Most common jobs in Phoenix

Written by:
July 11, 2021
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Most common jobs in Phoenix

The 10 largest occupations in America employ 30.5 million workers, representing 21% of all workers. Keeping America's economy moving would be impossible without office workers, package handlers, food prep workers, and truck drivers. And what would the sick do without the millions of hospital workers, nurses, and home health aides?

Stacker compiled a list of the most common jobs in Phoenix using data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Jobs are ranked by total employment as of May 2020. While much has changed during the coronavirus pandemic, the jobs featured here give a holistic view at the most popular industries in your area and how many jobs are supported.

Keep reading to see which jobs in Phoenix are the most common.

#50. Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators

Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ
- Employment: 6,340 (3.006 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $49,110 (#204 highest pay among all metros)

National
- Employment: 402,870 (2.896 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $55,280
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($96,440)
--- Barnstable Town, MA ($93,620)
--- Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA ($93,320)
- Job description: Operate one or several types of power construction equipment, such as motor graders, bulldozers, scrapers, compressors, pumps, derricks, shovels, tractors, or front-end loaders to excavate, move, and grade earth, erect structures, or pour concrete or other hard surface pavement. May repair and maintain equipment in addition to other duties.

#49. Educational, guidance, and career counselors and advisors

Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ
- Employment: 6,440 (3.056 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $53,400 (#263 highest pay among all metros)

National
- Employment: 292,230 (2.101 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $62,320
- Entry level education requirements: Master’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA ($91,420)
--- El Centro, CA ($91,110)
--- Fresno, CA ($90,860)
- Job description: Advise and assist students and provide educational and vocational guidance services.

#48. Pharmacists

Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ
- Employment: 6,460 (3.061 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $121,300 (#257 highest pay among all metros)

National
- Employment: 315,470 (2.268 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $125,460
- Entry level education requirements: Doctoral or professional degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Madera, CA ($165,350)
--- Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA ($162,540)
--- Vallejo-Fairfield, CA ($161,120)
- Job description: Dispense drugs prescribed by physicians and other health practitioners and provide information to patients about medications and their use. May advise physicians and other health practitioners on the selection, dosage, interactions, and side effects of medications.

#47. Dishwashers

Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ
- Employment: 6,530 (3.095 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $27,070 (#78 highest pay among all metros)

National
- Employment: 395,660 (2.844 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $25,600
- Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($34,440)
--- Kahului-Wailuku-Lahaina, HI ($33,600)
--- Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH ($33,460)
- Job description: Clean dishes, kitchen, food preparation equipment, or utensils.

#46. Dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers

Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ
- Employment: 6,670 (3.163 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $29,160 (#51 highest pay among all metros)

National
- Employment: 374,940 (2.695 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $26,300
- Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Urban Honolulu, HI ($42,670)
--- Kahului-Wailuku-Lahaina, HI ($40,390)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($37,720)
- Job description: Facilitate food service. Clean tables; remove dirty dishes; replace soiled table linens; set tables; replenish supply of clean linens, silverware, glassware, and dishes; supply service bar with food; and serve items such as water, condiments, and coffee to patrons.

#45. Hosts and hostesses, restaurant, lounge, and coffee shop

Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ
- Employment: 6,690 (3.173 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $28,320 (#54 highest pay among all metros)

National
- Employment: 316,700 (2.277 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $24,800
- Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Kahului-Wailuku-Lahaina, HI ($37,330)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($36,960)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($35,910)
- Job description: Welcome patrons, seat them at tables or in lounge, and help ensure quality of facilities and service.

#44. Pharmacy technicians

Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ
- Employment: 6,740 (3.196 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $36,940 (#117 highest pay among all metros)

National
- Employment: 415,310 (2.986 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $36,450
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($56,620)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($56,020)
--- Santa Rosa, CA ($52,810)
- Job description: Prepare medications under the direction of a pharmacist. May measure, mix, count out, label, and record amounts and dosages of medications according to prescription orders.

