Updated May 2026 · BLS OEWS 2025 reference period
65 Highest Paying Jobs in Richmond, VA (2026)
The highest-paying job in Richmond, VA, Virginia is Obstetrician/Gynecologist with a median salary of $224,240 as of 2026, based on Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data. Across all 65 tracked occupations the average median is $110,020, with 38 occupations paying a six-figure ($100K+) median. Richmond, VA has a cost-of-living index of 102.1 (national average = 100), so a $110,020 nominal salary equals $107,757 in average-cost-metro buying power.
The 65 occupations below are ranked by median wage in Richmond, VA, VA, from BLS OEWS data. Richmond, VA's cost-of-living index runs 102.1 (national baseline = 100), which shapes the headline-wage interpretation. Top-paying occupations in any U.S. metro typically cluster around physicians, dentists, executives, tech specialists, and licensed professionals. The specific top of the list varies with local industry concentration: tech-heavy metros boost software-engineering ranks, finance-heavy metros boost banking ranks.
Each role on the ranking links to the per-role-and-city page with full percentile distribution (p10 to p90), employment count, and cost-adjusted wage. For workers comparing offers within Richmond, VA, the percentile data is the most decision-relevant.
Top 10 Highest-Paying Jobs in Richmond, VA
Ranked by median (50th percentile) salary. The COL-Adjusted column rebases each nominal salary to Richmond, VA's cost-of-living index of 102.1 so you can compare buying power against an average-cost U.S. metro.
Median $224,240 · 10th–90th $172,490–$321,940 · 250 jobs in metro
Obstetrician/Gynecologists in Richmond, VA earn $224,240 median, with top earners (90th percentile) over $321,940.
Median $218,880 · 10th–90th $128,340–$308,250 · 650 jobs in metro
Dentists in Richmond, VA earn $218,880 median, with top earners (90th percentile) over $308,250.
Median $208,750 · 10th–90th $103,720–$362,260 · 410 jobs in metro
Family Medicine Physicians in Richmond, VA earn $208,750 median, with top earners (90th percentile) over $362,260.
Median $180,640 · 10th–90th $127,310–$301,510 · 1,900 jobs in metro
Computer and Information Systems Managers in Richmond, VA earn $180,640 median, with top earners (90th percentile) over $301,510.
Median $174,130 · 10th–90th $103,000–$272,460 · 1,090 jobs in metro
Marketing Managers in Richmond, VA earn $174,130 median, with top earners (90th percentile) over $272,460.
Median $173,140 · 10th–90th $108,940–$302,060 · 3,480 jobs in metro
Financial Managers in Richmond, VA earn $173,140 median, with top earners (90th percentile) over $302,060.
Median $168,590 · 10th–90th $90,440–$296,170 · 1,320 jobs in metro
Sales Managers in Richmond, VA earn $168,590 median, with top earners (90th percentile) over $296,170.
Median $165,370 · 10th–90th $143,580–$352,200 · 130 jobs in metro
Pediatricians in Richmond, VA earn $165,370 median, with top earners (90th percentile) over $352,200.
Median $162,910 · 10th–90th $103,860–$216,170 · 160 jobs in metro
Software Quality Assurance Analysts in Richmond, VA earn $162,910 median, with top earners (90th percentile) over $216,170.
Median $152,190 · 10th–90th $99,800–$253,890 · 960 jobs in metro
Human Resources Managers in Richmond, VA earn $152,190 median, with top earners (90th percentile) over $253,890.
