Virginia Beach Employment

Employment and Industries in the Virginia Beach, Virginia Area

The Virginia Beach economy includes a thriving tourism industry and a notable military presence due to having four military bases. Agriculture also has a significant impact on the local economy.

Tourism has created a large number of service jobs. Retail and wholesale businesses provide approximately one-third of the jobs in Virginia Beach. Jobs are also provided by businesses that produce items such as furniture, power tools, welding equipment, coated abrasives and recreational products.

The area includes numerous international companies. Virginia Beach has the North American headquarters for Stihl and the headquarters for Lillian Vernon.

Noteworthy facts regarding Virginian Beach, Virginia: Estimated median household income in 2007: $61,000. Cost of living index in 2008: 89.2 (U.S. average: 100). Adult residents holding a bachelor's degree or higher: 28%.

Virginia Beach's largest private employers:

  • American Systems Engineering
  • Amerigroup
  • Manpower
  • Geico Direct
  • Gold Key Resorts
  • Stihl
  • Christian Broadcasting Network
  • Virginian-Pilot Production Plant
  • Lillian Vernon Corporation
  • UPS

Virginia Beach's primary nonagricultural employment sectors:

  • Government
  • Trade, transportation and utilities
  • Professional and business services
  • Educational and health services
  • Leisure and hospitality
  • Manufacturing

Virginia Beach, Virginia has numerous popular jobs which are mostly filled by those with college degrees including registered nurses, teachers, wholesale and manufacturing sales representatives, management analysts, computer systems analysts, computer applications software engineers, mechanical engineers, and child, family and school social workers.

Virginia Beach businesses are invited to work with the following associations:

Information about local business and industry is offered at HamptonRoads.com/PilotOnline.com.