#43. Bartenders

Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ
- Employment: 7,140 (3.388 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $43,370 (#4 highest pay among all metros)

National
- Employment: 486,720 (3.499 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $28,910
- Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Kahului-Wailuku-Lahaina, HI ($64,630)
--- Urban Honolulu, HI ($59,960)
--- Santa Rosa, CA ($45,330)
- Job description: Mix and serve drinks to patrons, directly or through waitstaff.

#42. Hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists

Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ
- Employment: 7,250 (3.438 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $34,820 (#76 highest pay among all metros)

National
- Employment: 302,410 (2.174 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $32,740
- Entry level education requirements: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Worcester, MA-CT ($50,580)
--- New Bedford, MA ($48,390)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($47,470)
- Job description: Provide beauty services, such as cutting, coloring, and styling hair, and massaging and treating scalp. May shampoo hair, apply makeup, dress wigs, remove hair, and provide nail and skincare services.

#41. Police and sheriff's patrol officers

Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ
- Employment: 7,350 (3.487 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $72,660 (#88 highest pay among all metros)

National
- Employment: 654,900 (4.708 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $70,000
- Entry level education requirements: nan
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($131,090)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($122,570)
--- Santa Rosa, CA ($115,690)
- Job description: Maintain order and protect life and property by enforcing local, tribal, state, or federal laws and ordinances. Perform a combination of the following duties: patrol a specific area; direct traffic; issue traffic summonses; investigate accidents; apprehend and arrest suspects, or serve legal processes of courts. Includes police officers working at educational institutions.

#40. Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters

Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ
- Employment: 7,360 (3.491 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $53,810 (#193 highest pay among all metros)

National
- Employment: 417,440 (3.001 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $61,100
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($106,100)
--- Fairbanks, AK ($94,280)
--- Kankakee, IL ($93,420)
- Job description: Assemble, install, alter, and repair pipelines or pipe systems that carry water, steam, air, or other liquids or gases. May install heating and cooling equipment and mechanical control systems. Includes sprinkler fitters.

#39. Maids and housekeeping cleaners

Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ
- Employment: 7,530 (3.570 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $27,670 (#110 highest pay among all metros)

National
- Employment: 795,590 (5.72 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $28,010
- Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($44,640)
--- Urban Honolulu, HI ($41,370)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($40,490)
- Job description: Perform any combination of light cleaning duties to maintain private households or commercial establishments, such as hotels and hospitals, in a clean and orderly manner. Duties may include making beds, replenishing linens, cleaning rooms and halls, and vacuuming.

#37 (tie). Middle school teachers, except special and career/technical education

Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ
- Employment: 7,670 (3.639 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $48,170 (#288 highest pay among all metros)

National
- Employment: 599,520 (4.31 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $64,990
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Bakersfield, CA ($101,970)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($89,200)
--- Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA ($88,220)
- Job description: Teach one or more subjects to students at the middle, intermediate, or junior high school level.

#37 (tie). Lawyers

Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ
- Employment: 7,670 (3.636 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $143,300 (#40 highest pay among all metros)

National
- Employment: 658,120 (4.731 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $148,910
- Entry level education requirements: Doctoral or professional degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($231,610)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($201,920)
--- Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV ($186,070)
- Job description: Represent clients in criminal and civil litigation and other legal proceedings, draw up legal documents, or manage or advise clients on legal transactions. May specialize in a single area or may practice broadly in many areas of law.

#36. Passenger vehicle drivers, except bus drivers, transit and intercity

Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ
- Employment: 7,710 (3.654 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $35,790 (#103 highest pay among all metros)

National
- Employment: 599,980 (4.313 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $34,360
- Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($46,580)
--- Fairbanks, AK ($45,780)
--- Bremerton-Silverdale, WA ($44,940)
- Job description: Drive a motor vehicle to transport passengers on a planned or scheduled basis. May collect a fare.

