Highest paying jobs in Charleston that require a bachelor's degree

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March 1, 2022
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Highest paying jobs in Charleston that require a bachelor's degree

While college and university tuition costs may be skyrocketing, many still believe a bachelor's degree is essential to landing a high-paying job in the United States. Stacker compiled a list of the highest paying jobs that typically require a bachelors in Charleston using data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Jobs are ranked by 2020 annual mean wage.

Whether highly technical, scientific, or based in finance or the arts, all the jobs require keeping up to date with the latest developments in culture, commerce, or tech.

Keep reading to discover the highest-paying jobs that require a bachelor degree in Charleston.

#50. Librarians and media collections specialists

Charleston-North Charleston, SC
- Annual mean salary: $68,290
- #52 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 260

National
- Annual mean salary: $63,560
- Employment: 135,070
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV ($88,390)
--- Vallejo-Fairfield, CA ($85,920)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($84,230)
- Job description: Administer and maintain libraries or collections of information, for public or private access through reference or borrowing. Work in a variety of settings, such as educational institutions, museums, and corporations, and with various types of informational materials, such as books, periodicals, recordings, films, and databases. Tasks may include acquiring, cataloging, and circulating library materials, and user services such as locating and organizing information, providing instruction on how to access information, and setting up and operating a library's media equipment.

#49. Accountants and auditors

Charleston-North Charleston, SC
- Annual mean salary: $68,370
- #264 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,990

National
- Annual mean salary: $81,660
- Employment: 1,274,620
- 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.

#48. Registered nurses

Charleston-North Charleston, SC
- Annual mean salary: $69,600
- #201 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 11,160

National
- Annual mean salary: $80,010
- Employment: 2,986,500
- 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.

#47. Budget analysts

Charleston-North Charleston, SC
- Annual mean salary: $69,920
- #128 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 140

National
- Annual mean salary: $82,690
- Employment: 49,260
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($107,870)
--- Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV ($104,650)
--- Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA ($101,450)
- Job description: Examine budget estimates for completeness, accuracy, and conformance with procedures and regulations. Analyze budgeting and accounting reports.

#46. Insurance underwriters

Charleston-North Charleston, SC
- Annual mean salary: $70,300
- #87 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 30

National
- Annual mean salary: $80,390
- Employment: 101,790
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC ($119,010)
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($109,060)
--- Durham-Chapel Hill, NC ($105,470)
- Job description: Review individual applications for insurance to evaluate degree of risk involved and determine acceptance of applications.

#45. Technical writers

Charleston-North Charleston, SC
- Annual mean salary: $71,150
- #67 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 130

National
- Annual mean salary: $78,590
- Employment: 48,880
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($112,240)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($111,020)
--- Trenton, NJ ($96,270)
- Job description: Write technical materials, such as equipment manuals, appendices, or operating and maintenance instructions. May assist in layout work.

#44. Conservation scientists

Charleston-North Charleston, SC
- Annual mean salary: $72,030
- #41 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 30

National
- Annual mean salary: $69,020
- Employment: 22,020
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Diego-Carlsbad, CA ($107,170)
--- Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA ($102,600)
--- Springfield, MA-CT ($98,850)
- Job description: Manage, improve, and protect natural resources to maximize their use without damaging the environment. May conduct soil surveys and develop plans to eliminate soil erosion or to protect rangelands. May instruct farmers, agricultural production managers, or ranchers in best ways to use crop rotation, contour plowing, or terracing to conserve soil and water; in the number and kind of livestock and forage plants best suited to particular ranges; and in range and farm improvements, such as fencing and reservoirs for stock watering.

#43. Environmental engineers

Charleston-North Charleston, SC
- Annual mean salary: $73,290
- #144 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 180

National
- Annual mean salary: $96,890
- Employment: 50,260
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX ($128,000)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($124,210)
--- Baton Rouge, LA ($114,890)
- Job description: Research, design, plan, or perform engineering duties in the prevention, control, and remediation of environmental hazards using various engineering disciplines. Work may include waste treatment, site remediation, or pollution control technology.

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

Charleston-North Charleston, SC
- Annual mean salary: $75,240
- #125 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 770

National
- Annual mean salary: $96,540
- Employment: 440,300
- 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.

