Virginia Skilled Trade Salaries & Job Outlook
Trade Industry Insights / Virginia Skilled Trade Salaries & Job Outlook
Quick Takeaways on Trade Pay in Virginia
Virginia’s trade economy leans institutional. Federal facilities, data centers, healthcare campuses, and large commercial employers quietly drive demand for electrical, mechanical, and facilities-focused trades that prioritize reliability over speed.
- Higher-paying paths on this page: Lineworker, CDL Truck Driver, AV Technician.
- Highest-paying trade in Virginia (from this table): Lineworker ($88,263)
- Typical mid-range trade pay: Median across listed trades is about $58,313 per year.
- Pay range across these trades: About $37,428 separates the highest vs lowest listed trades in Virginia.
- Most stable demand in Virginia: mission-critical maintenance work where inspections, redundancy, and uptime create recurring labor needs.
- Best way to increase earnings: target critical power, controls, and BAS roles where certifications directly translate to pay.
- Top paying trades on this page: Lineworker ($88,263) · CDL Truck Driver ($74,090) · AV Technician ($68,640)
Job Outlook for Skilled Trades in Virginia
Demand is shaped most by institutional demand anchored by Northern Virginia’s data center corridor and large campus facilities, plus licensing rules, employer mix, and metro growth.
Virginia wages benefit from institutional stability, with data centers, federal facilities, and campuses supporting consistent trade employment.
- Outlook: Strong (institutional stability)
- What drives demand: institutional demand anchored by Northern Virginia’s data center corridor and large campus facilities.
- Where it’s hottest: major metros + fast-growing corridors (varies by trade).
- Biggest pay factors: experience, union coverage, licensing, overtime, and employer type.
Average Skilled Trade Pay in Virginia
Below is a snapshot of typical pay for popular trades in Virginia. Click a trade name to explore training paths, licensing steps, and career details.
Note: Some trades can rank high across many states due to national labor demand and standardized pay structures, but the exact pay levels still vary by state and metro area.
| Trade | Avg Hourly | Avg Weekly | Avg Monthly | Avg Annual |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Automotive Technician | $26.53 | $1,061 | $4,599 | $55,206 |
| AV Technician | $33.00 | $1,320 | $5,720 | $68,640 |
| Carpenter | $25.84 | $1,034 | $4,479 | $53,747 |
| CDL Truck Driver | $35.62 | $1,425 | $6,174 | $74,090 |
| CNC Machinist | $24.44 | $978 | $4,236 | $50,835 |
| Construction | $25.94 | $1,038 | $4,496 | $53,955 |
| Concrete Finisher | $28.44 | $1,138 | $4,929 | $59,155 |
| Diesel Technician | $29.53 | $1,181 | $5,119 | $61,422 |
| Electrician | $31.26 | $1,250 | $5,418 | $65,021 |
| Heavy Equipment | $25.51 | $999 | $4,327 | $51,927 |
| HVAC Technician | $28.77 | $1,153 | $4,996 | $59,946 |
| Industrial Mechanic | $28.44 | $1,138 | $4,930 | $59,155 |
| Ironworker | $27.09 | $1,083 | $4,694 | $56,323 |
| Lineworker | $42.43 | $1,697 | $7,355 | $88,263 |
| Marine Mechanic | $29.40 | $1,176 | $5,095 | $61,105 |
| Mason | $27.63 | $1,105 | $4,789 | $57,470 |
| Plumber | $33.13 | $1,298 | $5,623 | $67,474 |
| Roofer | $24.77 | $991 | $4,295 | $51,542 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $26.22 | $1,020 | $4,418 | $53,018 |
| Welder | $25.07 | $1,001 | $4,339 | $52,062 |
Wage figures are estimates and can vary by experience level, metro area, union status, and employer.
About this table: wage data sources and methodology.
Why Virginia Is a Strong State for Trade Careers
Virginia’s trade demand is driven by federal government activity, defense contracting, shipbuilding, utilities, and large-scale commercial development. Military installations, data centers, ports, and transportation infrastructure create sustained need for electricians, HVAC technicians, plumbers, pipefitters, welders, and industrial maintenance trades across multiple regions.
Where Trade Demand Is Concentrated
- Northern Virginia (NoVA): Data centers, federal facilities, and commercial construction drive high demand for electrical, HVAC, and mechanical trades.
- Hampton Roads: Shipyards, naval bases, and port operations support welders, pipefitters, electricians, and industrial maintenance workers.
- Richmond: Utilities, healthcare systems, and infrastructure projects require licensed trades.
- I-95 corridor: Ongoing transportation, logistics, and public works projects create steady work statewide.
Major Employers and Contractors in Virginia
Tradespeople in Virginia frequently work with federal contractors, shipbuilders, and utilities, including:
- Newport News Shipbuilding — Shipyard construction and maintenance requiring welders, pipefitters, and electricians.
- Dominion Energy — Electrical and energy infrastructure supporting utility trades.
- Turner Construction (Virginia operations) — Federal, commercial, and institutional projects.
Union vs Non-Union Trade Paths in Virginia
Virginia is a right-to-work state, but union participation is significant in shipbuilding, utilities, federal projects, and large commercial construction. Non-union pathways remain common in residential construction and service trades, particularly outside major metro areas.
Union Apprenticeships in Virginia
Union apprenticeship programs in Virginia are closely tied to defense, utilities, and public infrastructure:
- IBEW Local 26 — Electrical apprenticeships serving Northern Virginia and the D.C. metro area.
- IBEW Local 666 — Electrical training covering Richmond and central Virginia.
- UA Local 10 — Plumbing, pipefitting, and HVAC apprenticeships in Hampton Roads.
- SMART Local 100 — Sheet metal and HVAC fabrication apprenticeships serving eastern Virginia.
Ready to start a trade career in Virginia?
Compare accredited trade schools and registered apprenticeships across Virginia.
Virginia Trade Schools & Apprenticeships