Jobs in Virginia Beach

RankTitleTotal EmployeesLocal Mean Salary (Per Year)Local Mean Salary (Per hour)National Growth % 2014-2024
1All Occupations758420$49,620$23.86100
2Office and Administrative Support Occupations97120$38,470$18.513.75
3Sales and Related Occupations74430$36,500$17.559.5
4Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations72370$24,000$11.548.7
5Transportation and Material Moving Occupations63780$36,000$17.316.7
6Educational Instruction and Library Occupations45510$58,730$28.246
7Business and Financial Operations Occupations45300$75,610$36.355.35
8Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations45040$78,920$37.945.85
9Construction and Extraction Occupations39470$46,950$22.574.6
10Production Occupations37110$41,890$20.145.6
11Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations36660$49,280$23.693.75
12Healthcare Support Occupations29530$30,030$14.442.85
13Management Occupations29300$117,300$56.396.35
14Fast Food and Counter Workers24700$21,200$10.192.45
15Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance Occupations24440$26,410$12.73.6
16Retail Salespersons23660$25,240$12.142.7
17Architecture and Engineering Occupations22000$83,570$40.181.7
18Computer and Mathematical Occupations21740$86,930$41.793
19Protective Service Occupations21040$45,290$21.782.2
20Cashiers20780$21,910$10.532.2
21Personal Care and Service Occupations20120$27,860$13.394.65
22Waiters and Waitresses15170$23,270$11.191.65
23Customer Service Representatives14980$31,620$15.21.75
24Office Clerks, General14950$32,470$15.611.9
25Stockers and Order Fillers14170$29,430$14.151.25
26Registered Nurses13900$69,770$33.551.95
27Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners12180$24,080$11.581.5
28Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand11760$30,900$14.861.8
29Community and Social Service Occupations11380$50,380$24.221.75
30General and Operations Managers10060$116,450$55.991.5
31Home Health and Personal Care Aides9990$21,160$10.170
32Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations9800$55,580$26.721.8
33Nursing Assistants9360$33,170$15.950.95
34Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks7950$41,140$19.781.05
35Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive7890$37,840$18.191.4
36Maintenance and Repair Workers, General7650$39,610$19.040.9
37Project Management Specialists and Business Operations Specialists, All Other7480$80,200$38.560.7
38First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers7300$58,040$27.90.95
39Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations6950$73,590$35.380.8
40Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers6600$42,020$20.21.2
41Receptionists and Information Clerks6580$28,160$13.540.7
42Accountants and Auditors6490$72,580$34.90.9
43Security Guards6450$33,070$15.90.7
44First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers6360$44,330$21.310.95
45Cooks, Restaurant6160$26,040$12.520.9
46First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers6100$35,800$17.210.6
47Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters5590$48,770$23.450.3
48Management Analysts5570$93,720$45.060.55
49Software Developers and Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers5450$94,940$45.650.65
50Construction Laborers5330$33,240$15.980.9
51First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers5330$69,680$33.50.4
52Passenger Vehicle Drivers, Except Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity5160$29,230$14.050.3
53Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses5070$43,290$20.810.5
54Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers4800$27,660$13.30.75
55Electricians4790$48,880$23.50.45
56Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel4700$58,400$28.080.7
57Legal Occupations4650$88,110$42.360.8
58Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners4590$23,110$11.110.9
59Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products4580$74,510$35.820.85
60Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators4550$32,140$15.450.8
61Food Preparation Workers4140$23,190$11.150.5
62Carpenters4110$43,970$21.140.6
63Driver/Sales Workers4060$27,270$13.110.3
64Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers4010$54,890$26.390.4
65Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics3840$49,450$23.770.5
66Light Truck Drivers3800$36,950$17.760.6
67Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers3800$50,420$24.240.3
68First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers3540$68,290$32.830.3
69Substitute Teachers, Short-Term3500$26,680$12.830.4
70Human Resources Specialists3440$68,140$32.760.4
71Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers3430$47,760$22.960.2
72Buyers and Purchasing Agents3320$71,160$34.210.25
73Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks3180$60,710$29.190.2
74Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks3180$35,800$17.210.4
75Recreation Workers3100$26,910$12.940.3
76Computer Systems Analysts3070$94,000$45.190.4
77Counter and Rental Clerks3060$30,720$14.770.3
78Computer User Support Specialists3000$55,690$26.770.4
79Medical Assistants2980$34,700$16.680.45
80Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors2810$52,320$25.150.2
81Machinists2720$52,840$25.40.2
82Amusement and Recreation Attendants2700$20,750$9.970.2
83Computer Occupations, All Other2700$89,510$43.030.3
84Training and Development Specialists2630$66,710$32.070.2
85Bill and Account Collectors2560$41,450$19.930.15
86First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers2550$68,980$33.160.4
87Calibration Technologists and Technicians and Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other2540$76,900$36.970.1
88Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists2520$62,800$30.190.45
89Bartenders2480$25,290$12.160.4
90Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop2470$21,550$10.360.3
91Firefighters2460$51,560$24.790.2
92Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators2460$41,780$20.090.4
93Dishwashers2430$20,420$9.820.3
94Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers2420$21,460$10.320.3
95Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers2400$48,490$23.310.35
96Lawyers2400$126,010$60.580.5
97Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants2400$36,340$17.470.4
98Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators2370$43,070$20.710.25
99Cost Estimators2360$72,930$35.060.1
100Childcare Workers2340$22,550$10.840.7
Source: 2019 Occupational Employment Statistics and 2018-28 Employment Projections, Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS.gov
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Additional Details

Virginia Beach Colleges
Virginia Beach colleges and trade schools.

