Highest paying jobs in Asheville for high school graduates
Written by:
July 20, 2022
Leszek Glasner // Shutterstock
Highest paying jobs in Asheville for high school graduates
The average college graduate in 2020 earned $1,305 a week, while the average high school graduate takes home just $781, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Of course, college isn’t for everyone. There are many reasons high-school graduates may choose to not continue on to college, not the least of which being cost. Average tuition costs continue to rise each year, the exception being the 2020-2021 school year, due to the coronavirus pandemic. Average tuition at a public, in-state university coming in at $9,687; tuition for out-of-state students at public schools, and for everyone at private universities, is significantly higher at $21,874 and $35,087, respectively.
Stacker compiled a list of the highest paying jobs for high school graduates in Asheville, NC using data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Jobs are ranked by 2021 annual mean wage.
Keep reading to see which jobs in your city pay the most for high school graduates.
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1 / 50
GolF2532 // Shutterstock
#50. Security and fire alarm systems installers
Asheville, NC
- Annual mean salary: $45,080
- #153 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 60
National
- Annual mean salary: $52,150
- Employment: 68,920
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Eugene, OR ($70,940)
--- Salem, OR ($68,640)
--- Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI ($68,520)
- Annual mean salary: $45,080
- #153 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 60
National
- Annual mean salary: $52,150
- Employment: 68,920
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Eugene, OR ($70,940)
--- Salem, OR ($68,640)
--- Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI ($68,520)
2 / 50
Dmitry Kalinovsky // Shutterstock
#49. Chemical equipment operators and tenders
Asheville, NC
- Annual mean salary: $45,110
- #157 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 150
National
- Annual mean salary: $53,330
- Employment: 93,060
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Southwest Louisiana nonmetropolitan area ($91,300)
--- Billings, MT ($88,420)
--- Baton Rouge, LA ($76,050)
- Annual mean salary: $45,110
- #157 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 150
National
- Annual mean salary: $53,330
- Employment: 93,060
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Southwest Louisiana nonmetropolitan area ($91,300)
--- Billings, MT ($88,420)
--- Baton Rouge, LA ($76,050)
3 / 50
Andrey_Popov // Shutterstock
#47 (tie). Payroll and timekeeping clerks
Asheville, NC
- Annual mean salary: $45,120
- #244 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 180
National
- Annual mean salary: $48,290
- Employment: 133,870
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($66,600)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($66,240)
--- Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV ($60,930)
- Annual mean salary: $45,120
- #244 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 180
National
- Annual mean salary: $48,290
- Employment: 133,870
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($66,600)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($66,240)
--- Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV ($60,930)
4 / 50
Susan Law Cain // Shutterstock
#47 (tie). Tree trimmers and pruners
Asheville, NC
- Annual mean salary: $45,120
- #69 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 90
National
- Annual mean salary: $44,040
- Employment: 52,040
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($66,120)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($66,000)
--- Anchorage, AK ($64,280)
- Annual mean salary: $45,120
- #69 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 90
National
- Annual mean salary: $44,040
- Employment: 52,040
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($66,120)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($66,000)
--- Anchorage, AK ($64,280)
5 / 50
Canva
#46. Automotive body and related repairers
Asheville, NC
- Annual mean salary: $45,360
- #317 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 170
National
- Annual mean salary: $49,430
- Employment: 137,120
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Ann Arbor, MI ($71,350)
--- Ames, IA ($68,340)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($68,060)
- Annual mean salary: $45,360
- #317 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 170
National
- Annual mean salary: $49,430
- Employment: 137,120
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Ann Arbor, MI ($71,350)
--- Ames, IA ($68,340)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($68,060)
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6 / 50
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
#45. Insurance claims and policy processing clerks
Asheville, NC
- Annual mean salary: $45,380
- #112 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 40
National
- Annual mean salary: $45,070
- Employment: 240,740
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($60,830)
--- Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT ($59,120)
--- Portsmouth, NH-ME ($58,380)
- Annual mean salary: $45,380
- #112 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 40
National
- Annual mean salary: $45,070
- Employment: 240,740
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($60,830)
--- Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT ($59,120)
--- Portsmouth, NH-ME ($58,380)
