The time has never been better to begin a healthcare career in the State of Virginia. The Virginia Department of Labor projects that professions in the Health Science field will increase at some of the highest rates in the labor market. The state’s booming medical field industry is not unusual, though, as a similar trend is occurring throughout the country. Without a doubt, healthcare workers are in great demand just about everywhere. In a little bit of even better news for anybody thinking about going into the industry, based on the 2018 Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS), there are presently more than one million unfilled job openings (almost 50% of all positions) for healthcare personnel in the U.S.
A look at healthcare careers in Virginia
The rapid growth of the healthcare industry in Virginia contributes to the 18% growth rate that the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts for the nation by 2026. The unprecedented expansion in the healthcare system is being powered by the United States’s need to care for an increasingly aging populace. This environment has generated all kinds of opportunities for future professionals of all backgrounds.
The Best Healthcare Schools in Virginia
| School Name and Website | Address | School Type | # of Students | # of Undergrads | Grad Rate | Transfer-Out Rate | Net Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| American National University | 1813 East Main Street, Salem, Virginia 24153 | 4-year, primarily associate's, Private for-profit | 980 | 917 | 41% | NA | $20,558 |
| Appalachian College of Pharmacy | 1060 Dragon Road, Oakwood, Virginia 24631 | 4-year, Private not-for-profit | 210 | NA | NA | NA | |
| Argosy University-Northern Virginia | 1550 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 600, Arlington, Virginia 22209 | 4-year, Private for-profit | 477 | 55 | 0% | NA | NA |
| Averett University | 420 W Main St, Danville, Virginia 24541 | 4-year, Private not-for-profit | 927 | 927 | 40% | 48% | $22,592 |
| Averett University-Non-Traditional Programs | 420 W Main St, Danville, Virginia 24541 | 4-year, Private not-for-profit | 659 | 344 | NA | NA | $19,810 |
| Blue Ridge Community College | 1 College Lane, Weyers Cave, Virginia 24486-0080 | 2-year, Public | 4200 | 4200 | 31% | 12% | $7,970 |
| Bluefield College | 3000 College Avenue, Bluefield, Virginia 24605 | 4-year, Private not-for-profit | 997 | 948 | 21% | NA | $20,227 |
| Bon Secours Memorial College of Nursing | 8550 Magellan Parkway Suite 1100, Richmond, Virginia 23227-1149 | 4-year, Private not-for-profit | 477 | 477 | 100% | NA | NA |
| Bon Secours St Mary's Hospital School of Medical Imaging | 8550 Magellan Pkwy Ste 700, Richmond, Virginia 23227 | 2-year, Private not-for-profit | 30 | 30 | NA | NA | NA |
| Bridgewater College | 402 E College St, Bridgewater, Virginia 22812-1599 | 4-year, Private not-for-profit | 1889 | 1882 | 61% | NA | $19,957 |
| Bryant & Stratton College-Hampton | 4410 East Claiborne Square, Suite 233, Hampton, Virginia 23666 | 4-year, primarily associate's, Private for-profit | 303 | 303 | 13% | 2% | $16,510 |
| Bryant & Stratton College-Richmond | 8141 Hull St Rd, North Chesterfield, Virginia 23235 | 4-year, primarily associate's, Private for-profit | 675 | 675 | 20% | 4% | $15,448 |
| Bryant & Stratton College-Virginia Beach | 301 Centre Pointe Dr, Virginia Beach, Virginia 23462 | 4-year, primarily associate's, Private for-profit | 484 | 484 | 34% | 5% | $12,455 |
| Cayce/Reilly School of Massage | 215 67th Street, Virginia Beach, Virginia 23451 | < 2-year, Private not-for-profit | 28 | 28 | 94% | NA | $16,943 |
| Centra College of Nursing | 905 Lakeside Dr., Suite A, Lynchburg, Virginia 24501 | 4-year, primarily associate's, Private not-for-profit | 302 | 302 | NA | NA | NA |
