Blacksburg Employment

Employment and Industries in the Blacksburg, Virginia Area

The Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, also known as Virginia Tech, dominates the Blacksburg economy. The Virginia Tech Corporate Research Center includes Honeywell, VTLS, Rackspace's Email and Apps Division and a facility for the National Weather Service. Moog Inc., situated nearby, is a major contractor for the Defense Department and the health care industry. Manufacturing and business services also add to the economy. In addition, the Blacksburg region is regarded as an emerging high-tech area.

The leading fields of employment in Blacksburg are educational services, accommodation and food services; professional, scientific and technical services, and healthcare. About 48% of the workforce is employed in management, professional and related occupations. Sales and office workers comprise about 19% of the labor force.

Notable information regarding Blacksburg, Virginia: Cost of living index in 2008: 97.8 (U.S. average: 100). Adult residents holding a bachelor's degree or better: 64%. The average earnings in 2009: $31,000.

The top employers in Blacksburg and the surrounding area:

  • Moog Inc
  • Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University
  • Federal-Mogul Corporation
  • Montgomery Regional Hospital, Inc
  • The Cooperative State Research Education and Extension Service
  • Town of Blacksburg
  • Tetra Holding (US), Inc
  • Virginia Tech Services, Inc
  • American Healthcare, LLC

Blacksburg companies can receive assistance from the following associations:

People looking for local business and economic news can visit the Examiner.com.

Jobs in Blacksburg

RankTitleTotal EmployeesLocal Mean Salary (Per Year)Local Mean Salary (Per hour)National Growth % 2014-2024
1All Occupations71470$45,820$22.03100
2Production Occupations8590$42,680$20.525.6
3Office and Administrative Support Occupations8260$34,890$16.7813.75
4Educational Instruction and Library Occupations7510$60,600$29.146
5Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations6610$22,360$10.758.7
6Sales and Related Occupations6330$32,280$15.529.5
7Transportation and Material Moving Occupations5380$31,470$15.136.7
8Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations3460$44,310$21.33.75
9Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations3310$76,280$36.675.85
10Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators3310$41,440$19.920.8
11Management Occupations2600$109,770$52.776.35
12Business and Financial Operations Occupations2590$67,510$32.465.35
13Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance Occupations2580$28,420$13.663.6
14Cashiers2370$20,760$9.982.2
15Fast Food and Counter Workers2370$20,000$9.622.45
16Healthcare Support Occupations2200$27,780$13.362.85
17Construction and Extraction Occupations2130$40,880$19.654.6
18Personal Care and Service Occupations2030$28,280$13.64.65
19Retail Salespersons1920$26,760$12.862.7
20Architecture and Engineering Occupations1850$75,820$36.451.7
21Computer and Mathematical Occupations1570$75,290$36.23
22Protective Service Occupations1550$41,550$19.982.2
23Office Clerks, General1440$29,880$14.371.9
24Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners1260$28,050$13.491.5
25Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand1220$38,720$18.621.8
26Waiters and Waitresses1210$22,880$111.65
27Stockers and Order Fillers1170$23,430$11.271.25
28Maintenance and Repair Workers, General1070$41,770$20.080.9
29Customer Service Representatives1060$30,630$14.731.75
30Registered Nurses1060$64,360$30.941.95
31Community and Social Service Occupations1050$45,270$21.761.75
32Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers880$36,050$17.330.2
33Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers880$36,490$17.541.2
34Home Health and Personal Care Aides870$22,290$10.720
35General and Operations Managers830$101,530$48.811.5
36Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks780$37,670$18.111.05
37Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive770$35,550$17.091.4
38Cooks, Fast Food680$20,330$9.780.3
39Nursing Assistants680$26,600$12.790.95
40Substitute Teachers, Short-Term680$23,690$11.390.4
41First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers670$44,400$21.350.95
42First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers660$50,150$24.110.95
43Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers620$28,970$13.930.75
44Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations600$64,210$30.870.8
45First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers550$32,030$15.40.6
46First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers540$66,910$32.170.4
47Light Truck Drivers480$27,400$13.170.6
48Machinists480$42,540$20.450.2
49Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners470$20,970$10.080.9
50Receptionists and Information Clerks470$26,410$12.70.7
51Childcare Workers460$20,840$10.020.7
52Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses460$41,900$20.140.5
53Accountants and Auditors450$74,590$35.860.9
54Cooks, Restaurant440$26,010$12.510.9
55Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers430$49,520$23.810.4
56Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics420$40,200$19.330.5
57Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists410$48,190$23.170.2
58Food Preparation Workers400$20,530$9.870.5
59Carpenters390$36,120$17.370.6
60Passenger Vehicle Drivers, Except Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity380$26,380$12.680.3
61Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers360$45,070$21.670.35
62Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products350$65,600$31.540.85
63First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers330$57,370$27.580.4
64Software Developers and Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers330$92,510$44.480.65
65Construction Laborers320$28,730$13.810.9
66Computer User Support Specialists310$39,540$19.010.4
67Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks310$33,850$16.280.4
68Correctional Officers and Jailers300$38,760$18.640.25
69Tellers300$29,020$13.950.25
70Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors290$50,130$24.10.2
71Buyers and Purchasing Agents280$66,060$31.760.25
72First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers270$54,110$26.020.3
73Security Guards270$31,050$14.930.7
74Child, Family, and School Social Workers260$40,090$19.270.2
75Bartenders250$26,550$12.760.4
76Project Management Specialists and Business Operations Specialists, All Other250$73,810$35.490.7
77Recreation Workers250$22,410$10.770.3
78Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders240$47,220$22.70.1
79Industrial Machinery Mechanics240$52,750$25.360.2
80Counter and Rental Clerks220$28,510$13.710.3
81Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors220$42,540$20.450.2
82Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants220$37,970$18.260.4
83Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks220$45,980$22.110.2
84Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers220$44,040$21.170.3
85First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors210$56,140$26.990.3
86Pharmacy Technicians210$31,010$14.910.3
87Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists200$37,710$18.130.4
88Legal Occupations200$102,060$49.070.8
89Management Analysts200$100,770$48.450.55
90Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists200$62,890$30.230.45
91Dishwashers190$19,750$9.490.3
92Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop190$18,990$9.130.3
93Hotel, Motel, and Resort Desk Clerks190$20,250$9.740.15
94Human Resources Specialists190$61,510$29.570.4
95Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel190$58,170$27.960.7
96Electricians180$47,540$22.850.45
97Medical Assistants180$30,240$14.540.45
98Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders180$47,770$22.970.1
99Network and Computer Systems Administrators180$76,050$36.560.2
100Civil Engineers170$81,990$39.420.2
Source: 2019 Occupational Employment Statistics and 2018-28 Employment Projections, Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS.gov
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Additional Details

