What this means Our calculation
10 of 20 trades here pay more than the typical U.S. metro; the best-paid is construction supervisors at $78,980. Prices run 1% below the U.S. average, so a paycheck here is worth about the same than the same dollars elsewhere. For the wider job market, unemployment is lower than most metros (3.0%) and the population is growing at a typical pace (+3.1% since 2020).
Highest-paying trades in Charlottesville Government data
All 20 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Construction Supervisor | $78,980 | +2% | $79,660 | 680 | #147 |
| Telecom Equipment Installer | $77,480 | +24% | $78,147 | 80 | #41 |
| Building Inspector | $69,380 | +3% | $69,978 | 100 | #150 |
| Electrician | $62,980 | +1% | $63,522 | 460 | #189 |
| Diesel Mechanic | $62,060 | +3% | $62,595 | 130 | #134 |
| Industrial Machinery Mechanic | $60,360 | -5% | $60,880 | 100 | #306 |
| Heavy Equipment Operator | $59,790 | +0% | $60,305 | 310 | #194 |
| HVAC Technician | $59,540 | -0% | $60,053 | 420 | #197 |
| Auto Mechanic | $59,130 | +21% | $59,639 | 430 | #48 |
| Welder | $57,420 | +10% | $57,915 | 90 | #107 |
| Auto Body Repairer | $57,380 | +11% | $57,874 | 90 | #92 |
| Plumber | $56,510 | -8% | $56,997 | 240 | #293 |
| Carpenter | $56,090 | -0% | $56,573 | 630 | #197 |
| Machinist | $55,600 | -3% | $56,079 | 50 | #209 |
| Brickmason | $52,800 | -16% | $53,255 | 30 | #118 |
| Concrete Finisher | $51,230 | -11% | $51,671 | 90 | #205 |
| Maintenance Technician | $48,170 | -0% | $48,585 | 1,060 | #200 |
| Painter | $45,800 | -4% | $46,195 | 180 | #249 |
| Construction Laborer | $45,080 | -4% | $45,468 | 570 | #245 |
| Landscaper | $37,860 | +1% | $38,186 | 900 | #175 |
Pay: BLS OEWS, May 2025 (metro-level). Real pay: BEA price parities, 2024. How we calculate
Living costs & homes Government data
Homes in Charlottesville
The Charlottesville area has about 101,747 homes. 39% were built before 1980 (typical metro 45%), so its housing is newer than most; 16% were built in 2010 or later. 68% of households own their home, and the median home value is $466,600.
Census American Community Survey, 2024 1-year estimates (table DP04).
Working outdoors in Charlottesville Government data
In an average year, Charlottesville has 34 days at 90°F or hotter (about typical; typical metro 33), including 1 at 100°F or more, 88 nights below freezing (typical 90) and 70 days with a tenth of an inch of rain or more. Summer afternoons average 88°F and winter nights 31°F. That matters for outdoor trades: heat and freezes shape the working season and the hours.
NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020 averages, Charlottesville Airport, VA station. Compare cities on outdoor work weather.
Job market & growth Government data
Unemployment
3.0% in 2025 (typical metro 4.1%), all workers.
BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, 2021–2025.
Population
The Charlottesville area's population grew 3.1% from 2020 to 2025 (221,638 → 228,597), ranking #164 of 387 metros for growth (typical metro +2.5%). People moving in (net +6,190) account for most of the change.
Census Bureau population estimates, July 1 of each year, 2020–2025.
New homes permitted
New-home permits in Charlottesville are up 50% from 2021 to 2025 (1,427 → 2,135). Permits signal construction activity, not open jobs.
Census Building Permits Survey, 2021–2025.
Getting to work
The average commute in the Charlottesville area is 24 minutes each way, about the same as the typical metro (24 min). 12% of commuters spend 45 minutes or more. 64% drive alone, 2% take transit and 19% 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.