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Highest-paying business jobs in Durham
Stacker compiled a list of the highest paying business jobs in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area using data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Jobs are ranked by 2021 annual mean wage. Jobs the BLS lists as "business and financial operations occupations" were included. Keep reading to discover the highest paying business jobs in your city.
#23. Tax preparers
Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
- Annual mean salary: $44,880
- #125 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 100
National
- Annual mean salary: $51,080
- Employment: 83,190
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Anchorage, AK ($81,880)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($79,470)
--- Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO ($73,170)
- Annual mean salary: $44,880
- #125 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 100
National
- Annual mean salary: $51,080
- Employment: 83,190
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Anchorage, AK ($81,880)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($79,470)
--- Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO ($73,170)
#22. Meeting, convention, and event planners
Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
- Annual mean salary: $60,390
- #30 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 210
National
- Annual mean salary: $57,850
- Employment: 98,150
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($82,140)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($79,790)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($79,740)
- Annual mean salary: $60,390
- #30 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 210
National
- Annual mean salary: $57,850
- Employment: 98,150
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($82,140)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($79,790)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($79,740)
#21. Training and development specialists
Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
- Annual mean salary: $68,780
- #104 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,370
National
- Annual mean salary: $67,620
- Employment: 336,030
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Dothan, AL ($111,580)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($94,720)
--- Decatur, AL ($94,650)
- Annual mean salary: $68,780
- #104 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,370
National
- Annual mean salary: $67,620
- Employment: 336,030
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Dothan, AL ($111,580)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($94,720)
--- Decatur, AL ($94,650)
#20. Claims adjusters, examiners, and investigators
Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
- Annual mean salary: $69,650
- #184 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 440
National
- Annual mean salary: $70,960
- Employment: 278,140
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Kennewick-Richland, WA ($104,350)
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($95,200)
--- Salinas, CA ($90,800)
- Annual mean salary: $69,650
- #184 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 440
National
- Annual mean salary: $70,960
- Employment: 278,140
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Kennewick-Richland, WA ($104,350)
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($95,200)
--- Salinas, CA ($90,800)
#19. Fundraisers
Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
- Annual mean salary: $72,320
- #18 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 360
National
- Annual mean salary: $64,870
- Employment: 82,080
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($91,460)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($86,070)
--- Salinas, CA ($83,760)
- Annual mean salary: $72,320
- #18 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 360
National
- Annual mean salary: $64,870
- Employment: 82,080
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($91,460)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($86,070)
--- Salinas, CA ($83,760)
#18. Credit counselors
Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
- Annual mean salary: $74,570
- #1 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 50
National
- Annual mean salary: $50,430
- Employment: 31,230
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Durham-Chapel Hill, NC ($74,570)
--- Lincoln, NE ($69,990)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($66,410)
- Annual mean salary: $74,570
- #1 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 50
National
- Annual mean salary: $50,430
- Employment: 31,230
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Durham-Chapel Hill, NC ($74,570)
--- Lincoln, NE ($69,990)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($66,410)
#17. Human resources specialists
Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
- Annual mean salary: $80,100
- #12 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,100
National
- Annual mean salary: $70,720
- Employment: 740,830
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($102,590)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($95,460)
--- Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV ($91,400)
- Annual mean salary: $80,100
- #12 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,100
National
- Annual mean salary: $70,720
- Employment: 740,830
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($102,590)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($95,460)
--- Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV ($91,400)
#16. Compensation, benefits, and job analysis specialists
Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
- Annual mean salary: $81,240
- #15 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 370
National
- Annual mean salary: $73,810
- Employment: 87,750
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($103,980)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($97,020)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($96,830)
- Annual mean salary: $81,240
- #15 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 370
National
- Annual mean salary: $73,810
- Employment: 87,750
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($103,980)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($97,020)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($96,830)
#15. Cost estimators
Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
- Annual mean salary: $81,550
- #27 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 350
National
- Annual mean salary: $73,740
- Employment: 208,950
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH ($104,660)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($99,450)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($98,550)
- Annual mean salary: $81,550
- #27 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 350
National
- Annual mean salary: $73,740
- Employment: 208,950
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH ($104,660)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($99,450)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($98,550)
#14. Budget analysts
Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
- Annual mean salary: $82,790
- #60 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 210
National
- Annual mean salary: $84,240
- Employment: 47,440
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($114,670)
--- Iowa City, IA ($108,870)
--- Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV ($106,380)
- Annual mean salary: $82,790
- #60 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 210
National
- Annual mean salary: $84,240
- Employment: 47,440
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($114,670)
--- Iowa City, IA ($108,870)
--- Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV ($106,380)
#13. Logisticians
Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
- Annual mean salary: $83,500
- #48 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 450
National
- Annual mean salary: $79,230
- Employment: 189,320
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- California-Lexington Park, MD ($115,100)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($111,740)
--- Kokomo, IN ($101,310)
- Annual mean salary: $83,500
- #48 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 450
National
- Annual mean salary: $79,230
- Employment: 189,320
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- California-Lexington Park, MD ($115,100)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($111,740)
--- Kokomo, IN ($101,310)
#12. Accountants and auditors
Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
- Annual mean salary: $86,340
