Labor Costs

Labor costs in the Roanoke Valley are competitive.  At $13.30/hour, the average earnings for a production worker in the manufacturing sector is below the national average of $14.37 and the Virginia average of $14.24/hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.  Detailed information about how the Roanoke MSA’s wages compare across the country can be found at the BLS website or from the Virginia Employment Commission.

Virginia also offers other low labor costs. The Commomwealth's Unemployment Insurance Tax per employee is $146, compared to the national average of $194/employee, and is the 8th lowest in the nation.  Virginia has the fifth lowest average Workers’ Compensation Insurance rate for manufacturing in the country at $2.33 per $100 or payroll.  The national average is $4.19.