QTS Richmond DC-1

Richmond's economy spans tobacco (Altria headquarters), banking (Capital One's headquarters), insurance (Markel, Genworth), federal government and the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond, and growing logistics from the Port of Virginia traffic. Data centers map onto Capital One and federal-banking IT demand — three tracked facilities and roughly 550 NAICS 518 jobs (estimated). The metro is a small data center market with strong financial-tenant anchors.

The trades pool is compact at 3,600 electricians ($61,350) and 2,700 HVAC technicians ($59,130), with both above national averages for non-union markets. The maintenance and repair workforce of 5,520 earns $48,730. IT managers earn $180,640, well above peer-size metros, reflecting Capital One and federal bank IT pay scales.

For a trades worker, Richmond is a financial-services-anchored market with the strongest pay in the IT management tier and steady commercial demand from Capital One's expansive campus footprint. Best fit for HVAC technicians and electricians who can also serve broader financial infrastructure work.