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Highest-paying management jobs in Durham
Not everyone has what it takes to be a manager in today's workplace, and those who do tend to be well compensated.
Workers today are split on how they want to interact with their jobs. Half of workers want to blend their work and their personal lives, while the other roughly 50% prefer to keep them separate, according to Gallup polling. The lion's share want more flexibility in where they perform their work—at a time when businesses may have to buckle in for tougher economic conditions in the year ahead.
Whether overseeing a sales team or leading a commercial building project, these are the challenges that get management professionals out of bed in the morning.
Stacker compiled a list of the highest-paying management 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 "management occupations" were included.
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#25. Education and childcare administrators, preschool and daycare
Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
- Annual mean salary: $44,180
- #236 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 140
National
- Annual mean salary: $53,800
- Employment: 56,430
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($74,390)
--- Vineland-Bridgeton, NJ ($73,080)
--- Napa, CA ($70,330)
- Annual mean salary: $44,180
- #236 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 140
National
- Annual mean salary: $53,800
- Employment: 56,430
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($74,390)
--- Vineland-Bridgeton, NJ ($73,080)
--- Napa, CA ($70,330)
#24. Food service managers
Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
- Annual mean salary: $65,030
- #111 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 340
National
- Annual mean salary: $63,970
- Employment: 210,680
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Trenton, NJ ($91,320)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($89,860)
--- Kahului-Wailuku-Lahaina, HI ($87,750)
- Annual mean salary: $65,030
- #111 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 340
National
- Annual mean salary: $63,970
- Employment: 210,680
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Trenton, NJ ($91,320)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($89,860)
--- Kahului-Wailuku-Lahaina, HI ($87,750)
#23. Social and community service managers
Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
- Annual mean salary: $80,040
- #52 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 250
National
- Annual mean salary: $76,790
- Employment: 156,400
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV ($100,530)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($98,240)
--- Charlottesville, VA ($98,200)
- Annual mean salary: $80,040
- #52 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 250
National
- Annual mean salary: $76,790
- Employment: 156,400
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV ($100,530)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($98,240)
--- Charlottesville, VA ($98,200)
#22. Property, real estate, and community association managers
Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
- Annual mean salary: $84,200
- #29 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 330
National
- Annual mean salary: $70,030
- Employment: 234,680
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($109,540)
--- Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO ($106,420)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($103,610)
- Annual mean salary: $84,200
- #29 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 330
National
- Annual mean salary: $70,030
- Employment: 234,680
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($109,540)
--- Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO ($106,420)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($103,610)
#21. Education administrators, kindergarten through secondary
Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
- Annual mean salary: $84,900
- #350 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 500
National
- Annual mean salary: $102,650
- Employment: 274,710
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($144,880)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($143,450)
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($142,330)
- Annual mean salary: $84,900
- #350 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 500
National
- Annual mean salary: $102,650
- Employment: 274,710
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($144,880)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($143,450)
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($142,330)
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#20. Facilities managers
Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
- Annual mean salary: $106,100
- #58 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 220
National
- Annual mean salary: $101,970
- Employment: 101,230
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Kennewick-Richland, WA ($146,040)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($136,440)
--- Ithaca, NY ($136,210)
- Annual mean salary: $106,100
- #58 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 220
National
- Annual mean salary: $101,970
- Employment: 101,230
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Kennewick-Richland, WA ($146,040)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($136,440)
--- Ithaca, NY ($136,210)
#19. Fundraising managers
Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
- Annual mean salary: $111,470
- #50 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 180
National
- Annual mean salary: $119,400
- Employment: 23,190
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($175,610)
--- Syracuse, NY ($155,700)
--- Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH ($153,980)
- Annual mean salary: $111,470
- #50 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 180
National
- Annual mean salary: $119,400
- Employment: 23,190
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($175,610)
--- Syracuse, NY ($155,700)
--- Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH ($153,980)
#18. Construction managers
Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
- Annual mean salary: $112,760
- #50 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 810
National
- Annual mean salary: $108,210
- Employment: 284,750
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Anchorage, AK ($160,710)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($149,050)
--- Napa, CA ($145,430)
- Annual mean salary: $112,760
- #50 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 810
National
- Annual mean salary: $108,210
- Employment: 284,750
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Anchorage, AK ($160,710)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($149,050)
--- Napa, CA ($145,430)
#17. Compensation and benefits managers
Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
- Annual mean salary: $115,790
- #53 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 170
National
- Annual mean salary: $139,470
- Employment: 15,330
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($190,560)
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($187,770)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($177,130)
- Annual mean salary: $115,790
- #53 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 170
National
- Annual mean salary: $139,470
- Employment: 15,330
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($190,560)
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($187,770)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($177,130)
#16. Transportation, storage, and distribution managers
Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
- Annual mean salary: $119,490
- #16 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 210
National
- Annual mean salary: $105,580
- Employment: 144,640
- 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: $119,490
- #16 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 210
National
- Annual mean salary: $105,580
- Employment: 144,640
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($159,890)
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($154,170)
--- Trenton, NJ ($144,620)
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#15. Administrative services managers
Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
- Annual mean salary: $122,180
- #26 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 620
National
- Annual mean salary: $113,030
- Employment: 224,620
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($149,360)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($142,650)
--- Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH ($141,950)
- Annual mean salary: $122,180
- #26 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 620
National
- Annual mean salary: $113,030
- Employment: 224,620
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($149,360)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($142,650)
--- Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH ($141,950)
#14. Industrial production managers
Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
- Annual mean salary: $125,490
- #61 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 450
National
- Annual mean salary: $117,780
- Employment: 192,270
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($155,640)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($153,860)
--- Fort Collins, CO ($153,470)
- Annual mean salary: $125,490
- #61 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 450
National
- Annual mean salary: $117,780
- Employment: 192,270
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($155,640)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($153,860)
--- Fort Collins, CO ($153,470)
#13. Medical and health services managers
Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
- Annual mean salary: $132,700
- #30 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,550
National
- Annual mean salary: $119,840
- Employment: 436,770
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($162,110)
--- Vallejo-Fairfield, CA ($157,340)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($156,370)
- Annual mean salary: $132,700
- #30 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,550
National
- Annual mean salary: $119,840
- Employment: 436,770
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($162,110)
--- Vallejo-Fairfield, CA ($157,340)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($156,370)
#12. Public relations managers
Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
- Annual mean salary: $134,170
- #29 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 200
National
- Annual mean salary: $138,000
- Employment: 59,850
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($183,410)
--- Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV ($182,890)
--- Boulder, CO ($174,250)
- Annual mean salary: $134,170
- #29 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 200
National
- Annual mean salary: $138,000
- Employment: 59,850
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($183,410)
--- Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV ($182,890)
--- Boulder, CO ($174,250)
#11. Training and development managers
Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
- Annual mean salary: $135,500
- #19 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 250
National
- Annual mean salary: $128,800
- Employment: 35,830
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($180,360)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($176,270)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($166,410)
- Annual mean salary: $135,500
- #19 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 250
National
- Annual mean salary: $128,800
- Employment: 35,830
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($180,360)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($176,270)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($166,410)
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#10. Human resources managers
Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
- Annual mean salary: $138,240
- #47 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 570
National
- Annual mean salary: $136,590
- Employment: 166,530
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($190,020)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($186,930)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($175,410)
- Annual mean salary: $138,240
- #47 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 570
National
- Annual mean salary: $136,590
- Employment: 166,530
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($190,020)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($186,930)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($175,410)
#9. General and operations managers
Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
- Annual mean salary: $138,800
- #15 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 5,540
National
- Annual mean salary: $115,250
- Employment: 2,984,920
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($165,340)
--- Trenton, NJ ($165,030)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($159,210)
- Annual mean salary: $138,800
- #15 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 5,540
National
- Annual mean salary: $115,250
- Employment: 2,984,920
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($165,340)
--- Trenton, NJ ($165,030)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($159,210)
#8. Purchasing managers
Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
- Annual mean salary: $143,530
- #20 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 250
National
- Annual mean salary: $134,590
- Employment: 69,310
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Trenton, NJ ($181,030)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($177,010)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($174,760)
- Annual mean salary: $143,530
- #20 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 250
National
- Annual mean salary: $134,590
- Employment: 69,310
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Trenton, NJ ($181,030)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($177,010)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($174,760)
#7. Architectural and engineering managers
Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
- Annual mean salary: $144,870
- #146 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 590
National
- Annual mean salary: $158,970
- Employment: 187,100
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($228,000)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($206,050)
--- Naples-Immokalee-Marco Island, FL ($198,430)
- Annual mean salary: $144,870
- #146 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 590
National
- Annual mean salary: $158,970
- Employment: 187,100
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($228,000)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($206,050)
--- Naples-Immokalee-Marco Island, FL ($198,430)
#6. Sales managers
Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
- Annual mean salary: $150,070
- #23 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 480
National
- Annual mean salary: $142,390
- Employment: 453,800
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($198,960)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($196,910)
--- Boulder, CO ($182,820)
- Annual mean salary: $150,070
- #23 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 480
National
- Annual mean salary: $142,390
- Employment: 453,800
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($198,960)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($196,910)
--- Boulder, CO ($182,820)
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#5. Marketing managers
Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
- Annual mean salary: $151,580
- #41 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,430
National
- Annual mean salary: $153,440
- Employment: 278,690
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($210,280)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($198,870)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($191,310)
- Annual mean salary: $151,580
- #41 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,430
National
- Annual mean salary: $153,440
- Employment: 278,690
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($210,280)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($198,870)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($191,310)
#4. Computer and information systems managers
Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
- Annual mean salary: $151,910
- #51 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,670
National
- Annual mean salary: $162,930
- Employment: 485,190
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($228,030)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($211,470)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($202,800)
- Annual mean salary: $151,910
- #51 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,670
National
- Annual mean salary: $162,930
- Employment: 485,190
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($228,030)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($211,470)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($202,800)
#3. Financial managers
Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
- Annual mean salary: $171,350
- #12 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,510
National
- Annual mean salary: $153,460
- Employment: 681,070
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($209,100)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($201,330)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($188,900)
- Annual mean salary: $171,350
- #12 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,510
National
- Annual mean salary: $153,460
- Employment: 681,070
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($209,100)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($201,330)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($188,900)
#2. Natural sciences managers
Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
- Annual mean salary: $173,620
- #16 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,620
National
- Annual mean salary: $156,110
- Employment: 74,760
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH ($222,360)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($219,240)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($216,750)
- Annual mean salary: $173,620
- #16 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,620
National
- Annual mean salary: $156,110
- Employment: 74,760
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH ($222,360)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($219,240)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($216,750)
#1. Chief executives
Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
- Annual mean salary: $289,620
- #6 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 150
National
- Annual mean salary: $213,020
- Employment: 200,480
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($313,440)
--- Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX ($298,960)
--- Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX ($296,480)
- Annual mean salary: $289,620
- #6 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 150
National
- Annual mean salary: $213,020
- Employment: 200,480
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($313,440)
--- Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX ($298,960)
--- Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX ($296,480)
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