/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/WW3R2ZWQ2BFGTFDIWPWNWHPKZQ.jpg "Highest paying jobs in Charlotte that require a bachelor’s degree")
Almonroth // Wikimedia Commons
Highest paying jobs in Charlotte that require a bachelor’s degree
While college and university tuition costs may be skyrocketing, many still believe a bachelor’s degree is essential to landing a high-paying job in the United States. Stacker compiled a list of the highest paying jobs that typically require a bachelors in Charlotte using data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Jobs are ranked by 2020 annual mean wage.
Whether highly technical, scientific, or based in finance or the arts, all the jobs require keeping up to date with the latest developments in culture, commerce, or tech.
Keep reading to discover the highest-paying jobs that require a bachelor degree in Charlotte.
Dragon Images // Shutterstock
#50. Insurance underwriters
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC
– Annual mean salary: $81,970
– #38 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 1,440
National
– Annual mean salary: $80,390
– Employment: 101,790
– Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC ($119,010)
— Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($109,060)
— Durham-Chapel Hill, NC ($105,470)
– Job description: Review individual applications for insurance to evaluate degree of risk involved and determine acceptance of applications.
aslysun // Shutterstock
#49. Chemists
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC
– Annual mean salary: $83,130
– #62 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 650
National
– Annual mean salary: $86,410
– Employment: 82,940
– Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Peoria, IL ($134,990)
— Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV ($130,860)
— San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($122,250)
– Job description: Conduct qualitative and quantitative chemical analyses or experiments in laboratories for quality or process control or to develop new products or knowledge.
comzeal images // Shutterstock
#48. Loan officers
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC
– Annual mean salary: $83,510
– #66 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 5,680
National
– Annual mean salary: $76,930
– Employment: 308,700
– Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Eau Claire, WI ($129,900)
— Stockton-Lodi, CA ($121,100)
— Tyler, TX ($114,690)
– Job description: Evaluate, authorize, or recommend approval of commercial, real estate, or credit loans. Advise borrowers on financial status and payment methods. Includes mortgage loan officers and agents, collection analysts, loan servicing officers, loan underwriters, and payday loan officers.
Jacob L. // Shutterstock
#47. Architects, except landscape and naval
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC
– Annual mean salary: $83,610
– #96 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 1,110
National
– Annual mean salary: $89,470
– Employment: 103,900
– Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Sacramento–Roseville–Arden-Arcade, CA ($114,930)
— San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($113,510)
— Santa Rosa, CA ($112,110)
– Job description: Plan and design structures, such as private residences, office buildings, theaters, factories, and other structural property.
Arjuna Kodisinghe // Shutterstock
#46. Network and computer systems administrators
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC
– Annual mean salary: $83,890
– #105 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 4,270
National
– Annual mean salary: $89,460
– Employment: 339,560
– Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
– Metros with highest average pay:
— San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($134,260)
— Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD ($116,840)
— Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($111,790)
– Job description: Install, configure, and maintain an organization’s local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), data communications network, operating systems, and physical and virtual servers. Perform system monitoring and verify the integrity and availability of hardware, network, and server resources and systems. Review system and application logs and verify completion of scheduled jobs, including system backups. Analyze network and server resource consumption and control user access. Install and upgrade software and maintain software licenses. May assist in network modeling, analysis, planning, and coordination between network and data communications hardware and software.
Canva
#45. Environmental engineers
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC
– Annual mean salary: $85,260
– #110 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 290
National
– Annual mean salary: $96,890
– Employment: 50,260
– Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX ($128,000)
— San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($124,210)
— Baton Rouge, LA ($114,890)
– Job description: Research, design, plan, or perform engineering duties in the prevention, control, and remediation of environmental hazards using various engineering disciplines. Work may include waste treatment, site remediation, or pollution control technology.
Gorodenkoff // Shutterstock
#44. Commercial and industrial designers
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC
– Annual mean salary: $85,410
– #12 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 210
National
– Annual mean salary: $76,290
– Employment: 30,100
– Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Durham-Chapel Hill, NC ($127,500)
— San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($106,010)
— Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA ($97,190)
– Job description: Design and develop manufactured products, such as cars, home appliances, and children’s toys. Combine artistic talent with research on product use, marketing, and materials to create the most functional and appealing product design.
