Most common jobs in Charlotte

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

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 Charlotte 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 Charlotte are the most common.

#50. Childcare workers

Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC
- Employment: 4,370 (3.604 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $24,080 (#199 highest pay among all metros)

National
- Employment: 494,360 (3.554 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $26,790
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Fairbanks, AK ($38,590)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($38,090)
--- Santa Rosa, CA ($36,220)
- Job description: Attend to children at schools, businesses, private households, and childcare institutions. Perform a variety of tasks, such as dressing, feeding, bathing, and overseeing play.

#49. First-line supervisors of mechanics, installers, and repairers

Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC
- Employment: 4,500 (3.717 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $73,930 (#117 highest pay among all metros)

National
- Employment: 475,000 (3.415 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $73,100
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($95,680)
--- Bremerton-Silverdale, WA ($93,140)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($92,810)
- Job description: Directly supervise and coordinate the activities of mechanics, installers, and repairers. May also advise customers on recommended services. Excludes team or work leaders.

#48. Insurance sales agents

Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC
- Employment: 4,790 (3.955 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $66,300 (#128 highest pay among all metros)

National
- Employment: 409,950 (2.947 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $69,100
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($109,540)
--- Birmingham-Hoover, AL ($105,840)
--- Fond du Lac, WI ($105,190)
- Job description: Sell life, property, casualty, health, automotive, or other types of insurance. May refer clients to independent brokers, work as an independent broker, or be employed by an insurance company.

#47. Lawyers

Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC
- Employment: 4,990 (4.122 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $144,660 (#37 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.

#46. Construction managers

Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC
- Employment: 5,030 (4.151 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $116,780 (#43 highest pay among all metros)

National
- Employment: 285,640 (2.054 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $107,260
- 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.

#45. Middle school teachers, except special and career/technical education

Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC
- Employment: 5,120 (4.229 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $54,000 (#219 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.

#44. First-line supervisors of production and operating workers

Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC
- Employment: 5,210 (4.304 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $63,610 (#228 highest pay among all metros)

National
- Employment: 599,900 (4.313 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $66,800
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Baton Rouge, LA ($101,930)
--- Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX ($100,590)
--- Longview, WA ($99,590)
- Job description: Directly supervise and coordinate the activities of production and operating workers, such as inspectors, precision workers, machine setters and operators, assemblers, fabricators, and plant and system operators. Excludes team or work leaders.

#43. Police and sheriff's patrol officers

Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC
- Employment: 5,320 (4.388 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $53,890 (#253 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.

#42. First-line supervisors of transportation and material moving workers, except aircraft cargo handling supervisors

Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC
- Employment: 5,330 (4.402 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $54,670 (#205 highest pay among all metros)

National
- Employment: 477,430 (3.432 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $58,300
- Entry level education requirements: nan
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Fairbanks, AK ($80,810)
--- Houma-Thibodaux, LA ($76,610)
--- Odessa, TX ($76,050)
- Job description: Directly supervise and coordinate activities of material-moving machine and vehicle operators and helpers.

#41. Driver/sales workers

Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC
- Employment: 5,390 (4.452 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $24,960 (#317 highest pay among all metros)

National
- Employment: 420,890 (3.026 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $31,870
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Gadsden, AL ($46,460)
--- Cumberland, MD-WV ($45,780)
--- Medford, OR ($45,310)
- Job description: Drive truck or other vehicle over established routes or within an established territory and sell or deliver goods, such as food products, including restaurant take-out items, or pick up or deliver items such as commercial laundry. May also take orders, collect payment, or stock merchandise at point of delivery.

#40. Medical assistants

Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC
- Employment: 5,440 (4.495 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $36,060 (#133 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.

#39. Electricians

Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC
- Employment: 5,720 (4.719 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $46,350 (#322 highest pay among all metros)

National
- Employment: 656,510 (4.72 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $61,550
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($106,680)
--- Trenton, NJ ($90,210)
--- Kankakee, IL ($88,530)
- Job description: Install, maintain, and repair electrical wiring, equipment, and fixtures. Ensure that work is in accordance with relevant codes. May install or service street lights, intercom systems, or electrical control systems.

