Highest-paying jobs in Houston that don't require a college degree
Written by:
June 13, 2022
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Highest-paying jobs in Houston that don't require a college degree
From the moment they arrive on campus, today’s high school students are inundated with messages about the importance of receiving a college education. They hear it from their guidance counselors, teachers, parents, family members, neighbors, and coaches. While graduation from a four-year college can certainly work wonders for students’ future careers, it’s not necessary for all fields — something admissions officers and guidance counselors sometimes fail to mention.
To find the highest paying jobs that don’t require a college degree, Stacker consulted the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook to compile a list of all jobs that don’t require higher education. All professions that listed a high school diploma, some college education (without a degree conferred), postsecondary nondegree award, or no formal education requirements for entry-level positions were considered. Jobs that didn’t list any entry-level education requirement were excluded, as were job titles that grouped several positions together. Jobs are ranked by 2021 annual mean wage.
Keep reading to discover the highest paying jobs in Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX that don’t require a college degree.
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DenisKlimov // Shutterstock
#50. Aircraft cargo handling supervisors
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
- Annual mean salary: $61,350
- #23 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 160
National
- Annual mean salary: $62,080
- Employment: 8,590
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN ($79,660)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($72,800)
--- Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA ($71,910)
- Annual mean salary: $61,350
- #23 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 160
National
- Annual mean salary: $62,080
- Employment: 8,590
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN ($79,660)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($72,800)
--- Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA ($71,910)
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Wipas Rojjanakard // Shutterstock
#49. Occupational health and safety technicians
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
- Annual mean salary: $62,090
- #50 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 890
National
- Annual mean salary: $57,560
- Employment: 21,750
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Evansville, IN-KY ($77,880)
--- Anchorage, AK ($77,690)
--- Oklahoma City, OK ($77,100)
- Annual mean salary: $62,090
- #50 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 890
National
- Annual mean salary: $57,560
- Employment: 21,750
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Evansville, IN-KY ($77,880)
--- Anchorage, AK ($77,690)
--- Oklahoma City, OK ($77,100)
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GaudiLab // Shutterstock
#48. First-line supervisors of office and administrative support workers
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
- Annual mean salary: $62,220
- #112 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 34,230
National
- Annual mean salary: $63,380
- Employment: 1,443,630
- 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: $62,220
- #112 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 34,230
National
- Annual mean salary: $63,380
- Employment: 1,443,630
- 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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Kitawit Jitaton // Shutterstock
#47. Telecommunications line installers and repairers
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
- Annual mean salary: $62,660
- #87 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,020
National
- Annual mean salary: $62,250
- Employment: 101,530
- 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: $62,660
- #87 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,020
National
- Annual mean salary: $62,250
- Employment: 101,530
- 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
#46. Tank car, truck, and ship loaders
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
- Annual mean salary: $62,780
- #7 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,560
National
- Annual mean salary: $55,330
- Employment: 12,090
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Milwaukee-Waukesha-West Allis, WI ($94,390)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($72,530)
--- Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH ($68,750)
- Annual mean salary: $62,780
- #7 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,560
National
- Annual mean salary: $55,330
- Employment: 12,090
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Milwaukee-Waukesha-West Allis, WI ($94,390)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($72,530)
--- Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH ($68,750)
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Canva
#45. Computer numerically controlled tool programmers
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
- Annual mean salary: $63,100
- #41 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 790
National
- Annual mean salary: $62,360
- Employment: 25,800
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($93,600)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($92,910)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($86,660)
- Annual mean salary: $63,100
- #41 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 790
National
- Annual mean salary: $62,360
- Employment: 25,800
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($93,600)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($92,910)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($86,660)
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Andrey_Popov // Shutterstock
#44. Private detectives and investigators
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
- Annual mean salary: $63,250
- #34 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 480
National
- Annual mean salary: $60,970
- Employment: 28,860
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Jackson, MI ($93,360)
--- Bakersfield, CA ($91,080)
--- Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR-MO ($87,760)
- Annual mean salary: $63,250
- #34 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 480
National
- Annual mean salary: $60,970
- Employment: 28,860
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Jackson, MI ($93,360)
--- Bakersfield, CA ($91,080)
--- Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR-MO ($87,760)
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Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
#43. Insurance sales agents
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
- Annual mean salary: $63,280
- #197 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 5,740
National
- Annual mean salary: $69,340
- Employment: 422,600
- 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: $63,280
- #197 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 5,740
National
- Annual mean salary: $69,340
- Employment: 422,600
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($104,230)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($103,470)
--- Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA ($95,620)
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Unsplash
#42. Crane and tower operators
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
- Annual mean salary: $64,000
- #59 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 3,000
National
- Annual mean salary: $65,270
- Employment: 43,400
- 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: $64,000
- #59 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 3,000
National
- Annual mean salary: $65,270
- Employment: 43,400
- 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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Canva
