Fastest-growing jobs in Virginia

Written by:
September 22, 2025
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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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Goldsithney // Shutterstock

#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

2 / 50
Olena Yakobchuk // Shutterstock

#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

3 / 50
Toa55 // Shutterstock

#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

4 / 50
Roman Zaiets // Shutterstock

#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

5 / 50
Tyler Olson // Shutterstock

#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

6 / 50
fizkes // Shutterstock

#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

7 / 50
Dmitry Kalinovsky // Shutterstock

#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

8 / 50
Chaay_Tee // Shutterstock

#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

9 / 50
N_Sakarin // Shutterstock

#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

10 / 50
Gorodenkoff // Shutterstock

#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

#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

12 / 50
UfaBizPhoto // Shutterstock

#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

13 / 50
fizkes // Shutterstock

#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

14 / 50
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

#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

15 / 50
Quality Stock Arts // Shutterstock

#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

16 / 50
Vagengeim // Shutterstock

#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

17 / 50
Vera Larina // Shutterstock

#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

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Stock Rocket // Shutterstock

#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

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Dragon Images // Shutterstock

#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

20 / 50
Hitdelight // Shutterstock

#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

21 / 50
Richard Thornton // Shutterstock

#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

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Wellphoto // Shutterstock

#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

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Gorodenkoff // Shutterstock

#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

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Gorodenkoff // Shutterstock

#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

25 / 50
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

#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

26 / 50
ALPA PROD // Shutterstock

#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

27 / 50
Skycolors // Shutterstock

#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

28 / 50
Viktoriia Hnatiuk // Shutterstock

#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

29 / 50
Jacob Lund // Shutterstock

#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

30 / 50
santypan // Shutterstock

#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

#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

32 / 50
Andrey_Popov // Shutterstock

#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

33 / 50
Atstock Productions // Shutterstock

#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

34 / 50
photodiem // Shutterstock

#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

35 / 50
Virrage Images // Shutterstock

#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

36 / 50
indukas // Shutterstock

#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

37 / 50
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

#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

38 / 50
Tong_stocker // Shutterstock

#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

39 / 50
Yulai Studio // Shutterstock

#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

40 / 50
Lee Charlie // Shutterstock

#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

41 / 50
wavebreakmedia // Shutterstock

#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

42 / 50
M2020 // Shutterstock

#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

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Africa Studio // Shutterstock

#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

44 / 50
Tyler Olson // Shutterstock

#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

45 / 50
manine99 // Shutterstock

#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

46 / 50
PIYAWAT WONGOPASS // Shutterstock

#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

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Gorodenkoff // Shutterstock

#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

48 / 50
Socrates471 // Shutterstock

#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

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Gorodenkoff // Shutterstock

#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

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REDPIXEL.PL // Shutterstock

#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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