- #33 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 3,060
National
- Annual mean salary: $83,980
- Employment: 1,318,550
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($112,830)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($109,330)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($107,540)
- Annual mean salary: $86,340
- #33 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 3,060
National
- Annual mean salary: $83,980
- Employment: 1,318,550
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($112,830)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($109,330)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($107,540)
#11. Market research analysts and marketing specialists
Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
- Annual mean salary: $86,800
- #6 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,130
National
- Annual mean salary: $76,080
- Employment: 727,540
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($119,180)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($108,370)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($99,510)
- Annual mean salary: $86,800
- #6 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,130
National
- Annual mean salary: $76,080
- Employment: 727,540
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($119,180)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($108,370)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($99,510)
#10. Compliance officers
Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
- Annual mean salary: $88,690
- #10 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 620
National
- Annual mean salary: $75,810
- Employment: 334,340
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($103,650)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($99,460)
--- California-Lexington Park, MD ($96,030)
- Annual mean salary: $88,690
- #10 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 620
National
- Annual mean salary: $75,810
- Employment: 334,340
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($103,650)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($99,460)
--- California-Lexington Park, MD ($96,030)
#9. Insurance underwriters
Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
- Annual mean salary: $91,150
- #15 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 130
National
- Annual mean salary: $79,940
- Employment: 107,690
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($121,000)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($108,990)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($103,150)
- Annual mean salary: $91,150
- #15 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 130
National
- Annual mean salary: $79,940
- Employment: 107,690
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($121,000)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($108,990)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($103,150)
#8. Loan officers
Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
- Annual mean salary: $91,680
- #40 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 460
National
- Annual mean salary: $80,570
- Employment: 340,170
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($111,830)
--- Bend-Redmond, OR ($106,290)
--- Wilmington, NC ($104,930)
- Annual mean salary: $91,680
- #40 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 460
National
- Annual mean salary: $80,570
- Employment: 340,170
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($111,830)
--- Bend-Redmond, OR ($106,290)
--- Wilmington, NC ($104,930)
#7. Credit analysts
Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
- Annual mean salary: $97,980
- #8 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 140
National
- Annual mean salary: $88,030
- Employment: 68,770
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($128,950)
--- Danbury, CT ($121,560)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($117,860)
- Annual mean salary: $97,980
- #8 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 140
National
- Annual mean salary: $88,030
- Employment: 68,770
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($128,950)
--- Danbury, CT ($121,560)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($117,860)
#6. Management analysts
Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
- Annual mean salary: $98,660
- #72 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,170
National
- Annual mean salary: $100,530
- Employment: 768,450
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Dothan, AL ($135,020)
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($127,320)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($125,250)
- Annual mean salary: $98,660
- #72 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,170
National
- Annual mean salary: $100,530
- Employment: 768,450
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Dothan, AL ($135,020)
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($127,320)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($125,250)
#5. Financial and investment analysts
Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
- Annual mean salary: $102,750
- #27 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 980
National
- Annual mean salary: $103,020
- Employment: 291,880
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($135,620)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($133,640)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($132,820)
- Annual mean salary: $102,750
- #27 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 980
National
- Annual mean salary: $103,020
- Employment: 291,880
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($135,620)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($133,640)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($132,820)
#4. Financial examiners
Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
- Annual mean salary: $105,570
- #14 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 140
National
- Annual mean salary: $96,180
- Employment: 60,750
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($128,280)
--- Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV ($125,590)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($124,070)
- Annual mean salary: $105,570
- #14 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 140
National
- Annual mean salary: $96,180
- Employment: 60,750
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($128,280)
--- Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV ($125,590)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($124,070)
#3. Project management specialists
Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
- Annual mean salary: $109,180
- #10 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,540
National
- Annual mean salary: $98,420
- Employment: 743,860
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($133,950)
--- Birmingham-Hoover, AL ($130,250)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($125,330)
- Annual mean salary: $109,180
- #10 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,540
National
- Annual mean salary: $98,420
- Employment: 743,860
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($133,950)
--- Birmingham-Hoover, AL ($130,250)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($125,330)
#2. Personal financial advisors
Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
- Annual mean salary: $121,530
- #95 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,040
National
- Annual mean salary: $119,960
- Employment: 263,030
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Barnstable Town, MA ($172,780)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($161,010)
--- East Stroudsburg, PA ($158,790)
- Annual mean salary: $121,530
- #95 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,040
National
- Annual mean salary: $119,960
- Employment: 263,030
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Barnstable Town, MA ($172,780)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($161,010)
--- East Stroudsburg, PA ($158,790)
#1. Financial risk specialists
Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
- Annual mean salary: $130,610
- #5 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 290
National
- Annual mean salary: $110,610
- Employment: 54,320
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($146,590)
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($141,890)
--- Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA ($141,590)
- Annual mean salary: $130,610
- #5 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 290
National
- Annual mean salary: $110,610
- Employment: 54,320
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($146,590)
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($141,890)
--- Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA ($141,590)
