Highest paying jobs in Chattanooga for high school graduates
Written by:
July 20, 2022
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
Highest paying jobs in Chattanooga 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 Chattanooga, TN-GA 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
Chattanooga, TN-GA
- Annual mean salary: $45,630
- #285 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 720
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: $45,630
- #285 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 720
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)
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Kot500 // Shutterstock
#49. Bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists
Chattanooga, TN-GA
- Annual mean salary: $45,770
- #399 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: $45,770
- #399 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)
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Canva
#48. Excavating and loading machine and dragline operators, surface mining
Chattanooga, TN-GA
- Annual mean salary: $45,950
- #116 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 40
National
- Annual mean salary: $48,500
- Employment: 40,240
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($87,740)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($86,630)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($83,090)
- Annual mean salary: $45,950
- #116 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 40
National
- Annual mean salary: $48,500
- Employment: 40,240
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($87,740)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($86,630)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($83,090)
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Canva
#47. Automotive body and related repairers
Chattanooga, TN-GA
- Annual mean salary: $46,380
- #277 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 380
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: $46,380
- #277 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 380
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)
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Jacob Lund // Shutterstock
#46. Advertising sales agents
Chattanooga, TN-GA
- Annual mean salary: $46,540
- #249 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 170
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: $46,540
- #249 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 170
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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Unsplash
#45. Structural iron and steel workers
Chattanooga, TN-GA
- Annual mean salary: $47,030
- #143 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 110
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: $47,030
- #143 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 110
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)
7 / 50
Dmitry Kalinovsky // Shutterstock
#44. Chemical equipment operators and tenders
Chattanooga, TN-GA
- Annual mean salary: $47,190
- #128 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 290
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: $47,190
- #128 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 290
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)
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Pixabay
#43. Welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers
Chattanooga, TN-GA
- Annual mean salary: $47,310
- #202 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,290
National
- Annual mean salary: $46,690
- Employment: 397,550
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Fairbanks, AK ($72,500)
--- Anchorage, AK ($71,840)
--- West North Dakota nonmetropolitan area ($71,250)
- Annual mean salary: $47,310
- #202 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,290
National
- Annual mean salary: $46,690
- Employment: 397,550
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Fairbanks, AK ($72,500)
--- Anchorage, AK ($71,840)
--- West North Dakota nonmetropolitan area ($71,250)
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Canva
#42. Dental laboratory technicians
Chattanooga, TN-GA
- Annual mean salary: $47,670
- #50 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 40
National
- Annual mean salary: $45,230
- Employment: 30,800
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($67,730)
--- Idaho Falls, ID ($59,560)
--- Durham-Chapel Hill, NC ($55,140)
- Annual mean salary: $47,670
- #50 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 40
National
- Annual mean salary: $45,230
- Employment: 30,800
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($67,730)
--- Idaho Falls, ID ($59,560)
--- Durham-Chapel Hill, NC ($55,140)
10 / 50
G-Stock Studio // Shutterstock
#41. Production, planning, and expediting clerks
Chattanooga, TN-GA
- Annual mean salary: $47,980
- #333 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 900
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: $47,980
- #333 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 900
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)
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Canva
#40. Computer numerically controlled tool operators
Chattanooga, TN-GA
- Annual mean salary: $48,260
- #65 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 210
National
- Annual mean salary: $44,300
- Employment: 149,120
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($70,030)
--- Waco, TX ($63,080)
--- Springfield, MA-CT ($57,930)
- Annual mean salary: $48,260
- #65 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 210
National
- Annual mean salary: $44,300
- Employment: 149,120
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($70,030)
--- Waco, TX ($63,080)
--- Springfield, MA-CT ($57,930)
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Canva
#39. Construction and building inspectors
Chattanooga, TN-GA
- Annual mean salary: $49,050
- #391 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 130
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: $49,050
- #391 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 130
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)
13 / 50
Ramon Espelt Photography // Shutterstock
#38. Home appliance repairers
Chattanooga, TN-GA
- Annual mean salary: $50,030
- #23 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 40
National
- Annual mean salary: $43,810
- Employment: 27,640
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ ($61,210)
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($58,670)
--- Salt Lake City, UT ($57,420)
- Annual mean salary: $50,030
- #23 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 40
National
- Annual mean salary: $43,810
- Employment: 27,640
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ ($61,210)
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($58,670)
--- Salt Lake City, UT ($57,420)
14 / 50
Kitawit Jitaton // Shutterstock
#37. Telecommunications line installers and repairers
Chattanooga, TN-GA
- Annual mean salary: $50,040
- #250 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 180
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: $50,040
- #250 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 180
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)
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Canva
#36. Traffic technicians
Chattanooga, TN-GA
- Annual mean salary: $50,210
- #17 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 70
National
- Annual mean salary: $53,140
- Employment: 7,430
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($85,160)
--- Las Vegas-Henderson-Paradise, NV ($77,500)
--- San Diego-Carlsbad, CA ($76,460)
- Annual mean salary: $50,210
