Global CityIntelligence

Economy & jobs

Economy and jobs in Norfolk

Norfolk has a large and diversified economy with strengths in technology, aerospace and research.

Economy type
Major economy
Economy score
85/100

Economy overview

Norfolk has a large and diversified economy with strengths in technology, aerospace and research.

Norfolk, United States is classified as a major economy in our deterministic economy index. These are planning estimates derived from country economic priors and existing city signals — not measured GDP or labour-market statistics. Data year 2025; last updated 2026-05-16.

Key industries

The sectors that most shape the local economy, derived deterministically from country and city signals.

Key industries

  • Technology
  • Aerospace
  • Research
  • Manufacturing
  • Energy
  • Software

Employment outlook

The breadth of the labour market and where opportunities concentrate.

Employment outlook

Employment84/100
Job market87/100

Norfolk's labour market is very strong, with opportunities concentrated in technology, manufacturing and tourism and hospitality.

Salary potential

Estimated pay levels and how far local incomes stretch against the cost of living.

Salary potential

Salary potential87/100
Affordability-adjusted income74/100

The affordability-adjusted income score combines estimated pay with the local cost of living, indicating how far a typical income stretches in Norfolk.

Business environment

Conditions for operating and growing a business locally.

Business environment

Business environment89/100

This reflects infrastructure, institutional capacity, and the scale of the local market relative to peer cities.

Startup ecosystem

How supportive the local ecosystem is for new ventures.

Startup ecosystem

Startup ecosystem85/100
Innovation89/100

The startup ecosystem in Norfolk is very strong, supported by universities and skilled talent, a favourable business environment and strong infrastructure.

Remote work suitability

Suitability for remote and distributed work.

Remote work suitability

Remote work85/100
Remote job availability87/100

Norfolk offers strong infrastructure and amenities for remote professionals, with a remote-work score of 85/100.

Career opportunities

Overall career opportunity and how it breaks down by sector.

Career opportunities

Overall career opportunity87/100
Technology89/100
Healthcare69/100
Finance67/100
Manufacturing74/100
Tourism72/100
Education71/100

Economy score

A 0–100 composite of employment, salary, business environment, startups, innovation, remote work, and affordability-adjusted income. Used consistently across the platform.

Economy score

Economy score85/100
Employment84/100
Salary87/100
Business environment89/100
Startup ecosystem85/100
Innovation89/100
Remote work85/100

Jobs score

A 0–100 labour-market composite and its sector components.

Jobs score

Job market87/100
Technology89/100
Healthcare69/100
Finance67/100
Manufacturing74/100
Tourism72/100
Education71/100
Remote availability87/100
Career opportunity87/100

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Continue researching this city across the platform's other planning surfaces.

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