#41. Elevator and escalator installers and repairers
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
- Annual mean salary: $64,810
- #52 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 100
National
- Annual mean salary: $91,320
- Employment: 22,510
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($130,290)
--- Kansas City, MO-KS ($113,590)
--- Urban Honolulu, HI ($113,480)
- Annual mean salary: $64,810
- #52 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 100
National
- Annual mean salary: $91,320
- Employment: 22,510
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($130,290)
--- Kansas City, MO-KS ($113,590)
--- Urban Honolulu, HI ($113,480)
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SritanaN // Shutterstock
#40. Industrial machinery mechanics
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
- Annual mean salary: $64,840
- #66 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 14,150
National
- Annual mean salary: $58,780
- Employment: 373,090
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Fairbanks, AK ($85,900)
--- Lake Charles, LA ($85,360)
--- Anchorage, AK ($82,890)
- Annual mean salary: $64,840
- #66 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 14,150
National
- Annual mean salary: $58,780
- Employment: 373,090
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Fairbanks, AK ($85,900)
--- Lake Charles, LA ($85,360)
--- Anchorage, AK ($82,890)
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Canva
#39. Sound engineering technicians
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
- Annual mean salary: $66,920
- #11 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 90
National
- Annual mean salary: $67,360
- Employment: 10,800
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($96,070)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($84,930)
--- Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA ($84,620)
- Annual mean salary: $66,920
- #11 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 90
National
- Annual mean salary: $67,360
- Employment: 10,800
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($96,070)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($84,930)
--- Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA ($84,620)
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Paolo Bona // Shutterstock
#38. Food service managers
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
- Annual mean salary: $67,530
- #75 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 3,090
National
- Annual mean salary: $63,970
- Employment: 210,680
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Trenton, NJ ($91,320)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($89,860)
--- Kahului-Wailuku-Lahaina, HI ($87,750)
- Annual mean salary: $67,530
- #75 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 3,090
National
- Annual mean salary: $63,970
- Employment: 210,680
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Trenton, NJ ($91,320)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($89,860)
--- Kahului-Wailuku-Lahaina, HI ($87,750)
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Syda Productions // Shutterstock
#36 (tie). Executive secretaries and executive administrative assistants
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
- Annual mean salary: $68,260
- #48 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 6,760
National
- Annual mean salary: $66,870
- Employment: 466,910
- 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: $68,260
- #48 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 6,760
National
- Annual mean salary: $66,870
- Employment: 466,910
- 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)
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Canva
#36 (tie). Pump operators, except wellhead pumpers
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
- Annual mean salary: $68,260
- #6 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,100
National
- Annual mean salary: $54,400
- Employment: 10,600
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH ($75,030)
--- Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX ($69,840)
--- St. Louis, MO-IL ($68,630)
- Annual mean salary: $68,260
- #6 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,100
National
- Annual mean salary: $54,400
- Employment: 10,600
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH ($75,030)
--- Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX ($69,840)
--- St. Louis, MO-IL ($68,630)
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Canva
#35. Boilermakers
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
- Annual mean salary: $68,500
- #19 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 850
National
- Annual mean salary: $69,070
- Employment: 12,920
- 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: $68,500
- #19 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 850
National
- Annual mean salary: $69,070
- Employment: 12,920
- 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)
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Tim Goode/PA Images // Getty Images
#34. Sales representatives of services, except advertising, insurance, financial services, and travel
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
- Annual mean salary: $68,540
- #99 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 24,260
National
- Annual mean salary: $71,110
- Employment: 1,026,390
- 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: $68,540
- #99 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 24,260
National
- Annual mean salary: $71,110
- Employment: 1,026,390
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($103,810)
--- Boulder, CO ($101,630)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($97,360)
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Canva
#33. Fire inspectors and investigators
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
- Annual mean salary: $68,720
- #39 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 340
National
- Annual mean salary: $69,680
- Employment: 14,600
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Dayton, OH ($116,740)
--- Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA ($112,040)
--- Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA ($107,220)
- Annual mean salary: $68,720
- #39 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 340
National
- Annual mean salary: $69,680
- Employment: 14,600
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Dayton, OH ($116,740)
--- Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA ($112,040)
--- Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA ($107,220)
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Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
#32. Claims adjusters, examiners, and investigators
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
- Annual mean salary: $69,730
- #181 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 3,470
National
- Annual mean salary: $70,960
- Employment: 278,140
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Kennewick-Richland, WA ($104,350)
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($95,200)
--- Salinas, CA ($90,800)
- Annual mean salary: $69,730
- #181 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 3,470
National
- Annual mean salary: $70,960
- Employment: 278,140
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Kennewick-Richland, WA ($104,350)
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($95,200)
--- Salinas, CA ($90,800)
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Stock Rocket // Shutterstock
#31. Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
- Annual mean salary: $69,890
- #171 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 22,680
National
- Annual mean salary: $72,390
- Employment: 1,242,490
- 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: $69,890
- #171 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 22,680
National
- Annual mean salary: $72,390
- Employment: 1,242,490
