What this means Our calculation
5 of 17 trades here pay more than the typical U.S. metro; the best-paid is electrical lineworkers at $84,840. Prices run 7% below the U.S. average, so a paycheck here is worth more than the same dollars elsewhere. For the wider job market, unemployment is about the same as most metros (4.1%) and the population is shrinking (-0.1% since 2020).
Highest-paying trades in Blacksburg Government data
All 17 trades
Vs. U.S. compares with the typical metro for that trade. Jobs are employment estimates, not open positions. Click a column to sort.
| Trade | Median pay | Vs. U.S. | Real pay | Jobs | U.S. rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical Lineworker | $84,840 | -12% | $91,511 | 50 | #163 |
| Industrial Machinery Mechanic | $65,150 | +2% | $70,273 | 330 | #169 |
| Building Inspector | $62,660 | -7% | $67,587 | 110 | #237 |
| Electrician | $62,490 | +0% | $67,404 | 270 | #192 |
| Machinist | $59,920 | +5% | $64,632 | 230 | #103 |
| Welder | $57,650 | +10% | $62,183 | 250 | #103 |
| Auto Body Repairer | $54,330 | +5% | $58,602 | 100 | #154 |
| Telecom Line Installer | $51,670 | -22% | $55,733 | 50 | #204 |
| HVAC Technician | $50,030 | -16% | $53,964 | 190 | #319 |
| Auto Mechanic | $48,500 | -1% | $52,314 | 440 | #218 |
| Maintenance Technician | $48,040 | -1% | $51,817 | 930 | #205 |
| Carpenter | $47,580 | -15% | $51,321 | 340 | #328 |
| Concrete Finisher | $45,500 | -21% | $49,078 | 40 | #294 |
| Pest Control Technician | $40,280 | -9% | $43,447 | 50 | #154 |
| Painter | $39,490 | -17% | $42,595 | 50 | #330 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $37,780 | -39% | $40,751 | 40 | #272 |
| Landscaper | $35,180 | -6% | $37,946 | 500 | #335 |
Pay: BLS OEWS, May 2025 (metro-level). Real pay: BEA price parities, 2024. How we calculate
Living costs & homes Government data
Homes in Blacksburg
The Blacksburg area has about 83,931 homes. 50% were built before 1980 (typical metro 45%), so its housing is older than most; 10% were built in 2010 or later. Older homes often need more repair, replacement and upgrade work. 65% of households own their home, and the median home value is $270,600.
Census American Community Survey, 2024 1-year estimates (table DP04).
Working outdoors in Blacksburg Government data
In an average year, Blacksburg has 5 days at 90°F or hotter (fewer than most metros; typical metro 33), 125 nights below freezing (typical 90) and 82 days with a tenth of an inch of rain or more, and 25 inches of snow. Summer afternoons average 81°F and winter nights 24°F. That matters for outdoor trades: heat and freezes shape the working season and the hours.
NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020 averages, Blacksburg Nwso, VA station. Compare cities on outdoor work weather.
Job market & growth Government data
Unemployment
4.1% in 2025 (typical metro 4.1%), all workers.
BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, 2021–2025.
Population
The Blacksburg area's population shrank 0.1% from 2020 to 2025 (181,771 → 181,616), ranking #300 of 387 metros for growth (typical metro +2.5%).
Census Bureau population estimates, July 1 of each year, 2020–2025.
New homes permitted
New-home permits in Blacksburg are up 27% from 2021 to 2025 (386 → 492). Permits signal construction activity, not open jobs.
Census Building Permits Survey, 2021–2025.
Getting to work
The average commute in the Blacksburg area is 22 minutes each way, shorter than the typical metro (24 min). 10% of commuters spend 45 minutes or more. 73% drive alone, 1% take transit and 9% work from home (all workers, not just trades).
Census American Community Survey, 2024 1-year estimates (table S0801).
Licensing in Virginia Official source
The main state licensing office in Virginia is the Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation. It can point you to the right license for skilled trades.
Official Virginia licensing site ↗
Requirements for skilled trades vary by state and sometimes by city; always confirm with the official agency.
Union membership
In 2025, 5.4% of wage and salary workers in Virginia were union members, below the U.S. rate of about 10% (#38 of 51 states and D.C.), and 6.4% were covered by a union contract. These figures cover all jobs in the state, not only the trades.
BLS Union Members, 2025 (Current Population Survey), table 5.
Nearby metros
Compare any trade in two cities with city vs. city, or see every metro in Virginia.