- #17 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 70
National
- Annual mean salary: $53,140
- Employment: 7,430
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($85,160)
--- Las Vegas-Henderson-Paradise, NV ($77,500)
--- San Diego-Carlsbad, CA ($76,460)
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Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
#35. Lodging managers
Chattanooga, TN-GA
- Annual mean salary: $50,470
- #195 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 120
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: $50,470
- #195 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 120
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)
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Dragana Gordic // Shutterstock
#34. Community health workers
Chattanooga, TN-GA
- Annual mean salary: $50,860
- #48 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 60
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: $50,860
- #48 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 60
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)
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Indypendenz // Shutterstock
#33. Postal service mail sorters, processors, and processing machine operators
Chattanooga, TN-GA
- Annual mean salary: $51,140
- #70 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 210
National
- Annual mean salary: $51,440
- Employment: 105,400
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Huntsville, AL ($55,830)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($55,260)
--- Wausau, WI ($55,060)
- Annual mean salary: $51,140
- #70 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 210
National
- Annual mean salary: $51,440
- Employment: 105,400
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Huntsville, AL ($55,830)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($55,260)
--- Wausau, WI ($55,060)
19 / 50
Wipas Rojjanakard // Shutterstock
#32. Occupational health and safety technicians
Chattanooga, TN-GA
- Annual mean salary: $51,430
- #91 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 50
National
- Annual mean salary: $57,870
- Employment: 20,950
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Evansville, IN-KY ($77,880)
--- Anchorage, AK ($77,690)
--- Oklahoma City, OK ($77,100)
- Annual mean salary: $51,430
- #91 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 50
National
- Annual mean salary: $57,870
- Employment: 20,950
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Evansville, IN-KY ($77,880)
--- Anchorage, AK ($77,690)
--- Oklahoma City, OK ($77,100)
20 / 50
Jat306 // Shutterstock
#31. Millwrights
Chattanooga, TN-GA
- Annual mean salary: $51,440
- #162 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: $51,440
- #162 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)
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Hulton Archive // Getty Images
#30. Electricians
Chattanooga, TN-GA
- Annual mean salary: $51,700
- #360 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,290
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: $51,700
- #360 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,290
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)
22 / 50
Paolo Bona // Shutterstock
#29. Food service managers
Chattanooga, TN-GA
- Annual mean salary: $52,060
- #425 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 730
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: $52,060
- #425 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 730
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)
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Pxhere
#28. Maintenance workers, machinery
Chattanooga, TN-GA
- Annual mean salary: $52,090
- #129 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 430
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: $52,090
- #129 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 430
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)
24 / 50
Erin Deleon // Shutterstock
#27. Postal service mail carriers
Chattanooga, TN-GA
- Annual mean salary: $52,670
- #399 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 560
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: $52,670
- #399 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 560
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)
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Unsplash
#26. Crane and tower operators
Chattanooga, TN-GA
- Annual mean salary: $53,390
- #151 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 60
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: $53,390
- #151 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 60
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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Andrey_Popov // Shutterstock
#25. Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters
Chattanooga, TN-GA
- Annual mean salary: $53,960
- #268 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 590
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: $53,960
- #268 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 590
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)
27 / 50
SritanaN // Shutterstock
#24. Industrial machinery mechanics
Chattanooga, TN-GA
- Annual mean salary: $54,740
- #336 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,010
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: $54,740
- #336 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,010
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)
28 / 50
Rebekah Zemansky // Shutterstock
#23. First-line supervisors of correctional officers
Chattanooga, TN-GA
- Annual mean salary: $54,860
- #164 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 50
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: $54,860
- #164 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 50
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
Syda Productions // Shutterstock
#22. Executive secretaries and executive administrative assistants
Chattanooga, TN-GA
- Annual mean salary: $54,880
- #337 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 370
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: $54,880
- #337 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 370
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)
30 / 50
GaudiLab // Shutterstock
#21. First-line supervisors of office and administrative support workers
Chattanooga, TN-GA
- Annual mean salary: $56,470
- #273 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 4,320
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: $56,470
- #273 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 4,320
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)
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DenisProduction.com // Shutterstock
#20. Chefs and head cooks
Chattanooga, TN-GA
- Annual mean salary: $56,530
- #120 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 270
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: $56,530
- #120 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 270
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)
32 / 50
Tim Goode/PA Images // Getty Images
#19. Sales representatives of services, except advertising, insurance, financial services, and travel
Chattanooga, TN-GA
- Annual mean salary: $57,470
- #371 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,340
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: $57,470
- #371 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,340
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
rlat // Shutterstock
#18. Postal service clerks
Chattanooga, TN-GA
- Annual mean salary: $57,560
- #7 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: $57,560