| Central School of Practical Nursing | 1330 N Millitary Hwy, Norfolk, Virginia 23502 | < 2-year, Public | 18 | 18 | 100% | NA | $8,419 |
| Central Virginia Community College | 3506 Wards Rd, Lynchburg, Virginia 24502-2498 | 2-year, Public | 4128 | 4128 | 32% | 12% | $4,741 |
| Centura College-Chesapeake | 932 B Ventures Way, Chesapeake, Virginia 23320 | 4-year, primarily associate's, Private for-profit | 190 | 190 | 87% | NA | $22,958 |
| Centura College-Newport News | 616 Denbigh Blvd, Newport News, Virginia 23608 | 2-year, Private for-profit | 179 | 179 | 70% | NA | $25,051 |
| Centura College-Norfolk | 7020 North Military Highway, Norfolk, Virginia 23518-4833 | 2-year, Private for-profit | 193 | 193 | 91% | NA | $24,368 |
| Centura College-Richmond Main | 7914 Midlothian Turnpike, Richmond, Virginia 23235-5250 | 2-year, Private for-profit | 98 | 98 | 93% | NA | $26,385 |
| Centura College-Virginia Beach | 2697 Dean Dr Ste 100, Virginia Beach, Virginia 23452-7431 | 4-year, primarily associate's, Private for-profit | 150 | 150 | 51% | NA | $23,868 |
| CET-Alexandria | 6295 Edsall Rd, Plaza 500, Ste. 220, Alexandria, Virginia 22312 | < 2-year, Private not-for-profit | 114 | 114 | 57% | NA | $18,598 |
| Chamberlain University-Virginia | 2450 Crystal Drive, Arlington, Virginia 22202 | 4-year, Private for-profit | 501 | 501 | 50% | 50% | $19,931 |
| Chester Career College | 751 WEST HUNDRED ROAD, CHESTER, Virginia 23836 | 2-year, Private for-profit | 181 | 181 | 43% | NA | $16,536 |
| Columbia College | 5940 Centreville Crest Lane, Centreville, Virginia 20121 | 2-year, Private for-profit | 160 | 160 | 73% | 5% | $9,738 |
| Dabney S Lancaster Community College | 1000 Dabney Drive, Clifton Forge, Virginia 24422-1000 | 2-year, Public | 1260 | 1260 | 34% | 11% | $5,906 |
| Danville Community College | 1008 S Main St, Danville, Virginia 24541-4004 | 2-year, Public | 3101 | 3101 | 33% | 8% | $7,440 |
| DeVry University-Virginia | 2450 Crystal Dr., Arlington, Virginia 22202 | 4-year, Private for-profit | 436 | 227 | 41% | 20% | $33,227 |
| Eastern Mennonite University | 1200 Park Rd, Harrisonburg, Virginia 22802-2462 | 4-year, Private not-for-profit | 1530 | 1098 | 63% | NA | $23,952 |
| Eastern Shore Community College | 29300 Lankford Hwy, Melfa, Virginia 23410 | 2-year, Public | 644 | 644 | 30% | 17% | $5,538 |
| Eastern Virginia Career College | 10304 Spotsylvania Ave, Suite 400, Fredericksburg, Virginia 22408 | 2-year, Private for-profit | 195 | 195 | 69% | NA | $22,190 |
| Eastern Virginia Medical School | 700w. Olney, Norfolk, Virginia 23507 | 4-year, Public | 1256 | NA | NA | NA | |
| ECPI University | 5555 Greenwich Rd, Virginia Beach, Virginia 23462 | 4-year, primarily associate's, Private for-profit | 11972 | 11745 | 47% | 7% | $19,779 |
| Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine | 2265 Kraft Dr, Blacksburg, Virginia 24060 | 4-year, Private not-for-profit | 1969 | NA | NA | NA | |
| Emory & Henry College | 30461 Garnand Drive, Emory, Virginia 24327-0947 | 4-year, Private not-for-profit | 1226 | 1000 | 52% | 37% | $20,257 |
| Ferrum College | 215 Ferrum Mountain Road, Ferrum, Virginia 24088-9000 | 4-year, Private not-for-profit | 1137 | 1137 | 35% | 45% | $23,184 |
| Fortis College-Norfolk | 6300 Center Dr Bldg 22, Norfolk, Virginia 23502-4101 | 2-year, Private for-profit | 229 | 229 | 50% | NA | $24,791 |
| Fortis College-Richmond | 2000 Westmoreland Street, Suite A, Richmond, Virginia 23230 | 2-year, Private for-profit | 404 | 404 | 47% | NA | $22,224 |
| George Mason University | 4400 University Dr, Fairfax, Virginia 22030-4444 | 4-year, Public | 35984 | 25010 | 71% | 16% | $18,629 |
| Germanna Community College | 2130 Germanna Hwy, Locust Grove, Virginia 22508-2102 | 2-year, Public | 6688 | 6688 | 32% | 10% | $7,658 |
| Hampton University | 200 William R. Harvey Way, Hampton, Virginia 23668-0099 | 4-year, Private not-for-profit | 4618 | 3792 | 56% | 24% | $26,031 |
