Highest-paying trades in Virginia
28 trades ranked by median hourly wage, with the range, the rank among states and the union scale.
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 |
Construction jobs in Virginia
Prevailing wage in Virginia
Davis-Bacon determinations set the minimum wage package on federally funded construction. In Virginia, 72 of 102 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 and escalator installers and repairers ($52.04) and first-line supervisors of construction trades and extraction workers ($37.81).
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 2026-08.
- BEA Regional Price Parities.
- SAM.gov Davis-Bacon wage determinations (not the official determination).