- #7 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)
34 / 50
Canva
#17. Boilermakers
Chattanooga, TN-GA
- Annual mean salary: $59,030
- #33 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 80
National
- Annual mean salary: $67,430
- Employment: 14,020
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($106,660)
--- Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI ($96,080)
--- Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD ($90,620)
- Annual mean salary: $59,030
- #33 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 80
National
- Annual mean salary: $67,430
- Employment: 14,020
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($106,660)
--- Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI ($96,080)
--- Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD ($90,620)
35 / 50
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
#16. Claims adjusters, examiners, and investigators
Chattanooga, TN-GA
- Annual mean salary: $60,780
- #330 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 650
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: $60,780
- #330 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 650
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)
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36 / 50
Canva
#15. Transportation inspectors
Chattanooga, TN-GA
- Annual mean salary: $60,850
- #76 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 40
National
- Annual mean salary: $81,320
- Employment: 27,360
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Portland-South Portland, ME ($112,260)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($111,930)
--- Anchorage, AK ($108,140)
- Annual mean salary: $60,850
- #76 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 40
National
- Annual mean salary: $81,320
- Employment: 27,360
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Portland-South Portland, ME ($112,260)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($111,930)
--- Anchorage, AK ($108,140)
37 / 50
sculpies // Shutterstock
#14. First-line supervisors of construction trades and extraction workers
Chattanooga, TN-GA
- Annual mean salary: $60,980
- #442 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 990
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: $60,980
- #442 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 990
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)
38 / 50
Stock Rocket // Shutterstock
#13. Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products
Chattanooga, TN-GA
- Annual mean salary: $61,190
- #425 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,180
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: $61,190
- #425 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,180
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)
39 / 50
Oleg Golovnev // Shutterstock
#12. First-line supervisors of production and operating workers
Chattanooga, TN-GA
- Annual mean salary: $62,420
- #354 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,810
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: $62,420
- #354 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,810
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)
40 / 50
John Leung // Shutterstock
#11. Brickmasons and blockmasons
Chattanooga, TN-GA
- Annual mean salary: $62,480
- #62 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 130
National
- Annual mean salary: $58,420
- Employment: 59,940
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH ($95,980)
--- Decatur, IL ($92,670)
--- Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ ($89,340)
- Annual mean salary: $62,480
- #62 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 130
National
- Annual mean salary: $58,420
- Employment: 59,940
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH ($95,980)
--- Decatur, IL ($92,670)
--- Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ ($89,340)
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41 / 50
4 PM production // Shutterstock
#10. First-line supervisors of mechanics, installers, and repairers
Chattanooga, TN-GA
- Annual mean salary: $64,560
- #425 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 890
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: $64,560
- #425 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 890
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)
42 / 50
Canva
#9. First-line supervisors of police and detectives
Chattanooga, TN-GA
- Annual mean salary: $65,170
- #398 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 350
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: $65,170
- #398 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 350
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)
43 / 50
rawpixel.com // Shutterstock
#8. Real estate brokers
Chattanooga, TN-GA
- Annual mean salary: $66,670
- #65 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: data not available
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: $66,670
- #65 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: data not available
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)
44 / 50
Luisa Leal Photography // Shutterstock
#7. Electrical power-line installers and repairers
Chattanooga, TN-GA
- Annual mean salary: $67,360
- #310 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 290
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: $67,360
- #310 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 290
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)
45 / 50
Leszek Glasner // Shutterstock
#6. Property, real estate, and community association managers
Chattanooga, TN-GA
- Annual mean salary: $70,590
- #91 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 280
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: $70,590
- #91 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 280
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)
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46 / 50
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
#5. Insurance sales agents
Chattanooga, TN-GA
- Annual mean salary: $70,680
- #97 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 690
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: $70,680
- #97 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 690
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)
47 / 50
Prath // Shutterstock
#4. Detectives and criminal investigators
Chattanooga, TN-GA
- Annual mean salary: $71,480
- #228 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 150
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: $71,480
- #228 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 150
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
michaeljung // Shutterstock
#3. Power plant operators
Chattanooga, TN-GA
- Annual mean salary: $87,530
- #53 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 50
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: $87,530
- #53 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 50
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)
49 / 50
g-stockstudio // Shutterstock
#2. First-line supervisors of non-retail sales workers
Chattanooga, TN-GA
- Annual mean salary: $90,560
- #92 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 380
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: $90,560
- #92 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 380
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
Chattanooga, TN-GA
- Annual mean salary: $92,430
- #253 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 350
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: $92,430
- #253 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 350
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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