#38. Automotive service technicians and mechanics

Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC
- Employment: 6,210 (5.130 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $48,670 (#91 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.

#37. Maids and housekeeping cleaners

Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC
- Employment: 6,250 (5.162 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $24,310 (#227 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.

#36. Human resources specialists

Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC
- Employment: 6,340 (5.237 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $69,460 (#64 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.

#35. Shipping, receiving, and inventory clerks

Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC
- Employment: 6,450 (5.327 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $35,830 (#225 highest pay among all metros)

National
- Employment: 727,640 (5.231 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $37,210
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Fairbanks, AK ($52,310)
--- California-Lexington Park, MD ($50,180)
--- Bremerton-Silverdale, WA ($49,530)
- Job description: Verify and maintain records on incoming and outgoing shipments involving inventory. Duties include verifying and recording incoming merchandise or material and arranging for the transportation of products. May prepare items for shipment.

#34. Computer user support specialists

Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC
- Employment: 6,700 (5.533 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $53,550 (#148 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.

#32 (tie). Industrial truck and tractor operators

Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC
- Employment: 6,990 (5.768 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $36,650 (#242 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.

#32 (tie). Packers and packagers, hand

Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC
- Employment: 6,990 (5.767 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $26,360 (#227 highest pay among all metros)

National
- Employment: 599,270 (4.308 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $29,270
- Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Rome, GA ($39,770)
--- Longview, WA ($39,680)
--- Kahului-Wailuku-Lahaina, HI ($36,820)
- Job description: Pack or package by hand a wide variety of products and materials.

#31. Market research analysts and marketing specialists

Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC
- Employment: 7,160 (5.910 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $72,280 (#43 highest pay among all metros)

National
- Employment: 690,160 (4.962 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $73,970
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor's degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($117,900)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($97,720)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($96,150)
- Job description: Research conditions in local, regional, national, or online markets. Gather information to determine potential sales of a product or service, or plan a marketing or advertising campaign. May gather information on competitors, prices, sales, and methods of marketing and distribution. May employ search marketing tactics, analyze web metrics, and develop recommendations to increase search engine ranking and visibility to target markets.

#30. Teaching assistants, except postsecondary

Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC
- Employment: 7,210 (5.953 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $26,580 (#234 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.

#29. Securities, commodities, and financial services sales agents

Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC
- Employment: 7,340 (6.064 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $105,790 (#15 highest pay among all metros)

National
- Employment: 440,300 (3.165 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $96,540
- 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.

#28. Financial managers

Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC
- Employment: 7,370 (6.083 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $174,110 (#8 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.

#27. Management analysts

Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC
- Employment: 9,070 (7.487 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $106,510 (#33 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.

#26. Cooks, fast food

Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC
- Employment: 9,310 (7.685 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $21,650 (#200 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.

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

Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC
- Employment: 9,510 (7.849 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $65,690 (#225 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. First-line supervisors of food preparation and serving workers

Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC
- Employment: 9,590 (7.916 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $35,330 (#227 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.

#23. First-line supervisors of retail sales workers

Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC
- Employment: 9,670 (7.986 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $49,210 (#85 highest pay among all metros)

National
- Employment: 1,063,110 (7.643 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $47,300
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($62,180)
--- Yakima, WA ($61,710)
--- Sheboygan, WI ($61,610)
- Job description: Directly supervise and coordinate activities of retail sales workers in an establishment or department. Duties may include management functions, such as purchasing, budgeting, accounting, and personnel work, in addition to supervisory duties.

#22. Maintenance and repair workers, general

Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC
- Employment: 10,470 (8.643 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $44,440 (#103 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.

#21. Security guards

Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC
- Employment: 10,510 (8.678 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $31,600 (#220 highest pay among all metros)

National
- Employment: 1,054,400 (7.58 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $34,360
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Idaho Falls, ID ($66,030)
--- San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles-Arroyo Grande, CA ($61,090)
--- Durham-Chapel Hill, NC ($51,850)
- Job description: Guard, patrol, or monitor premises to prevent theft, violence, or infractions of rules. May operate x-ray and metal detector equipment.

