Highest paying jobs in Charleston, South Carolina for high school graduates
Written by:
July 20, 2022
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
Highest paying jobs in Charleston, South Carolina 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 Charleston-North Charleston, SC 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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London Metropolitan Archives/Heritage Images // Getty Images
#50. Machinists
Charleston-North Charleston, SC
- Annual mean salary: $49,120
- #159 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 710
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: $49,120
- #159 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 710
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)
2 / 50
Kot500 // Shutterstock
#49. Bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists
Charleston-North Charleston, SC
- Annual mean salary: $49,360
- #250 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 520
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: $49,360
- #250 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 520
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)
3 / 50
Dragana Gordic // Shutterstock
#48. Community health workers
Charleston-North Charleston, SC
- Annual mean salary: $49,400
- #68 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 40
National
- Annual mean salary: $46,000
- Employment: 58,670
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($66,110)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($65,530)
--- Bend-Redmond, OR ($61,820)
- Annual mean salary: $49,400
- #68 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 40
National
- Annual mean salary: $46,000
- Employment: 58,670
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($66,110)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($65,530)
--- Bend-Redmond, OR ($61,820)
4 / 50
Daniel M Ernst // Shutterstock
#47. Eligibility interviewers, government programs
Charleston-North Charleston, SC
- Annual mean salary: $49,470
- #115 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 50
National
- Annual mean salary: $47,990
- Employment: 138,820
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($75,570)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($67,900)
--- New Haven, CT ($63,790)
- Annual mean salary: $49,470
- #115 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 50
National
- Annual mean salary: $47,990
- Employment: 138,820
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($75,570)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($67,900)
--- New Haven, CT ($63,790)
5 / 50
Pressmaster // Shutterstock
#46. Title examiners, abstractors, and searchers
Charleston-North Charleston, SC
- Annual mean salary: $49,620
- #97 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 40
National
- Annual mean salary: $52,950
- Employment: 54,960
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($81,390)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($80,460)
--- Urban Honolulu, HI ($73,070)
- Annual mean salary: $49,620
- #97 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 40
National
- Annual mean salary: $52,950
- Employment: 54,960
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($81,390)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($80,460)
--- Urban Honolulu, HI ($73,070)
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Loveischiangrai // Shutterstock
#45. First-line supervisors of landscaping, lawn service, and groundskeeping workers
Charleston-North Charleston, SC
- Annual mean salary: $49,680
- #232 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 360
National
- Annual mean salary: $54,040
- Employment: 103,730
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Madera, CA ($76,040)
--- Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT ($74,800)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($73,360)
- Annual mean salary: $49,680
- #232 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 360
National
- Annual mean salary: $54,040
- Employment: 103,730
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Madera, CA ($76,040)
--- Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT ($74,800)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($73,360)
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Hulton Archive // Getty Images
#44. Electricians
Charleston-North Charleston, SC
- Annual mean salary: $50,080
- #394 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,940
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: $50,080
- #394 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,940
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)
8 / 50
Oil and Gas Photographer // Shutterstock
#43. Control and valve installers and repairers, except mechanical door
Charleston-North Charleston, SC
- Annual mean salary: $50,380
- #218 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 60
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: $50,380
- #218 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 60
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)
9 / 50
Andrey_Popov // Shutterstock
#42. Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters
Charleston-North Charleston, SC
- Annual mean salary: $50,830
- #338 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 730
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: $50,830
- #338 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 730
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)
10 / 50
Unsplash
#41. Structural iron and steel workers
Charleston-North Charleston, SC
- Annual mean salary: $51,260
- #110 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 80
National
- Annual mean salary: $58,650
- Employment: 71,490
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($95,020)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($88,250)
--- Western Washington nonmetropolitan area ($84,570)
- Annual mean salary: $51,260
- #110 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 80
National
- Annual mean salary: $58,650
- Employment: 71,490
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($95,020)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($88,250)
--- Western Washington nonmetropolitan area ($84,570)
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goodluz // Shutterstock
#40. Real estate sales agents
Charleston-North Charleston, SC
- Annual mean salary: $51,530
- #223 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,250
National
- Annual mean salary: $62,990
- Employment: 168,740
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Midland, TX ($100,060)
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($99,880)
--- Worcester, MA-CT ($93,400)
- Annual mean salary: $51,530
