Highest paying jobs in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC
The best paying occupations in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC 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 | MedianVirginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | 10th–90th percentilemiddle half shaded darker | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | AnesthesiologistsDoctoral or professional degree | $500,990 | $40,160 – $507,500 | — |
| 2 | Orthopedic Surgeons, Except PediatricDoctoral or professional degree | $478,700 | $151,810 – $479,080 | — |
| 3 | CardiologistsDoctoral or professional degree | $430,900 | $217,500 – $585,050 | 230 |
| 4 | Chief ExecutivesBachelor's degree | $297,350 | $124,010 – $612,350 | 530 |
| 5 | PsychiatristsDoctoral or professional degree | $277,010 | $101,660 – $386,180 | 50 |
| 6 | Physicians, All OtherDoctoral or professional degree | $266,280 | $93,350 – $386,760 | 1,050 |
| 7 | Surgeons, All OtherDoctoral or professional degree | $252,140 | $67,990 – $477,770 | 30 |
| 8 | Nurse AnesthetistsMaster's degree | $233,060 | $207,230 – $387,020 | — |
| 9 | Family Medicine PhysiciansDoctoral or professional degree | $213,690 | $63,550 – $662,920 | 560 |
| 10 | Dentists, GeneralDoctoral or professional degree | $177,400 | $106,470 – $298,950 | 720 |
| 11 | Computer and Information Systems ManagersBachelor's degree | $170,560 | $110,140 – $263,320 | 1,360 |
| 12 | Financial ManagersBachelor's degree | $163,940 | $93,280 – $275,850 | 2,290 |
| 13 | Architectural and Engineering ManagersBachelor's degree | $161,340 | $126,380 – $216,030 | 750 |
| 14 | Sales ManagersBachelor's degree | $158,750 | $78,410 – $285,200 | 1,270 |
| 15 | Marketing ManagersBachelor's degree | $155,300 | $96,330 – $248,570 | 610 |
| 16 | Public Relations ManagersBachelor's degree | $152,990 | $91,020 – $250,450 | 200 |
| 17 | Managers, All OtherBachelor's degree | $143,230 | $104,040 – $193,250 | 2,300 |
| 18 | Purchasing ManagersBachelor's degree | $143,230 | $104,260 – $201,000 | 500 |
| 19 | Human Resources ManagersBachelor's degree | $140,410 | $99,270 – $217,170 | 680 |
| 20 | Aerospace EngineersBachelor's degree | $139,010 | $92,930 – $193,250 | 800 |
| 21 | PodiatristsDoctoral or professional degree | $138,700 | $67,990 – $254,260 | 60 |
| 22 | Engineers, All OtherBachelor's degree | $138,590 | $83,660 – $188,280 | 1,250 |
| 23 | PharmacistsDoctoral or professional degree | $136,280 | $109,810 – $166,400 | 1,470 |
| 24 | Psychologists, All OtherMaster's degree | $135,470 | $84,360 – $165,630 | 110 |
| 25 | Database ArchitectsBachelor's degree | $135,130 | $92,260 – $175,580 | 490 |
| 26 | LawyersDoctoral or professional degree | $133,380 | $75,690 – $313,680 | 2,280 |
| 27 | Computer and Information Research ScientistsMaster's degree | $132,870 | $87,340 – $181,400 | 460 |
| 28 | Computer Hardware EngineersBachelor's degree | $131,710 | $81,700 – $193,040 | 280 |
| 29 | Compensation and Benefits ManagersBachelor's degree | $131,140 | $80,330 – $195,810 | 70 |
| 30 | Industrial Production ManagersBachelor's degree | $130,850 | $88,400 – $208,910 | 380 |
| 31 | Fundraising ManagersBachelor's degree | $130,160 | $80,050 – $191,240 | 120 |
| 32 | Economics Teachers, PostsecondaryDoctoral or professional degree | $129,470 | $53,400 – $169,250 | 100 |
| 33 | Software DevelopersBachelor's degree | $129,090 | $80,090 – $178,830 | 7,160 |
| 34 | Natural Sciences ManagersBachelor's degree | $128,340 | $89,060 – $181,780 | 180 |
| 35 | Computer Science Teachers, PostsecondaryDoctoral or professional degree | $127,540 | $65,060 – $215,090 | 360 |
| 36 | Training and Development ManagersBachelor's degree | $127,350 | $98,920 – $183,120 | 140 |
| 37 | Physician AssistantsMaster's degree | $126,430 | $96,360 – $172,860 | 780 |
| 38 | Information Security AnalystsBachelor's degree | $126,030 | $74,670 – $174,330 | 1,490 |
| 39 | Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teachers, PostsecondaryDoctoral or professional degree | $125,320 | $72,880 – $210,160 | 70 |
| 40 | Nurse PractitionersMaster's degree | $124,530 | $101,530 – $143,530 | 1,300 |
| 41 | Medical and Health Services ManagersBachelor's degree | $123,900 | $67,800 – $207,160 | 2,210 |
| 42 | VeterinariansDoctoral or professional degree | $122,010 | $54,850 – $212,610 | 500 |
| 43 | Administrative Services ManagersBachelor's degree | $120,330 | $74,400 – $188,700 | 390 |
| 44 | Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific ProductsBachelor's degree | $119,270 | $61,410 – $165,770 | 400 |
| 45 | Air Traffic ControllersAssociate's degree | $119,230 | $84,740 – $148,700 | 90 |
| 46 | Physical Scientists, All OtherBachelor's degree | $117,640 | $65,670 – $193,250 | 310 |
| 47 | Education Administrators, All OtherBachelor's degree | $117,640 | $53,680 – $147,740 | 240 |
| 48 | Computer Occupations, All OtherBachelor's degree | $116,920 | $75,030 – $152,570 | 3,490 |
| 49 | Materials EngineersBachelor's degree | $116,720 | $83,840 – $168,460 | 190 |
| 50 | Nuclear TechniciansAssociate's degree | $114,910 | $75,300 – $136,500 | 90 |