7 / 50
Rido // Shutterstock
#44. Opticians, dispensing
Asheville, NC
- Annual mean salary: $45,900
- #73 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 110
National
- Annual mean salary: $41,380
- Employment: 68,180
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($70,300)
--- New Haven, CT ($69,460)
--- Massachusetts nonmetropolitan area ($66,670)
- Annual mean salary: $45,900
- #73 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 110
National
- Annual mean salary: $41,380
- Employment: 68,180
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($70,300)
--- New Haven, CT ($69,460)
--- Massachusetts nonmetropolitan area ($66,670)
8 / 50
Rob Kim // Getty Images
#43. First-line supervisors of retail sales workers
Asheville, NC
- Annual mean salary: $45,940
- #178 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,900
National
- Annual mean salary: $47,300
- Employment: 1,063,110
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($57,830)
--- Boulder, CO ($56,520)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($55,930)
- Annual mean salary: $45,940
- #178 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,900
National
- Annual mean salary: $47,300
- Employment: 1,063,110
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($57,830)
--- Boulder, CO ($56,520)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($55,930)
9 / 50
London Metropolitan Archives/Heritage Images // Getty Images
#42. Machinists
Asheville, NC
- Annual mean salary: $46,510
- #249 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,090
National
- Annual mean salary: $47,800
- Employment: 360,340
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Alaska nonmetropolitan area ($76,230)
--- Urban Honolulu, HI ($71,070)
--- Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV ($69,300)
- Annual mean salary: $46,510
- #249 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,090
National
- Annual mean salary: $47,800
- Employment: 360,340
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Alaska nonmetropolitan area ($76,230)
--- Urban Honolulu, HI ($71,070)
--- Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV ($69,300)
10 / 50
Zivica Kerkez // Shutterstock
#41. Loan interviewers and clerks
Asheville, NC
- Annual mean salary: $47,180
- #60 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 160
National
- Annual mean salary: $42,780
- Employment: 204,100
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Salinas, CA ($59,060)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($58,140)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($56,710)
- Annual mean salary: $47,180
- #60 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 160
National
- Annual mean salary: $42,780
- Employment: 204,100
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Salinas, CA ($59,060)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($58,140)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($56,710)
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11 / 50
Viktoriia Hnatiuk // Shutterstock
#40. Travel agents
Asheville, NC
- Annual mean salary: $47,550
- #31 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 40
National
- Annual mean salary: $46,650
- Employment: 55,180
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($72,820)
--- Southwest Colorado nonmetropolitan area ($61,710)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($59,110)
- Annual mean salary: $47,550
- #31 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 40
National
- Annual mean salary: $46,650
- Employment: 55,180
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($72,820)
--- Southwest Colorado nonmetropolitan area ($61,710)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($59,110)
12 / 50
Hulton Archive // Getty Images
#39. Electricians
Asheville, NC
- Annual mean salary: $47,870
- #449 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 800
National
- Annual mean salary: $61,550
- Employment: 656,510
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($93,900)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($91,090)
--- Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI ($86,600)
- Annual mean salary: $47,870
- #449 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 800
National
- Annual mean salary: $61,550
- Employment: 656,510
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($93,900)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($91,090)
--- Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI ($86,600)
13 / 50
Loveischiangrai // Shutterstock
#38. First-line supervisors of landscaping, lawn service, and groundskeeping workers
Asheville, NC
- Annual mean salary: $48,640
- #259 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 220
National
- Annual mean salary: $54,040
- Employment: 103,730
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Madera, CA ($76,040)
--- Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT ($74,800)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($73,360)
- Annual mean salary: $48,640
- #259 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 220
National
- Annual mean salary: $54,040
- Employment: 103,730
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Madera, CA ($76,040)
--- Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT ($74,800)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($73,360)
14 / 50
Andrey_Popov // Shutterstock
#37. Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters
Asheville, NC
- Annual mean salary: $48,750
- #389 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 530
National
- Annual mean salary: $61,100
- Employment: 417,440