Full Ranking (65 Occupations)
| Rank | Role | Category | Median | 10th–90th | COL-Adjusted | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Obstetrician/Gynecologist | Healthcare | $224,240 | $172,490–$321,940 | $219,628 | 250 |
| 2 | Dentist | Healthcare | $218,880 | $128,340–$308,250 | $214,378 | 650 |
| 3 | Family Medicine Physician | Healthcare | $208,750 | $103,720–$362,260 | $204,456 | 410 |
| 4 | Computer and Information Systems Manager | Technology | $180,640 | $127,310–$301,510 | $176,925 | 1,900 |
| 5 | Marketing Manager | Management | $174,130 | $103,000–$272,460 | $170,548 | 1,090 |
| 6 | Financial Manager | Finance | $173,140 | $108,940–$302,060 | $169,579 | 3,480 |
| 7 | Sales Manager | Management | $168,590 | $90,440–$296,170 | $165,122 | 1,320 |
| 8 | Pediatrician | Healthcare | $165,370 | $143,580–$352,200 | $161,969 | 130 |
| 9 | Software Quality Assurance Analyst | Technology | $162,910 | $103,860–$216,170 | $159,559 | 160 |
| 10 | Human Resources Manager | Management | $152,190 | $99,800–$253,890 | $149,060 | 960 |
| 11 | Pharmacist | Healthcare | $144,940 | $106,310–$165,690 | $141,959 | 1,350 |
| 12 | Lawyer | Legal | $144,910 | $77,210–$342,110 | $141,929 | 3,780 |
| 13 | Software Developer | Technology | $132,120 | $84,290–$208,990 | $129,403 | 7,680 |
| 14 | Optometrist | Healthcare | $131,080 | $64,000–$191,770 | $128,384 | 180 |
| 15 | Medical and Health Services Manager | Healthcare | $129,660 | $80,600–$215,320 | $126,993 | 1,760 |
| 16 | Computer Network Architect | Technology | $129,210 | $77,310–$178,370 | $126,552 | 870 |
| 17 | Nurse Practitioner | Healthcare | $127,820 | $96,720–$147,610 | $125,191 | 1,440 |
| 18 | Physician Assistant | Healthcare | $126,810 | $93,040–$171,850 | $124,202 | 620 |
| 19 | Information Security Analyst | Technology | $126,230 | $76,560–$173,680 | $123,634 | 1,690 |
| 20 | Data Scientist | Technology | $122,510 | $68,510–$208,170 | $119,990 | 1,050 |
| 21 | Veterinarian | Healthcare | $121,670 | $81,070–$216,120 | $119,167 | 420 |
| 22 | Web Designer | Technology | $117,090 | $69,730–$153,990 | $114,682 | 0 |
| 23 | Electrical Engineer | Engineering | $116,760 | $80,730–$159,310 | $114,358 | 1,160 |
| 24 | Computer Programmer | Technology | $112,690 | $61,540–$162,880 | $110,372 | 310 |
| 25 | Computer Occupations (Other) | Technology | $111,070 | $57,610–$164,760 | $108,786 | 1,280 |
| 26 | Personal Financial Advisor | Finance | $110,910 | $56,100–$377,000 | $108,629 | 1,350 |
| 27 | Operations Research Analyst | Technology | $109,650 | $53,810–$159,410 | $107,395 | 1,020 |
| 28 | General and Operations Manager | Management | $108,670 | $57,070–$229,230 | $106,435 | 15,770 |
| 29 | Engineers (Other) | Engineering | $107,990 | $70,050–$166,430 | $105,769 | 330 |
| 30 | Software Quality Assurance Tester | Technology | $106,300 | $73,200–$159,050 | $104,114 | 720 |
| 31 | Occupational Therapist | Healthcare | $105,550 | $76,930–$122,460 | $103,379 | 740 |
| 32 | Computer Systems Analyst | Technology | $105,190 | $72,410–$168,410 | $103,026 | 2,990 |
| 33 | Dental Hygienist | Healthcare | $104,250 | $94,870–$119,350 | $102,106 | 780 |
| 34 | Financial Analyst | Finance | $104,160 | $61,660–$178,600 | $102,018 | 1,630 |
| 35 | Mechanical Engineer | Engineering | $104,130 | $73,990–$139,800 | $101,988 | 640 |
| 36 | Industrial Engineer | Engineering | $103,180 | $76,920–$157,420 | $101,058 | 740 |
| 37 | Physical Therapist | Healthcare | $102,700 | $77,870–$125,890 | $100,588 | 1,300 |
| 38 | Financial Examiner | Finance | $100,540 | $60,920–$168,060 | $98,472 | 510 |
| 39 | Network Architect | Technology | $99,750 | $63,670–$159,170 | $97,698 | 1,660 |
| 40 | Database Architect | Technology | $99,690 | $55,690–$158,160 | $97,640 | 600 |
| 41 | Business Professor (Postsecondary) | Education | $98,170 | $47,750–$221,250 | $96,151 | 400 |
| 42 | Speech-Language Pathologist | Healthcare | $96,080 | $67,700–$124,800 | $94,104 | 770 |
| 43 | Architect | Engineering | $95,860 | $60,170–$162,380 | $93,888 | 410 |
| 44 | Management Analyst | Management | $95,660 | $58,610–$159,600 | $93,692 | 6,340 |
| 45 | Registered Nurse | Healthcare | $93,580 | $74,730–$117,970 | $91,655 | 15,700 |
| 46 | Civil Engineer | Engineering | $91,300 | $73,060–$136,860 | $89,422 | 1,680 |
| 47 | Accountant | Finance | $84,220 | $59,290–$134,290 | $82,488 | 7,920 |
| 48 | Market Research Analyst | Management | $81,660 | $45,080–$170,120 | $79,980 | 4,550 |
| 49 | Statistician | Technology | $81,620 | $52,940–$138,740 | $79,941 | 160 |
| 50 | Audiologist | Healthcare | $80,010 | $80,000–$88,200 | $78,364 | 0 |
| 51 | Public Relations Specialist | Creative | $75,730 | $46,870–$128,120 | $74,172 | 1,760 |