#35. Industrial truck and tractor operators

Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ
- Employment: 9,730 (4.612 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $39,030 (#160 highest pay among all metros)

National
- Employment: 640,950 (4.608 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $39,210
- Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Urban Honolulu, HI ($58,230)
--- Hinesville, GA ($56,220)
--- Battle Creek, MI ($52,400)
- Job description: Operate industrial trucks or tractors equipped to move materials around a warehouse, storage yard, factory, construction site, or similar location.

#34. Food preparation workers

Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ
- Employment: 9,940 (4.713 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $28,430 (#96 highest pay among all metros)

National
- Employment: 793,590 (5.705 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $26,820
- Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Kahului-Wailuku-Lahaina, HI ($37,330)
--- Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA ($36,120)
--- Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA ($35,860)
- Job description: Perform a variety of food preparation duties other than cooking, such as preparing cold foods and shellfish, slicing meat, and brewing coffee or tea.

#33. Computer systems analysts

Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ
- Employment: 10,040 (4.760 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $92,680 (#91 highest pay among all metros)

National
- Employment: 574,450 (4.13 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $99,020
- 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.

#32. Automotive service technicians and mechanics

Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ
- Employment: 10,110 (4.796 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $46,200 (#146 highest pay among all metros)

National
- Employment: 620,110 (4.458 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $46,760
- Entry level education requirements: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Fairbanks, AK ($66,060)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($64,630)
--- California-Lexington Park, MD ($64,420)
- Job description: Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul automotive vehicles.

#31. Financial managers

Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ
- Employment: 10,290 (4.880 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $134,270 (#123 highest pay among all metros)

National
- Employment: 653,080 (4.695 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $151,510
- 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.

#30. Secondary school teachers, except special and career/technical education

Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ
- Employment: 11,410 (5.410 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $56,530 (#211 highest pay among all metros)

National
- Employment: 991,000 (7.124 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $67,340
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Napa, CA ($99,170)
--- Fresno, CA ($96,200)
--- Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA ($95,500)
- Job description: Teach one or more subjects to students at the secondary school level.

#29. Management analysts

Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ
- Employment: 11,510 (5.460 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $87,820 (#150 highest pay among all metros)

National
- Employment: 734,000 (5.277 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $97,580
- 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.

#28. Carpenters

Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ
- Employment: 11,900 (5.645 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $48,890 (#149 highest pay among all metros)

National
- Employment: 699,300 (5.027 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $54,200
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Urban Honolulu, HI ($82,950)
--- Vallejo-Fairfield, CA ($82,300)
--- Hanford-Corcoran, CA ($79,870)
- Job description: Construct, erect, install, or repair structures and fixtures made of wood and comparable materials, such as concrete forms; building frameworks, including partitions, joists, studding, and rafters; and wood stairways, window and door frames, and hardwood floors. May also install cabinets, siding, drywall, and batt or roll insulation. Includes brattice builders who build doors or brattices (ventilation walls or partitions) in underground passageways.

#27. Human resources specialists

Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ
- Employment: 11,910 (5.647 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $64,470 (#145 highest pay among all metros)

National
- Employment: 647,810 (4.657 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $69,430
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($96,090)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($93,680)
--- Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV ($90,130)
- Job description: Recruit, screen, interview, or place individuals within an organization. May perform other activities in multiple human resources areas.

#25 (tie). Medical secretaries and administrative assistants

Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ
- Employment: 12,490 (5.924 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $38,450 (#104 highest pay among all metros)

National
- Employment: 597,100 (4.293 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $39,000
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($55,220)
--- Salinas, CA ($53,900)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($52,020)
- Job description: Perform secretarial duties using specific knowledge of medical terminology and hospital, clinic, or laboratory procedures. Duties may include scheduling appointments, billing patients, and compiling and recording medical charts, reports, and correspondence.