| Henrico County-Saint Marys Hospital School of Practical Nursing | 7850 Carousel Lane, Henrico, Virginia 23294 | < 2-year, Public | 93 | 93 | NA | NA | NA |
| J Sargeant Reynolds Community College | 1651 East Parham Road, Richmond, Virginia 23228-2327 | 2-year, Public | 9334 | 9334 | 18% | 16% | $6,865 |
| James Madison University | 800 South Main Street, Harrisonburg, Virginia 22807 | 4-year, Public | 21836 | 19975 | 83% | NA | $16,154 |
| Jefferson College of Health Sciences | 101 Elm Avenue SE, Roanoke, Virginia 24013 | 4-year, Private not-for-profit | 1151 | 775 | 46% | 36% | $29,398 |
| John Tyler Community College | 13101 Jefferson Davis Hwy, Chester, Virginia 23831-5316 | 2-year, Public | 10380 | 10380 | 23% | 12% | $6,435 |
| Liberty University | 1971 University Blvd, Lynchburg, Virginia 24515 | 4-year, Private not-for-profit | 75044 | 45754 | 47% | 20% | $26,954 |
| Longwood University | 201 High St, Farmville, Virginia 23909 | 4-year, Public | 5074 | 4472 | 68% | 8% | $18,227 |
| Lord Fairfax Community College | 173 Skirmisher Lane, Middletown, Virginia 22645 | 2-year, Public | 6891 | 6891 | 39% | 10% | $7,099 |
| Mary Baldwin University | 318 Prospect Street, Staunton, Virginia 24401 | 4-year, Private not-for-profit | 1654 | 1136 | 45% | 46% | $18,339 |
| Marymount University | 2807 N Glebe Rd, Arlington, Virginia 22207-4299 | 4-year, Private not-for-profit | 3375 | 2305 | 53% | NA | $25,387 |
| Mountain Empire Community College | 3441 Mountain Empire Road, Big Stone Gap, Virginia 24219 | 2-year, Public | 2684 | 2684 | 37% | 3% | $6,752 |
| New River Community College | 5251 College Drive, Dublin, Virginia 24084-1127 | 2-year, Public | 4626 | 4626 | 30% | 8% | $6,810 |
| Norfolk State University | 700 Park Avenue, Norfolk, Virginia 23504-8000 | 4-year, Public | 5303 | 4687 | 42% | 20% | $14,429 |
| Northern Virginia Community College | 4001 Wakefield Chapel Rd, Annandale, Virginia 22003-3796 | 2-year, Public | 51190 | 51190 | 25% | 16% | $9,719 |
| Northern Virginia School of Therapeutic Massage | 6402 Arlington Blvd, Suite 840, Falls Church, Virginia 22042-4302 | < 2-year, Private for-profit | 129 | 129 | NA | NA | NA |
| Old Dominion University | 5115 Hampton Blvd, Norfolk, Virginia 23529 | 4-year, Public | 24375 | 19540 | 54% | 28% | $15,213 |
| Patrick Henry Community College | 645 Patriot Avenue, Martinsville, Virginia 24112 | 2-year, Public | 2263 | 2263 | 38% | 10% | $4,812 |
| Paul D Camp Community College | 100 N College Dr, Franklin, Virginia 23851 | 2-year, Public | 1404 | 1404 | 29% | 12% | $4,227 |
| Piedmont Virginia Community College | 501 College Drive, Charlottesville, Virginia 22902-7589 | 2-year, Public | 5608 | 5608 | 31% | 10% | $7,428 |
| Radford University | 801 East Main St., Radford, Virginia 24142 | 4-year, Public | 9418 | 8418 | 55% | 35% | $13,573 |
| Rappahannock Community College | 12745 College Drive, Glenns, Virginia 23149-2616 | 2-year, Public | 3229 | 3229 | 36% | 9% | $6,955 |
| Regent University | 1000 Regent University Dr, Virginia Beach, Virginia 23464 | 4-year, Private not-for-profit | 9488 | 4279 | 61% | NA | $17,820 |
| Riverside College of Health Careers | 316 Main Street, Newport News, Virginia 23601 | 2-year, Private not-for-profit | 336 | 336 | NA | NA | $14,812 |
| Roanoke College | 221 College Lane, Salem, Virginia 24153-3794 | 4-year, Private not-for-profit | 2035 | 2035 | 67% | 27% | $29,573 |
| Saint Michael College of Allied Health | 8305 Richmond Highway, Alexandria, Virginia 22309-2348 | 2-year, Private for-profit | 47 | 47 | NA | NA | $32,600 |
| Sentara College of Health Sciences | 1441 Crossways Blvd, Suite 105, Chesapeake, Virginia 23320 | 4-year, Private not-for-profit | 440 | 440 | NA | NA | NA |
| Shenandoah University | 1460 University Dr, Winchester, Virginia 22601-5195 | 4-year, Private not-for-profit | 3844 | 2063 | 63% | 32% | $29,248 |