#41. Civil engineers

Charleston-North Charleston, SC
- Annual mean salary: $76,000
- #305 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,200

National
- Annual mean salary: $95,440
- Employment: 300,850
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- New Orleans-Metairie, LA ($125,910)
--- Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA ($121,970)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($119,860)
- Job description: Perform engineering duties in planning, designing, and overseeing construction and maintenance of building structures and facilities, such as roads, railroads, airports, bridges, harbors, channels, dams, irrigation projects, pipelines, power plants, and water and sewage systems.

#40. Compliance officers

Charleston-North Charleston, SC
- Annual mean salary: $76,160
- #67 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,020

National
- Annual mean salary: $75,620
- Employment: 327,360
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Flagstaff, AZ ($99,640)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($98,030)
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($96,850)
- Job description: Examine, evaluate, and investigate eligibility for or conformity with laws and regulations governing contract compliance of licenses and permits, and perform other compliance and enforcement inspection and analysis activities not classified elsewhere.

#39. Architects, except landscape and naval

Charleston-North Charleston, SC
- Annual mean salary: $76,880
- #142 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 210

National
- Annual mean salary: $89,470
- Employment: 103,900
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA ($114,930)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($113,510)
--- Santa Rosa, CA ($112,110)
- Job description: Plan and design structures, such as private residences, office buildings, theaters, factories, and other structural property.

#38. Management analysts

Charleston-North Charleston, SC
- Annual mean salary: $77,220
- #265 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 3,090

National
- Annual mean salary: $97,580
- Employment: 734,000
- 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.

#37. Logisticians

Charleston-North Charleston, SC
- Annual mean salary: $77,390
- #120 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,040

National
- Annual mean salary: $79,830
- Employment: 184,230
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($116,200)
--- California-Lexington Park, MD ($112,040)
--- Lake Charles, LA ($110,510)
- Job description: Analyze and coordinate the ongoing logistical functions of a firm or organization. Responsible for the entire life cycle of a product, including acquisition, distribution, internal allocation, delivery, and final disposal of resources.

#36. Social and community service managers

Charleston-North Charleston, SC
- Annual mean salary: $79,360
- #59 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 110

National
- Annual mean salary: $75,140
- Employment: 155,800
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Yuba City, CA ($96,530)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($95,650)
--- Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV ($94,900)
- Job description: Plan, direct, or coordinate the activities of a social service program or community outreach organization. Oversee the program or organization's budget and policies regarding participant involvement, program requirements, and benefits. Work may involve directing social workers, counselors, or probation officers.

#35. Credit analysts

Charleston-North Charleston, SC
- Annual mean salary: $80,960
- #63 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 90

National
- Annual mean salary: $86,170
- Employment: 72,090
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Danbury, CT ($126,820)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($122,540)
--- Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL ($119,980)
- Job description: Analyze credit data and financial statements of individuals or firms to determine the degree of risk involved in extending credit or lending money. Prepare reports with credit information for use in decisionmaking.

#34. Computer programmers

Charleston-North Charleston, SC
- Annual mean salary: $81,430
- #129 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 430

National
- Annual mean salary: $95,640
- Employment: 178,140
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($125,420)
--- Midland, TX ($119,390)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($113,530)
- Job description: Create, modify, and test the code and scripts that allow computer applications to run. Work from specifications drawn up by software and web developers or other individuals. May develop and write computer programs to store, locate, and retrieve specific documents, data, and information.

#33. Chemists

Charleston-North Charleston, SC
- Annual mean salary: $81,750
- #73 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 180

National
- Annual mean salary: $86,410
- Employment: 82,940
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Peoria, IL ($134,990)
--- Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV ($130,860)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($122,250)
- Job description: Conduct qualitative and quantitative chemical analyses or experiments in laboratories for quality or process control or to develop new products or knowledge.

#32. Loan officers

Charleston-North Charleston, SC
- Annual mean salary: $82,310
- #76 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 740

National
- Annual mean salary: $76,930
- Employment: 308,700
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Eau Claire, WI ($129,900)
--- Stockton-Lodi, CA ($121,100)
--- Tyler, TX ($114,690)
- Job description: Evaluate, authorize, or recommend approval of commercial, real estate, or credit loans. Advise borrowers on financial status and payment methods. Includes mortgage loan officers and agents, collection analysts, loan servicing officers, loan underwriters, and payday loan officers.