#25 (tie). First-line supervisors of construction trades and extraction workers

Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ
- Employment: 12,490 (5.923 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $72,740 (#113 highest pay among all metros)

National
- Employment: 614,080 (4.415 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $72,990
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($107,870)
--- Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA ($103,930)
--- Santa Rosa, CA ($100,620)
- Job description: Directly supervise and coordinate activities of construction or extraction workers.

#24. Light truck drivers

Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ
- Employment: 13,900 (6.592 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $40,050 (#147 highest pay among all metros)

National
- Employment: 929,470 (6.682 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $41,050
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($52,420)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($51,890)
--- Anchorage, AK ($51,590)
- Job description: Drive a light vehicle, such as a truck or van, with a capacity of less than 26,001 pounds Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW), primarily to pick up merchandise or packages from a distribution center and deliver. May load and unload vehicle.

#23. First-line supervisors of food preparation and serving workers

Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ
- Employment: 14,090 (6.682 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $38,240 (#129 highest pay among all metros)

National
- Employment: 891,540 (6.409 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $37,880
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Kahului-Wailuku-Lahaina, HI ($59,490)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($53,350)
--- Napa, CA ($53,230)
- Job description: Directly supervise and coordinate activities of workers engaged in preparing and serving food.

#22. Receptionists and information clerks

Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ
- Employment: 14,490 (6.871 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $33,380 (#72 highest pay among all metros)

National
- Employment: 968,420 (6.962 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $32,410
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Napa, CA ($43,270)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($42,160)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($41,840)
- Job description: Answer inquiries and provide information to the general public, customers, visitors, and other interested parties regarding activities conducted at establishment and location of departments, offices, and employees within the organization.

#21. Medical assistants

Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ
- Employment: 14,770 (7.004 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $36,130 (#131 highest pay among all metros)

National
- Employment: 710,200 (5.106 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $36,930
- Entry level education requirements: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($53,960)
--- Vallejo-Fairfield, CA ($53,660)
--- Santa Rosa, CA ($52,520)
- Job description: Perform administrative and certain clinical duties under the direction of a physician. Administrative duties may include scheduling appointments, maintaining medical records, billing, and coding information for insurance purposes. Clinical duties may include taking and recording vital signs and medical histories, preparing patients for examination, drawing blood, and administering medications as directed by physician.

#20. Computer user support specialists

Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ
- Employment: 15,150 (7.185 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $53,630 (#147 highest pay among all metros)

National
- Employment: 634,820 (4.564 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $57,000
- Entry level education requirements: Some college, no degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA ($86,350)
--- Napa, CA ($78,740)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($78,670)
- Job description: Provide technical assistance to computer users. Answer questions or resolve computer problems for clients in person, via telephone, or electronically. May provide assistance concerning the use of computer hardware and software, including printing, installation, word processing, electronic mail, and operating systems.

#19. Elementary school teachers, except special education

Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ
- Employment: 16,260 (7.711 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $49,850 (#288 highest pay among all metros)

National
- Employment: 1,364,870 (9.812 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $65,420
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Merced, CA ($99,360)
--- Kingston, NY ($93,780)
--- Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA ($92,910)
- Job description: Teach academic and social skills to students at the elementary school level.

#18. Teaching assistants, except postsecondary

Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ
- Employment: 16,470 (7.809 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $28,450 (#165 highest pay among all metros)

National
- Employment: 1,272,840 (9.151 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $30,630
- Entry level education requirements: Some college, no degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA ($42,110)
--- New Bedford, MA ($41,780)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($41,160)
- Job description: Assist a preschool, elementary, middle, or secondary school teacher with instructional duties. Serve in a position for which a teacher has primary responsibility for the design and implementation of educational programs and services.