Canva
#43. Mechanical engineers
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC
– Annual mean salary: $86,010
– #194 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 2,680
National
– Annual mean salary: $95,560
– Employment: 293,960
– Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
– Metros with highest average pay:
— San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($125,760)
— San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($124,190)
— Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX ($123,700)
– Job description: Perform engineering duties in planning and designing tools, engines, machines, and other mechanically functioning equipment. Oversee installation, operation, maintenance, and repair of equipment such as centralized heat, gas, water, and steam systems.
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
#42. Industrial engineers
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC
– Annual mean salary: $87,170
– #176 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 2,220
National
– Annual mean salary: $93,610
– Employment: 290,190
– Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Billings, MT ($125,760)
— San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($123,710)
— Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX ($123,510)
– Job description: Design, develop, test, and evaluate integrated systems for managing industrial production processes, including human work factors, quality control, inventory control, logistics and material flow, cost analysis, and production coordination.
ImageFlow // Shutterstock
#41. Accountants and auditors
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC
– Annual mean salary: $88,150
– #18 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 14,060
National
– Annual mean salary: $81,660
– Employment: 1,274,620
– Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Salinas, CA ($111,680)
— New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($105,720)
— Midland, TX ($103,120)
– Job description: Examine, analyze, and interpret accounting records to prepare financial statements, give advice, or audit and evaluate statements prepared by others. Install or advise on systems of recording costs or other financial and budgetary data.
Canva
#40. Health and safety engineers, except mining safety engineers and inspectors
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC
– Annual mean salary: $89,060
– #68 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 140
National
– Annual mean salary: $97,330
– Employment: 23,780
– Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Sacramento–Roseville–Arden-Arcade, CA ($123,730)
— San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($121,700)
— Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA ($121,330)
– Job description: Promote worksite or product safety by applying knowledge of industrial processes, mechanics, chemistry, psychology, and industrial health and safety laws. Includes industrial product safety engineers.
Canva
#39. Civil engineers
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC
– Annual mean salary: $90,380
– #137 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 3,420
National
– Annual mean salary: $95,440
– Employment: 300,850
– Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
– Metros with highest average pay:
— New Orleans-Metairie, LA ($125,910)
— Sacramento–Roseville–Arden-Arcade, CA ($121,970)
— San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($119,860)
– Job description: Perform engineering duties in planning, designing, and overseeing construction and maintenance of building structures and facilities, such as roads, railroads, airports, bridges, harbors, channels, dams, irrigation projects, pipelines, power plants, and water and sewage systems.
IBM Research // Flickr
#38. Aerospace engineers
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC
– Annual mean salary: $93,490
– #62 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 180
National
– Annual mean salary: $121,110
– Employment: 60,630
– Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV ($151,410)
— San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($142,260)
— Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX ($135,490)
– Job description: Perform engineering duties in designing, constructing, and testing aircraft, missiles, and spacecraft. May conduct basic and applied research to evaluate adaptability of materials and equipment to aircraft design and manufacture. May recommend improvements in testing equipment and techniques.
BDUK fibre // flickr
#37. Electronics engineers, except computer
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC
– Annual mean salary: $95,110
– #122 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 870
National
– Annual mean salary: $112,320
– Employment: 122,320
– Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
– Metros with highest average pay:
— San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($148,210)
— Austin-Round Rock, TX ($134,110)
— Idaho Falls, ID ($131,740)
– Job description: Research, design, develop, or test electronic components and systems for commercial, industrial, military, or scientific use employing knowledge of electronic theory and materials properties. Design electronic circuits and components for use in fields such as telecommunications, aerospace guidance and propulsion control, acoustics, or instruments and controls.
Stock Rocket // Shutterstock
#36. Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, technical and scientific products
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC
– Annual mean salary: $95,350
– #104 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 3,480
National
– Annual mean salary: $99,680
– Employment: 288,150
– Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Rochester, NY ($150,650)
— San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($143,850)
— Battle Creek, MI ($141,310)
– Job description: Sell goods for wholesalers or manufacturers where technical or scientific knowledge is required in such areas as biology, engineering, chemistry, and electronics, normally obtained from at least 2 years of postsecondary education.
Flamingo Images // Shutterstock
#35. Credit analysts
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC
– Annual mean salary: $97,400
– #16 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 1,630
National
– Annual mean salary: $86,170
– Employment: 72,090
– Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Danbury, CT ($126,820)
— New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($122,540)
— Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL ($119,980)
– Job description: Analyze credit data and financial statements of individuals or firms to determine the degree of risk involved in extending credit or lending money. Prepare reports with credit information for use in decisionmaking.