#31. Personal financial advisors

Charleston-North Charleston, SC
- Annual mean salary: $83,710
- #236 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: data not available

National
- Annual mean salary: $122,490
- Employment: 218,050
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Gainesville, FL ($206,120)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($169,850)
--- Tyler, TX ($169,690)
- Job description: Advise clients on financial plans using knowledge of tax and investment strategies, securities, insurance, pension plans, and real estate. Duties include assessing clients' assets, liabilities, cash flow, insurance coverage, tax status, and financial objectives. May also buy and sell financial assets for clients.

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

Charleston-North Charleston, SC
- Annual mean salary: $85,380
- #268 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,080

National
- Annual mean salary: $114,270
- Employment: 1,476,800
- 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.

#29. Computer systems analysts

Charleston-North Charleston, SC
- Annual mean salary: $85,410
- #168 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,440

National
- Annual mean salary: $99,020
- Employment: 574,450
- 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.

#28. Financial examiners

Charleston-North Charleston, SC
- Annual mean salary: $86,250
- #44 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 30

National
- Annual mean salary: $92,730
- Employment: 68,210
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($130,230)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($125,050)
--- Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV ($124,620)
- Job description: Enforce or ensure compliance with laws and regulations governing financial and securities institutions and financial and real estate transactions. May examine, verify, or authenticate records.

#27. Network and computer systems administrators

Charleston-North Charleston, SC
- Annual mean salary: $86,710
- #75 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,320

National
- Annual mean salary: $89,460
- Employment: 339,560
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($134,260)
--- Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD ($116,840)
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($111,790)
- Job description: Install, configure, and maintain an organization's local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), data communications network, operating systems, and physical and virtual servers. Perform system monitoring and verify the integrity and availability of hardware, network, and server resources and systems. Review system and application logs and verify completion of scheduled jobs, including system backups. Analyze network and server resource consumption and control user access. Install and upgrade software and maintain software licenses. May assist in network modeling, analysis, planning, and coordination between network and data communications hardware and software.

#26. Labor relations specialists

Charleston-North Charleston, SC
- Annual mean salary: $87,350
- #23 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 130

National
- Annual mean salary: $74,870
- Employment: 70,050
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($113,270)
--- Spartanburg, SC ($111,380)
--- Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA ($103,990)
- Job description: Resolve disputes between workers and managers, negotiate collective bargaining agreements, or coordinate grievance procedures to handle employee complaints.

#25. Industrial engineers

Charleston-North Charleston, SC
- Annual mean salary: $88,500
- #154 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,270

National
- Annual mean salary: $93,610
- Employment: 290,190
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Billings, MT ($125,760)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($123,710)
--- Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX ($123,510)
- Job description: Design, develop, test, and evaluate integrated systems for managing industrial production processes, including human work factors, quality control, inventory control, logistics and material flow, cost analysis, and production coordination.

#24. Mechanical engineers

Charleston-North Charleston, SC
- Annual mean salary: $92,480
- #113 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 680

National
- Annual mean salary: $95,560
- Employment: 293,960
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($125,760)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($124,190)
--- Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX ($123,700)
- Job description: Perform engineering duties in planning and designing tools, engines, machines, and other mechanically functioning equipment. Oversee installation, operation, maintenance, and repair of equipment such as centralized heat, gas, water, and steam systems.

#23. Operations research analysts

Charleston-North Charleston, SC
- Annual mean salary: $93,570
- #38 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 300

National
- Annual mean salary: $92,280
- Employment: 96,220
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($146,830)
--- Salinas, CA ($124,950)
--- Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA ($123,370)
- Job description: Formulate and apply mathematical modeling and other optimizing methods to develop and interpret information that assists management with decisionmaking, policy formulation, or other managerial functions. May collect and analyze data and develop decision support software, services, or products. May develop and supply optimal time, cost, or logistics networks for program evaluation, review, or implementation.

#22. Database administrators and architects

Charleston-North Charleston, SC
- Annual mean salary: $97,140
- #68 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 130

National
- Annual mean salary: $101,090
- Employment: 133,630
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($143,340)
--- Trenton, NJ ($126,540)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($120,430)
- Job description: Administer, test, and implement computer databases, applying knowledge of database management systems. Coordinate changes to computer databases. Identify, investigate, and resolve database performance issues, database capacity, and database scalability. May plan, coordinate, and implement security measures to safeguard computer databases.

#21. Marine engineers and naval architects

Charleston-North Charleston, SC
- Annual mean salary: $98,330
- #10 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 30

National
- Annual mean salary: $99,590
- Employment: 8,700
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- New Orleans-Metairie, LA ($129,690)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($129,280)
--- Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX ($125,400)
- Job description: Design, develop, and evaluate the operation of marine vessels, ship machinery, and related equipment, such as power supply and propulsion systems.

