Goldsithney // Shutterstock
1 / 50#50. Psychiatric Technicians
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +26.5% (910 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 4,350
--- Employment in 2023: 3,440
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $46,040
Fastest-growing jobs in Virginia
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis revealed that, as of September 2025, the national hiring rate has reached a decade low, with the exception of the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Associated Press reports that several factors have contributed to this, including the impact of the eleven interest rate hikes that occurred in 2022 and 2023 and the dozens of tariffs enacted by President Donald Trump since the beginning of the year.
Economists generally agree that the long-run breakeven employment growth rate (or the rate at which new jobs need to be added to keep up with population growth) is somewhere between 70,000 and 90,000 jobs per month. However, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in August 2025, just 22,000 new jobs were added. June and July saw a combined 87,000 new jobs added to the workforce.
Those numbers are bleak, to be sure, but not all employment news is bad. Certain sectors, like health care and social services, continue to see rapid growth. The Bureau of Labor Statistics said average hourly earnings for all employees are also up by 3.7% over the past 12 months. The total number of hours worked per week has been edging down for all employees, providing opportunities for much-needed work-life balance.
The employment story also looks quite different from state to state. Some places, like Utah, New Mexico, Hawai'i, and Idaho, are seeing high-percentage job growth year over year; others, like Washington D.C., Iowa, and Kansas, have actually seen a shrinkage in the overall number of job openings.
Using BLS jobs data, Stacker determined the fastest-growing jobs in Virginia. Occupations were ranked by the percentage increase in employment between 2023 and 2024. Jobs were excluded from the ranking if they had fewer than 1,000 people working in them in the state.
Keep reading to learn which jobs are growing the fastest in Virginia.
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Olena Yakobchuk // Shutterstock
2 / 50#49. Automotive and Watercraft Service Attendants
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +27.0% (470 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 2,210
--- Employment in 2023: 1,740
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $31,070
Toa55 // Shutterstock
3 / 50#48. Occupational Therapy Assistants
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +27.3% (270 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,260
--- Employment in 2023: 990
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $73,870
Roman Zaiets // Shutterstock
4 / 50#47. Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Commercial and Industrial Equipment
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +27.9% (380 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,740
--- Employment in 2023: 1,360
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $68,270
Tyler Olson // Shutterstock
5 / 50#46. First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +28.1% (700 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 3,190
--- Employment in 2023: 2,490
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $98,940
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fizkes // Shutterstock
6 / 50#45. Tax Examiners and Collectors, and Revenue Agents
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +28.4% (380 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,720
--- Employment in 2023: 1,340
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $56,460
Dmitry Kalinovsky // Shutterstock
7 / 50#44. Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +28.5% (370 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,670
--- Employment in 2023: 1,300
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $57,250
Chaay_Tee // Shutterstock
8 / 50#43. Data Scientists
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +28.9% (1,390 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 6,200
--- Employment in 2023: 4,810
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $126,070
N_Sakarin // Shutterstock
9 / 50#42. Structural Iron and Steel Workers
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +29.3% (270 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,190
--- Employment in 2023: 920
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $58,170
Gorodenkoff // Shutterstock
10 / 50#41. Mechanical Engineers
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +29.4% (1,810 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 7,960
--- Employment in 2023: 6,150
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $99,350
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Gorodenkoff // Shutterstock
11 / 50#40. Compliance Officers
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +29.7% (3,460 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 15,120
--- Employment in 2023: 11,660
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $80,990
UfaBizPhoto // Shutterstock
12 / 50#39. Sewing Machine Operators
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +30.0% (390 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,690
--- Employment in 2023: 1,300
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $33,280
fizkes // Shutterstock
13 / 50#38. Labor Relations Specialists
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +30.1% (250 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,080
--- Employment in 2023: 830
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $92,410
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
14 / 50#37. Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +30.2% (1,580 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 6,820
--- Employment in 2023: 5,240
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $77,000
Quality Stock Arts // Shutterstock
15 / 50#36. Facilities Managers
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +30.2% (610 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 2,630
--- Employment in 2023: 2,020
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $115,430
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Vagengeim // Shutterstock
16 / 50#35. Dental Laboratory Technicians
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +30.8% (240 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,020
--- Employment in 2023: 780
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $48,510
Vera Larina // Shutterstock
17 / 50#34. Sheet Metal Workers
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +32.1% (940 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 3,870
--- Employment in 2023: 2,930
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $58,490
Stock Rocket // Shutterstock
18 / 50#33. Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +32.6% (720 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 2,930
--- Employment in 2023: 2,210
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $61,470
Dragon Images // Shutterstock
19 / 50#32. Insurance Underwriters
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +32.9% (720 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 2,910
--- Employment in 2023: 2,190
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $77,110
Hitdelight // Shutterstock
20 / 50#31. Architectural and Civil Drafters
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +33.3% (580 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 2,320
--- Employment in 2023: 1,740
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $64,100
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Richard Thornton // Shutterstock
21 / 50#30. School Bus Monitors
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +33.6% (470 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,870
--- Employment in 2023: 1,400
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $33,410
Wellphoto // Shutterstock
22 / 50#29. News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +34.0% (350 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,380
--- Employment in 2023: 1,030
