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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 WebsiteAddressSchool Type# of Students# of UndergradsGrad RateTransfer-Out RateNet Price
American National University1813 East Main Street, Salem, Virginia 241534-year, primarily associate's, Private for-profit98091741%NA$20,558
Appalachian College of Pharmacy1060 Dragon Road, Oakwood, Virginia 246314-year, Private not-for-profit210NANANA
Argosy University-Northern Virginia1550 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 600, Arlington, Virginia 222094-year, Private for-profit477550%NANA
Averett University420 W Main St, Danville, Virginia 245414-year, Private not-for-profit92792740%48%$22,592
Averett University-Non-Traditional Programs420 W Main St, Danville, Virginia 245414-year, Private not-for-profit659344NANA$19,810
Blue Ridge Community College1 College Lane, Weyers Cave, Virginia 24486-00802-year, Public4200420031%12%$7,970
Bluefield College3000 College Avenue, Bluefield, Virginia 246054-year, Private not-for-profit99794821%NA$20,227
Bon Secours Memorial College of Nursing8550 Magellan Parkway Suite 1100, Richmond, Virginia 23227-11494-year, Private not-for-profit477477100%NANA
Bon Secours St Mary's Hospital School of Medical Imaging8550 Magellan Pkwy Ste 700, Richmond, Virginia 232272-year, Private not-for-profit3030NANANA
Bridgewater College402 E College St, Bridgewater, Virginia 22812-15994-year, Private not-for-profit1889188261%NA$19,957
Bryant & Stratton College-Hampton4410 East Claiborne Square, Suite 233, Hampton, Virginia 236664-year, primarily associate's, Private for-profit30330313%2%$16,510
Bryant & Stratton College-Richmond8141 Hull St Rd, North Chesterfield, Virginia 232354-year, primarily associate's, Private for-profit67567520%4%$15,448
Bryant & Stratton College-Virginia Beach301 Centre Pointe Dr, Virginia Beach, Virginia 234624-year, primarily associate's, Private for-profit48448434%5%$12,455
Cayce/Reilly School of Massage215 67th Street, Virginia Beach, Virginia 23451< 2-year, Private not-for-profit282894%NA$16,943
Centra College of Nursing905 Lakeside Dr., Suite A, Lynchburg, Virginia 245014-year, primarily associate's, Private not-for-profit302302NANANA
Central School of Practical Nursing1330 N Millitary Hwy, Norfolk, Virginia 23502< 2-year, Public1818100%NA$8,419
Central Virginia Community College3506 Wards Rd, Lynchburg, Virginia 24502-24982-year, Public4128412832%12%$4,741
Centura College-Chesapeake932 B Ventures Way, Chesapeake, Virginia 233204-year, primarily associate's, Private for-profit19019087%NA$22,958
Centura College-Newport News616 Denbigh Blvd, Newport News, Virginia 236082-year, Private for-profit17917970%NA$25,051
Centura College-Norfolk7020 North Military Highway, Norfolk, Virginia 23518-48332-year, Private for-profit19319391%NA$24,368
Centura College-Richmond Main7914 Midlothian Turnpike, Richmond, Virginia 23235-52502-year, Private for-profit989893%NA$26,385
Centura College-Virginia Beach2697 Dean Dr Ste 100, Virginia Beach, Virginia 23452-74314-year, primarily associate's, Private for-profit15015051%NA$23,868
CET-Alexandria6295 Edsall Rd, Plaza 500, Ste. 220, Alexandria, Virginia 22312< 2-year, Private not-for-profit11411457%NA$18,598
Chamberlain University-Virginia2450 Crystal Drive, Arlington, Virginia 222024-year, Private for-profit50150150%50%$19,931
Chester Career College751 WEST HUNDRED ROAD, CHESTER, Virginia 238362-year, Private for-profit18118143%NA$16,536
Columbia College5940 Centreville Crest Lane, Centreville, Virginia 201212-year, Private for-profit16016073%5%$9,738
Dabney S Lancaster Community College1000 Dabney Drive, Clifton Forge, Virginia 24422-10002-year, Public1260126034%11%$5,906
Danville Community College1008 S Main St, Danville, Virginia 24541-40042-year, Public3101310133%8%$7,440
DeVry University-Virginia2450 Crystal Dr., Arlington, Virginia 222024-year, Private for-profit43622741%20%$33,227
Eastern Mennonite University1200 Park Rd, Harrisonburg, Virginia 22802-24624-year, Private not-for-profit1530109863%NA$23,952
Eastern Shore Community College29300 Lankford Hwy, Melfa, Virginia 234102-year, Public64464430%17%$5,538
Eastern Virginia Career College10304 Spotsylvania Ave, Suite 400, Fredericksburg, Virginia 224082-year, Private for-profit19519569%NA$22,190
Eastern Virginia Medical School700w. Olney, Norfolk, Virginia 235074-year, Public1256NANANA