Jobs More Common Near Virginia Beach Than Most Other Cities

* Average job popularity for metro areas = 1.0

TitleMean Local SalaryLocal Jobs
All Occupations$49,620758,420
Office and Administrative Support Occupations$38,47097,120
Sales and Related Occupations$36,50074,430
Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations$24,00072,370
Transportation and Material Moving Occupations$36,00063,780
Educational Instruction and Library Occupations$58,73045,510
Business and Financial Operations Occupations$75,61045,300
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations$78,92045,040
Construction and Extraction Occupations$46,95039,470
Production Occupations$41,89037,110
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations$49,28036,660
Healthcare Support Occupations$30,03029,530
Management Occupations$117,30029,300
Fast Food and Counter Workers$21,20024,700
Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance Occupations$26,41024,440
Retail Salespersons$25,24023,660
Architecture and Engineering Occupations$83,57022,000
Computer and Mathematical Occupations$86,93021,740
Protective Service Occupations$45,29021,040
Cashiers$21,91020,780
Personal Care and Service Occupations$27,86020,120
Waiters and Waitresses$23,27015,170
Customer Service Representatives$31,62014,980
Office Clerks, General$32,47014,950
Stockers and Order Fillers$29,43014,170
Registered Nurses$69,77013,900
Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners$24,08012,180
Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand$30,90011,760
Community and Social Service Occupations$50,38011,380
General and Operations Managers$116,45010,060
Home Health and Personal Care Aides$21,1609,990
Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations$55,5809,800
Nursing Assistants$33,1709,360
Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks$41,1407,950
Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive$37,8407,890
Maintenance and Repair Workers, General$39,6107,650
Project Management Specialists and Business Operations Specialists, All Other$80,2007,480
First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers$58,0407,300
Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations$73,5906,950
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers$42,0206,600
Receptionists and Information Clerks$28,1606,580
Accountants and Auditors$72,5806,490
Security Guards$33,0706,450
First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers$44,3306,360
Cooks, Restaurant$26,0406,160
First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers$35,8006,100
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters$48,7705,590
Management Analysts$93,7205,570
Software Developers and Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers$94,9405,450
Construction Laborers$33,2405,330

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

* Average Salary Index for metro areas = 1.0

TitleMean Local SalaryLocal Jobs
All Occupations$49,620758,420
Office and Administrative Support Occupations$38,47097,120
Sales and Related Occupations$36,50074,430
Transportation and Material Moving Occupations$36,00063,780
Educational Instruction and Library Occupations$58,73045,510
Business and Financial Operations Occupations$75,61045,300
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations$78,92045,040
Construction and Extraction Occupations$46,95039,470
Production Occupations$41,89037,110
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations$49,28036,660
Healthcare Support Occupations$30,03029,530
Management Occupations$117,30029,300
Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance Occupations$26,41024,440
Retail Salespersons$25,24023,660
Architecture and Engineering Occupations$83,57022,000
Computer and Mathematical Occupations$86,93021,740
Protective Service Occupations$45,29021,040
Personal Care and Service Occupations$27,86020,120
Customer Service Representatives$31,62014,980
Office Clerks, General$32,47014,950
Stockers and Order Fillers$29,43014,170
Registered Nurses$69,77013,900
Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand$30,90011,760
Community and Social Service Occupations$50,38011,380
General and Operations Managers$116,45010,060
Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations$55,5809,800
Nursing Assistants$33,1709,360
Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks$41,1407,950
Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive$37,8407,890
Maintenance and Repair Workers, General$39,6107,650
Project Management Specialists and Business Operations Specialists, All Other$80,2007,480
First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers$58,0407,300
Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations$73,5906,950
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers$42,0206,600
Receptionists and Information Clerks$28,1606,580
Accountants and Auditors$72,5806,490
Security Guards$33,0706,450
First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers$44,3306,360
Cooks, Restaurant$26,0406,160
First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers$35,8006,100
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters$48,7705,590
Management Analysts$93,7205,570
Software Developers and Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers$94,9405,450
Construction Laborers$33,2405,330
First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers$69,6805,330
Passenger Vehicle Drivers, Except Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity$29,2305,160
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses$43,2905,070
Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers$27,6604,800
Electricians$48,8804,790
Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel$58,4004,700

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