PR Image Factory // Shutterstock
#34. Operations research analysts
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC
– Annual mean salary: $98,080
– #23 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 1,850
National
– Annual mean salary: $92,280
– Employment: 96,220
– Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
– Metros with highest average pay:
— San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($146,830)
— Salinas, CA ($124,950)
— Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA ($123,370)
– Job description: Formulate and apply mathematical modeling and other optimizing methods to develop and interpret information that assists management with decisionmaking, policy formulation, or other managerial functions. May collect and analyze data and develop decision support software, services, or products. May develop and supply optimal time, cost, or logistics networks for program evaluation, review, or implementation.
SeventyFour // Shutterstock
#33. Computer hardware engineers
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC
– Annual mean salary: $98,190
– #82 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 300
National
– Annual mean salary: $126,140
– Employment: 64,710
– Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
– Metros with highest average pay:
— San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($179,570)
— Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($171,540)
— Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH ($153,780)
– Job description: Research, design, develop, or test computer or computer-related equipment for commercial, industrial, military, or scientific use. May supervise the manufacturing and installation of computer or computer-related equipment and components.
Freedom Studio // Shutterstock
#32. Directors, religious activities and education
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC
– Annual mean salary: $98,950
– #2 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 60
National
– Annual mean salary: $52,660
– Employment: 19,860
– Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Austin-Round Rock, TX ($102,190)
— Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC ($98,950)
— Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($79,280)
– Job description: Coordinate or design programs and conduct outreach to promote the religious education or activities of a denominational group. May provide counseling, guidance, and leadership relative to marital, health, financial, and religious problems.
Canva
#31. Computer systems analysts
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC
– Annual mean salary: $99,860
– #37 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 11,390
National
– Annual mean salary: $99,020
– Employment: 574,450
– Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
– Metros with highest average pay:
— San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($133,970)
— San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($125,350)
— Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX ($124,070)
– Job description: Analyze science, engineering, business, and other data processing problems to develop and implement solutions to complex applications problems, system administration issues, or network concerns. Perform systems management and integration functions, improve existing computer systems, and review computer system capabilities, workflow, and schedule limitations. May analyze or recommend commercially available software.
Canva
#30. Electrical engineers
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC
– Annual mean salary: $100,820
– #111 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 1,640
National
– Annual mean salary: $105,990
– Employment: 185,220
– Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
– Metros with highest average pay:
— San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($150,480)
— Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV ($130,150)
— Idaho Falls, ID ($125,700)
– Job description: Research, design, develop, test, or supervise the manufacturing and installation of electrical equipment, components, or systems for commercial, industrial, military, or scientific use.
PIYAWAT WONGOPASS // Shutterstock
#29. Computer programmers
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC
– Annual mean salary: $101,480
– #22 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 1,410
National
– Annual mean salary: $95,640
– Employment: 178,140
– Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
– Metros with highest average pay:
— San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($125,420)
— Midland, TX ($119,390)
— San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($113,530)
– Job description: Create, modify, and test the code and scripts that allow computer applications to run. Work from specifications drawn up by software and web developers or other individuals. May develop and write computer programs to store, locate, and retrieve specific documents, data, and information.
Roman Samborskyi // Shutterstock
#28. Software developers and software quality assurance analysts and testers
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC
– Annual mean salary: $104,750
– #90 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 15,070
National
– Annual mean salary: $114,270
– Employment: 1,476,800
– Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
– Metros with highest average pay:
— San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($157,480)
— San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($144,740)
— Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($140,930)
– Job description: Research, design, and develop computer and network software or specialized utility programs. Analyze user needs and develop software solutions, applying principles and techniques of computer science, engineering, and mathematical analysis. Update software or enhance existing software capabilities. May work with computer hardware engineers to integrate hardware and software systems, and develop specifications and performance requirements. May maintain databases within an application area, working individually or coordinating database development as part of a team.
rawpixel.com // Shutterstock
#27. Securities, commodities, and financial services sales agents
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC
– Annual mean salary: $105,790
– #15 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 7,340
National
– Annual mean salary: $96,540
– Employment: 440,300
– Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
– Metros with highest average pay:
— New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($156,380)
— Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($155,340)
— Missoula, MT ($122,420)
– Job description: Buy and sell securities or commodities in investment and trading firms, or provide financial services to businesses and individuals. May advise customers about stocks, bonds, mutual funds, commodities, and market conditions.