#20. Information security analysts

Charleston-North Charleston, SC
- Annual mean salary: $99,090
- #65 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 490

National
- Annual mean salary: $107,580
- Employment: 138,000
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($147,160)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($136,910)
--- Idaho Falls, ID ($130,620)
- Job description: Plan, implement, upgrade, or monitor security measures for the protection of computer networks and information. Assess system vulnerabilities for security risks and propose and implement risk mitigation strategies. May ensure appropriate security controls are in place that will safeguard digital files and vital electronic infrastructure. May respond to computer security breaches and viruses.

#19. Electrical engineers

Charleston-North Charleston, SC
- Annual mean salary: $99,400
- #126 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 340

National
- Annual mean salary: $105,990
- Employment: 185,220
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($150,480)
--- Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV ($130,150)
--- Idaho Falls, ID ($125,700)
- Job description: Research, design, develop, test, or supervise the manufacturing and installation of electrical equipment, components, or systems for commercial, industrial, military, or scientific use.

#18. Computer network architects

Charleston-North Charleston, SC
- Annual mean salary: $105,370
- #108 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 230

National
- Annual mean salary: $119,230
- Employment: 159,350
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($161,950)
--- Dover-Durham, NH-ME ($152,060)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($148,250)
- Job description: Design and implement computer and information networks, such as local area networks (LAN), wide area networks (WAN), intranets, extranets, and other data communications networks. Perform network modeling, analysis, and planning, including analysis of capacity needs for network infrastructures. May also design network and computer security measures. May research and recommend network and data communications hardware and software.

#17. Electronics engineers, except computer

Charleston-North Charleston, SC
- Annual mean salary: $107,770
- #64 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 550

National
- Annual mean salary: $112,320
- Employment: 122,320
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($148,210)
--- Austin-Round Rock, TX ($134,110)
--- Idaho Falls, ID ($131,740)
- Job description: Research, design, develop, or test electronic components and systems for commercial, industrial, military, or scientific use employing knowledge of electronic theory and materials properties. Design electronic circuits and components for use in fields such as telecommunications, aerospace guidance and propulsion control, acoustics, or instruments and controls.

#16. Natural sciences managers

Charleston-North Charleston, SC
- Annual mean salary: $108,510
- #102 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 120

National
- Annual mean salary: $154,930
- Employment: 75,870
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($221,460)
--- Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR-MO ($214,020)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($205,120)
- Job description: Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as life sciences, physical sciences, mathematics, statistics, and research and development in these fields.

#15. Construction managers

Charleston-North Charleston, SC
- Annual mean salary: $112,140
- #69 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 630

National
- Annual mean salary: $107,260
- Employment: 285,640
- 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.

#14. Training and development managers

Charleston-North Charleston, SC
- Annual mean salary: $112,260
- #68 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 190

National
- Annual mean salary: $125,920
- Employment: 38,710
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($178,590)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($167,570)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($166,750)
- Job description: Plan, direct, or coordinate the training and development activities and staff of an organization.

#13. Nuclear engineers

Charleston-North Charleston, SC
- Annual mean salary: $112,470
- #14 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 40

National
- Annual mean salary: $125,130
- Employment: 15,700
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH ($140,060)
--- Idaho Falls, ID ($139,530)
--- Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA ($136,680)
- Job description: Conduct research on nuclear engineering projects or apply principles and theory of nuclear science to problems concerned with release, control, and use of nuclear energy and nuclear waste disposal.

#12. Computer hardware engineers

Charleston-North Charleston, SC
- Annual mean salary: $113,380
- #42 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 220

National
- Annual mean salary: $126,140
- Employment: 64,710
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($179,570)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($171,540)
--- Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH ($153,780)
- Job description: Research, design, develop, or test computer or computer-related equipment for commercial, industrial, military, or scientific use. May supervise the manufacturing and installation of computer or computer-related equipment and components.

#11. Medical and health services managers

Charleston-North Charleston, SC
- Annual mean salary: $114,800
- #139 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,200

National
- Annual mean salary: $118,800
- Employment: 402,540
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Vallejo-Fairfield, CA ($174,010)
--- Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA ($171,430)
--- Madera, CA ($168,090)
- Job description: Plan, direct, or coordinate medical and health services in hospitals, clinics, managed care organizations, public health agencies, or similar organizations.