- #223 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,250
National
- Annual mean salary: $62,990
- Employment: 168,740
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Midland, TX ($100,060)
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($99,880)
--- Worcester, MA-CT ($93,400)
12 / 50
SritanaN // Shutterstock
#39. Industrial machinery mechanics
Charleston-North Charleston, SC
- Annual mean salary: $52,730
- #405 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,300
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: $52,730
- #405 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,300
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)
13 / 50
Kitawit Jitaton // Shutterstock
#38. Telecommunications line installers and repairers
Charleston-North Charleston, SC
- Annual mean salary: $52,840
- #192 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 200
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: $52,840
- #192 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 200
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)
14 / 50
Erin Deleon // Shutterstock
#37. Postal service mail carriers
Charleston-North Charleston, SC
- Annual mean salary: $53,650
- #261 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 760
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: $53,650
- #261 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 760
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)
15 / 50
Canva
#36. Construction and building inspectors
Charleston-North Charleston, SC
- Annual mean salary: $53,880
- #324 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 340
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: $53,880
- #324 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 340
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)
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GolF2532 // Shutterstock
#35. Security and fire alarm systems installers
Charleston-North Charleston, SC
- Annual mean salary: $53,940
- #49 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 210
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: $53,940
- #49 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 210
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)
17 / 50
ALPA PROD // Shutterstock
#34. Extruding and drawing machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic
Charleston-North Charleston, SC
- Annual mean salary: $54,200
- #1 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 190
National
- Annual mean salary: $38,990
- Employment: 69,300
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Charleston-North Charleston, SC ($54,200)
--- Spartanburg, SC ($51,910)
--- Albany, OR ($50,620)
- Annual mean salary: $54,200
- #1 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 190
National
- Annual mean salary: $38,990
- Employment: 69,300
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Charleston-North Charleston, SC ($54,200)
--- Spartanburg, SC ($51,910)
--- Albany, OR ($50,620)
18 / 50
Dmitry Kalinovsky // Shutterstock
#33. Chemical equipment operators and tenders
Charleston-North Charleston, SC
- Annual mean salary: $55,210
- #49 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 320
National
- Annual mean salary: $53,330
- Employment: 93,060
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Southwest Louisiana nonmetropolitan area ($91,300)
--- Billings, MT ($88,420)
--- Baton Rouge, LA ($76,050)
- Annual mean salary: $55,210
- #49 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 320
National
- Annual mean salary: $53,330
- Employment: 93,060
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Southwest Louisiana nonmetropolitan area ($91,300)
--- Billings, MT ($88,420)
--- Baton Rouge, LA ($76,050)
19 / 50
Jacob Lund // Shutterstock
#32. Advertising sales agents
Charleston-North Charleston, SC
- Annual mean salary: $55,320
- #139 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 260
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: $55,320
- #139 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 260
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)
20 / 50
rlat // Shutterstock
#31. Postal service clerks
Charleston-North Charleston, SC
- Annual mean salary: $55,440
- #54 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 120
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: $55,440
- #54 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 120
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)
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21 / 50
G-Stock Studio // Shutterstock
#30. Production, planning, and expediting clerks
Charleston-North Charleston, SC
- Annual mean salary: $55,490
- #79 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 780
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: $55,490
- #79 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 780
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)
22 / 50
Roman023_photography // Shutterstock
#29. Riggers
Charleston-North Charleston, SC
- Annual mean salary: $55,930
- #25 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 70
National
- Annual mean salary: $53,020
- Employment: 21,700
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA ($89,080)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($73,310)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($73,160)
- Annual mean salary: $55,930
- #25 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 70
National
- Annual mean salary: $53,020
- Employment: 21,700
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA ($89,080)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($73,310)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($73,160)
23 / 50
Jat306 // Shutterstock
#28. Millwrights
Charleston-North Charleston, SC
- Annual mean salary: $56,100
- #111 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 100
National
- Annual mean salary: $59,080
- Employment: 44,400
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Kennewick-Richland, WA ($91,590)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($90,580)
--- Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI ($80,780)
- Annual mean salary: $56,100
- #111 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 100
National
- Annual mean salary: $59,080
- Employment: 44,400
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Kennewick-Richland, WA ($91,590)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($90,580)
--- Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI ($80,780)
24 / 50
Syda Productions // Shutterstock
#27. Executive secretaries and executive administrative assistants
Charleston-North Charleston, SC
- Annual mean salary: $58,420
- #214 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 930
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: $58,420
