City Town Info

Harrisonburg Employment

Employment and Industries in the Harrisonburg, Virginia Area

James Madison University and Pilgrim's Pride/Wampler Foods have a significant impact on the Harrisonburg economy. The food processing industry is important to the local economy. Other leading industries are educational services, health and social services, arts, entertainment, recreation, and accommodation and food services.

The primary fields of employment in Harrisonburg are educational services, accommodation and food services, healthcare; professional, scientific and technical services; and construction. Management, professional and related occupations (28% of the workforce). Sales and office occupations (24% of the jobs).

The major employers in Greater Harrisonburg:

  • Pilgrim's Pride/Wampler Foods
  • James Madison University
  • Rockingham County School Board
  • Rockingham Memorial Hospital
  • Walmart
  • Rocco Poultry Operations
  • E.I. Dupont De Nemours & Co
  • VF Jeanswear LP
  • Merck & Company Inc
  • R.R. Donnelley and Sons Company

Harrisonburg has a number of popular jobs which are mostly filled by those with college degrees including registered nurses, wholesale and manufacturing sales representatives; teachers, educational, vocational and school counselors; computer programmers, training and development specialists, pharmacists, child, family and school social workers; and network systems and data communications analysts.

Noteworthy information about Harrisonburg, Virginia: Expansion Magazine named Harrisonburg a 5 star quality of life metro. Average salary in 2009: $26,000. Cost of living index in 2008: 95.8 (U.S. average: 100). Adult residents holding a bachelor's degree or higher: 31%.

Harrisonburg businesses are invited to work with associations such as:

The Daily News Record provides local business and economic news.

Most Popular Jobs in Harrisonburg, Virginia Metro Area (2008 data)

Where the Majority of Workers Have College Degrees

RankTitleLocal JobsLocal Mean SalaryTypical Local SalaryNational Growth % 2006-2016National % With College Degree
1Registered nurses79056,320$39,360 - 77,13024%56%
2Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products59054,700$31,260 - 83,9108%51%
3Accountants and auditors34053,720$33,670 - 78,93018%79%
4Teachers and instructors, all other17025,760$17,250 - 50,4309%54%
5Educational, vocational, and school counselors16057,670$37,080 - 84,69013%73%
6Computer programmers13048,630$25,360 - 67,4600%73%
7Training and development specialists13058,180$19,060 - 97,94018%56%
8Compliance officers, except agriculture, construction, health and safety, and transportation12047,590$34,290 - 63,8305%58%
9Pharmacists120107,040$84,110 - 130,10022%97%
10Child, family, and school social workers12031,180$23,060 - 41,36019%77%
11Computer software engineers, applications11086,260$49,740 - 124,83045%85%
12Network systems and data communications analysts11049,270$28,190 - 73,78053%57%
13Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, technical and scientific products11059,050$29,250 - 81,32012%51%
14Market research analysts10040,510$29,040 - 58,51020%82%
15Management analysts10081,780$44,510 - 125,29022%78%
16Computer systems analysts10077,700$40,740 - 128,06029%68%
17Librarians8059,070$37,630 - 93,0504%85%
18Financial managers8082,330$51,160 - 133,49013%60%
19Managers, all other8071,390$46,970 - 105,5507%55%
20Public relations specialists8048,130$30,220 - 75,18018%81%
21Human resources, training, and labor relations specialists, all other7050,170$34,670 - 74,53017%56%
22Rehabilitation counselors7043,930$21,860 - 113,10023%73%
23Network and computer systems administrators7055,160$36,790 - 67,55027%50%
24Lawyers70110,920$49,310 - 11%99%
25Computer software engineers, systems software7061,280$30,960 - 118,57028%85%
26Medical and clinical laboratory technologists7054,180$37,650 - 71,84012%51%
27Sales managers7096,400$44,270 - 10%69%
28Medical and health services managers7098,970$60,820 - 160,85016%57%
29Mechanical engineers7068,900$41,140 - 98,3904%78%
30Social and human service assistants6028,800$21,940 - 38,01034%58%
31Producers and directors5072,850$29,780 - 113,50011%75%
32Computer and information systems managers50124,120$62,700 - 16%73%
33Graphic designers5038,050$24,640 - 55,56010%55%
34Civil engineers5059,310$26,360 - 99,52018%87%
35Chief executives50151,480$15,640 - 2%65%
36Environmental scientists and specialists, including health4053,810$39,040 - 70,88025%93%
37Veterinarians40117,490$55,190 - 35%100%
38Technical writers4045,080$30,020 - 63,45020%74%
39Compensation, benefits, and job analysis specialists4074,290$39,350 - 122,06018%56%
40Meeting and convention planners4046,780$29,950 - 72,58020%67%
41Advertising sales agents4041,230$23,520 - 75,47020%56%
42Industrial engineers4059,230$37,290 - 94,69020%74%
43Sales and related workers, all other4054,160$18,870 - 76,00014%62%
44Occupational health and safety specialists3051,530$34,430 - 73,7708%72%
45Probation officers and correctional treatment specialists3045,600$34,110 - 62,75011%58%
46Floral designers3022,630$16,050 - 30,3800%55%
47Speech-language pathologists3091,420$41,510 - 11%98%
48Dentists, general30184,590$147,640 - 9%100%