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($94,580)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($89,500)
--- Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI ($89,190)
- Annual mean salary: $48,750
- #389 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 530
National
- Annual mean salary: $61,100
- Employment: 417,440
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($94,580)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($89,500)
--- Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI ($89,190)
15 / 50
G-Stock Studio // Shutterstock
#36. Production, planning, and expediting clerks
Asheville, NC
- Annual mean salary: $48,830
- #292 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 430
National
- Annual mean salary: $52,000
- Employment: 362,090
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Idaho Falls, ID ($74,970)
--- Norwich-New London-Westerly, CT-RI ($71,160)
--- West North Dakota nonmetropolitan area ($67,770)
- Annual mean salary: $48,830
- #292 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 430
National
- Annual mean salary: $52,000
- Employment: 362,090
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Idaho Falls, ID ($74,970)
--- Norwich-New London-Westerly, CT-RI ($71,160)
--- West North Dakota nonmetropolitan area ($67,770)
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16 / 50
goodluz // Shutterstock
#35. Real estate sales agents
Asheville, NC
- Annual mean salary: $48,900
- #265 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: data not available
National
- Annual mean salary: $62,990
- Employment: 168,740
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Midland, TX ($100,060)
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($99,880)
--- Worcester, MA-CT ($93,400)
- Annual mean salary: $48,900
- #265 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: data not available
National
- Annual mean salary: $62,990
- Employment: 168,740
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Midland, TX ($100,060)
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($99,880)
--- Worcester, MA-CT ($93,400)
17 / 50
Kot500 // Shutterstock
#34. Bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists
Asheville, NC
- Annual mean salary: $48,970
- #265 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 330
National
- Annual mean salary: $52,090
- Employment: 253,010
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($75,900)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($73,400)
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($70,480)
- Annual mean salary: $48,970
- #265 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 330
National
- Annual mean salary: $52,090
- Employment: 253,010
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($75,900)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($73,400)
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($70,480)
18 / 50
Peter Braakmann // Shutterstock
#33. First-line supervisors of farming, fishing, and forestry workers
Asheville, NC
- Annual mean salary: $50,670
- #133 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 60
National
- Annual mean salary: $54,420
- Employment: 22,640
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- South Arkansas nonmetropolitan area ($85,480)
--- Northwestern Idaho nonmetropolitan area ($77,330)
--- Longview, WA ($74,500)
- Annual mean salary: $50,670
- #133 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 60
National
- Annual mean salary: $54,420
- Employment: 22,640
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- South Arkansas nonmetropolitan area ($85,480)
--- Northwestern Idaho nonmetropolitan area ($77,330)
--- Longview, WA ($74,500)
19 / 50
Kitawit Jitaton // Shutterstock
#32. Telecommunications line installers and repairers
Asheville, NC
- Annual mean salary: $50,870
- #231 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 70
National
- Annual mean salary: $61,860
- Employment: 122,480
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($90,680)
--- Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH ($90,370)
--- Salinas, CA ($88,050)
- Annual mean salary: $50,870
- #231 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 70
National
- Annual mean salary: $61,860
- Employment: 122,480
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($90,680)
--- Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH ($90,370)
--- Salinas, CA ($88,050)
20 / 50
Canva
#31. Excavating and loading machine and dragline operators, surface mining
Asheville, NC
- Annual mean salary: $51,800
- #59 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 40
National
- Annual mean salary: $48,500
- Employment: 40,240
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($87,740)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($86,630)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($83,090)
- Annual mean salary: $51,800
- #59 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 40
National
- Annual mean salary: $48,500
- Employment: 40,240
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($87,740)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($86,630)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($83,090)
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21 / 50
Jacob Lund // Shutterstock
#30. Advertising sales agents
Asheville, NC
- Annual mean salary: $52,120
- #182 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 90
National
- Annual mean salary: $68,040
- Employment: 110,040
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($97,840)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($97,720)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($83,050)
