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Average Commercial and Industrial Designers Salary in Virginia

Commercial and Industrial Designers in Virginia earn an average annual salary of $76,960, which is notably lower than the national average of $88,090. This disparity can often be attributed to regional economic factors, industry concentration, and the specific demand within the state's manufacturing and design sectors.

Executive Summary

  • Average Salary: $76,960 per year.
  • Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 8.1% over the last 5 years.
  • Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $96,290.
  • Outlook: With a local workforce of 1,480 Commercial and Industrial Designers, Virginia presents a significant, albeit specialized, job market. The Location Quotient of 1.85 indicates a concentration of these professionals that is 85% higher than the national average, suggesting robust demand and a potentially thriving ecosystem for design talent within the state.
2024 Market Data

Salary Overview

$76,960

The average Commercial and Industrial Designers in Virginia earns-12.6%below the national average.

BreakdownBased on 40h/week
Hourly

$37

Weekly

$1,480

Monthly

$6,413

Commercial and Industrial Designers Salary Distribution in Virginia

Salary progression for Commercial and Industrial Designers in Virginia typically scales significantly with experience. Entry-level positions might start closer to the lower percentiles, while seasoned professionals with specialized skills and a proven track record can command salaries in the upper percentiles. The widening gap between entry-level and senior salaries underscores the substantial career growth opportunities available.

Experience LevelMarket PercentileAnnual WageHourly Rate
Junior / AssociateEntry level. Focus on learning core skills & codebase.10% (Entry)$53,500$25.7
Engineer IProficient contributor. Handles tasks independently.25% (Junior)$57,720$27.8
Senior EngineerSystem design, complex problem solving, mentoring.50% (Median)$78,190$37.6
Lead / StaffTechnical strategy, architecture, cross-team impact.75% (Senior)$96,200$46.3
Principal / ArchitectIndustry expert. Driving technical vision & innovation.90% (Expert)$96,290$46.3

Detailed Commercial and Industrial Designers Market Analysis

Relocation Context

Nominal Salary

$76,960

Gross Pay

Real Wage (Purchasing Power)

$75,897

Adjusted for COL (101.4)

The average annual salary of $76,960 in Virginia aligns closely with its Cost of Living Index of 101.4. This means that while the nominal salary is below the national average, the purchasing power of that salary is relatively stable compared to the national standard, making relocation a financially neutral consideration from a cost-of-living perspective.

Job Market Context

1,480

Total Jobs

0.363

Per 1K Jobs

1.85

Location Quotient

Major Hub

Virginia has 1.9x the national concentration of Commercial and Industrial Designers jobs — a major employment hub for this role. Job seekers will find significantly more opportunities here than in most other areas.

Virginia's Location Quotient of 1.85 for Commercial and Industrial Designers signifies a market that is considerably more concentrated than the national average. This suggests a strong presence of design-related industries or a higher proportion of designers relative to the overall workforce, indicating a competitive yet potentially rewarding environment for skilled professionals.

Nearby Job Markets

Nearby Cities for Commercial and Industrial Designers

Comparing salaries near Virginia

Hiring Commercial and Industrial Designerss?

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Commercial and Industrial Designers make in Virginia?

The median annual salary for a Commercial and Industrial Designers in Virginia is $76,960. This typically ranges from $53,500 for entry-level positions to $96,290 for top-level roles.

How does the salary compare to the national average?

The average salary for this role in Virginia is 12.6% lower than the national median of $88,090.

Is Virginia a lucrative place for Commercial and Industrial Designers?

Yes, with caveats.While the average salary is below the national benchmark, the high concentration of designers (LQ 1.85) and a cost of living near the national average suggest a stable and potentially growing market for experienced professionals.

Is Virginia a good place to live for Commercial and Industrial Designers?

The Cost of Living Index in Virginia is 101.4. While higher than average, this often correlates with higher wages.

Where are the highest paying cities near Virginia?

Some top paying nearby cities include Richmond, VA ($91,410) and others.

How does Virginia's salary compare to the national average for Industrial Designers?

Commercial and Industrial Designers in Virginia earn an average of $76,960 annually, which is approximately 13% less than the national average of $88,090.

What is the concentration of Industrial Designers in Virginia?

Virginia has a Location Quotient of 1.85 for this profession, meaning it is home to 85% more Commercial and Industrial Designers per worker than the national average.

How does the cost of living in Virginia affect designer salaries?

With a Cost of Living Index of 101.4, Virginia's expenses are slightly above the national average. This means the $76,960 salary offers purchasing power very close to the national average.

What is the total number of Industrial Designers in Virginia?

There are approximately 1,480 Commercial and Industrial Designers employed within the state of Virginia.

Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 1,480 employees in the Virginia area with a job density of 0.363 per 1,000 jobs. Cost of Living data is estimated based on state and metro averages.