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Statewide Top Occupations and Educational Programs
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Rank
Occupation
Median Annual Virginia Wage (2024)
Typical Entry-Level Degree/Education (2024)
Typical Required Work Experience (2024)
Typical On-the-Job Training (2024)
1
Chief Executives
$239,200
or more
Bachelor's degree
5 years or more
None
2
Orthodontists
$239,200
or more
Doctoral or professional degree
None
Internship/residency
3
Prosthodontists
$239,200
or more
Doctoral or professional degree
None
Internship/residency
4
Anesthesiologists
$239,200
or more
Doctoral or professional degree
None
Internship/residency
5
Cardiologists
$239,200
or more
Doctoral or professional degree
None
Internship/residency
6
Emergency Medicine Physicians
$239,200
or more
Doctoral or professional degree
None
Internship/residency
7
Obstetricians and Gynecologists
$239,200
or more
Doctoral or professional degree
None
Internship/residency
8
Physicians, Pathologists
$239,200
or more
Doctoral or professional degree
None
Internship/residency
9
Psychiatrists
$239,200
or more
Doctoral or professional degree
None
Internship/residency
10
Physicians, All Other
$239,200
or more
Doctoral or professional degree
None
Internship/residency
11
Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric
$239,200
or more
Doctoral or professional degree
None
Internship/residency
12
Surgeons, All Other
$239,200
or more
Doctoral or professional degree
None
Internship/residency
13
Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers
$239,200
or more
Bachelor's degree
Less than 5 years
Moderate-term on-the-job training
14
Family Medicine Physicians
$219,500
Doctoral or professional degree
None
Internship/residency
15
Dentists, All Other Specialists
$219,460
Doctoral or professional degree
None
Internship/residency
16
Nurse Anesthetists
$199,960
Master's degree
None
None
17
Computer and Information Systems Managers
$192,870
Bachelor's degree
5 years or more
None
18
Pediatricians, General
$189,070
Doctoral or professional degree
None
Internship/residency
19
Dermatologists
$187,150
Doctoral or professional degree
None
Internship/residency
20
Air Traffic Controllers
$185,890
Associate's degree
None
Long-term on-the-job training
21
Dentists, General
$182,570
Doctoral or professional degree
None
None
22
Marketing Managers
$177,250
Bachelor's degree
5 years or more
None
23
Legal Support Workers, All Other
$176,950
Associate's degree
None
None
24
Public Relations Managers
$173,880
Bachelor's degree
5 years or more
None
25
Compensation and Benefits Managers
$171,300
Bachelor's degree
5 years or more
None
26
Sales Managers
$170,970
Bachelor's degree
Less than 5 years
None
27
Financial Managers
$170,290
Bachelor's degree
5 years or more
None
28
Architectural and Engineering Managers
$168,780
Bachelor's degree
5 years or more
None
29
Physicists
$164,180
Doctoral or professional degree
None
None
30
Political Scientists
$163,950
Master's degree
None
None
31
Managers, All Other
$162,610
Bachelor's degree
Less than 5 years
None
32
Human Resources Managers
$161,690
Bachelor's degree
5 years or more
None
33
Purchasing Managers
$161,300
Bachelor's degree
5 years or more
None
34
Lawyers
$157,980
Doctoral or professional degree
None
None
35
Computer and Information Research Scientists
$153,340
Master's degree
None
None
36
Computer Network Architects
$148,080
Bachelor's degree
5 years or more
None
37
Economists
$148,010
Master's degree
None
None
38
Medical Dosimetrists
$146,960
Bachelor's degree
None
None
39
Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other
$144,320
Bachelor's degree
None
None
40
Mathematicians
$142,150
Master's degree
None
None
41
Engineers, All Other
$142,110
Bachelor's degree
None
None
42
Podiatrists
$139,770
Doctoral or professional degree
None
Internship/residency
43
Nurse Midwives
$139,770
Master's degree
None
None
44
Training and Development Managers
$139,630
Bachelor's degree
5 years or more
None
45
Computer Hardware Engineers
$139,570
Bachelor's degree
None
None
46
Natural Sciences Managers
$139,220
Bachelor's degree
5 years or more
None
47
Pharmacists
$137,470
Doctoral or professional degree
None
None
48
Actuaries
$135,880
Bachelor's degree
None
Long-term on-the-job training
49
Physician Assistants
$135,490
Master's degree
None
None
50
Sales Engineers
$135,080
Bachelor's degree
None
Moderate-term on-the-job training
51
Software Developers
$134,470
Bachelor's degree
None
None
52
Computer Occupations, All Other
$132,810
Bachelor's degree
None
None
53
Chemical Engineers
$132,550
Bachelor's degree
None
None
54
Information Security Analysts
$132,460
Bachelor's degree
Less than 5 years
None
55
Aerospace Engineers
$132,160
Bachelor's degree
None
None
56
Fundraising Managers
$130,210
Bachelor's degree
5 years or more
None
57
Healthcare Diagnosing or Treating Practitioners, All Other
$128,940
Master's degree
None
None
58
Physical Scientists, All Other
$128,040
Bachelor's degree
None