- Annual mean salary: $52,120
- #182 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 90
National
- Annual mean salary: $68,040
- Employment: 110,040
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($97,840)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($97,720)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($83,050)
22 / 50
welcomia // Shutterstock
#29. Mobile heavy equipment mechanics, except engines
Asheville, NC
- Annual mean salary: $52,820
- #273 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 140
National
- Annual mean salary: $57,000
- Employment: 147,680
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Fairbanks, AK ($86,740)
--- Urban Honolulu, HI ($82,520)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($79,470)
- Annual mean salary: $52,820
- #273 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 140
National
- Annual mean salary: $57,000
- Employment: 147,680
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Fairbanks, AK ($86,740)
--- Urban Honolulu, HI ($82,520)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($79,470)
23 / 50
Canva
#28. Dental laboratory technicians
Asheville, NC
- Annual mean salary: $52,940
- #14 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 70
National
- Annual mean salary: $45,230
- Employment: 30,800
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($67,730)
--- Idaho Falls, ID ($59,560)
--- Durham-Chapel Hill, NC ($55,140)
- Annual mean salary: $52,940
- #14 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 70
National
- Annual mean salary: $45,230
- Employment: 30,800
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($67,730)
--- Idaho Falls, ID ($59,560)
--- Durham-Chapel Hill, NC ($55,140)
24 / 50
Erin Deleon // Shutterstock
#27. Postal service mail carriers
Asheville, NC
- Annual mean salary: $53,600
- #269 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 530
National
- Annual mean salary: $53,180
- Employment: 333,570
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Modesto, CA ($57,160)
--- Bismarck, ND ($57,090)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($56,820)
- Annual mean salary: $53,600
- #269 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 530
National
- Annual mean salary: $53,180
- Employment: 333,570
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Modesto, CA ($57,160)
--- Bismarck, ND ($57,090)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($56,820)
25 / 50
Indypendenz // Shutterstock
#26. Postal service mail sorters, processors, and processing machine operators
Asheville, NC
- Annual mean salary: $53,940
- #14 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 30
National
- Annual mean salary: $51,440
- Employment: 105,400
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Huntsville, AL ($55,830)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($55,260)
--- Wausau, WI ($55,060)
- Annual mean salary: $53,940
- #14 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 30
National
- Annual mean salary: $51,440
- Employment: 105,400
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Huntsville, AL ($55,830)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($55,260)
--- Wausau, WI ($55,060)
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26 / 50
Pxhere
#25. Maintenance workers, machinery
Asheville, NC
- Annual mean salary: $54,310
- #94 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 160
National
- Annual mean salary: $51,960
- Employment: 65,240
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Western Wyoming nonmetropolitan area ($77,890)
--- Alaska nonmetropolitan area ($77,690)
--- Savannah, GA ($76,260)
- Annual mean salary: $54,310
- #94 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 160
National
- Annual mean salary: $51,960
- Employment: 65,240
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Western Wyoming nonmetropolitan area ($77,890)
--- Alaska nonmetropolitan area ($77,690)
--- Savannah, GA ($76,260)
27 / 50
Rebekah Zemansky // Shutterstock
#24. First-line supervisors of correctional officers
Asheville, NC
- Annual mean salary: $55,180
- #160 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 50
National
- Annual mean salary: $67,600
- Employment: 53,420
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($114,400)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($113,220)
--- Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA ($112,950)
- Annual mean salary: $55,180
- #160 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 50
National
- Annual mean salary: $67,600
- Employment: 53,420
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($114,400)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($113,220)
--- Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA ($112,950)
28 / 50
GaudiLab // Shutterstock
#23. First-line supervisors of office and administrative support workers
Asheville, NC
- Annual mean salary: $55,190
- #311 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,820
National
- Annual mean salary: $62,010
- Employment: 1,427,260
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($82,050)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($79,520)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($78,430)
- Annual mean salary: $55,190
- #311 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,820
National
- Annual mean salary: $62,010
- Employment: 1,427,260
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($82,050)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($79,520)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($78,430)
29 / 50
Oil and Gas Photographer // Shutterstock