- #214 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 930
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)
25 / 50
welcomia // Shutterstock
#26. Mobile heavy equipment mechanics, except engines
Charleston-North Charleston, SC
- Annual mean salary: $58,430
- #101 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 500
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: $58,430
- #101 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 500
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
GaudiLab // Shutterstock
#25. First-line supervisors of office and administrative support workers
Charleston-North Charleston, SC
- Annual mean salary: $59,230
- #194 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 4,670
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: $59,230
- #194 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 4,670
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)
27 / 50
Pxhere
#24. Maintenance workers, machinery
Charleston-North Charleston, SC
- Annual mean salary: $59,560
- #35 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 70
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: $59,560
- #35 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 70
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
Marcin Wichary // Wikicommons
#23. Grinding, lapping, polishing, and buffing machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic
Charleston-North Charleston, SC
- Annual mean salary: $59,780
- #1 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 170
National
- Annual mean salary: $38,800
- Employment: 69,570
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Charleston-North Charleston, SC ($59,780)
--- Syracuse, NY ($51,600)
--- Albany, OR ($50,470)
- Annual mean salary: $59,780
- #1 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 170
National
- Annual mean salary: $38,800
- Employment: 69,570
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Charleston-North Charleston, SC ($59,780)
--- Syracuse, NY ($51,600)
--- Albany, OR ($50,470)
29 / 50
Paolo Bona // Shutterstock
#22. Food service managers
Charleston-North Charleston, SC
- Annual mean salary: $61,470
- #177 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 530
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: $61,470
- #177 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 530
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)
30 / 50
Canva
#21. Chemical plant and system operators
Charleston-North Charleston, SC
- Annual mean salary: $63,080
- #18 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 190
National
- Annual mean salary: $65,460
- Employment: 29,710
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Lima, OH ($92,450)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($91,210)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($90,170)
- Annual mean salary: $63,080
- #18 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 190
National
- Annual mean salary: $65,460
- Employment: 29,710
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Lima, OH ($92,450)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($91,210)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($90,170)
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31 / 50
Luisa Leal Photography // Shutterstock
#20. Electrical power-line installers and repairers
Charleston-North Charleston, SC
- Annual mean salary: $64,580
- #347 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 360
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: $64,580
- #347 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 360
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)
32 / 50
Tim Goode/PA Images // Getty Images
#19. Sales representatives of services, except advertising, insurance, financial services, and travel
Charleston-North Charleston, SC
- Annual mean salary: $65,180
- #159 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,230
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: $65,180
- #159 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,230
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)
33 / 50
Stock Rocket // Shutterstock
#18. Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products
Charleston-North Charleston, SC
- Annual mean salary: $65,910
- #282 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,640
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: $65,910
- #282 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,640
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)
34 / 50
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
#17. Lodging managers
Charleston-North Charleston, SC
- Annual mean salary: $66,450
- #77 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 80
National
- Annual mean salary: $65,270
- Employment: 31,790
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Hawaii / Kauai nonmetropolitan area ($122,290)
--- Kahului-Wailuku-Lahaina, HI ($121,090)
--- Urban Honolulu, HI ($111,410)
- Annual mean salary: $66,450
- #77 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 80
National
- Annual mean salary: $65,270
- Employment: 31,790
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Hawaii / Kauai nonmetropolitan area ($122,290)
--- Kahului-Wailuku-Lahaina, HI ($121,090)
--- Urban Honolulu, HI ($111,410)
35 / 50
4 PM production // Shutterstock
#16. First-line supervisors of mechanics, installers, and repairers
Charleston-North Charleston, SC
- Annual mean salary: $66,950
- #343 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,530
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: $66,950
- #343 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,530
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)
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36 / 50
sculpies // Shutterstock
#15. First-line supervisors of construction trades and extraction workers
Charleston-North Charleston, SC
- Annual mean salary: $68,070
- #258 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,000
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: $68,070
- #258 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,000
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)
37 / 50
Rebekah Zemansky // Shutterstock
#14. First-line supervisors of correctional officers
Charleston-North Charleston, SC
- Annual mean salary: $68,760
- #88 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 60
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: $68,760
- #88 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 60
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)
38 / 50
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
#13. Insurance sales agents
Charleston-North Charleston, SC
- Annual mean salary: $69,100
- #118 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 630