Blacksburg Colleges
Blacksburg colleges and trade schools.

Jobs More Common Near Blacksburg Than Most Other Cities

* Average job popularity for metro areas = 1.0

TitleMean Local SalaryLocal Jobs
All Occupations$45,82071,470
Production Occupations$42,6808,590
Office and Administrative Support Occupations$34,8908,260
Educational Instruction and Library Occupations$60,6007,510
Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations$22,3606,610
Sales and Related Occupations$32,2806,330
Transportation and Material Moving Occupations$31,4705,380
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations$44,3103,460
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations$76,2803,310
Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators$41,4403,310
Management Occupations$109,7702,600
Business and Financial Operations Occupations$67,5102,590
Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance Occupations$28,4202,580
Cashiers$20,7602,370
Fast Food and Counter Workers$20,0002,370
Healthcare Support Occupations$27,7802,200
Construction and Extraction Occupations$40,8802,130
Personal Care and Service Occupations$28,2802,030
Retail Salespersons$26,7601,920
Architecture and Engineering Occupations$75,8201,850
Computer and Mathematical Occupations$75,2901,570
Protective Service Occupations$41,5501,550
Office Clerks, General$29,8801,440
Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners$28,0501,260
Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand$38,7201,220
Waiters and Waitresses$22,8801,210
Stockers and Order Fillers$23,4301,170
Maintenance and Repair Workers, General$41,7701,070
Customer Service Representatives$30,6301,060
Registered Nurses$64,3601,060
Community and Social Service Occupations$45,2701,050
Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers$36,050880
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers$36,490880
Home Health and Personal Care Aides$22,290870
General and Operations Managers$101,530830
Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks$37,670780
Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive$35,550770
Cooks, Fast Food$20,330680
Nursing Assistants$26,600680
Substitute Teachers, Short-Term$23,690680
First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers$44,400670
First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers$50,150660
Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers$28,970620
Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations$64,210600
First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers$32,030550
First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers$66,910540
Light Truck Drivers$27,400480
Machinists$42,540480
Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners$20,970470
Receptionists and Information Clerks$26,410470

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

* Average Salary Index for metro areas = 1.0

TitleMean Local SalaryLocal Jobs
All Occupations$45,82071,470
Production Occupations$42,6808,590
Office and Administrative Support Occupations$34,8908,260
Educational Instruction and Library Occupations$60,6007,510
Sales and Related Occupations$32,2806,330
Transportation and Material Moving Occupations$31,4705,380
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations$44,3103,460
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations$76,2803,310
Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators$41,4403,310
Management Occupations$109,7702,600
Business and Financial Operations Occupations$67,5102,590
Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance Occupations$28,4202,580
Healthcare Support Occupations$27,7802,200
Construction and Extraction Occupations$40,8802,130
Personal Care and Service Occupations$28,2802,030
Retail Salespersons$26,7601,920
Architecture and Engineering Occupations$75,8201,850
Computer and Mathematical Occupations$75,2901,570
Protective Service Occupations$41,5501,550
Office Clerks, General$29,8801,440
Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners$28,0501,260
Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand$38,7201,220
Maintenance and Repair Workers, General$41,7701,070
Customer Service Representatives$30,6301,060
Registered Nurses$64,3601,060
Community and Social Service Occupations$45,2701,050
Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers$36,050880
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers$36,490880
General and Operations Managers$101,530830
Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks$37,670780
Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive$35,550770
Nursing Assistants$26,600680
First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers$44,400670
First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers$50,150660
Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers$28,970620
Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations$64,210600
First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers$32,030550
First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers$66,910540
Light Truck Drivers$27,400480
Machinists$42,540480
Receptionists and Information Clerks$26,410470
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses$41,900460
Accountants and Auditors$74,590450
Cooks, Restaurant$26,010440
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers$49,520430
Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics$40,200420
Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists$48,190410
Carpenters$36,120390
Passenger Vehicle Drivers, Except Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity$26,380380
Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers$45,070360

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