#22. Control and valve installers and repairers, except mechanical door
Asheville, NC
- Annual mean salary: $55,640
- #186 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 50
National
- Annual mean salary: $62,400
- Employment: 50,660
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA ($98,380)
--- Salt Lake City, UT ($94,070)
--- Santa Rosa, CA ($92,800)
- Annual mean salary: $55,640
- #186 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 50
National
- Annual mean salary: $62,400
- Employment: 50,660
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA ($98,380)
--- Salt Lake City, UT ($94,070)
--- Santa Rosa, CA ($92,800)
30 / 50
DenisProduction.com // Shutterstock
#21. Chefs and head cooks
Asheville, NC
- Annual mean salary: $56,600
- #119 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 180
National
- Annual mean salary: $58,740
- Employment: 101,490
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Leominster-Gardner, MA ($81,020)
--- Massachusetts nonmetropolitan area ($79,820)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($79,600)
- Annual mean salary: $56,600
- #119 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 180
National
- Annual mean salary: $58,740
- Employment: 101,490
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Leominster-Gardner, MA ($81,020)
--- Massachusetts nonmetropolitan area ($79,820)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($79,600)
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31 / 50
rlat // Shutterstock
#20. Postal service clerks
Asheville, NC
- Annual mean salary: $57,200
- #16 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 120
National
- Annual mean salary: $51,200
- Employment: 86,950
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Houma-Thibodaux, LA ($59,410)
--- Florence, SC ($59,360)
--- Monroe, MI ($59,320)
- Annual mean salary: $57,200
- #16 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 120
National
- Annual mean salary: $51,200
- Employment: 86,950
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Houma-Thibodaux, LA ($59,410)
--- Florence, SC ($59,360)
--- Monroe, MI ($59,320)
32 / 50
Syda Productions // Shutterstock
#19. Executive secretaries and executive administrative assistants
Asheville, NC
- Annual mean salary: $58,200
- #223 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 210
National
- Annual mean salary: $65,230
- Employment: 503,390
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($94,590)
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($87,760)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($87,420)
- Annual mean salary: $58,200
- #223 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 210
National
- Annual mean salary: $65,230
- Employment: 503,390
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($94,590)
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($87,760)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($87,420)
33 / 50
Canva
#18. Construction and building inspectors
Asheville, NC
- Annual mean salary: $58,560
- #222 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 180
National
- Annual mean salary: $66,470
- Employment: 113,770
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- New Haven, CT ($121,510)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($107,330)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($106,190)
- Annual mean salary: $58,560
- #222 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 180
National
- Annual mean salary: $66,470
- Employment: 113,770
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- New Haven, CT ($121,510)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($107,330)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($106,190)
34 / 50
SritanaN // Shutterstock
#17. Industrial machinery mechanics
Asheville, NC
- Annual mean salary: $58,670
- #188 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 480
National
- Annual mean salary: $57,350
- Employment: 385,980
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Fairbanks, AK ($85,900)
--- Lake Charles, LA ($85,360)
--- Anchorage, AK ($82,890)
- Annual mean salary: $58,670
- #188 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 480
National
- Annual mean salary: $57,350
- Employment: 385,980
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Fairbanks, AK ($85,900)
--- Lake Charles, LA ($85,360)
--- Anchorage, AK ($82,890)
35 / 50
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
#16. Insurance sales agents
Asheville, NC
- Annual mean salary: $60,010
- #253 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 410
National
- Annual mean salary: $69,100
- Employment: 409,950
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($104,230)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($103,470)
--- Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA ($95,620)
- Annual mean salary: $60,010
- #253 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 410
National
- Annual mean salary: $69,100
- Employment: 409,950
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($104,230)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($103,470)
--- Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA ($95,620)
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36 / 50
Paolo Bona // Shutterstock
#15. Food service managers
Asheville, NC
- Annual mean salary: $60,900
- #191 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 320
National
- Annual mean salary: $61,000
- Employment: 197,010
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Trenton, NJ ($91,320)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($89,860)
--- Kahului-Wailuku-Lahaina, HI ($87,750)
