What this means Our calculation
2 of 28 trades here pay more than the typical U.S. metro; the best-paid is telecom line installers at $91,120. Prices run 11% below the U.S. average, so a paycheck here is worth more than the same dollars elsewhere. For the wider job market, unemployment is lower than most metros (3.7%) and the population is growing at a typical pace (+2.9% since 2020).
Highest-paying trades in Lynchburg Government data
All 28 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Telecom Line Installer | $91,120 | +38% | $101,966 | 40 | #42 |
| Construction Supervisor | $65,380 | -15% | $73,162 | 540 | #344 |
| Building Inspector | $64,000 | -5% | $71,618 | 100 | #212 |
| Machinist | $61,140 | +7% | $68,418 | 480 | #75 |
| Rigger | $60,040 | -1% | $67,187 | 50 | #38 |
| Telecom Equipment Installer | $59,970 | -4% | $67,108 | 50 | #222 |
| Industrial Machinery Mechanic | $59,860 | -6% | $66,985 | 490 | #322 |
| Diesel Mechanic | $59,500 | -1% | $66,582 | 370 | #228 |
| Electrician | $58,750 | -6% | $65,743 | 380 | #272 |
| HVAC Technician | $58,500 | -2% | $65,463 | 530 | #233 |
| Plumber | $57,210 | -7% | $64,020 | 330 | #281 |
| Ironworker | $56,440 | -12% | $63,158 | 70 | #117 |
| Brickmason | $52,270 | -17% | $58,492 | 110 | #121 |
| Welder | $51,970 | -1% | $58,156 | 610 | #197 |
| Heavy Equipment Operator | $50,100 | -16% | $56,063 | 230 | #278 |
| Drywall Installer | $48,610 | -10% | $54,396 | 50 | #119 |
| Carpenter | $48,270 | -14% | $54,016 | 480 | #310 |
| Maintenance Technician | $47,920 | -1% | $53,624 | 880 | #209 |
| Septic & Sewer Technician | $47,780 | -6% | $53,467 | 40 | #103 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $47,090 | -23% | $52,695 | 140 | #238 |
| Auto Mechanic | $46,970 | -4% | $52,561 | 590 | #286 |
| Roofer | $46,160 | -8% | $51,654 | 70 | #222 |
| Pest Control Technician | $43,680 | -2% | $48,879 | 50 | #136 |
| Painter | $38,990 | -18% | $43,631 | 110 | #337 |
| Construction Laborer | $38,400 | -18% | $42,971 | 600 | #328 |
| Insulation Installer | $38,230 | -21% | $42,781 | 50 | #103 |
| Concrete Finisher | $36,840 | -36% | $41,225 | 100 | #332 |
| Landscaper | $35,400 | -6% | $39,614 | 670 | #329 |
Pay: BLS OEWS, May 2025 (metro-level). Real pay: BEA price parities, 2024. How we calculate
Living costs & homes Government data
Homes in Lynchburg
The Lynchburg area has about 121,153 homes. 48% were built before 1980 (typical metro 45%), so its housing is older than most; 11% were built in 2010 or later. Older homes often need more repair, replacement and upgrade work. 72% of households own their home, and the median home value is $268,700.
Census American Community Survey, 2024 1-year estimates (table DP04).
Working outdoors in Lynchburg Government data
In an average year, Lynchburg has 27 days at 90°F or hotter (about typical; typical metro 33), 94 nights below freezing (typical 90) and 74 days with a tenth of an inch of rain or more, and 12 inches of snow. Summer afternoons average 85°F and winter nights 28°F. That matters for outdoor trades: heat and freezes shape the working season and the hours.
NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020 averages, Lynchburg Rgnl Airport, VA station. Compare cities on outdoor work weather.
Job market & growth Government data
Unemployment
3.7% in 2025 (typical metro 4.1%), all workers.
BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, 2021–2025.
Population
The Lynchburg area's population grew 2.9% from 2020 to 2025 (261,650 → 269,169), ranking #177 of 387 metros for growth (typical metro +2.5%). People moving in (net +9,663) account for more than all of the change.
Census Bureau population estimates, July 1 of each year, 2020–2025.
New homes permitted
New-home permits in Lynchburg are up 61% from 2021 to 2025 (692 → 1,115). Permits signal construction activity, not open jobs.
Census Building Permits Survey, 2021–2025.
Getting to work
The average commute in the Lynchburg area is 24 minutes each way, about the same as the typical metro (24 min). 12% of commuters spend 45 minutes or more. 75% drive alone, 1% take transit and 12% 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.