#17. Construction laborers

Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ
- Employment: 16,790 (7.963 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $40,770 (#159 highest pay among all metros)

National
- Employment: 971,330 (6.983 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $43,000
- Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI ($66,670)
--- Kankakee, IL ($65,730)
--- Urban Honolulu, HI ($63,860)
- Job description: Perform tasks involving physical labor at construction sites. May operate hand and power tools of all types: air hammers, earth tampers, cement mixers, small mechanical hoists, surveying and measuring equipment, and a variety of other equipment and instruments. May clean and prepare sites, dig trenches, set braces to support the sides of excavations, erect scaffolding, and clean up rubble, debris, and other waste materials. May assist other craft workers.

#16. Landscaping and groundskeeping workers

Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ
- Employment: 17,450 (8.276 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $31,010 (#212 highest pay among all metros)

National
- Employment: 872,370 (6.272 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $33,800
- Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($46,990)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($45,160)
--- New Haven, CT ($43,820)
- Job description: Landscape or maintain grounds of property using hand or power tools or equipment. Workers typically perform a variety of tasks, which may include any combination of the following: sod laying, mowing, trimming, planting, watering, fertilizing, digging, raking, sprinkler installation, and installation of mortarless segmental concrete masonry wall units.

#15. Cooks, fast food

Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ
- Employment: 19,040 (9.029 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $26,020 (#92 highest pay among all metros)

National
- Employment: 544,420 (3.914 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $24,300
- Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Cedar Rapids, IA ($34,790)
--- Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA ($33,580)
--- Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA ($33,570)
- Job description: Prepare and cook food in a fast food restaurant with a limited menu. Duties of these cooks are limited to preparation of a few basic items and normally involve operating large-volume single-purpose cooking equipment.

#14. Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks

Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ
- Employment: 20,510 (9.726 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $44,880 (#71 highest pay among all metros)

National
- Employment: 1,443,940 (10.381 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $44,100
- Entry level education requirements: Some college, no degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($56,700)
--- Santa Rosa, CA ($55,720)
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($55,720)
- Job description: Compute, classify, and record numerical data to keep financial records complete. Perform any combination of routine calculating, posting, and verifying duties to obtain primary financial data for use in maintaining accounting records. May also check the accuracy of figures, calculations, and postings pertaining to business transactions recorded by other workers.

#13. Cooks, restaurant

Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ
- Employment: 20,710 (9.821 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $30,070 (#115 highest pay among all metros)

National
- Employment: 1,109,650 (7.977 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $29,530
- Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Kahului-Wailuku-Lahaina, HI ($45,200)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($39,950)
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($39,450)
- Job description: Prepare, season, and cook dishes such as soups, meats, vegetables, or desserts in restaurants. May order supplies, keep records and accounts, price items on menu, or plan menu.

#12. Maintenance and repair workers, general

Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ
- Employment: 20,790 (9.861 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $42,940 (#147 highest pay among all metros)

National
- Employment: 1,357,630 (9.76 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $43,790
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($58,140)
--- Yuba City, CA ($57,930)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($54,820)
- Job description: Perform work involving the skills of two or more maintenance or craft occupations to keep machines, mechanical equipment, or the structure of a building in repair. Duties may involve pipe fitting; HVAC maintenance; insulating; welding; machining; carpentry; repairing electrical or mechanical equipment; installing, aligning, and balancing new equipment; and repairing buildings, floors, or stairs.

#11. Sales representatives of services, except advertising, insurance, financial services, and travel

Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ
- Employment: 23,570 (11.179 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $69,830 (#72 highest pay among all metros)

National
- Employment: 977,070 (7.024 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $70,490
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($115,620)
--- Lawrence, KS ($97,910)
--- Boulder, CO ($94,870)
- Job description: Sell services to individuals or businesses. May describe options or resolve client problems.

#10. First-line supervisors of office and administrative support workers

Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ
- Employment: 25,030 (11.870 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $60,980 (#96 highest pay among all metros)

National
- Employment: 1,427,260 (10.261 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $62,010
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Bremerton-Silverdale, WA ($78,770)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($77,030)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($75,820)
- Job description: Directly supervise and coordinate the activities of clerical and administrative support workers.