EU2017EE // Flickr
#26. Information security analysts
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC
– Annual mean salary: $106,420
– #44 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 3,680
National
– Annual mean salary: $107,580
– Employment: 138,000
– Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
– Metros with highest average pay:
— San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($147,160)
— San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($136,910)
— Idaho Falls, ID ($130,620)
– Job description: Plan, implement, upgrade, or monitor security measures for the protection of computer networks and information. Assess system vulnerabilities for security risks and propose and implement risk mitigation strategies. May ensure appropriate security controls are in place that will safeguard digital files and vital electronic infrastructure. May respond to computer security breaches and viruses.
TaLaNoVa // Shutterstock
#25. Sales engineers
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC
– Annual mean salary: $106,470
– #58 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 1,100
National
– Annual mean salary: $117,270
– Employment: 63,780
– Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Durham-Chapel Hill, NC ($163,860)
— Milwaukee-Waukesha-West Allis, WI ($158,140)
— Dover-Durham, NH-ME ($155,490)
– Job description: Sell business goods or services, the selling of which requires a technical background equivalent to a baccalaureate degree in engineering.
fizkes // Shutterstock
#24. Management analysts
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC
– Annual mean salary: $106,510
– #33 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 9,070
National
– Annual mean salary: $97,580
– Employment: 734,000
– Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Dothan, AL ($163,720)
— Barnstable Town, MA ($157,490)
— Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($135,250)
– Job description: Conduct organizational studies and evaluations, design systems and procedures, conduct work simplification and measurement studies, and prepare operations and procedures manuals to assist management in operating more efficiently and effectively. Includes program analysts and management consultants.
Jacob L. // Shutterstock
#23. Database administrators and architects
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC
– Annual mean salary: $107,480
– #15 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 1,890
National
– Annual mean salary: $101,090
– Employment: 133,630
– Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
– Metros with highest average pay:
— San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($143,340)
— Trenton, NJ ($126,540)
— Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($120,430)
– Job description: Administer, test, and implement computer databases, applying knowledge of database management systems. Coordinate changes to computer databases. Identify, investigate, and resolve database performance issues, database capacity, and database scalability. May plan, coordinate, and implement security measures to safeguard computer databases.
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
#22. Medical and health services managers
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC
– Annual mean salary: $109,230
– #192 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 2,210
National
– Annual mean salary: $118,800
– Employment: 402,540
– Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Vallejo-Fairfield, CA ($174,010)
— Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA ($171,430)
— Madera, CA ($168,090)
– Job description: Plan, direct, or coordinate medical and health services in hospitals, clinics, managed care organizations, public health agencies, or similar organizations.
Sunshine Seeds // Shutterstock
#21. Industrial production managers
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC
– Annual mean salary: $111,800
– #189 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 1,590
National
– Annual mean salary: $118,190
– Employment: 179,570
– Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
– Metros with highest average pay:
— New Orleans-Metairie, LA ($171,890)
— Florence, SC ($167,660)
— Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA ($155,320)
– Job description: Plan, direct, or coordinate the work activities and resources necessary for manufacturing products in accordance with cost, quality, and quantity specifications.
IAEA Imagebank // Flickr
#20. Nuclear engineers
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC
– Annual mean salary: $112,530
– #13 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 340
National
– Annual mean salary: $125,130
– Employment: 15,700
– Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH ($140,060)
— Idaho Falls, ID ($139,530)
— Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA ($136,680)
– Job description: Conduct research on nuclear engineering projects or apply principles and theory of nuclear science to problems concerned with release, control, and use of nuclear energy and nuclear waste disposal.
IBM Research // Flickr
#19. Computer network architects
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC
– Annual mean salary: $115,110
– #56 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 2,010
National
– Annual mean salary: $119,230
– Employment: 159,350
– Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
– Metros with highest average pay:
— San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($161,950)
— Dover-Durham, NH-ME ($152,060)
— San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($148,250)
– Job description: Design and implement computer and information networks, such as local area networks (LAN), wide area networks (WAN), intranets, extranets, and other data communications networks. Perform network modeling, analysis, and planning, including analysis of capacity needs for network infrastructures. May also design network and computer security measures. May research and recommend network and data communications hardware and software.