| 52 | Writer/Author | Creative | $74,300 | $44,190–$97,450 | $72,772 | 230 |
| 53 | Loan Officer | Finance | $69,610 | $40,190–$129,060 | $68,178 | 1,480 |
| 54 | Graphic Designer | Creative | $66,350 | $39,220–$106,140 | $64,985 | 760 |
| 55 | Computer Network Support Specialist | Technology | $65,460 | $42,750–$111,610 | $64,114 | 610 |
| 56 | Web Developer | Technology | $63,660 | $43,900–$108,270 | $62,351 | 230 |
| 57 | Paralegal | Legal | $62,940 | $48,400–$91,960 | $61,645 | 1,930 |
| 58 | Secondary School Teacher | Education | $62,000 | $50,490–$80,750 | $60,725 | 4,420 |
| 59 | Clinical Laboratory Technologist | Healthcare | $61,830 | $42,000–$95,650 | $60,558 | 0 |
| 60 | Automotive Technician | Trades | $61,510 | $36,550–$81,850 | $60,245 | 2,930 |
| 61 | Plumber | Trades | $61,480 | $44,420–$77,490 | $60,215 | 2,340 |
| 62 | Electrician | Trades | $61,350 | $39,070–$80,740 | $60,088 | 3,600 |
| 63 | Elementary School Teacher | Education | $61,290 | $51,180–$82,980 | $60,029 | 5,270 |
| 64 | Welder | Trades | $57,710 | $42,950–$83,920 | $56,523 | 1,260 |
| 65 | Carpenter | Trades | $51,870 | $37,990–$69,640 | $50,803 | 3,070 |
Why These Roles Pay the Most in Richmond, VA
Richmond, VA's pay distribution reflects its mix of regional employers and industries, plus the local cost of living that affects nominal salary levels in the BLS data.
An average median salary above $90K places this metro in the top tier of U.S. cities for nominal pay. Most of that premium accrues to the upper percentiles of skilled and managerial occupations; entry-level and service-sector pay is closer to national norms.
Richmond, VA's cost-of-living index of 102.1 is close to the U.S. average. Nominal salaries here translate roughly one-for-one into purchasing power; the COL-Adjusted column will be very close to the median column for every row.
How to Use This Ranking
For salary negotiation, the median is a starting anchor — not the ceiling. A Obstetrician/Gynecologist with five-plus years of experience in Richmond, VA should be benchmarking against the 75th percentile ($273,090) or 90th percentile ($321,940), not the $224,240 median. Use the salary percentile calculator to place any specific salary into the BLS distribution for any role-and-city pair.
For cross-city comparisons, ignore the nominal Median column and look at COL-Adjusted. A $224K Obstetrician/Gynecologist salary in Richmond, VA (COL 102.1) translates to $220K of buying power in an average-cost metro — that is the apples-to-apples figure when weighing a relocation. Read the methodology behind these adjustments in our methodology page.
For job hunting, focus on the top-10 ranking above and on the role-by-role detail pages — each links through to a Obstetrician/Gynecologist in Richmond, VA page with full percentile breakdowns, year-over-year change, and prevailing-wage references for H-1B / PERM applicants.
Frequently Asked Questions
The highest paying job in Richmond, VA is Obstetrician/Gynecologist with a median salary of $224,240 and a 90th-percentile reading of $321,940. The role employs roughly 250 workers in this metro according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics' 2025 OEWS data.
38 of the 65 BLS-tracked occupations in Richmond, VA have a median salary of $100,000 or higher. That is well above what most U.S. metros offer. See the full list ranked by median salary above.
Across 65 BLS-tracked occupations, the average median salary in Richmond, VA is $110,020. The cost-of-living index is 102.1, so adjusted to a national-average baseline, the average is $107,757 in equivalent purchasing power.
Richmond, VA has a cost-of-living index of 102.1, near the national average. Nominal pay translates roughly to face value, making it a strong choice for many careers — particularly the Obstetrician/Gynecologist, Dentist, Family Medicine Physician occupations at the top of the ranking.
Every wage figure on this page is sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program at bls.gov/oes — public domain federal survey data covering about 1.2 million U.S. employers across all industries. The OEWS publishes 10th, 25th, 50th (median), 75th, and 90th percentile wages by Metropolitan Statistical Area and Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code. The same data is used by the Department of Labor for prevailing wage determinations.
Related Pages
Rankings based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2025 reference period. COL adjustments use a composite cost-of-living index calibrated to U.S. average = 100.
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2026.