The Roanoke Region’s workforce represents a range of talent combined with top-quality training. Our labor draw extends far beyond the boundaries of the region, attracting workers from areas within a 60-mile radius. That means the total labor supply consists of more than 300,000 people.
And, with a high concentration of colleges and universities and training programs, new highly-skilled people are joining the workforce all the time. It’s no wonder why businesses from all over the world choose the Roanoke Region for business.
The Roanoke Region labor supply includes the immediate region as well as Lexington, Buena Vista, Bedford County, Rockbridge County, Montgomery County, Pulaski County, Floyd County, Martinsville, Patrick County, and Henry County.
Labor Force
Roanoke Region Population (2021)
330,199
Labor Area Total Population (2021)
649,097
Labor Force-Supply Area (12/22)
322.746
Total Unemployed Persons-Labor Supply Area (12/22)
9,658
Unemployment Rate (Roanoke MSA-12/22)
2.6%
Underemployment Estimate (2021)
24%
Annual High School Graduates (19-20)
6,700
Annual Two-Year Graduates (20-21)
2,099
Annual Four-Year Degree and Higher Graduates (20-21)
36,704
Absenteeism
2.8%
Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Census, Weldon Cooper for Public Service (UVA), Center State Council for Higher Education, VA Dept. of Education, Chmura Economics and Analytics, VEDP (EMSI) Underemployment estimates.
Alleghany Highlands Submarket
Labor Force
74,609
Unemployed
2,449
Unemployment Rate
3.6%
The Alleghany Highlands labor force area consists of the cities of Buena Vista, Covington, and Lexington; the counties of Alleghany, Bath, Botetourt, Craig, and Rockbridge, and the West Virginia counties of Greenbrier, Monroe, and Pocahontas. Chmura Economics and Analytics-October 2022
Franklin County Submarket
Labor Force
267,846
Unemployed
8,664
Unemployment Rate
3.2%
The Franklin County labor force area consists of the cities of Martinsville, Roanoke, and Salem; the counties of Bedford, Botetourt, Franklin, Henry, Patrick, and Roanoke, and Rockingham County, North Carolina. Chmura Economics and Analytics-October 2022
Roanoke MSA Educational AttainmentÂ
Testimony to the well-educated workforce is more than half of the region’s population over the age 25 has at least some college education. More than a third has either an associate’s degree, bachelor’s degree, or graduate degree.
High School Diploma/GED or higher
90.5%
Some college, no degree
19.7%
Associate's or bachelor's degree
28.2%
Graduate or professional degree
10.6%
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey, 5 year-2020 Estimates.
Occupation Distribution
Workers are distributed among a diversity of occupations. The Virginia Employment Commission estimates that employment will increase through 2028 in the region, which means an increase in skilled job seekers and businesses seeking workers.
Occupation Title
2018
2028 (projected)
Change (projected)
Administrative and Support
10,279
10,343
.6%
Ambulatory Health Care Services
8,053
9,651
19.8%
Architectural, Engineering
1,303
1,249
-4.1%
Business Support Services
1,448
1,538
6.2%
Computer Systems Design
2,720
3,696
35.9%
Construction
9,054
9,494
4.9%
Construction of Buildings
1,727
2,012
16.5%
Health and Education Services
37,563
40,373
7.5%
Financial Activities
7,974
8,156
2.3%
Food Prep, and Drinking Places
12,530
13,262
5.8%
Information
1558
1541
-1.1%
Insurance Carriers and Related
3,505
3,686
5.2%
Leisure and Hospitality
15,728
16,479
5.0%
Management, Scientific, and Technical
481
544
13.1%
Manufacturing
17,073
16,479
-3.5%
Medical and Diagnostic Labs
513
728
41.9%
Nursing and Residential Care Facilities
5,262
5,492
12.9%
Professional and Business Services
23,363
24,314
4.1%
Professional, Scientific, and Technical
7,838
8,941
14.1%
Trade, Transportation, and Utilties
34,018
33,056
-2.8
Truck Transportation
2,575
2,854
10.8
Warehousing and Storage
1546
1651
6.8
Total
172,475
176,183
2.1%
Source: VEC, Occupational Projections, LWIA III 2018-2028