Bradley Evans // U.S. Navy
#18. Chemical engineers
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC
– Annual mean salary: $116,670
– #28 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 300
National
– Annual mean salary: $114,820
– Employment: 25,770
– Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Midland, TX ($158,110)
— Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX ($147,310)
— Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX ($140,750)
– Job description: Design chemical plant equipment and devise processes for manufacturing chemicals and products, such as gasoline, synthetic rubber, plastics, detergents, cement, paper, and pulp, by applying principles and technology of chemistry, physics, and engineering.
USACE NY // Flickr
#17. Construction managers
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC
– Annual mean salary: $116,780
– #43 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 5,030
National
– Annual mean salary: $107,260
– Employment: 285,640
– Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Napa, CA ($161,780)
— Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ ($154,800)
— New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($153,490)
– Job description: Plan, direct, or coordinate, usually through subordinate supervisory personnel, activities concerned with the construction and maintenance of structures, facilities, and systems. Participate in the conceptual development of a construction project and oversee its organization, scheduling, budgeting, and implementation. Includes managers in specialized construction fields, such as carpentry or plumbing.
rawpixel.com // Shutterstock
#16. Art directors
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC
– Annual mean salary: $118,610
– #9 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 80
National
– Annual mean salary: $114,490
– Employment: 40,950
– Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA ($147,070)
— San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($144,660)
— New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($142,260)
– Job description: Formulate design concepts and presentation approaches for visual productions and media, such as print, broadcasting, video, and film. Direct workers engaged in artwork or layout design.
Canva
#15. Airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC
– Annual mean salary: $120,210
– #24 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 2,700
National
– Annual mean salary: $186,870
– Employment: 83,550
– Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI ($259,010)
— Naples-Immokalee-Marco Island, FL ($254,640)
— San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($252,430)
– Job description: Pilot and navigate the flight of fixed-wing aircraft, usually on scheduled air carrier routes, for the transport of passengers and cargo. Requires Federal Air Transport certificate and rating for specific aircraft type used. Includes regional, national, and international airline pilots and flight instructors of airline pilots.
rawpixel.com // Shutterstock
#14. Purchasing managers
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC
– Annual mean salary: $125,820
– #63 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 850
National
– Annual mean salary: $132,660
– Employment: 70,960
– Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR-MO ($181,240)
— New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($172,300)
— Morgantown, WV ($167,740)
– Job description: Plan, direct, or coordinate the activities of buyers, purchasing officers, and related workers involved in purchasing materials, products, and services. Includes wholesale or retail trade merchandising managers and procurement managers.
rawpixel.com // Shutterstock
#13. Training and development managers
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC
– Annual mean salary: $128,360
– #29 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 460
National
– Annual mean salary: $125,920
– Employment: 38,710
– Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
– Metros with highest average pay:
— New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($178,590)
— San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($167,570)
— San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($166,750)
– Job description: Plan, direct, or coordinate the training and development activities and staff of an organization.
Pixabay
#12. Advertising and promotions managers
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC
– Annual mean salary: $128,500
– #25 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 100
National
– Annual mean salary: $147,560
– Employment: 22,490
– Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Boulder, CO ($220,420)
— New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($185,490)
— San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($181,540)
– Job description: Plan, direct, or coordinate advertising policies and programs or produce collateral materials, such as posters, contests, coupons, or giveaways, to create extra interest in the purchase of a product or service for a department, an entire organization, or on an account basis.
NTNU // Flickr
#11. Natural sciences managers
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC
– Annual mean salary: $129,450
– #60 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 170
National
– Annual mean salary: $154,930
– Employment: 75,870
– Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
– Metros with highest average pay:
— San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($221,460)
— Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR-MO ($214,020)
— San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($205,120)
– Job description: Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as life sciences, physical sciences, mathematics, statistics, and research and development in these fields.
Pixabay
#10. General and operations managers
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC
– Annual mean salary: $134,020
– #42 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 18,860
National
– Annual mean salary: $125,740
– Employment: 2,347,420
– Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($183,170)
— San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($175,990)
— New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($172,370)
– Job description: Plan, direct, or coordinate the operations of public or private sector organizations, overseeing multiple departments or locations. Duties and responsibilities include formulating policies, managing daily operations, and planning the use of materials and human resources, but are too diverse and general in nature to be classified in any one functional area of management or administration, such as personnel, purchasing, or administrative services. Usually manage through subordinate supervisors. Excludes First-Line Supervisors.