- Annual mean salary: $60,900
- #191 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 320
National
- Annual mean salary: $61,000
- Employment: 197,010
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Trenton, NJ ($91,320)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($89,860)
--- Kahului-Wailuku-Lahaina, HI ($87,750)
37 / 50
sculpies // Shutterstock
#14. First-line supervisors of construction trades and extraction workers
Asheville, NC
- Annual mean salary: $62,770
- #401 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,300
National
- Annual mean salary: $72,990
- Employment: 614,080
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($112,020)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($103,820)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($101,210)
- Annual mean salary: $62,770
- #401 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,300
National
- Annual mean salary: $72,990
- Employment: 614,080
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($112,020)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($103,820)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($101,210)
38 / 50
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
#13. Claims adjusters, examiners, and investigators
Asheville, NC
- Annual mean salary: $62,820
- #308 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 100
National
- Annual mean salary: $70,650
- Employment: 287,150
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Kennewick-Richland, WA ($104,350)
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($95,200)
--- Eastern Washington nonmetropolitan area ($92,500)
- Annual mean salary: $62,820
- #308 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 100
National
- Annual mean salary: $70,650
- Employment: 287,150
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Kennewick-Richland, WA ($104,350)
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($95,200)
--- Eastern Washington nonmetropolitan area ($92,500)
39 / 50
Stock Rocket // Shutterstock
#12. Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products
Asheville, NC
- Annual mean salary: $63,170
- #364 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,550
National
- Annual mean salary: $73,500
- Employment: 1,278,670
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($102,280)
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($92,660)
--- Napa, CA ($92,620)
- Annual mean salary: $63,170
- #364 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,550
National
- Annual mean salary: $73,500
- Employment: 1,278,670
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($102,280)
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($92,660)
--- Napa, CA ($92,620)
40 / 50
Oleg Golovnev // Shutterstock
#11. First-line supervisors of production and operating workers
Asheville, NC
- Annual mean salary: $63,550
- #311 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,010
National
- Annual mean salary: $66,800
- Employment: 599,900
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Baton Rouge, LA ($98,170)
--- Lake Charles, LA ($97,910)
--- West North Dakota nonmetropolitan area ($96,900)
- Annual mean salary: $63,550
- #311 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,010
National
- Annual mean salary: $66,800
- Employment: 599,900
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Baton Rouge, LA ($98,170)
--- Lake Charles, LA ($97,910)
--- West North Dakota nonmetropolitan area ($96,900)
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41 / 50
4 PM production // Shutterstock
#10. First-line supervisors of mechanics, installers, and repairers
Asheville, NC
- Annual mean salary: $64,140
- #431 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 690
National
- Annual mean salary: $73,100
- Employment: 475,000
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Bremerton-Silverdale, WA ($93,830)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($93,030)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($92,870)
- Annual mean salary: $64,140
- #431 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 690
National
- Annual mean salary: $73,100
- Employment: 475,000
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Bremerton-Silverdale, WA ($93,830)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($93,030)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($92,870)
42 / 50
Prath // Shutterstock
#9. Detectives and criminal investigators
Asheville, NC
- Annual mean salary: $67,310
- #260 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 140
National
- Annual mean salary: $89,300
- Employment: 105,980
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($132,210)
--- Anchorage, AK ($127,070)
--- Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV ($123,460)
- Annual mean salary: $67,310
- #260 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 140
National
- Annual mean salary: $89,300
- Employment: 105,980
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($132,210)
--- Anchorage, AK ($127,070)
--- Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV ($123,460)
43 / 50
Tim Goode/PA Images // Getty Images
#8. Sales representatives of services, except advertising, insurance, financial services, and travel
Asheville, NC
- Annual mean salary: $67,810
- #107 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,000
National
- Annual mean salary: $70,490
- Employment: 977,070
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($103,810)
--- Boulder, CO ($101,630)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($97,360)
- Annual mean salary: $67,810
- #107 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,000