#20. Receptionists and information clerks

Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC
- Employment: 10,920 (9.019 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $31,500 (#133 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.

#19. Computer systems analysts

Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC
- Employment: 11,390 (9.405 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $99,860 (#37 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.

#17 (tie). Elementary school teachers, except special education

Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC
- Employment: 11,490 (9.488 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $54,020 (#226 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.

#17 (tie). Cooks, restaurant

Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC
- Employment: 11,490 (9.483 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $27,090 (#213 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.

#16. Secretaries and administrative assistants, except legal, medical, and executive

Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC
- Employment: 12,220 (10.093 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $40,330 (#102 highest pay among all metros)

National
- Employment: 1,850,360 (13.302 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $40,420
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($56,080)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($52,480)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($51,930)
- Job description: Perform routine administrative functions such as drafting correspondence, scheduling appointments, organizing and maintaining paper and electronic files, or providing information to callers.

#15. Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks

Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC
- Employment: 12,270 (10.127 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $43,070 (#115 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.

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

Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC
- Employment: 12,520 (10.340 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $64,450 (#129 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.

#13. Accountants and auditors

Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC
- Employment: 14,060 (11.612 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $88,150 (#18 highest pay among all metros)

National
- Employment: 1,274,620 (9.163 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $81,660
- 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.

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

Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC
- Employment: 15,070 (12.438 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $104,750 (#90 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.

#11. Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products

Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC
- Employment: 16,190 (13.366 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $88,910 (#10 highest pay among all metros)

National
- Employment: 1,278,670 (9.192 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $73,500
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Danbury, CT ($112,810)
--- Napa, CA ($101,850)
--- Santa Fe, NM ($93,680)
- Job description: Sell goods for wholesalers or manufacturers to businesses or groups of individuals. Work requires substantial knowledge of items sold.

#10. Waiters and waitresses

Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC
- Employment: 16,300 (13.458 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $24,540 (#188 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.

#9. Heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers

Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC
- Employment: 17,390 (14.354 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $48,360 (#160 highest pay among all metros)

National
- Employment: 1,797,710 (12.924 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $48,710
- Entry level education requirements: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Barnstable Town, MA ($65,170)
--- Danville, IL ($63,230)
--- Lewiston, ID-WA ($62,250)
- Job description: Drive a tractor-trailer combination or a truck with a capacity of at least 26,001 pounds Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW). May be required to unload truck. Requires commercial drivers' license. Includes tow truck drivers.

#8. Stockers and order fillers

Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC
- Employment: 21,730 (17.940 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $29,900 (#178 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.

#7. Office clerks, general

Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC
- Employment: 22,450 (18.536 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $36,430 (#166 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.

#6. Registered nurses

Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC
- Employment: 23,690 (19.555 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $70,420 (#177 highest pay among all metros)

National
- Employment: 2,986,500 (21.47 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $80,010
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor's degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($149,200)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($146,870)
--- Vallejo-Fairfield, CA ($142,140)
- Job description: Assess patient health problems and needs, develop and implement nursing care plans, and maintain medical records. Administer nursing care to ill, injured, convalescent, or disabled patients. May advise patients on health maintenance and disease prevention or provide case management. Licensing or registration required.

#5. Fast food and counter workers

Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC
- Employment: 27,490 (22.693 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $22,160 (#213 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. Customer service representatives

Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC
- Employment: 30,310 (25.024 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $39,110 (#78 highest pay among all metros)

National
- Employment: 2,833,250 (20.368 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $38,510
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($49,930)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($47,720)
--- Midland, MI ($47,250)
- Job description: Interact with customers to provide basic or scripted information in response to routine inquiries about products and services. May handle and resolve general complaints. Excludes individuals whose duties are primarily installation, sales, repair, and technical support.

#3. Cashiers

Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC
- Employment: 32,300 (26.667 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $22,850 (#285 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. Retail salespersons

Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC
- Employment: 32,390 (26.737 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $29,960 (#183 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.

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

Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC
- Employment: 32,750 (27.036 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $30,900 (#261 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.

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