Where the Majority of Workers Do Not Have College Degrees

RankTitleLocal JobsLocal Mean SalaryTypical Local SalaryNational Growth % 2006-2016National % With College Degree
1Office clerks, general2,34025,630$15,170 - 35,23013%19%
2Retail salespersons2,34022,420$13,930 - 32,52012%25%
3Cashiers2,06017,660$13,310 - 23,160-2%10%
4Meat, poultry, and fish cutters and trimmers1,70022,030$18,430 - 25,34011%2%
5Combined food preparation and serving workers, including fast food1,57016,460$12,880 - 21,82018%5%
6Janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners1,42019,930$14,950 - 26,53015%4%
7Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand1,19024,380$16,470 - 34,0502%5%
8Truck drivers, heavy and tractor-trailer1,16037,740$26,120 - 52,33010%4%
9Stock clerks and order fillers1,01023,230$14,300 - 33,780-7%8%
10Waiters and waitresses93021,480$13,130 - 35,53011%14%
11Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks85030,840$18,450 - 46,32013%16%
12Nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants79024,390$20,740 - 30,45018%7%
13Carpenters69036,100$25,570 - 49,84010%6%
14First-line supervisors/managers of retail sales workers65037,610$21,680 - 60,1404%25%
15Maids and housekeeping cleaners63018,300$13,540 - 23,43013%5%
16Truck drivers, light or delivery services63024,360$13,920 - 39,2408%4%
17Maintenance and repair workers, general60034,490$22,640 - 48,30010%6%
18Customer service representatives54030,760$21,530 - 40,55025%22%
19First-line supervisors/managers of office and administrative support workers53043,120$23,520 - 64,3306%29%
20General and operations managers510104,090$38,810 - 2%48%
21Shipping, receiving, and traffic clerks51025,360$17,780 - 34,7004%6%
22Landscaping and groundskeeping workers49021,660$14,810 - 29,88018%6%
23Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters47038,280$23,590 - 54,82011%4%
24Security guards46027,270$17,250 - 40,17017%13%
25Receptionists and information clerks46024,210$15,920 - 31,87017%13%
26Cooks, restaurant44020,860$16,480 - 28,19012%5%
27Industrial machinery mechanics36042,700$28,710 - 59,9109%5%
28Production workers, all other36024,180$17,290 - 32,5002%5%
29Industrial truck and tractor operators35031,650$22,480 - 40,330-1%2%
30First-line supervisors/managers of food preparation and serving workers34031,120$20,600 - 41,63011%14%
31Dishwashers33016,320$13,070 - 20,21010%3%
32First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers33044,280$32,930 - 64,560-4%15%
33Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses33037,000$28,140 - 48,15014%7%
34Separating, filtering, clarifying, precipitating, and still machine setters, operators, and tenders33039,740$24,840 - 50,710-2%14%
35Coating, painting, and spraying machine setters, operators, and tenders32024,290$21,620 - 26,390-12%4%
36Inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers31030,980$21,460 - 46,060-6%14%
37Billing and posting clerks and machine operators30029,470$22,570 - 38,9404%15%
38Construction laborers29024,870$18,160 - 34,62011%5%
39Tellers28022,530$18,440 - 26,92014%16%
40Automotive service technicians and mechanics28031,470$19,590 - 40,91014%4%
41Packaging and filling machine operators and tenders27032,250$18,610 - 48,820-4%5%
42Home health aides27021,130$16,780 - 27,32049%7%
43Food preparation workers26020,530$14,390 - 27,85015%7%
44Hosts and hostesses, restaurant, lounge, and coffee shop26016,750$12,970 - 22,85010%17%
45First-line supervisors/managers of construction trades and extraction workers26051,460$35,400 - 71,6309%10%
46Sales representatives, services, all other25039,740$21,240 - 64,20028%48%
47Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers25038,110$26,490 - 54,6509%3%
48Electricians24040,220$24,060 - 54,3607%7%
49Welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers24034,840$26,270 - 43,6105%2%