ECPI University5555 Greenwich Rd, Virginia Beach, Virginia 234624-year, primarily associate's, Private for-profit119721174547%7%$19,779
Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine2265 Kraft Dr, Blacksburg, Virginia 240604-year, Private not-for-profit1969NANANA
Emory & Henry College30461 Garnand Drive, Emory, Virginia 24327-09474-year, Private not-for-profit1226100052%37%$20,257
Ferrum College215 Ferrum Mountain Road, Ferrum, Virginia 24088-90004-year, Private not-for-profit1137113735%45%$23,184
Fortis College-Norfolk6300 Center Dr Bldg 22, Norfolk, Virginia 23502-41012-year, Private for-profit22922950%NA$24,791
Fortis College-Richmond2000 Westmoreland Street, Suite A, Richmond, Virginia 232302-year, Private for-profit40440447%NA$22,224
George Mason University4400 University Dr, Fairfax, Virginia 22030-44444-year, Public359842501071%16%$18,629
Germanna Community College2130 Germanna Hwy, Locust Grove, Virginia 22508-21022-year, Public6688668832%10%$7,658
Hampton University200 William R. Harvey Way, Hampton, Virginia 23668-00994-year, Private not-for-profit4618379256%24%$26,031
Henrico County-Saint Marys Hospital School of Practical Nursing7850 Carousel Lane, Henrico, Virginia 23294< 2-year, Public9393NANANA
J Sargeant Reynolds Community College1651 East Parham Road, Richmond, Virginia 23228-23272-year, Public9334933418%16%$6,865
James Madison University800 South Main Street, Harrisonburg, Virginia 228074-year, Public218361997583%NA$16,154
Jefferson College of Health Sciences101 Elm Avenue SE, Roanoke, Virginia 240134-year, Private not-for-profit115177546%36%$29,398
John Tyler Community College13101 Jefferson Davis Hwy, Chester, Virginia 23831-53162-year, Public103801038023%12%$6,435
Liberty University1971 University Blvd, Lynchburg, Virginia 245154-year, Private not-for-profit750444575447%20%$26,954
Longwood University201 High St, Farmville, Virginia 239094-year, Public5074447268%8%$18,227
Lord Fairfax Community College173 Skirmisher Lane, Middletown, Virginia 226452-year, Public6891689139%10%$7,099
Mary Baldwin University318 Prospect Street, Staunton, Virginia 244014-year, Private not-for-profit1654113645%46%$18,339
Marymount University2807 N Glebe Rd, Arlington, Virginia 22207-42994-year, Private not-for-profit3375230553%NA$25,387
Mountain Empire Community College3441 Mountain Empire Road, Big Stone Gap, Virginia 242192-year, Public2684268437%3%$6,752
New River Community College5251 College Drive, Dublin, Virginia 24084-11272-year, Public4626462630%8%$6,810
Norfolk State University700 Park Avenue, Norfolk, Virginia 23504-80004-year, Public5303468742%20%$14,429
Northern Virginia Community College4001 Wakefield Chapel Rd, Annandale, Virginia 22003-37962-year, Public511905119025%16%$9,719
Northern Virginia School of Therapeutic Massage6402 Arlington Blvd, Suite 840, Falls Church, Virginia 22042-4302< 2-year, Private for-profit129129NANANA
Old Dominion University5115 Hampton Blvd, Norfolk, Virginia 235294-year, Public243751954054%28%$15,213
Patrick Henry Community College645 Patriot Avenue, Martinsville, Virginia 241122-year, Public2263226338%10%$4,812
Paul D Camp Community College100 N College Dr, Franklin, Virginia 238512-year, Public1404140429%12%$4,227
Piedmont Virginia Community College501 College Drive, Charlottesville, Virginia 22902-75892-year, Public5608560831%10%$7,428
Radford University801 East Main St., Radford, Virginia 241424-year, Public9418841855%35%$13,573
Rappahannock Community College12745 College Drive, Glenns, Virginia 23149-26162-year, Public3229322936%9%$6,955
Regent University1000 Regent University Dr, Virginia Beach, Virginia 234644-year, Private not-for-profit9488427961%NA$17,820
Riverside College of Health Careers316 Main Street, Newport News, Virginia 236012-year, Private not-for-profit336336NANA$14,812
Roanoke College221 College Lane, Salem, Virginia 24153-37944-year, Private not-for-profit2035203567%27%$29,573
Saint Michael College of Allied Health8305 Richmond Highway, Alexandria, Virginia 22309-23482-year, Private for-profit4747NANA$32,600
Sentara College of Health Sciences1441 Crossways Blvd, Suite 105, Chesapeake, Virginia 233204-year, Private not-for-profit440440NANANA
Shenandoah University1460 University Dr, Winchester, Virginia 22601-51954-year, Private not-for-profit3844206363%32%$29,248
South University-Richmond2151 Old Brick Rd, Glen Allen, Virginia 230604-year, Private for-profit6525048%NA$23,732