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: $69,100
- #118 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 630
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)
39 / 50
Leszek Glasner // Shutterstock
#12. Property, real estate, and community association managers
Charleston-North Charleston, SC
- Annual mean salary: $70,500
- #94 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 440
National
- Annual mean salary: $73,210
- Employment: 219,800
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($109,540)
--- Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO ($106,420)
--- Piedmont North Carolina nonmetropolitan area ($105,220)
- Annual mean salary: $70,500
- #94 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 440
National
- Annual mean salary: $73,210
- Employment: 219,800
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($109,540)
--- Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO ($106,420)
--- Piedmont North Carolina nonmetropolitan area ($105,220)
40 / 50
Unsplash
#11. Crane and tower operators
Charleston-North Charleston, SC
- Annual mean salary: $70,830
- #31 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 230
National
- Annual mean salary: $64,010
- Employment: 44,060
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($131,160)
--- Syracuse, NY ($103,350)
--- Las Vegas-Henderson-Paradise, NV ($99,990)
- Annual mean salary: $70,830
- #31 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 230
National
- Annual mean salary: $64,010
- Employment: 44,060
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($131,160)
--- Syracuse, NY ($103,350)
--- Las Vegas-Henderson-Paradise, NV ($99,990)
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41 / 50
michaeljung // Shutterstock
#10. Power plant operators
Charleston-North Charleston, SC
- Annual mean salary: $71,830
- #121 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 250
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: $71,830
- #121 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 250
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)
42 / 50
Oleg Golovnev // Shutterstock
#9. First-line supervisors of production and operating workers
Charleston-North Charleston, SC
- Annual mean salary: $72,770
- #67 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,710
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: $72,770
- #67 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,710
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)
43 / 50
Pxhere
#8. Metal-refining furnace operators and tenders
Charleston-North Charleston, SC
- Annual mean salary: $73,990
- #1 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 190
National
- Annual mean salary: $46,000
- Employment: 15,290
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Charleston-North Charleston, SC ($73,990)
--- Salt Lake City, UT ($61,150)
--- Duluth, MN-WI ($58,790)
- Annual mean salary: $73,990
- #1 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 190
National
- Annual mean salary: $46,000
- Employment: 15,290
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Charleston-North Charleston, SC ($73,990)
--- Salt Lake City, UT ($61,150)
--- Duluth, MN-WI ($58,790)
44 / 50
Canva
#7. First-line supervisors of police and detectives
Charleston-North Charleston, SC
- Annual mean salary: $77,650
- #293 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 280
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: $77,650
- #293 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 280
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)
45 / 50
g-stockstudio // Shutterstock
#6. First-line supervisors of non-retail sales workers
Charleston-North Charleston, SC
- Annual mean salary: $78,110
- #256 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 480
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: $78,110
- #256 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 480
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)
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46 / 50
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
#5. Claims adjusters, examiners, and investigators
Charleston-North Charleston, SC
- Annual mean salary: $85,530
- #11 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 210
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: $85,530
- #11 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 210
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)
47 / 50
Prath // Shutterstock
#4. Detectives and criminal investigators
Charleston-North Charleston, SC
- Annual mean salary: $89,450
- #97 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 160
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: $89,450
- #97 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 160
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)
48 / 50
Skycolors // Shutterstock
#3. Commercial pilots
Charleston-North Charleston, SC
- Annual mean salary: $90,950
- #141 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: data not available
National
- Annual mean salary: $110,830
- Employment: 37,120
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($185,920)
--- Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA ($184,260)
--- Savannah, GA ($177,450)
- Annual mean salary: $90,950
- #141 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: data not available
National
- Annual mean salary: $110,830
- Employment: 37,120
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($185,920)
--- Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA ($184,260)
--- Savannah, GA ($177,450)
49 / 50
rawpixel.com // Shutterstock
#2. Real estate brokers
Charleston-North Charleston, SC
- Annual mean salary: $95,220
- #22 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 200
National
- Annual mean salary: $81,630
- Employment: 44,610
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT ($152,460)
--- Kahului-Wailuku-Lahaina, HI ($133,810)
--- Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA ($132,320)
- Annual mean salary: $95,220
- #22 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 200
National
- Annual mean salary: $81,630
- Employment: 44,610
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT ($152,460)
--- Kahului-Wailuku-Lahaina, HI ($133,810)
--- Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA ($132,320)
50 / 50
Kelly Ogden // Wikimedia Commons
#1. Transportation, storage, and distribution managers
Charleston-North Charleston, SC
- Annual mean salary: $106,690
- #73 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 210
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: $106,690
- #73 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 210
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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