50First-line supervisors/managers of mechanics, installers, and repairers22052,180$36,460 - 70,0207%13%
51Secretaries, except legal, medical, and executive20029,370$21,470 - 39,6401%18%
52Preschool teachers, except special education19019,480$13,870 - 24,57026%43%
53Cost estimators19078,530$35,390 - 154,04019%32%
54Cleaners of vehicles and equipment19020,980$14,720 - 25,46014%3%
55Police and sheriff's patrol officers19043,020$30,140 - 61,14011%33%
56Farmworkers, farm and ranch animals18021,260$14,330 - 26,5403%4%
57Counter and rental clerks17025,170$13,570 - 38,49023%16%
58Hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists170 12%6%
59Pharmacy technicians17025,910$18,260 - 34,20032%16%
60Helpers--production workers16023,770$18,000 - 30,4800%4%
61Bill and account collectors16031,380$23,310 - 40,01023%13%
62Parts salespersons16027,960$19,360 - 38,410-1%6%
63Interviewers, except eligibility and loan15029,070$19,210 - 41,78010%24%
64Bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists15037,980$27,810 - 50,31012%3%
65Dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers15016,540$12,950 - 22,17012%6%
66Amusement and recreation attendants15018,950$13,170 - 24,67024%22%
67Insurance sales agents14043,620$28,350 - 68,65013%45%
68Postal service mail carriers140 1%11%
69Dental assistants13026,160$19,530 - 32,77029%9%
70Hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks13018,260$13,470 - 24,48017%14%
71Brickmasons and blockmasons13038,980$14,060 - 59,99010%3%
72Computer support specialists13034,370$19,170 - 50,75013%43%
73Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators13032,130$26,870 - 40,0808%3%
74Prepress technicians and workers13036,980$23,820 - 50,360-20%16%
75Sheet metal workers12034,510$23,240 - 49,3407%4%
76Cooks, institution and cafeteria12022,510$15,280 - 29,18011%5%
77Fitness trainers and aerobics instructors12025,550$17,460 - 34,36027%47%
78First-line supervisors/managers of transportation and material-moving machine and vehicle operators11058,240$36,310 - 80,84010%17%
79Automotive body and related repairers11030,410$15,280 - 43,15012%3%
80Family and general practitioners110198,400$133,810 - 0%0%
81Purchasing agents, except wholesale, retail, and farm products11042,290$27,270 - 56,5300%42%
82Medical records and health information technicians11039,170$27,520 - 50,31018%12%
83Real estate sales agents11031,530$19,320 - 50,31011%45%
84First-line supervisors/managers of non-retail sales workers11065,580$18,850 - 115,3804%38%
85Medical assistants10024,530$18,630 - 31,19035%10%
86Tire repairers and changers10027,160$21,350 - 33,08020%6%
87Business operations specialists, all other10049,700$34,340 - 69,12021%49%
88Construction managers10058,870$28,260 - 121,56016%29%
89Child care workers10017,220$13,110 - 22,15018%15%
90Roofers10031,900$24,250 - 39,96014%3%
91Bartenders9024,290$14,130 - 33,44011%17%
92Loan officers9063,970$41,500 - 101,63012%49%
93Food servers, nonrestaurant9016,760$13,410 - 19,69016%9%
94First-line supervisors/managers of housekeeping and janitorial workers9037,860$26,980 - 51,84013%11%
95Production, planning, and expediting clerks9040,290$27,660 - 57,2504%30%
96Refuse and recyclable material collectors9025,600$18,380 - 33,0107%3%
97Medical secretaries9026,190$19,930 - 33,83017%18%
98Helpers--installation, maintenance, and repair workers8024,560$16,020 - 36,47012%0%
99Painters, construction and maintenance8027,520$19,720 - 37,56012%6%
100Water and liquid waste treatment plant and system operators8039,230$26,540 - 59,02014%8%
You are visiting:
All StatesVirginiaHarrisonburg > Work

Additional Details

Harrisonburg CollegesHarrisonburg Colleges
Harrisonburg colleges and trade schools.
Harrisonburg Hotels & TravelHarrisonburg Hotels & Travel
Harrisonburg hotels, landmarks, tourism, transportation.
Harrisonburg MortgageHarrisonburg Mortgage
Harrisonburg property, mortgage, and real estate.

