drywall installer | $26.84 | $55,840 | $34.29 | 2,480 | 23rd of 49 | +7.6% | 5% below |
| 18 | Carpenter | $26.77 | $55,690 | $35.70 | 20,460 | 34th of 51 | +5.6% | 8% below |
| 19 | Brickmason | $26.29 | $54,680 | $31.85 | 2,350 | 40th of 50 | -11.0% | 12% below |
| 20 | Sheet metal worker | $25.10 | $52,220 | $35.40 | 4,520 | 39th of 50 | -11.1% | 16% below |
| 21 | Millwright | $24.73 | $51,430 | $39.43 | 690 | 47th of 48 | -27.9% | 22% below |
| 22 | Cement mason | $24.49 | $50,930 | $34.95 | 4,020 | 36th of 51 | -2.1% | 11% below |
| 23 | Solar installer | $23.65 | $49,190 | $28.42 | — | 22nd of 32 | — | 7% below |
| 24 | Tile setter | $23.50 | $48,880 | $35.03 | 750 | 28th of 47 | -16.7% | 12% below |
| 25 | Roofer | $23.28 | $48,420 | $31.93 | 2,070 | 35th of 51 | -6.0% | 13% below |
| 26 | Painter | $22.82 | $47,470 | $30.44 | 5,930 | 34th of 51 | -3.8% | 4% below |
| 27 | Insulation worker | $21.54 | $44,810 | $29.55 | — | 42nd of 48 | — | 9% below |
| 28 | Construction laborer | $20.94 | $43,560 | $27.46 | 25,830 | 41st of 51 | +13.2% | 8% below |
Most in-demand trades in Virginia
By the Virginia labor market agency's 2024–2034 projections, the fastest-growing trades are solar installers (+10.8%), construction managers (+10.5%), tile setters (+10.1%). The most openings a year, counting replacements as well as growth, come from construction laborers (3,660 a year), electricians (2,560 a year), carpenters (2,280 a year). The largest specialty-contractor group in the state is building equipment contractors (electrical, plumbing, HVAC), with 77,617 jobs (2025 annual average, QCEW).
| Trade | Projected change 2024–2034 | Openings a year | Jobs in 2024 | Median $/hr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Solar installer | +10.8% | 120 | 1,130 | $23.65 |
| Construction manager | +10.5% | 960 | 11,320 | $57.26 |
| Tile setter | +10.1% | 80 | 820 | $23.50 |
| Construction laborer | +9.4% | 3,660 | 37,180 | $20.94 |
| HVAC technician | +9.3% | 1,410 | 14,660 | $28.72 |
| Electrician | +9.2% | 2,560 | 25,480 | $30.24 |
| Heavy equipment operator | +8.0% | 1,100 | 11,530 | $27.48 |
| Construction supervisor | +7.7% | 2,240 | 25,040 | $37.81 |
| Lineman | +7.4% | 240 | 2,790 | $36.82 |
| Carpenter | +6.5% | 2,280 | 25,060 | $26.77 |
| Glazier | +6.4% | 70 | 670 | $28.49 |
| Drywall installer | +6.3% | 170 | 2,300 | $26.84 |
| Plasterer | +6.1% | 10 | 160 | $30.83 |
| Machinist | +5.9% | 570 | 5,390 | $29.47 |
| Roofer | +5.9% | 230 | 2,760 | $23.28 |
| Plumber | +5.5% | 1,160 | 12,520 | $29.07 |
| Elevator mechanic | +5.4% | 50 | 590 | $52.04 |
| Millwright | +5.1% | 60 | 740 | $24.73 |
| Brickmason | +4.9% | 180 | 2,090 | $26.29 |
| Painter | +4.8% | 760 | 9,100 | $22.82 |
| Welder | +4.6% | 1,140 | 11,060 | $28.45 |
| Sheet metal worker | +4.6% | 300 | 3,090 | $25.10 |
| Ironworker | +4.0% | 100 | 1,080 | $28.97 |
| Diesel mechanic | +3.5% | 850 | 9,730 | $29.37 |
| Crane operator | +2.4% | 120 | 1,220 | $32.02 |
| Boilermaker | +1.0% | 20 | 200 | $32.47 |
| Cement mason | +0.5% | 360 | 4,770 | $24.49 |
Source: Virginia long-term occupational projections via Projections Central; state counts include the self-employed. Projections, not guarantees; see each trade page for the national BLS outlook.
Construction jobs in Virginia
Prevailing wage in Virginia
Davis-Bacon determinations set the minimum wage package on federally funded construction. In Virginia, 90 of 131 counties with a Building rate for electricians use a union contract rate (typical package $55.97/hr including fringe). Look up any county and trade.
Metros in Virginia
Questions this page answers
What is the highest-paying trade in Virginia?
Construction managers had the highest median wage among the trades tracked here at $57.26 an hour in May 2025, followed by elevator mechanics ($52.04) and construction supervisors ($37.81).
Which trades are in highest demand in Virginia?
By projected growth between 2024 and 2034, solar installers (+10.8%), construction managers (+10.5%), tile setters (+10.1%). By openings a year, construction laborers (3,660 a year), electricians (2,560 a year), carpenters (2,280 a year). The figures come from Virginia's labor market agency via Projections Central and count replacement openings as well as new jobs.
How does Virginia compare with the rest of the country?
Across the 28 trades listed, 5 pay above the national median in Virginia and 23 pay below it. The state's cost of living is 101.1% of the US average (BEA).
Sources and notes
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, Virginia.
- BLS Current Employment Statistics through 2026-09.
- BEA Regional Price Parities.
- SAM.gov Davis-Bacon wage determinations (not the official determination).