#9. Janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners

Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ
- Employment: 25,730 (12.200 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $30,640 (#140 highest pay among all metros)

National
- Employment: 1,990,510 (14.31 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $31,410
- Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($44,110)
--- Barnstable Town, MA ($43,860)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($42,250)
- Job description: Keep buildings in clean and orderly condition. Perform heavy cleaning duties, such as cleaning floors, shampooing rugs, washing walls and glass, and removing rubbish. Duties may include tending furnace and boiler, performing routine maintenance activities, notifying management of need for repairs, and cleaning snow or debris from sidewalk.

#8. Software developers and software quality assurance analysts and testers

Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ
- Employment: 26,570 (12.598 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $105,270 (#87 highest pay among all metros)

National
- Employment: 1,476,800 (10.617 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $114,270
- 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.

#7. Waiters and waitresses

Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ
- Employment: 29,260 (13.876 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $39,590 (#9 highest pay among all metros)

National
- Employment: 1,944,240 (13.977 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $27,470
- Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Urban Honolulu, HI ($62,630)
--- Kahului-Wailuku-Lahaina, HI ($57,210)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($43,160)
- Job description: Take orders and serve food and beverages to patrons at tables in dining establishment.

#6. Office clerks, general

Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ
- Employment: 33,140 (15.713 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $42,130 (#28 highest pay among all metros)

National
- Employment: 2,788,090 (20.044 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $37,770
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($49,560)
--- Napa, CA ($47,570)
--- Boulder, CO ($47,160)
- Job description: Perform duties too varied and diverse to be classified in any specific office clerical occupation, requiring knowledge of office systems and procedures. Clerical duties may be assigned in accordance with the office procedures of individual establishments and may include a combination of answering telephones, bookkeeping, typing or word processing, office machine operation, and filing.

#5. Fast food and counter workers

Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ
- Employment: 36,010 (17.074 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $27,160 (#80 highest pay among all metros)

National
- Employment: 3,450,120 (24.803 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $24,540
- Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($34,020)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($34,000)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($33,370)
- Job description: Perform duties such as taking orders and serving food and beverages. Serve customers at counter or from a steam table. May take payment. May prepare food and beverages.

#4. Stockers and order fillers

Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ
- Employment: 40,140 (19.035 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $33,770 (#47 highest pay among all metros)

National
- Employment: 2,210,960 (15.895 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $31,010
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Odessa, TX ($39,130)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($39,040)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($38,580)
- Job description: Receive, store, and issue merchandise, materials, equipment, and other items from stockroom, warehouse, or storage yard to fill shelves, racks, tables, or customers' orders. May operate power equipment to fill orders. May mark prices on merchandise and set up sales displays.

#3. Cashiers

Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ
- Employment: 41,060 (19.472 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $27,850 (#65 highest pay among all metros)

National
- Employment: 3,333,100 (23.962 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $25,710
- Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($35,970)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($34,480)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($34,320)
- Job description: Receive and disburse money in establishments other than financial institutions. May use electronic scanners, cash registers, or related equipment. May process credit or debit card transactions and validate checks.

#2. Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand

Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ
- Employment: 47,420 (22.486 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $33,960 (#129 highest pay among all metros)

National
- Employment: 2,805,200 (20.167 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $33,710
- Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($42,690)
--- Fairbanks, AK ($41,900)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($41,820)
- Job description: Manually move freight, stock, luggage, or other materials, or perform other general labor. Includes all manual laborers not elsewhere classified.

#1. Retail salespersons

Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ
- Employment: 56,470 (26.778 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $31,840 (#113 highest pay among all metros)

National
- Employment: 3,659,670 (26.31 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $30,940
- Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($43,160)
--- Carson City, NV ($40,030)
--- Santa Rosa, CA ($39,160)
- Job description: Sell merchandise, such as furniture, motor vehicles, appliances, or apparel to consumers.

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