None
59
Forestry and Conservation Science Teachers, Postsecondary
$127,460
Doctoral or professional degree
None
None
60
Economics Teachers, Postsecondary
$127,420
Doctoral or professional degree
None
None
61
Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary
$126,940
Doctoral or professional degree
None
None
62
Data Scientists
$126,070
Bachelor's degree
None
None
63
Hydrologists
$125,900
Bachelor's degree
None
None
64
Administrative Services Managers
$125,830
Bachelor's degree
Less than 5 years
None
65
Law Teachers, Postsecondary
$125,670
Doctoral or professional degree
Less than 5 years
None
66
Psychologists, All Other
$125,630
Master's degree
None
Internship/residency
67
Computer Science Teachers, Postsecondary
$124,850
Doctoral or professional degree
None
None
68
Medical and Health Services Managers
$124,530
Bachelor's degree
Less than 5 years
None
69
Nurse Practitioners
$124,210
Master's degree
None
None
70
Veterinarians
$124,110
Doctoral or professional degree
None
None
71
Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers
$123,270
Bachelor's degree
None
None
72
Industrial Production Managers
$123,060
Bachelor's degree
5 years or more
None
73
Operations Research Analysts
$123,050
Bachelor's degree
None
None
74
Electrical Engineers
$122,320
Bachelor's degree
None
None
75
General and Operations Managers
$121,530
Bachelor's degree
5 years or more
None
76
Electronics Engineers, Except Computer
$120,050
Bachelor's degree
None
None
77
Materials Scientists
$118,820
Bachelor's degree
None
None
78
Commercial Pilots
$115,490
Postsecondary nondegree award
None
Moderate-term on-the-job training
79
Facilities Managers
$115,430
Bachelor's degree
Less than 5 years
None
80
Education Administrators, All Other
$115,340
Bachelor's degree
Less than 5 years
None
81
Project Management Specialists
$114,990
Bachelor's degree
None
None
82
Media and Communication Equipment Workers, All Other
$114,630
High school diploma or equivalent
None
Short-term on-the-job training
83
Computer Systems Analysts
$113,500
Bachelor's degree
None
None
84
Financial Risk Specialists
$113,260
Bachelor's degree
None
None
85
Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products
$112,190
Bachelor's degree
None
Moderate-term on-the-job training
86
Atmospheric and Space Scientists
$111,920
Bachelor's degree
None
None
87
Computer Programmers
$111,860
Bachelor's degree
None
None
88
Advertising and Promotions Managers
$111,030
Bachelor's degree
Less than 5 years
None
89
Web Developers
$110,830
Bachelor's degree
None
None
90
Detectives and Criminal Investigators
$110,220
High school diploma or equivalent
Less than 5 years
Moderate-term on-the-job training
91
Management Analysts
$109,650
Bachelor's degree
Less than 5 years
None
92
Biochemists and Biophysicists
$109,230
Doctoral or professional degree
None
None
93
Education Administrators, Postsecondary
$108,750
Master's degree
Less than 5 years
None
94
Budget Analysts
$108,740
Bachelor's degree
None
None
95
Nuclear Engineers
$108,740
Bachelor's degree
None
None
96
Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary
$108,260
Doctoral or professional degree
None
None
97
Artists and Related Workers, All Other
$107,580
No formal educational credential
None
Long-term on-the-job training
98
Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers
$107,050
High school diploma or equivalent
5 years or more
None
99
Construction Managers
$107,000
Bachelor's degree
None
Moderate-term on-the-job training
100
Network and Computer Systems Administrators
$106,610
Bachelor's degree
None
None
-
Education Level: Award of less than one academic year
Top 10 Programs Ranked by Median Pay of Graduates
Median 2023 Annual Wage (Three Years After Graduation)
Electrical, Electronic and Communications Engineering Technology/Technician
$55,633
Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse
$53,910
Emergency Medical Technology/Technician (EMT Paramedic)
$53,806
Accounting and Related Services, Other
$52,840
Electrician
$51,034
Automobile/Automotive Mechanics Technology/Technician
$49,640
Business Administration, Management and Operations, Other
$48,923
Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians, Other
$47,981
Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician
$47,324
Ground Transportation, Other
$45,126
Education Level: Award of at least one but less than two academic years
Top 10 Programs Ranked by Median Pay of Graduates
Median 2023 Annual Wage (Three Years After Graduation)
Precision Metal Working, Other
$65,496
Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians, Other
$61,696
Electrical, Electronic and Communications Engineering Technology/Technician
$61,400
CAD/CADD Drafting and/or Design Technology/Technician
$52,734
Electrician
$50,691
Business Administration, Management and Operations, Other
$50,605
Substance Abuse/Addiction Counseling
$47,487
Automobile/Automotive Mechanics Technology/Technician
$45,871
Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician
