Highest paying jobs in Richmond, VA
The best paying occupations in the Richmond, VA metro area, ranked by median annual wage. Metro wage estimates are suppressed more often than state ones — BLS withholds any figure that too few local employers report — so an occupation missing here simply has no published local estimate.
Cost of living: prices here run 2.1% below the national average (2024).
Wages: BLS OEWS, May 2025
| # | Occupation | MedianRichmond, VA | 10th–90th percentilemiddle half shaded darker | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | CardiologistsDoctoral or professional degree | $450,480 | $184,240 – $580,060 | 120 |
| 2 | Chief ExecutivesBachelor's degree | $326,160 | $130,130 – $558,600 | 820 |
| 3 | PsychiatristsDoctoral or professional degree | $290,900 | $132,830 – $342,870 | 50 |
| 4 | Physicians, All OtherDoctoral or professional degree | $284,090 | $92,460 – $384,630 | 1,760 |
| 5 | Surgeons, All OtherDoctoral or professional degree | $259,310 | $97,230 – $466,440 | — |
| 6 | Physicians, PathologistsDoctoral or professional degree | $240,220 | $140,160 – $287,850 | — |
| 7 | Nurse AnesthetistsMaster's degree | $235,320 | $122,820 – $402,360 | — |
| 8 | Obstetricians and GynecologistsDoctoral or professional degree | $224,240 | $172,490 – $321,940 | 250 |
| 9 | Dentists, GeneralDoctoral or professional degree | $218,880 | $128,340 – $308,250 | 650 |
| 10 | PhysicistsDoctoral or professional degree | $218,290 | $116,850 – $266,770 | 40 |
| 11 | Family Medicine PhysiciansDoctoral or professional degree | $208,750 | $103,720 – $362,260 | 410 |
| 12 | Computer and Information Systems ManagersBachelor's degree | $180,640 | $127,310 – $301,510 | 1,900 |
| 13 | Marketing ManagersBachelor's degree | $174,130 | $103,000 – $272,460 | 1,090 |
| 14 | Financial ManagersBachelor's degree | $173,140 | $108,940 – $302,060 | 3,480 |
| 15 | PodiatristsDoctoral or professional degree | $168,600 | $67,270 – $225,910 | 40 |
| 16 | Sales ManagersBachelor's degree | $168,590 | $90,440 – $296,170 | 1,320 |
| 17 | Architectural and Engineering ManagersBachelor's degree | $167,170 | $123,390 – $236,770 | 570 |
| 18 | Pediatricians, GeneralDoctoral or professional degree | $165,370 | $143,580 – $352,200 | 130 |
| 19 | Computer and Information Research ScientistsMaster's degree | $162,910 | $103,860 – $216,170 | 160 |
| 20 | Advertising and Promotions ManagersBachelor's degree | $161,040 | $102,950 – $224,900 | 50 |
| 21 | Public Relations ManagersBachelor's degree | $160,540 | $96,030 – $280,160 | 380 |
| 22 | Compensation and Benefits ManagersBachelor's degree | $157,370 | $100,910 – $300,580 | 130 |
| 23 | Human Resources ManagersBachelor's degree | $152,190 | $99,800 – $253,890 | 960 |
| 24 | Psychologists, All OtherMaster's degree | $152,050 | $45,410 – $179,690 | 90 |
| 25 | Purchasing ManagersBachelor's degree | $147,410 | $99,800 – $216,450 | 490 |
| 26 | PharmacistsDoctoral or professional degree | $144,940 | $106,310 – $165,690 | 1,350 |
| 27 | LawyersDoctoral or professional degree | $144,910 | $77,210 – $342,110 | 3,780 |
| 28 | Managers, All OtherBachelor's degree | $144,730 | $93,640 – $244,250 | 2,060 |
| 29 | Nuclear EngineersBachelor's degree | $140,460 | $101,870 – $175,040 | 350 |
| 30 | Fundraising ManagersBachelor's degree | $140,260 | $85,960 – $265,620 | 110 |
| 31 | Industrial Production ManagersBachelor's degree | $136,030 | $83,590 – $211,230 | 470 |
| 32 | Database ArchitectsBachelor's degree | $133,770 | $100,670 – $172,300 | 440 |
| 33 | Computer Hardware EngineersBachelor's degree | $132,270 | $77,390 – $200,590 | 70 |
| 34 | Software DevelopersBachelor's degree | $132,120 | $84,290 – $208,990 | 7,680 |
| 35 | ActuariesBachelor's degree | $131,900 | $93,740 – $212,740 | 120 |
| 36 | Law Teachers, PostsecondaryDoctoral or professional degree | $131,340 | $50,030 – $278,150 | — |
| 37 | OptometristsDoctoral or professional degree | $131,080 | $64,000 – $191,770 | 180 |
| 38 | Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight EngineersBachelor's degree | $130,100 | $55,810 – $326,430 | 50 |
| 39 | Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific ProductsBachelor's degree | $129,880 | $64,430 – $170,510 | 1,010 |
| 40 | Medical and Health Services ManagersBachelor's degree | $129,660 | $80,600 – $215,320 | 1,760 |
| 41 | Computer Network ArchitectsBachelor's degree | $129,210 | $77,310 – $178,370 | 870 |
| 42 | Economics Teachers, PostsecondaryDoctoral or professional degree | $128,470 | $64,010 – $214,720 | 60 |
| 43 | Nurse PractitionersMaster's degree | $127,820 | $96,720 – $147,610 | 1,440 |
| 44 | Education Administrators, PostsecondaryMaster's degree | $126,850 | $79,770 – $348,750 | 540 |
| 45 | Physician AssistantsMaster's degree | $126,810 | $93,040 – $171,850 | 620 |
| 46 | Natural Sciences ManagersBachelor's degree | $126,610 | $95,510 – $193,810 | 290 |
| 47 | Information Security AnalystsBachelor's degree | $126,230 | $76,560 – $173,680 | 1,690 |
| 48 | Data ScientistsBachelor's degree | $122,510 | $68,510 – $208,170 | 1,050 |
| 49 | Nuclear TechniciansAssociate's degree | $122,210 | $86,170 – $157,570 | 60 |
| 50 | VeterinariansDoctoral or professional degree | $121,670 | $81,070 – $216,120 | 420 |