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Beekeeping Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Beekeeping information

See Virginia salary details

$29.7K

$50.1K

$70.9K

How much do beekeeping jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 4, 2026, the average yearly pay for beekeeping in Virginia is $50,075.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $37,700.00 and $69,900.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are common challenges faced by beekeepers, and how can they be managed?

Beekeepers often face challenges like managing bee health issues, monitoring for pests and diseases, and adapting to changing weather conditions that impact hive productivity. Regular hive inspections, proper pest control measures, and ongoing education are key strategies to address these challenges. Additionally, maintaining good records and staying up to date with local regulations support a healthy and compliant apiary. Teamwork with other beekeepers or agricultural professionals can also provide valuable insights and collaborative support. With preparation and proactive management, many obstacles in beekeeping can be successfully navigated.

Is beekeeping a good career?

Beekeeping as a career involves managing bee colonies for honey production, pollination services, or selling bees and equipment. It requires knowledge of bee health, environmental conditions, and often involves physical labor and seasonal schedules. Success depends on market demand, environmental factors, and the ability to maintain healthy hives.

What is beekeeping?

A beekeeping job involves managing and caring for beehives to produce honey, beeswax, and other hive products while ensuring the health of the bee colonies. Beekeepers inspect hives, monitor for diseases, provide food when necessary, and maintain hive structures. They may also harvest honey, breed bees, and help with pollination services for agriculture. Some beekeepers work independently, while others are employed by farms or commercial honey producers. It requires knowledge of bee behavior, hive management, and environmental factors that affect bee health.

What skills and qualifications are needed for beekeeping?

To thrive in beekeeping, you need a solid understanding of bee biology, hive management, and seasonal care, typically gained through hands-on experience or agricultural coursework. Familiarity with beekeeping tools such as smokers, hive tools, protective gear, and sometimes honey extraction equipment is advantageous, and certifications in apiary management can be beneficial. Patience, attention to detail, problem-solving, and effective communication are essential soft skills for working safely and sustainably with bees. These competencies are crucial for maintaining healthy bee colonies, ensuring productive hives, and operating a successful beekeeping business.

Is there a demand for beekeeping?

Beekeeping is a growing field due to increased awareness of pollination's importance and demand for honey and hive products. Job opportunities are available in apiary management, honey production, and related environmental conservation efforts, often requiring knowledge of bee health and sustainable practices.
What are the most commonly searched types of Beekeeping jobs in Virginia? The most popular types of Beekeeping jobs in Virginia are:
What are popular job titles related to Beekeeping jobs in Virginia? For Beekeeping jobs in Virginia, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Beekeeping jobs in Virginia look for? The top searched job categories for Beekeeping jobs in Virginia are:
What cities in Virginia are hiring for Beekeeping jobs? Cities in Virginia with the most Beekeeping job openings:
Infographic showing various Beekeeping job openings in Virginia as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 50% Full Time, and 50% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $50,075 per year, or $24.1 per hour.

Local Beekeeping Partner | Richmond

Alveole Partnerships

Richmond, VA โ€ข On-site

Full-time

Posted 13 days ago


Job description

Opportunity: Urban Beekeeper
Location: Richmond and surrounding area
Type of contract: 1099 Contractor
Time commitment: Flexible
Starting date: March 2026
Looking for a flexible way to share your beekeeping expertise? Want more time with your hands in hives? We're looking for local beekeepers to partner with us and share the world of bees with our engaged communities.

What you'll do for Alvéole as an Urban Beekeeper:

  • Maintain honey bee hives at client sites on a three-week service cycle, performing a range of tasks to support colony health throughout the beekeeping season.
  • Install new hives and related equipment at client locations.
  • Conduct routine hive inspections and maintenance.
  • Be responsible for the complete honey harvest directly from the hives (targeting a yield of 30 pounds per hive per season) and manage the final delivery of the product.
  • Collect samples and field data to monitor hive health and environmental conditions.
  • Complete accurate record-keeping and service reports using Alvéole's digital tools.
  • Perform pest and parasite monitoring and treat as required.
  • Facilitate educational workshops and engage the public in beekeeping and biodiversity topics.
  • Regularly travel by car to client sites, apiary yards, equipment depots, and bee suppliers.
  • Engage with clients during visits and workshops to explain Alvéole's services, including beehives, beehomes, and biodiversity data collection.
  • Complete accurate digital records and service reports using Alvéole's tools (e.g., Zuper)

What's in It for You:

  • Work for yourself: Do what you do best without the level of oversight and commitment that comes with joining a company as an employee.
  • Share the wonderful world of bees: Lead workshops and be an ambassador for pollinators and food systems, bringing your bees-for-brains expertise to an engaged city audience that's eager to learn
  • A global beekeeping network: Join our Hive-Mind! You'll be part of a world-wide network of beekeepers to review data, troubleshoot, and grow with
  • Competitive compensation: Get paid a base rate paid monthly for every contract you take on, regardless of seasonal fluctuations or weather
  • Custom scheduling: We build your schedules around your capacity and availability
  • Focus on the bees: Your focus is on bee health and client visits. We take care of all the internal back and forth and administration!

What you bring:

  • Hands-on beekeeping experience and strong knowledge of hive health and seasonal management
  • Availability to service hives on a recurring schedule throughout the season
  • Ability to work independently with minimal supervision
  • Comfort using mobile and digital tools to log visits, tasks, and data (training provided)
  • Strong organizational skills and attention to detail, especially for record-keeping and compliance
  • Professional, friendly communication style
  • Valid driver's license and reliable access to a vehicle
  • Comfort working at heights, ability to move freely (standing, stooping, walking, bending, pushing, pulling, and repetitive hand/finger motions) and lifting up to a maximum of fifty (50) pounds without assistance
  • Comfort with the reality of beekeeping hazards (stings, heavy lifting, inclement weather, etc.)

Note: This opportunity is best suited to beekeepers who manage their own colonies or already provide beekeeping services to clients of their own. If you don't meet the criteria but are interested in learning about other ways to partner with Alvéole, please write talent@alvéole.buzz.