$45,436
Surgical Technology/Technologist
$45,022
Education Level: Associate Degree (Bachelor Credit)
Top 10 Programs Ranked by Median Pay of Graduates
Median 2023 Annual Wage (Three Years After Graduation)
Computer Science
$79,957
Information Technology
$69,736
Engineering, General
$69,669
Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse
$62,369
Business/Commerce, General
$57,769
Business Administration and Management, General
$52,700
Criminal Justice/Safety Studies
$51,220
Religion/Religious Studies
$46,705
General Studies
$44,672
Accounting
$42,713
Education Level: Associate Degree (Occupational/Technical Credit)
Top 10 Programs Ranked by Median Pay of Graduates
Median 2023 Annual Wage (Three Years After Graduation)
Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse
$64,577
Emergency Medical Technology/Technician (EMT Paramedic)
$64,440
Dental Hygiene/Hygienist
$63,048
Industrial Electronics Technology/Technician
$62,214
Radiologic Technology/Science - Radiographer
$56,980
Industrial Technology/Technician
$56,198
Respiratory Care Therapy/Therapist
$55,738
Engineering Technology, General
$55,051
Automobile/Automotive Mechanics Technology/Technician
$53,122
Physical Therapy Technician/Assistant
$52,530
Education Level: Four-Year Bachelor’s Degree
Top 10 Programs Ranked by Median Pay of Graduates
Median 2023 Annual Wage (Three Years After Graduation)
Computer and Information Sciences, General
$100,320
Mechanical Engineering
$82,441
Finance, General
$81,008
Economics, General
$75,327
Accounting
$74,360
Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse
$72,730
Marketing/Marketing Management, General
$64,201
Business Administration and Management, General
$62,731
Business/Commerce, General
$61,843
Mathematics, General
$59,605
Education Level: Post-Baccalaureate Certificate
Top 10 Programs Ranked by Median Pay of Graduates
Median 2023 Annual Wage
(Three Years After Graduation)
Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications
$130,701
Information Technology
$125,522
Purchasing, Procurement/Acquisitions and Contracts Management
$109,650
Industrial Engineering
$103,055
Information Science/Studies
$90,645
Human Resources Management/Personnel Administration, General
$89,281
Educational Leadership and Administration, General
$87,439
Public Administration
$87,156
Statistics, General
$86,888
Educational/Instructional Technology
$86,846
Education Level: Master’s Degree
Top 10 Programs Ranked by Median Pay of Graduates
Median 2023 Annual Wage (Three Years After Graduation)
Industrial Engineering
$129,241
Computer and Information Sciences, General
$126,008
Physician Assistant
$113,334
Business Administration and Management, General
$104,484
Business/Commerce, General
$101,303
Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse
$101,277
Engineering, Other
$98,260
Accounting
$92,026
Public Policy Analysis, General
$84,964
Public Administration
$76,611
Education Level: Post-Master’s Certificate
Programs Ranked by Median Pay of Graduates
Median 2023 Annual Wage (Three Years After Graduation)
Educational Administration and Supervision, Other
$85,101
Administration of Special Education
$84,108
Educational Leadership and Administration, General
$77,629
Education, Other
$65,396
Educational Psychology
$64,998
Reading Teacher Education
$64,486
Curriculum and Instruction
$64,324
Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling/Counselor
$62,272
School Psychology
$58,283
Education Level: First Professional Degree
Programs Ranked by Median Pay of Graduates
Median 2023 Annual Wage (Three Years After Graduation)
Dentistry
$164,954
Medicine
$147,185
Pharmacy
$129,890
Law
$87,321
Divinity/Ministry
$48,558
Theology/Theological Studies
$45,011
Education Level: Doctoral Degree
Top 10 Programs Ranked by Median Pay of Graduates
Median 2023 Annual Wage (Three Years After Graduation)
Nurse Anesthetist
$189,747
Computer and Information Sciences, General
$139,029
Electrical and Electronics Engineering
$129,665
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing, Other
$121,573
Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse
$117,962
Engineering, General
$114,606
Mechanical Engineering
$112,364
Nursing Practice
$107,517
Educational Administration and Supervision, Other
$106,827
Civil Engineering, General
$100,000
Community-Based Crisis Supports
Need immediate help?
If you need to reach someone immediately for crisis support for your child and it is after-school hours or you do not get an immediate response from school staff, here are a list of community-based crisis supports:
- Region Ten Emergency Services: 434-972-1800 (24 hr)
- Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: 988 (24 hr)
- Region 1 Mobile Crisis Line: 1-800-970-5897 (M–F 12–7:30pm)
- ReadyKids: 434-972-7233 (24 hour hotline)
- Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 (24 hr)
- LGBTQ+ Youth Support Line/Side by Side: 1-888-644-4390 (Ages 14–20)
For an immediate crisis, call 911 or go to the hospital