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $63,360
Gorodenkoff // Shutterstock
23 / 50#28. Physical Scientists, All Other
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +34.5% (400 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,560
--- Employment in 2023: 1,160
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $128,040
Gorodenkoff // Shutterstock
24 / 50#27. Computer and Information Research Scientists
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +34.6% (810 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 3,150
--- Employment in 2023: 2,340
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $153,340
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
25 / 50#26. Insurance Sales Agents
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +35.0% (3,650 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 14,090
--- Employment in 2023: 10,440
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $59,570
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ALPA PROD // Shutterstock
26 / 50#25. Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +35.0% (5,410 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 20,860
--- Employment in 2023: 15,450
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $44,260
Skycolors // Shutterstock
27 / 50#24. Commercial Pilots
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +35.4% (290 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,110
--- Employment in 2023: 820
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $115,490
Viktoriia Hnatiuk // Shutterstock
28 / 50#23. Travel Agents
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +35.9% (280 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,060
--- Employment in 2023: 780
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $37,860
Jacob Lund // Shutterstock
29 / 50#22. Pediatricians, General
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +37.1% (330 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,220
--- Employment in 2023: 890
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $189,070
santypan // Shutterstock
30 / 50#21. Bartenders
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +37.2% (4,300 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 15,870
--- Employment in 2023: 11,570
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $46,860
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Dragon Images // Shutterstock
31 / 50#20. Chemical Technicians
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +39.0% (300 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,070
--- Employment in 2023: 770
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $50,660
Andrey_Popov // Shutterstock
32 / 50#19. Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +39.9% (1,910 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 6,700
--- Employment in 2023: 4,790
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $31,610
Atstock Productions // Shutterstock
33 / 50#18. Telemarketers
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +40.1% (1,970 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 6,880
--- Employment in 2023: 4,910
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $36,380
photodiem // Shutterstock
34 / 50#17. Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +40.2% (330 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,150
--- Employment in 2023: 820
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $49,130
Virrage Images // Shutterstock
35 / 50#16. Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +43.1% (1,120 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 3,720
--- Employment in 2023: 2,600
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $46,080
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indukas // Shutterstock
36 / 50#15. Physicists
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +44.8% (390 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,260
--- Employment in 2023: 870
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $164,180
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
37 / 50#14. Tutors
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +45.1% (1,100 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 3,540
--- Employment in 2023: 2,440
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $49,380
Tong_stocker // Shutterstock
38 / 50#13. Helpers--Carpenters
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +47.7% (520 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,610
--- Employment in 2023: 1,090
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $43,560
Yulai Studio // Shutterstock
39 / 50#12. Surgical Assistants
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +51.2% (410 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,210
--- Employment in 2023: 800
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $58,490
Lee Charlie // Shutterstock
40 / 50#11. Court, Municipal, and License Clerks
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +53.6% (1,550 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 4,440
--- Employment in 2023: 2,890
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $42,620
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wavebreakmedia // Shutterstock
41 / 50#10. Production Workers, All Other
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +56.6% (1,940 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 5,370
--- Employment in 2023: 3,430
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $36,150
M2020 // Shutterstock
42 / 50#9. Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +60.3% (820 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 2,180
--- Employment in 2023: 1,360
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $46,850
Africa Studio // Shutterstock
43 / 50#8. Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers, All Other
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +61.3% (1,980 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 5,210
--- Employment in 2023: 3,230
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $47,850
Tyler Olson // Shutterstock
44 / 50#7. Demonstrators and Product Promoters
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +61.5% (880 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 2,310
--- Employment in 2023: 1,430
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $38,410
manine99 // Shutterstock
45 / 50#6. Maintenance Workers, Machinery
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +71.2% (420 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,010
--- Employment in 2023: 590
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $63,920
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PIYAWAT WONGOPASS // Shutterstock
46 / 50#5. Computer Programmers
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +72.5% (1,770 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 4,210
--- Employment in 2023: 2,440
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $111,860
Gorodenkoff // Shutterstock
47 / 50#4. Biological Scientists, All Other
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +74.1% (830 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,950
--- Employment in 2023: 1,120
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $83,370
Socrates471 // Shutterstock
48 / 50#3. Audio and Video Technicians
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +88.4% (1,290 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 2,750
--- Employment in 2023: 1,460
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $50,990
Gorodenkoff // Shutterstock
49 / 50#2. Computer Science Teachers, Postsecondary
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +89.4% (930 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,970
--- Employment in 2023: 1,040
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $124,850
REDPIXEL.PL // Shutterstock
50 / 50#1. Commercial and Industrial Designers
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +228.9% (1,030 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,480
--- Employment in 2023: 450
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $78,190
This story features data reporting by Wade Zhou, writing by Madison Troyer, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 51 states.
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