Industries with the highest employment in Richmond
Written by:
February 25, 2021
Updated on February 26, 2021
Canva
Industries with the highest employment in Richmond
The COVID-19 pandemic radically altered the U.S. economy, with unemployment peaking at , according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). While jobs have been gaining since, millions of out-of-work Americans are still searching for jobs.
Before COVID-19 gutted the economy, the United States' economic landscape was , with health care, computer systems design, and scientific industries leading a push for more employment. On the flip side, industries like wired telecommunications, postal service, and textile production are showing a rapid decline. With the development of newer and more advanced technologies every day, the job landscape is shifting and so are the pay demands and prerequisite skills. There is a strong correlation between advanced education and a higher salary鈥攚orkers with higher education levels have higher wages and lower unemployment rates. Of course, it should be noted that obstacles remain for universal access to quality higher education.
compiled a list of industries with the highest employment in Richmond, VA Metro Area using data from . Industries are ranked by number of employees as of 2019.
Keep reading to see which industries in Richmond are the surest bets for employment.
You may also like:
Highest-rated Italian restaurants in Richmond by diners
#19. Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction
Richmond, VA Metro Area
- Employed: 612 (0.1% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: -5.0%
National
- Employed: 799,011
- Percent of total employment: 0.5%
- #19 most common industry nationwide
- Employed: 612 (0.1% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: -5.0%
National
- Employed: 799,011
- Percent of total employment: 0.5%
- #19 most common industry nationwide
#18. Management of companies and enterprises
Richmond, VA Metro Area
- Employed: 917 (0.1% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +87.9%
National
- Employed: 232,031
- Percent of total employment: 0.1%
- #20 most common industry nationwide
- Employed: 917 (0.1% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +87.9%
National
- Employed: 232,031
- Percent of total employment: 0.1%
- #20 most common industry nationwide
#17. Utilities
Richmond, VA Metro Area
- Employed: 6,897 (1.0% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: -17.4%
National
- Employed: 1,272,369
- Percent of total employment: 0.8%
- #18 most common industry nationwide
- Employed: 6,897 (1.0% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: -17.4%
National
- Employed: 1,272,369
- Percent of total employment: 0.8%
- #18 most common industry nationwide
#16. Information
Richmond, VA Metro Area
- Employed: 7,857 (1.2% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: -13.0%
National
- Employed: 2,959,616
- Percent of total employment: 1.9%
- #16 most common industry nationwide
- Employed: 7,857 (1.2% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: -13.0%
National
- Employed: 2,959,616
- Percent of total employment: 1.9%
- #16 most common industry nationwide
#15. Real estate and rental and leasing
Richmond, VA Metro Area
- Employed: 9,918 (1.5% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: -13.4%
National
- Employed: 3,034,330
- Percent of total employment: 1.9%
- #15 most common industry nationwide
- Employed: 9,918 (1.5% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: -13.4%
National
- Employed: 3,034,330
- Percent of total employment: 1.9%
- #15 most common industry nationwide
You may also like:
Cities with the most expensive homes in the Richmond metro area
#14. Arts, entertainment, and recreation
Richmond, VA Metro Area
- Employed: 13,992 (2.1% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +14.4%
National
- Employed: 3,532,697
- Percent of total employment: 2.2%
- #14 most common industry nationwide
- Employed: 13,992 (2.1% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +14.4%
National
- Employed: 3,532,697
- Percent of total employment: 2.2%
- #14 most common industry nationwide
#13. Wholesale trade
Richmond, VA Metro Area
- Employed: 16,074 (2.4% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: -2.5%
National
- Employed: 4,013,368
- Percent of total employment: 2.5%
- #13 most common industry nationwide
- Employed: 16,074 (2.4% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: -2.5%
National
- Employed: 4,013,368
- Percent of total employment: 2.5%
- #13 most common industry nationwide
#12. Administrative and support and waste management services
Richmond, VA Metro Area
- Employed: 26,806 (4.0% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: -4.7%
National
- Employed: 6,766,918
- Percent of total employment: 4.3%
- #12 most common industry nationwide
- Employed: 26,806 (4.0% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: -4.7%
National
- Employed: 6,766,918