Career Schools in Harrisonburg

Schools with flexible schedules, simple applications, online info request forms, and rapid responses to requests for info.

(Also see all Virginia Colleges.)

National College
Harrisonburg, Virginia
  • Programs: Business And Management, Computer Science And Engineering, Hospitality, Law, Media, Medical Administration, Medical Support And Technology, Nursing And Emergency Medicine, Office And Administration
  • Degrees/Course Work: Associate, Bachelor, Diploma, Diploma
  • Request Info From The School

Jobs More Common Near Harrisonburg Than Most Other Cities

* Average job popularity for metro areas = 1.0

TitleMean Local SalaryLocal JobsPop. vs. Avg.*
Meat, poultry, and fish cutters and trimmers22,0301,70072.5
Separating, filtering, clarifying, precipitating, and still machine setters, operators, and tenders39,74033042.4
Farmworkers, farm and ranch animals21,26018036
Coating, painting, and spraying machine setters, operators, and tenders24,29032010.8
Prepress technicians and workers36,9801306.3
Production workers, all other24,1803604.6
Industrial machinery mechanics42,7003604
Brickmasons and blockmasons38,9801303.7
Tire repairers and changers27,1601003.3
Family and general practitioners198,4001103.3
Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters38,2804703
Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers38,1102502.7
Roofers31,9001002.4
Packaging and filling machine operators and tenders32,2502702.4
Cost estimators78,5301902.3
Office clerks, general25,6302,3402.3
Carpenters36,1006902.2
Sheet metal workers34,5101202.2
Automotive body and related repairers30,4101102.1
Parts salespersons27,9601602.1
Truck drivers, heavy and tractor-trailer37,7401,1602.1
Maids and housekeeping cleaners18,3006302
Inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers30,9803102
Welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers34,8402402
Hosts and hostesses, restaurant, lounge, and coffee shop16,7502602
Interviewers, except eligibility and loan29,0701501.9
Truck drivers, light or delivery services24,3606301.9
Educational, vocational, and school counselors57,6701601.9
Real estate sales agents31,5301101.9
Medical records and health information technicians39,1701101.9
Shipping, receiving, and traffic clerks25,3605101.8
Janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners19,9301,4201.8
Bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists37,9801501.8
Amusement and recreation attendants18,9501501.8
Dishwashers16,3203301.8
Hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks18,2601301.7
Training and development specialists58,1801301.7
Cashiers17,6602,0601.7
Industrial truck and tractor operators31,6503501.7
Nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants24,3907901.6
Cleaners of vehicles and equipment20,9801901.6
Combined food preparation and serving workers, including fast food16,4601,5701.6
Billing and posting clerks and machine operators29,4703001.6
First-line supervisors/managers of retail sales workers37,6106501.6
First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers44,2803301.5
Stock clerks and order fillers23,2301,0101.5
Landscaping and groundskeeping workers21,6604901.5
Pharmacy technicians25,9101701.5
Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand24,3801,1901.5
First-line supervisors/managers of transportation and material-moving machine and vehicle operators58,2401101.4

Work Paying Relatively Well in the Harrisonburg, Virginia Metro Area (2008 data)

* Average Salary Index for metro areas = 1.0

TitleMean Local SalarySalary Index *Local Jobs
Cost estimators78,5301.4190
Medical records and health information technicians39,1701.24110
Packaging and filling machine operators and tenders32,2501.23270
Family and general practitioners198,4001.21110
Training and development specialists58,1801.16130
Waiters and waitresses21,4801.15930
First-line supervisors/managers of transportation and material-moving machine and vehicle operators58,2401.12110
Educational, vocational, and school counselors57,6701.12160
Computer software engineers, applications86,2601.12110
Security guards27,2701.08460
Counter and rental clerks25,1701.08170
General and operations managers104,0901.08510
Food preparation workers20,5301.07260
Industrial truck and tractor operators31,6501.05350
Separating, filtering, clarifying, precipitating, and still machine setters, operators, and tenders39,7401.05330
Prepress technicians and workers36,9801.05130
Customer service representatives30,7601.04540
First-line supervisors/managers of food preparation and serving workers31,1201.03340
Amusement and recreation attendants18,9501.02150
Interviewers, except eligibility and loan29,0701.02150
Pharmacists107,0401.02120
Bill and account collectors31,3801.02160
Stock clerks and order fillers23,2301.021,010
Nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants24,3901.02790
Receptionists and information clerks24,2101.01460
Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand24,3801.011,190
Office clerks, general25,6301.012,340
Secretaries, except legal, medical, and executive29,3701.01200
Helpers--production workers23,7701.01160
Truck drivers, heavy and tractor-trailer37,7401.011,160
Maintenance and repair workers, general34,4901600
Cleaners of vehicles and equipment20,9801190
Home health aides21,1300.99270
Welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers34,8400.99240
Billing and posting clerks and machine operators29,4700.97300
First-line supervisors/managers of retail sales workers37,6100.97650
Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products54,7000.97590
Bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists37,9800.97150
Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks30,8400.96850
Cooks, restaurant20,8600.96440
Industrial machinery mechanics42,7000.96360
First-line supervisors/managers of office and administrative support workers43,1200.96530
Maids and housekeeping cleaners18,3000.96630
Combined food preparation and serving workers, including fast food16,4600.961,570
Cashiers17,6600.952,060
Cooks, institution and cafeteria22,5100.95120
Tellers22,5300.95280
Dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers16,5400.95150
Dishwashers16,3200.95330
Hosts and hostesses, restaurant, lounge, and coffee shop16,7500.94260