Jacob L. // Shutterstock
#9. Human resources managers
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC
– Annual mean salary: $144,860
– #24 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 1,380
National
– Annual mean salary: $134,580
– Employment: 156,600
– Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($194,040)
— San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($183,890)
— New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($179,870)
– Job description: Plan, direct, or coordinate human resources activities and staff of an organization.
Financial Times // Wikimedia Commons
#8. Personal financial advisors
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC
– Annual mean salary: $146,650
– #29 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 3,460
National
– Annual mean salary: $122,490
– Employment: 218,050
– Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Gainesville, FL ($206,120)
— New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($169,850)
— Tyler, TX ($169,690)
– Job description: Advise clients on financial plans using knowledge of tax and investment strategies, securities, insurance, pension plans, and real estate. Duties include assessing clients’ assets, liabilities, cash flow, insurance coverage, tax status, and financial objectives. May also buy and sell financial assets for clients.
Pixabay
#7. Architectural and engineering managers
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC
– Annual mean salary: $148,240
– #94 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 1,600
National
– Annual mean salary: $158,100
– Employment: 195,900
– Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
– Metros with highest average pay:
— San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($226,920)
— Amarillo, TX ($199,940)
— Naples-Immokalee-Marco Island, FL ($198,610)
– Job description: Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as architecture and engineering or research and development in these fields.
TopRank Online Marketing // Flickr
#6. Marketing managers
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC
– Annual mean salary: $150,110
– #50 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 2,640
National
– Annual mean salary: $154,470
– Employment: 270,200
– Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA ($213,180)
— San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($211,210)
— San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($196,260)
– Job description: Plan, direct, or coordinate marketing policies and programs, such as determining the demand for products and services offered by a firm and its competitors, and identify potential customers. Develop pricing strategies with the goal of maximizing the firm’s profits or share of the market while ensuring the firm’s customers are satisfied. Oversee product development or monitor trends that indicate the need for new products and services.
Almonroth // Wikimedia Commons
#5. Computer and information systems managers
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC
– Annual mean salary: $152,920
– #44 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 6,080
National
– Annual mean salary: $161,730
– Employment: 457,290
– Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
– Metros with highest average pay:
— San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($235,040)
— San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($212,480)
— New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($201,320)
– Job description: Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as electronic data processing, information systems, systems analysis, and computer programming.
Canva
#4. Sales managers
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC
– Annual mean salary: $155,960
– #28 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 3,070
National
– Annual mean salary: $147,580
– Employment: 390,170
– Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
– Metros with highest average pay:
— San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($207,070)
— New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($202,700)
— Trenton, NJ ($186,960)
– Job description: Plan, direct, or coordinate the actual distribution or movement of a product or service to the customer. Coordinate sales distribution by establishing sales territories, quotas, and goals and establish training programs for sales representatives. Analyze sales statistics gathered by staff to determine sales potential and inventory requirements and monitor the preferences of customers.
dokurose // Shutterstock
#3. Actuaries
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC
– Annual mean salary: $156,910
– #1 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 440
National
– Annual mean salary: $123,180
– Employment: 22,480
– Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC ($156,910)
— New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($148,230)
— San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX ($142,550)
– Job description: Analyze statistical data, such as mortality, accident, sickness, disability, and retirement rates and construct probability tables to forecast risk and liability for payment of future benefits. May ascertain insurance rates required and cash reserves necessary to ensure payment of future benefits.
Canva
#2. Financial managers
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC
– Annual mean salary: $174,110
– #8 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 7,370
National
– Annual mean salary: $151,510
– Employment: 653,080
– Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
– Metros with highest average pay:
— New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($214,670)
— Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($210,180)
— San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($192,310)
– Job description: Plan, direct, or coordinate accounting, investing, banking, insurance, securities, and other financial activities of a branch, office, or department of an establishment.
Maurizio Pesce // flickr
#1. Chief executives
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC
– Annual mean salary: $257,520
– #8 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 1,240
National
– Annual mean salary: $197,840
– Employment: 202,360
– Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($293,000)
— Midland, TX ($269,360)
— Sioux Falls, SD ($263,770)
– Job description: Determine and formulate policies and provide overall direction of companies or private and public sector organizations within guidelines set up by a board of directors or similar governing body. Plan, direct, or coordinate operational activities at the highest level of management with the help of subordinate executives and staff managers.