#10. Purchasing managers

Charleston-North Charleston, SC
- Annual mean salary: $119,170
- #96 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 180

National
- Annual mean salary: $132,660
- Employment: 70,960
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR-MO ($181,240)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($172,300)
--- Morgantown, WV ($167,740)
- Job description: Plan, direct, or coordinate the activities of buyers, purchasing officers, and related workers involved in purchasing materials, products, and services. Includes wholesale or retail trade merchandising managers and procurement managers.

#9. Human resources managers

Charleston-North Charleston, SC
- Annual mean salary: $121,210
- #115 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 300

National
- Annual mean salary: $134,580
- Employment: 156,600
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($194,040)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($183,890)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($179,870)
- Job description: Plan, direct, or coordinate human resources activities and staff of an organization.

#8. Industrial production managers

Charleston-North Charleston, SC
- Annual mean salary: $121,260
- #92 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 320

National
- Annual mean salary: $118,190
- Employment: 179,570
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- New Orleans-Metairie, LA ($171,890)
--- Florence, SC ($167,660)
--- Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA ($155,320)
- Job description: Plan, direct, or coordinate the work activities and resources necessary for manufacturing products in accordance with cost, quality, and quantity specifications.

#7. General and operations managers

Charleston-North Charleston, SC
- Annual mean salary: $124,670
- #79 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 4,780

National
- Annual mean salary: $125,740
- Employment: 2,347,420
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($183,170)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($175,990)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($172,370)
- Job description: Plan, direct, or coordinate the operations of public or private sector organizations, overseeing multiple departments or locations. Duties and responsibilities include formulating policies, managing daily operations, and planning the use of materials and human resources, but are too diverse and general in nature to be classified in any one functional area of management or administration, such as personnel, purchasing, or administrative services. Usually manage through subordinate supervisors. Excludes First-Line Supervisors.

#6. Marketing managers

Charleston-North Charleston, SC
- Annual mean salary: $125,420
- #152 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 410

National
- Annual mean salary: $154,470
- Employment: 270,200
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA ($213,180)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($211,210)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($196,260)
- Job description: Plan, direct, or coordinate marketing policies and programs, such as determining the demand for products and services offered by a firm and its competitors, and identify potential customers. Develop pricing strategies with the goal of maximizing the firm's profits or share of the market while ensuring the firm's customers are satisfied. Oversee product development or monitor trends that indicate the need for new products and services.

#5. Sales managers

Charleston-North Charleston, SC
- Annual mean salary: $126,980
- #177 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 690

National
- Annual mean salary: $147,580
- Employment: 390,170
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($207,070)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($202,700)
--- Trenton, NJ ($186,960)
- Job description: Plan, direct, or coordinate the actual distribution or movement of a product or service to the customer. Coordinate sales distribution by establishing sales territories, quotas, and goals and establish training programs for sales representatives. Analyze sales statistics gathered by staff to determine sales potential and inventory requirements and monitor the preferences of customers.

#4. Architectural and engineering managers

Charleston-North Charleston, SC
- Annual mean salary: $132,220
- #190 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 650

National
- Annual mean salary: $158,100
- Employment: 195,900
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($226,920)
--- Amarillo, TX ($199,940)
--- Naples-Immokalee-Marco Island, FL ($198,610)
- Job description: Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as architecture and engineering or research and development in these fields.

#3. Computer and information systems managers

Charleston-North Charleston, SC
- Annual mean salary: $141,040
- #89 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 720

National
- Annual mean salary: $161,730
- Employment: 457,290
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($235,040)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($212,480)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($201,320)
- Job description: Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as electronic data processing, information systems, systems analysis, and computer programming.

#2. Financial managers

Charleston-North Charleston, SC
- Annual mean salary: $145,430
- #64 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 920

National
- Annual mean salary: $151,510
- Employment: 653,080
- 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.

#1. Chief executives

Charleston-North Charleston, SC
- Annual mean salary: $212,830
- #75 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 550

National
- Annual mean salary: $197,840
- Employment: 202,360
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($293,000)
--- Midland, TX ($269,360)
--- Sioux Falls, SD ($263,770)
- Job description: Determine and formulate policies and provide overall direction of companies or private and public sector organizations within guidelines set up by a board of directors or similar governing body. Plan, direct, or coordinate operational activities at the highest level of management with the help of subordinate executives and staff managers.

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