- Percent of total employment: 4.3%
- #12 most common industry nationwide
#11. Transportation and warehousing
Richmond, VA Metro Area
- Employed: 28,411 (4.3% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +36.7%
National
- Employed: 7,665,636
- Percent of total employment: 4.8%
- #8 most common industry nationwide
- Employed: 28,411 (4.3% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +36.7%
National
- Employed: 7,665,636
- Percent of total employment: 4.8%
- #8 most common industry nationwide
#10. Other services, except public administration
Richmond, VA Metro Area
- Employed: 36,550 (5.5% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +31.0%
National
- Employed: 7,584,054
- Percent of total employment: 4.8%
- #9 most common industry nationwide
- Employed: 36,550 (5.5% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +31.0%
National
- Employed: 7,584,054
- Percent of total employment: 4.8%
- #9 most common industry nationwide
You may also like:
Highest-rated restaurants for tacos in the Richmond area by diners
#9. Public administration
Richmond, VA Metro Area
- Employed: 39,242 (5.9% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: -15.0%
National
- Employed: 7,140,292
- Percent of total employment: 4.5%
- #11 most common industry nationwide
- Employed: 39,242 (5.9% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: -15.0%
National
- Employed: 7,140,292
- Percent of total employment: 4.5%
- #11 most common industry nationwide
#8. Accommodation and food services
Richmond, VA Metro Area
- Employed: 44,341 (6.7% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +32.2%
National
- Employed: 11,801,878
- Percent of total employment: 7.4%
- #5 most common industry nationwide
- Employed: 44,341 (6.7% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +32.2%
National
- Employed: 11,801,878
- Percent of total employment: 7.4%
- #5 most common industry nationwide
#7. Professional, scientific, and technical services
Richmond, VA Metro Area
- Employed: 46,666 (7.0% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +13.6%
National
- Employed: 11,765,340
- Percent of total employment: 7.4%
- #6 most common industry nationwide
- Employed: 46,666 (7.0% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +13.6%
National
- Employed: 11,765,340
- Percent of total employment: 7.4%
- #6 most common industry nationwide
#6. Finance and insurance
Richmond, VA Metro Area
- Employed: 46,941 (7.1% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: -5.2%
National
- Employed: 7,263,440
- Percent of total employment: 4.6%
- #10 most common industry nationwide
- Employed: 46,941 (7.1% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: -5.2%
National
- Employed: 7,263,440
- Percent of total employment: 4.6%
- #10 most common industry nationwide
#5. Manufacturing
Richmond, VA Metro Area
- Employed: 47,004 (7.1% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: -1.6%
National
- Employed: 15,770,698
- Percent of total employment: 9.9%
- #3 most common industry nationwide
- Employed: 47,004 (7.1% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: -1.6%
National
- Employed: 15,770,698
- Percent of total employment: 9.9%
- #3 most common industry nationwide
You may also like:
Highest-paying jobs for people with 2-year degrees in Richmond
#4. Construction
Richmond, VA Metro Area
- Employed: 50,042 (7.5% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +30.3%
National
- Employed: 11,036,894
- Percent of total employment: 7.0%
- #7 most common industry nationwide
- Employed: 50,042 (7.5% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +30.3%
National
- Employed: 11,036,894
- Percent of total employment: 7.0%
- #7 most common industry nationwide
#3. Educational services
Richmond, VA Metro Area
- Employed: 64,743 (9.8% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +23.1%
National
- Employed: 14,839,461
- Percent of total employment: 9.3%
- #4 most common industry nationwide
- Employed: 64,743 (9.8% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +23.1%
National
- Employed: 14,839,461
- Percent of total employment: 9.3%
- #4 most common industry nationwide
#2. Retail trade
Richmond, VA Metro Area
- Employed: 78,488 (11.8% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +13.6%
National
- Employed: 17,216,634
- Percent of total employment: 10.8%
- #2 most common industry nationwide
- Employed: 78,488 (11.8% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +13.6%
National
- Employed: 17,216,634
- Percent of total employment: 10.8%
- #2 most common industry nationwide
#1. Health care and social assistance
Richmond, VA Metro Area
- Employed: 95,013 (14.3% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +26.3%
National
- Employed: 22,131,751
- Percent of total employment: 13.9%
- #1 most common industry nationwide
- Employed: 95,013 (14.3% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +26.3%
National
- Employed: 22,131,751
- Percent of total employment: 13.9%
- #1 most common industry nationwide
