Highest paying jobs in Hickory for high school graduates
Written by:
July 20, 2022
Stock Rocket // Shutterstock
Highest paying jobs in Hickory 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 Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, 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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Vera Larina // Shutterstock
#50. Sheet metal workers
Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC
- Annual mean salary: $41,490
- #332 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 40
National
- Annual mean salary: $55,320
- Employment: 128,220
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Fairbanks, AK ($101,150)
--- Kennewick-Richland, WA ($94,930)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($93,840)
- Annual mean salary: $41,490
- #332 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 40
National
- Annual mean salary: $55,320
- Employment: 128,220
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Fairbanks, AK ($101,150)
--- Kennewick-Richland, WA ($94,930)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($93,840)
2 / 50
evgenii mitroshin // Shutterstock
#49. Electrical, electronic, and electromechanical assemblers, except coil winders, tapers, and finishers
Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC
- Annual mean salary: $41,950
- #47 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,300
National
- Annual mean salary: $38,750
- Employment: 283,800
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- California-Lexington Park, MD ($57,040)
--- Lima, OH ($56,660)
--- Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD ($50,510)
- Annual mean salary: $41,950
- #47 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,300
National
- Annual mean salary: $38,750
- Employment: 283,800
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- California-Lexington Park, MD ($57,040)
--- Lima, OH ($56,660)
--- Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD ($50,510)
3 / 50
Andrey_Popov // Shutterstock
#48. Payroll and timekeeping clerks
Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC
- Annual mean salary: $42,140
- #356 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 140
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: $42,140
- #356 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 140
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
Keystone-France/Gamma-Keystone via Getty Images
#47. Carpenters
Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC
- Annual mean salary: $42,290
- #367 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 360
National
- Annual mean salary: $54,200
- Employment: 699,300
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Urban Honolulu, HI ($81,730)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($78,680)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($78,280)
- Annual mean salary: $42,290
- #367 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 360
National
- Annual mean salary: $54,200
- Employment: 699,300
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Urban Honolulu, HI ($81,730)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($78,680)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($78,280)
5 / 50
U.S. Customs and Border Protection // Wikimedia Commons
#46. Dispatchers, except police, fire, and ambulance
Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC
- Annual mean salary: $42,320
- #296 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 170
National
- Annual mean salary: $44,860
- Employment: 188,450
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Alaska nonmetropolitan area ($64,510)
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($64,140)
--- Decatur, IL ($60,740)
- Annual mean salary: $42,320
- #296 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 170
National
- Annual mean salary: $44,860
- Employment: 188,450
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Alaska nonmetropolitan area ($64,510)
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($64,140)
--- Decatur, IL ($60,740)
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Pixabay
#45. Maintenance and repair workers, general
Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC
- Annual mean salary: $42,370
- #253 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,730
National
- Annual mean salary: $43,790
- Employment: 1,357,630
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($60,230)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($59,870)
--- Kahului-Wailuku-Lahaina, HI ($56,650)
- Annual mean salary: $42,370
- #253 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,730
National
- Annual mean salary: $43,790
- Employment: 1,357,630
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($60,230)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($59,870)
--- Kahului-Wailuku-Lahaina, HI ($56,650)
7 / 50
giocalde // Shutterstock
#44. Printing press operators
Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC
- Annual mean salary: $42,510
- #86 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 240
National
- Annual mean salary: $40,200
- Employment: 160,270
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV ($56,850)
--- Dover-Durham, NH-ME ($51,730)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($50,370)
- Annual mean salary: $42,510
- #86 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 240
National
- Annual mean salary: $40,200
- Employment: 160,270
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV ($56,850)
--- Dover-Durham, NH-ME ($51,730)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($50,370)
8 / 50
GolF2532 // Shutterstock
#43. Security and fire alarm systems installers
Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC
- Annual mean salary: $43,180
- #184 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 50
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: $43,180
- #184 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 50
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)
9 / 50
New Africa // Shutterstock
#42. First-line supervisors of housekeeping and janitorial workers
Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC
- Annual mean salary: $43,340
- #195 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 90
National
- Annual mean salary: $45,500
- Employment: 141,260
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($60,770)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($60,250)
--- Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH ($59,160)
- Annual mean salary: $43,340
- #195 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 90
National
- Annual mean salary: $45,500
- Employment: 141,260
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($60,770)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($60,250)
--- Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH ($59,160)
10 / 50
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
#41. Insurance sales agents
Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC
- Annual mean salary: $43,490
- #495 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 320
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: $43,490
- #495 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 320
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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Canva
#40. Automotive body and related repairers
Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC
- Annual mean salary: $43,510
- #398 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 190
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: $43,510
- #398 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 190
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)
12 / 50
G-Stock Studio // Shutterstock
#39. Production, planning, and expediting clerks
Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC
- Annual mean salary: $44,150
- #458 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 560
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: $44,150
- #458 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 560
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)
13 / 50
Zivica Kerkez // Shutterstock
#38. Loan interviewers and clerks
Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC
- Annual mean salary: $44,860
- #126 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 80
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: $44,860
- #126 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 80
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)
14 / 50
Kot500 // Shutterstock
#37. Bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists
Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC
- Annual mean salary: $45,270
- #419 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 480