National
- Annual mean salary: $70,490
- Employment: 977,070
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($103,810)
--- Boulder, CO ($101,630)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($97,360)
44 / 50
Luisa Leal Photography // Shutterstock
#7. Electrical power-line installers and repairers
Asheville, NC
- Annual mean salary: $74,190
- #226 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 100
National
- Annual mean salary: $74,410
- Employment: 114,930
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA ($117,700)
--- Salinas, CA ($110,180)
--- North Valley-Northern Mountains Region of California nonmetropolitan area ($109,740)
- Annual mean salary: $74,190
- #226 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 100
National
- Annual mean salary: $74,410
- Employment: 114,930
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA ($117,700)
--- Salinas, CA ($110,180)
--- North Valley-Northern Mountains Region of California nonmetropolitan area ($109,740)
45 / 50
Canva
#6. First-line supervisors of police and detectives
Asheville, NC
- Annual mean salary: $75,160
- #314 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 140
National
- Annual mean salary: $97,180
- Employment: 122,310
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($182,700)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($170,740)
--- Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA ($164,600)
- Annual mean salary: $75,160
- #314 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 140
National
- Annual mean salary: $97,180
- Employment: 122,310
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($182,700)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($170,740)
--- Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA ($164,600)
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46 / 50
Leszek Glasner // Shutterstock
#5. Property, real estate, and community association managers
Asheville, NC
- Annual mean salary: $77,010
- #64 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 210
National
- Annual mean salary: $73,210
- Employment: 219,800
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($109,540)
--- Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO ($106,420)
--- Piedmont North Carolina nonmetropolitan area ($105,220)
- Annual mean salary: $77,010
- #64 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 210
National
- Annual mean salary: $73,210
- Employment: 219,800
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($109,540)
--- Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO ($106,420)
--- Piedmont North Carolina nonmetropolitan area ($105,220)
47 / 50
Ken Wolter // Shutterstock
#4. Postmasters and mail superintendents
Asheville, NC
- Annual mean salary: $83,010
- #54 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 30
National
- Annual mean salary: $79,660
- Employment: 13,880
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL ($97,930)
--- Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ ($96,450)
--- San Diego-Carlsbad, CA ($94,460)
- Annual mean salary: $83,010
- #54 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 30
National
- Annual mean salary: $79,660
- Employment: 13,880
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL ($97,930)
--- Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ ($96,450)
--- San Diego-Carlsbad, CA ($94,460)
48 / 50
g-stockstudio // Shutterstock
#3. First-line supervisors of non-retail sales workers
Asheville, NC
- Annual mean salary: $93,470
- #64 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 270
National
- Annual mean salary: $90,120
- Employment: 240,290
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Portland-South Portland, ME ($129,860)
--- Durham-Chapel Hill, NC ($121,360)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($121,250)
- Annual mean salary: $93,470
- #64 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 270
National
- Annual mean salary: $90,120
- Employment: 240,290
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Portland-South Portland, ME ($129,860)
--- Durham-Chapel Hill, NC ($121,360)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($121,250)
49 / 50
Kelly Ogden // Wikimedia Commons
#2. Transportation, storage, and distribution managers
Asheville, NC
- Annual mean salary: $94,440
- #224 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 100
National
- Annual mean salary: $105,100
- Employment: 132,210
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($159,890)
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($154,170)
--- Trenton, NJ ($144,620)
- Annual mean salary: $94,440
- #224 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 100
National
- Annual mean salary: $105,100
- Employment: 132,210
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($159,890)
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($154,170)
--- Trenton, NJ ($144,620)
50 / 50
Skycolors // Shutterstock
#1. Commercial pilots
Asheville, NC
- Annual mean salary: $109,440
- #62 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 30
National
- Annual mean salary: $110,830
- Employment: 37,120
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($185,920)
--- Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA ($184,260)
--- Savannah, GA ($177,450)
- Annual mean salary: $109,440
- #62 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 30
National
- Annual mean salary: $110,830
- Employment: 37,120
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($185,920)
--- Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA ($184,260)
--- Savannah, GA ($177,450)
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