| South University-Richmond | 2151 Old Brick Rd, Glen Allen, Virginia 23060 | 4-year, Private for-profit | 652 | 504 | 8% | NA | $23,732 |
| South University-Virginia Beach | 301 Bendix Rd, Ste 100, Virginia Beach, Virginia 23452 | 4-year, Private for-profit | 564 | 453 | 16% | NA | $22,554 |
| Southside Regional Medical Center Professional Schools | 430 Clairmont Court - Suite 200, Colonial Heights, Virginia 23834 | 2-year, Private for-profit | 110 | 110 | NA | NA | NA |
| Southside Virginia Community College | 109 Campus Drive, Alberta, Virginia 23821 | 2-year, Public | 3611 | 3611 | 40% | 6% | $8,403 |
| Southwest Virginia Community College | 369 College Road US Rt. 19, 6 Miles S. Claypool Hill, Cedar Bluff, Virginia 24609 | 2-year, Public | 2304 | 2304 | 35% | 6% | $8,180 |
| Sovah Health School of Health Professions | 109 Bridge St., Suite 200, Danville, Virginia 24541 | 2-year, Private for-profit | 20 | 20 | NA | NA | NA |
| Standard Healthcare Services-College of Nursing | 7704 Leesburg Pike, Suite 1000, Falls Church, Virginia 22043 | 2-year, Private for-profit | 351 | 351 | 65% | NA | $21,951 |
| Stratford University | 3201 Jermantown Road, Suite 500, Fairfax, Virginia 22030 | 4-year, Private for-profit | 2282 | 1981 | 6% | 13% | $21,042 |
| Strayer University-Virginia | 2121 15th Street N, Arlington, Virginia 22201 | 4-year, Private for-profit | 5894 | 4269 | 11% | NA | $23,713 |
| Sylvain Melloul International Hair Academy | 3405 Candlers Mountain Rd. #G360, Lynchburg, Virginia 24502-2652 | < 2-year, Private for-profit | 60 | 60 | 59% | NA | $13,604 |
| The University of Virginia's College at Wise | 1 College Avenue, Wise, Virginia 24293-4400 | 4-year, Public | 2095 | 2095 | 46% | NA | $11,418 |
| Thomas Nelson Community College | 99 Thomas Nelson Drive, Hampton, Virginia 23666 | 2-year, Public | 8286 | 8286 | 19% | 16% | $7,081 |
| Tidewater Community College | 121 College Place, Norfolk, Virginia 23510 | 2-year, Public | 22776 | 22776 | 20% | 14% | $7,560 |
| University of Lynchburg | 1501 Lakeside Dr, Lynchburg, Virginia 24501-3113 | 4-year, Private not-for-profit | 2810 | 2050 | 59% | 13% | $24,202 |
| University of Management and Technology | 1901 Fort Myer Drive, Suite 700, Arlington, Virginia 22209-1609 | 4-year, Private for-profit | 1176 | 917 | 33% | NA | NA |
| University of Mary Washington | 1301 College Ave, Fredericksburg, Virginia 22401-5300 | 4-year, Public | 4808 | 4398 | 71% | 25% | $20,182 |
| University of Phoenix-Virginia | 9750 W Broad St, Glen Allen, Virginia 23060 | 4-year, Private for-profit | 295 | 191 | 13% | NA | $15,125 |
| University of Richmond | 410 Westhampton Way, University of Richmond, Virginia 23173 | 4-year, Private not-for-profit | 4023 | 3265 | 88% | NA | $24,575 |
| University of the Potomac-VA Campus | 2070 Chain Bridge Road, Vienna, Virginia 22182-2536 | 4-year, Private for-profit | 177 | 37 | 100% | NA | $23,391 |
| University of Virginia-Main Campus | 1827 University Avenue, Charlottesville, Virginia 22903-2628 | 4-year, Public | 24360 | 16655 | 95% | 3% | $16,594 |
| Virginia Beach City Public Schools School of Practical Nursing | 2925 N Landing Rd, Virginia Beach, Virginia 23456-2499 | < 2-year, Public | 54 | 54 | 43% | NA | $2,525 |
| Virginia Commonwealth University | 910 W Franklin St, Richmond, Virginia 23284-2512 | 4-year, Public | 30675 | 23663 | 63% | 23% | $20,741 |
| Virginia Highlands Community College | 100 VHCC Drive, Abingdon, Virginia 24212-0828 | 2-year, Public | 2328 | 2328 | 26% | 10% | $6,862 |
| Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | 210 Burruss Hall, 800 Drillfield Dr., Blacksburg, Virginia 24061-0131 | 4-year, Public | 34440 | 27193 | 84% | NA | $18,700 |
| Virginia State University | 1 Hayden Drive, Petersburg, Virginia 23806 | 4-year, Public | 4713 | 4302 | 42% | NA | $16,247 |
| Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine | 2 Riverside Circle, Roanoke, Virginia 24016-4950 | 4-year, Private not-for-profit | 168 | NA | NA | NA | |
| Virginia University of Oriental Medicine | 9401 Mathy Drive, Fairfax, Virginia 22031-5310 | 4-year, Private not-for-profit | 187 | NA | NA | NA | |
| Virginia Western Community College | 3094 Colonial Ave, Roanoke, Virginia 24015 | 2-year, Public | 7271 | 7271 | 28% | 15% | $6,985 |
| Wilson Workforce and Rehabilitation Center | 64 James Anderson Road, Fishersville, Virginia 22939-1500 | < 2-year, Public | 138 | 138 | 82% | NA | $22,733 |
| Wytheville Community College | 1000 E Main Street, Wytheville, Virginia 24382-3308 | 2-year, Public | 2676 | 2676 | 43% | 6% | $2,184 |
Healthcare support jobs in VA
Perhaps the largest segment of the healthcare labor force in Virginia is made-up of the 93,910 Healthcare Support workers who are presently working in the state. These working people earn an annual median wage of $31,550, that ranks them close to the top of all positions which don’t require a college degree.
The subsequent table reflects 10 of the most-popular support positions in Virginia, their training requirements, employment forecasts in the state, and median annual salaries.
| Virginia Healthcare Careers | Employment | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographers | 1670 | 34.12 | 70960 |
| Emergency Medical Technicians and Paramedics | 5880 | 16.54 | 34400 |
| Pharmacy Technicians | 9910 | 15.15 | 31510 |
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | 21920 | 20.46 | 42550 |
| Medical Records and Health Information Technicians | 5120 | 20.33 | 42290 |
| Home Health Aides | 10790 | 11.05 | 22980 |
| Nursing Assistants | 39010 | 13.42 | 27920 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistants | 950 | 31.15 | 64790 |
| Physical Therapist Assistants | 2650 | 28.60 | 59500 |
| Dental Assistants | 8020 | 20.60 | 42850 |
| Medical Assistants | 13630 | 16.20 | 33690 |
| Phlebotomists | 3630 | 16.53 | 34380 |
How to find a Virginia entry-level Allied Health position
Although it may be possible to get hired in some positions without completing a formal training program, the majority of facilities in the state would rather hire candidates with some training. As a result, it’s strongly suggested that anyone who is considering a career in healthcare finish a professional, formal training program.
With regards to healthcare support programs, many can be finished in a year or less.
Getting the required training
Check out several of the state’s entry-level healthcare careers by clicking on the links shown below. To learn about any of the featured jobs shown, you can click the title and read more on the best way to get started in that occupation.
- CNA schools in Virginia
- Dental assistant courses in Virginia
- EMT classes in Virginia
- HHA training in Virginia
- LPN classes in Virginia
- Medical assistant schools in Virginia
- Medical billing & coding classes in Virginia
- Pharmacy technician classes in Virginia
- Phlebotomy classes in Virginia
- Ultrasound technician courses in Virginia
Looking for a healthcare position in Virginia
Though it is possible to find Healthcare Support jobs in pretty much every corner of Virginia, the Arlington/Alexandria region of the state nearest to Washington D.C. features the highest concentration of jobs. The greater Arlington/Alexandris/Washington D.C. area is the place to find the state’s highest concentration of medical field professionals with approximately 69,580 working there.
Major cities in Virginia where there exists a large volume of healthcare jobs are:
- Alexandria, VA
- Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA
- Charlottesville, VA
- Harrisonburg, VA
- Kingsport, TN
- Lynchburg, VA
- Richmond, VA
- Roanoke, VA