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: $45,270
- #419 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 480
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)
15 / 50
Rob Kim // Getty Images
#36. First-line supervisors of retail sales workers
Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC
- Annual mean salary: $45,320
- #202 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,330
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: $45,320
- #202 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,330
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)
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16 / 50
Canva
#35. Upholsterers
Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC
- Annual mean salary: $45,340
- #13 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,850
National
- Annual mean salary: $37,870
- Employment: 26,180
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($61,810)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($54,790)
--- Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH ($51,300)
- Annual mean salary: $45,340
- #13 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,850
National
- Annual mean salary: $37,870
- Employment: 26,180
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($61,810)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($54,790)
--- Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH ($51,300)
17 / 50
Hulton Archive // Getty Images
#34. Electricians
Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC
- Annual mean salary: $45,590
- #484 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 390
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: $45,590
- #484 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 390
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)
18 / 50
London Metropolitan Archives/Heritage Images // Getty Images
#33. Machinists
Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC
- Annual mean salary: $45,800
- #281 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 430
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: $45,800
- #281 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 430
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)
19 / 50
PHILIPIMAGE // Shutterstock
#32. Motorboat mechanics and service technicians
Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC
- Annual mean salary: $46,030
- #61 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 50
National
- Annual mean salary: $45,490
- Employment: 20,440
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO ($66,390)
--- Alaska nonmetropolitan area ($59,690)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($57,930)
- Annual mean salary: $46,030
- #61 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 50
National
- Annual mean salary: $45,490
- Employment: 20,440
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO ($66,390)
--- Alaska nonmetropolitan area ($59,690)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($57,930)
20 / 50
Jacob Lund // Shutterstock
#31. Advertising sales agents
Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC
- Annual mean salary: $46,690
- #247 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 50
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: $46,690
- #247 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 50
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)
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Andrey_Popov // Shutterstock
#30. Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters
Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC
- Annual mean salary: $47,100
- #420 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 240
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: $47,100
- #420 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 240
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)
22 / 50
Pixabay
#29. Surveying and mapping technicians
Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC
- Annual mean salary: $47,500
- #148 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 40
National
- Annual mean salary: $49,770
- Employment: 53,370
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($84,710)
--- Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA ($77,840)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($76,960)
- Annual mean salary: $47,500
- #148 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 40
National
- Annual mean salary: $49,770
- Employment: 53,370
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($84,710)
--- Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA ($77,840)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($76,960)
23 / 50
Rido // Shutterstock
#28. Opticians, dispensing
Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC
- Annual mean salary: $47,850
- #52 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 50
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: $47,850
- #52 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 50
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)
24 / 50
kelly // Flickr
#27. Fabric and apparel patternmakers
Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC
- Annual mean salary: $47,880
- #8 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 170
National
- Annual mean salary: $57,880
- Employment: 4,670
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($84,960)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($83,260)
--- Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA ($74,480)
- Annual mean salary: $47,880
- #8 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 170
National
- Annual mean salary: $57,880
- Employment: 4,670
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($84,960)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($83,260)
--- Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA ($74,480)
25 / 50
welcomia // Shutterstock
#26. Mobile heavy equipment mechanics, except engines
Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC
- Annual mean salary: $48,900
- #391 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 90
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: $48,900
- #391 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 90
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)
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26 / 50
SritanaN // Shutterstock
#25. Industrial machinery mechanics
Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC
- Annual mean salary: $49,070
- #485 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 520
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: $49,070
- #485 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 520
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)
27 / 50
Pxhere
#24. Maintenance workers, machinery
Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC
- Annual mean salary: $49,880
- #178 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 470
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: $49,880
- #178 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 470
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)
28 / 50
Rebekah Zemansky // Shutterstock
#23. First-line supervisors of correctional officers
Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC
- Annual mean salary: $50,800
- #195 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 90
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: $50,800
- #195 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 90
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)
29 / 50
Kitawit Jitaton // Shutterstock
#22. Telecommunications line installers and repairers
Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC
- Annual mean salary: $51,280
- #223 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 50
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: $51,280
- #223 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 50
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)
30 / 50
Prath // Shutterstock
#21. Detectives and criminal investigators
Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC
- Annual mean salary: $52,280
- #334 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 130
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: $52,280
- #334 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 130
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)
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31 / 50
Canva
#20. Cargo and freight agents
Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC
- Annual mean salary: $53,110
- #24 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 70
National
- Annual mean salary: $47,170
- Employment: 96,510
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($80,300)
--- Yakima, WA ($68,030)
--- Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT ($64,030)
- Annual mean salary: $53,110
- #24 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 70
National
- Annual mean salary: $47,170
- Employment: 96,510
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($80,300)
--- Yakima, WA ($68,030)
--- Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT ($64,030)
32 / 50
Paolo Bona // Shutterstock
#19. Food service managers
Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC
- Annual mean salary: $53,230
- #402 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 180
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: $53,230
- #402 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 180
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)
33 / 50
GaudiLab // Shutterstock
#18. First-line supervisors of office and administrative support workers
Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC
- Annual mean salary: $54,880
- #319 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,340
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: $54,880
- #319 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,340
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)
34 / 50
Erin Deleon // Shutterstock
#17. Postal service mail carriers
Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC
- Annual mean salary: $55,610
- #29 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 390
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: $55,610
- #29 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 390
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)
35 / 50
DenisProduction.com // Shutterstock
#16. Chefs and head cooks
Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC
- Annual mean salary: $55,840
- #128 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 60
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: $55,840
- #128 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 60
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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36 / 50
Canva
#14 (tie). Construction and building inspectors
Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC
- Annual mean salary: $57,100
- #261 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 40
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: $57,100
- #261 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 40
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)
37 / 50
Oleg Golovnev // Shutterstock
#14 (tie). First-line supervisors of production and operating workers
Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC
- Annual mean salary: $57,100
- #486 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,680
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: $57,100
- #486 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,680
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)
38 / 50
Syda Productions // Shutterstock
#13. Executive secretaries and executive administrative assistants
Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC
- Annual mean salary: $57,460
- #241 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 130
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: $57,460
- #241 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 130
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)
39 / 50
rlat // Shutterstock
#12. Postal service clerks
Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC
- Annual mean salary: $57,470
- #9 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 80
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: $57,470
- #9 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 80
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)
40 / 50
sculpies // Shutterstock
#11. First-line supervisors of construction trades and extraction workers
Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC
- Annual mean salary: $60,180
- #453 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 620
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: $60,180
- #453 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 620
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)
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41 / 50
Tim Goode/PA Images // Getty Images
#10. Sales representatives of services, except advertising, insurance, financial services, and travel
Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC
- Annual mean salary: $60,460
- #290 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 680
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: $60,460
- #290 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 680
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)
42 / 50
Oil and Gas Photographer // Shutterstock
#9. Control and valve installers and repairers, except mechanical door
Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC
- Annual mean salary: $61,720
- #153 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: $61,720
- #153 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)
43 / 50
michaeljung // Shutterstock
#8. Power plant operators
Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC
- Annual mean salary: $63,510
- #150 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 70
National
- Annual mean salary: $81,890
- Employment: 32,960
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Fresno, CA ($129,650)
--- Wenatchee, WA ($123,180)
--- Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA ($114,660)
- Annual mean salary: $63,510
- #150 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 70
National
- Annual mean salary: $81,890
- Employment: 32,960
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Fresno, CA ($129,650)
--- Wenatchee, WA ($123,180)
--- Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA ($114,660)
44 / 50
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
#7. Claims adjusters, examiners, and investigators
Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC
- Annual mean salary: $65,280
- #277 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 80
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: $65,280
- #277 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 80
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)
45 / 50
Canva
#6. First-line supervisors of police and detectives
Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC
- Annual mean salary: $65,450
- #396 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 160
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: $65,450
- #396 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 160
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
Stock Rocket // Shutterstock
#5. Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products
Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC
- Annual mean salary: $66,060
- #275 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,580
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: $66,060
- #275 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,580
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)
47 / 50
4 PM production // Shutterstock
#4. First-line supervisors of mechanics, installers, and repairers
Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC
- Annual mean salary: $68,970
- #284 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 530
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: $68,970
- #284 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 530
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)
48 / 50
Luisa Leal Photography // Shutterstock
#3. Electrical power-line installers and repairers
Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC
- Annual mean salary: $69,430
- #287 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 110
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: $69,430
- #287 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 110
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)
49 / 50
g-stockstudio // Shutterstock
#2. First-line supervisors of non-retail sales workers
Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC
- Annual mean salary: $92,480
- #74 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 180
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: $92,480
- #74 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 180
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)
50 / 50
Kelly Ogden // Wikimedia Commons
#1. Transportation, storage, and distribution managers
Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC
- Annual mean salary: $97,520
- #186 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 150
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: $97,520
- #186 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 150
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)
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