Highest Paying Jobs in Harrisonburg, Virginia Metro Area (2008 data)

TitleMean Local SalaryLocal Jobs
Physicians and surgeons, all other201,910 
Family and general practitioners198,400110
Dentists, general184,59030
Chief executives151,48050
Computer and information systems managers124,12050
Veterinarians117,49040
Lawyers110,92070
Pharmacists107,040120
General and operations managers104,090510
Medical and health services managers98,97070
Sales managers96,40070
Speech-language pathologists91,42030
Computer software engineers, applications86,260110
Industrial production managers82,47070
Financial managers82,33080
Management analysts81,780100
Transportation, storage, and distribution managers80,94030
Cost estimators78,530190
Computer systems analysts77,700100
Administrative services managers76,41040
Compensation, benefits, and job analysis specialists74,29040
Producers and directors72,85050
Managers, all other71,39080
Mechanical engineers68,90070
Physical therapists68,120 
Dental hygienists66,10070
First-line supervisors/managers of non-retail sales workers65,580110
Loan officers63,97090
Computer software engineers, systems software61,28070
Civil engineers59,31050
Industrial engineers59,23040
Librarians59,07080
Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, technical and scientific products59,050110
Construction managers58,870100
First-line supervisors/managers of transportation and material-moving machine and vehicle operators58,240110
Training and development specialists58,180130
Educational, vocational, and school counselors57,670160
Registered nurses56,320790
Network and computer systems administrators55,16070
Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products54,700590
Medical and clinical laboratory technologists54,18070
Sales and related workers, all other54,16040
Environmental scientists and specialists, including health53,81040
Accountants and auditors53,720340
First-line supervisors/managers of mechanics, installers, and repairers52,180220
Wholesale and retail buyers, except farm products52,02040
Occupational health and safety specialists51,53030
First-line supervisors/managers of construction trades and extraction workers51,460260
Food service managers50,18080
Human resources, training, and labor relations specialists, all other50,17070

Career and College Resources on CityTownInfo

Real-World Career Reports

Career Stories from workers: daily activities, job tips, best/worst job aspects, training, etc.

Career Videos. Professional videos on 800+ jobs, featuring actual employees.

Daily Career & Education News from our staff. We're an approved Google News provider!

Career Reference and Data

Resource Center. A starting point for all CityTownInfo career and college resources.

Career Overviews of hundreds of careers: descriptions, salaries, forecasts, schools, more.

Top Cities for each career. Lists and maps; salaries by city.

Top Industries. Lists of major hiring industries by career, with salaries.

City Comparisons, showing most common jobs, highest paying, etc.

Original Career Articles and Studies

Best Careers Not Requiring Degrees: Good pay, job growth, low need for degrees.

Helpful Articles, many in "how-to" format; e.g., "How to Become a Chef".

Interactive College Search Tools

College Search Scout™. Search by degree, location, major, athletics, etc.

CollegeMatch™. Find school most similar to one of interest.

College Directories and Lists

These lists link to thousands of detailed school profiles.

Colleges by State. Nearly every college and trade school in the country.

Colleges Listed Alphabetically. About 7,000 colleges & trade schools, including online schools.

Exceptional Schools. Lists of the "best/most/highest/lowest" schools.

HTML For Linking To This Page

Please share this employment resource

Copyright © 2004-2009, Moving Traffic, Inc. All Rights Reserved.