South University-Virginia Beach301 Bendix Rd, Ste 100, Virginia Beach, Virginia 234524-year, Private for-profit56445316%NA$22,554
Southside Regional Medical Center Professional Schools430 Clairmont Court - Suite 200, Colonial Heights, Virginia 238342-year, Private for-profit110110NANANA
Southside Virginia Community College109 Campus Drive, Alberta, Virginia 238212-year, Public3611361140%6%$8,403
Southwest Virginia Community College369 College Road US Rt. 19, 6 Miles S. Claypool Hill, Cedar Bluff, Virginia 246092-year, Public2304230435%6%$8,180
Sovah Health School of Health Professions109 Bridge St., Suite 200, Danville, Virginia 245412-year, Private for-profit2020NANANA
Standard Healthcare Services-College of Nursing7704 Leesburg Pike, Suite 1000, Falls Church, Virginia 220432-year, Private for-profit35135165%NA$21,951
Stratford University3201 Jermantown Road, Suite 500, Fairfax, Virginia 220304-year, Private for-profit228219816%13%$21,042
Strayer University-Virginia2121 15th Street N, Arlington, Virginia 222014-year, Private for-profit5894426911%NA$23,713
Sylvain Melloul International Hair Academy3405 Candlers Mountain Rd. #G360, Lynchburg, Virginia 24502-2652< 2-year, Private for-profit606059%NA$13,604
The University of Virginia's College at Wise1 College Avenue, Wise, Virginia 24293-44004-year, Public2095209546%NA$11,418
Thomas Nelson Community College99 Thomas Nelson Drive, Hampton, Virginia 236662-year, Public8286828619%16%$7,081
Tidewater Community College121 College Place, Norfolk, Virginia 235102-year, Public227762277620%14%$7,560
University of Lynchburg1501 Lakeside Dr, Lynchburg, Virginia 24501-31134-year, Private not-for-profit2810205059%13%$24,202
University of Management and Technology1901 Fort Myer Drive, Suite 700, Arlington, Virginia 22209-16094-year, Private for-profit117691733%NANA
University of Mary Washington1301 College Ave, Fredericksburg, Virginia 22401-53004-year, Public4808439871%25%$20,182
University of Phoenix-Virginia9750 W Broad St, Glen Allen, Virginia 230604-year, Private for-profit29519113%NA$15,125
University of Richmond410 Westhampton Way, University of Richmond, Virginia 231734-year, Private not-for-profit4023326588%NA$24,575
University of the Potomac-VA Campus2070 Chain Bridge Road, Vienna, Virginia 22182-25364-year, Private for-profit17737100%NA$23,391
University of Virginia-Main Campus1827 University Avenue, Charlottesville, Virginia 22903-26284-year, Public243601665595%3%$16,594
Virginia Beach City Public Schools School of Practical Nursing2925 N Landing Rd, Virginia Beach, Virginia 23456-2499< 2-year, Public545443%NA$2,525
Virginia Commonwealth University910 W Franklin St, Richmond, Virginia 23284-25124-year, Public306752366363%23%$20,741
Virginia Highlands Community College100 VHCC Drive, Abingdon, Virginia 24212-08282-year, Public2328232826%10%$6,862
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University210 Burruss Hall, 800 Drillfield Dr., Blacksburg, Virginia 24061-01314-year, Public344402719384%NA$18,700
Virginia State University1 Hayden Drive, Petersburg, Virginia 238064-year, Public4713430242%NA$16,247
Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine2 Riverside Circle, Roanoke, Virginia 24016-49504-year, Private not-for-profit168NANANA
Virginia University of Oriental Medicine9401 Mathy Drive, Fairfax, Virginia 22031-53104-year, Private not-for-profit187NANANA
Virginia Western Community College3094 Colonial Ave, Roanoke, Virginia 240152-year, Public7271727128%15%$6,985
Wilson Workforce and Rehabilitation Center64 James Anderson Road, Fishersville, Virginia 22939-1500< 2-year, Public13813882%NA$22,733
Wytheville Community College1000 E Main Street, Wytheville, Virginia 24382-33082-year, Public2676267643%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 CareersEmploymentHourly mean wageAnnual mean wage
Diagnostic Medical Sonographers167034.1270960
Emergency Medical Technicians and Paramedics588016.5434400
Pharmacy Technicians991015.1531510
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses2192020.4642550
Medical Records and Health Information Technicians512020.3342290
Home Health Aides1079011.0522980
Nursing Assistants3901013.4227920
Occupational Therapy Assistants95031.1564790
Physical Therapist Assistants265028.6059500
Dental Assistants802020.6042850
Medical Assistants1363016.2033690
Phlebotomists363016.5334380

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.

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