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($102,280)
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($92,660)
--- Napa, CA ($92,620)
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Unsplash
#30. Tax preparers
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
- Annual mean salary: $70,190
- #4 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: data not available
National
- Annual mean salary: $51,080
- Employment: 83,190
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Anchorage, AK ($81,880)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($79,470)
--- Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO ($73,170)
- Annual mean salary: $70,190
- #4 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: data not available
National
- Annual mean salary: $51,080
- Employment: 83,190
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Anchorage, AK ($81,880)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($79,470)
--- Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO ($73,170)
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Dmitry Kalinovsky // Shutterstock
#29. Chemical equipment operators and tenders
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
- Annual mean salary: $71,340
- #5 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 5,720
National
- Annual mean salary: $52,450
- Employment: 106,170
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Billings, MT ($88,420)
--- Baton Rouge, LA ($76,050)
--- Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX ($71,340)
- Annual mean salary: $71,340
- #5 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 5,720
National
- Annual mean salary: $52,450
- Employment: 106,170
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Billings, MT ($88,420)
--- Baton Rouge, LA ($76,050)
--- Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX ($71,340)
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Canva
#28. Rotary drill operators, oil and gas
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
- Annual mean salary: $71,380
- #7 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,670
National
- Annual mean salary: $61,840
- Employment: 11,170
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA ($84,210)
--- Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO ($75,750)
--- Lafayette, LA ($75,710)
- Annual mean salary: $71,380
- #7 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,670
National
- Annual mean salary: $61,840
- Employment: 11,170
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA ($84,210)
--- Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO ($75,750)
--- Lafayette, LA ($75,710)
24 / 50
ryanivy308 // Pixabay
#27. Electrical and electronics repairers, commercial and industrial equipment
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
- Annual mean salary: $72,850
- #38 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,650
National
- Annual mean salary: $64,230
- Employment: 50,780
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Vallejo-Fairfield, CA ($87,890)
--- Fresno, CA ($86,230)
--- Fairbanks, AK ($85,640)
- Annual mean salary: $72,850
- #38 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,650
National
- Annual mean salary: $64,230
- Employment: 50,780
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Vallejo-Fairfield, CA ($87,890)
--- Fresno, CA ($86,230)
--- Fairbanks, AK ($85,640)
25 / 50
Luisa Leal Photography // Shutterstock
#26. Electrical power-line installers and repairers
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
- Annual mean salary: $74,140
- #227 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 3,450
National
- Annual mean salary: $79,060
- Employment: 123,940
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA ($117,700)
--- Salinas, CA ($110,180)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($109,490)
- Annual mean salary: $74,140
- #227 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 3,450
National
- Annual mean salary: $79,060
- Employment: 123,940
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA ($117,700)
--- Salinas, CA ($110,180)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($109,490)
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ded pixto // Shutterstock
#24 (tie). Wellhead pumpers
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
- Annual mean salary: $75,610
- #2 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 3,190
National
- Annual mean salary: $67,170
- Employment: 16,040
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX ($77,750)
--- Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX ($75,610)
--- Midland, TX ($74,690)
- Annual mean salary: $75,610
- #2 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 3,190
National
- Annual mean salary: $67,170
- Employment: 16,040
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX ($77,750)
--- Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX ($75,610)
--- Midland, TX ($74,690)
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sculpies // Shutterstock
#24 (tie). First-line supervisors of construction trades and extraction workers
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
- Annual mean salary: $75,610
- #120 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 21,820
National
- Annual mean salary: $75,060
- Employment: 665,870
- 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: $75,610
- #120 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 21,820
National
- Annual mean salary: $75,060
- Employment: 665,870
- 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)
28 / 50
U.S. Air Force
#23. First-line supervisors of firefighting and prevention workers
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
- Annual mean salary: $75,680
- #158 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,010
National
- Annual mean salary: $83,270
- Employment: 80,890
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($171,060)
--- Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA ($145,740)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($135,860)
- Annual mean salary: $75,680
- #158 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,010
National
- Annual mean salary: $83,270
- Employment: 80,890
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($171,060)
--- Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA ($145,740)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($135,860)
29 / 50
Oleg Golovnev // Shutterstock
#22. First-line supervisors of production and operating workers
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
- Annual mean salary: $77,030
- #33 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 15,280
National
- Annual mean salary: $67,330
- Employment: 629,420
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Baton Rouge, LA ($98,170)
--- Lake Charles, LA ($97,910)
--- Norwich-New London-Westerly, CT-RI ($90,410)
- Annual mean salary: $77,030
- #33 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 15,280
National
- Annual mean salary: $67,330
- Employment: 629,420
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Baton Rouge, LA ($98,170)
--- Lake Charles, LA ($97,910)
--- Norwich-New London-Westerly, CT-RI ($90,410)
30 / 50
4 PM production // Shutterstock
#21. First-line supervisors of mechanics, installers, and repairers
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
- Annual mean salary: $77,150
- #77 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 13,920
National
- Annual mean salary: $73,590
- Employment: 526,240
- 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: $77,150
- #77 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 13,920
National
- Annual mean salary: $73,590
- Employment: 526,240
- 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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Pandu Agus Wismoyo // Unsplash
#20. Aircraft mechanics and service technicians
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
- Annual mean salary: $78,380
- #17 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,170
National
- Annual mean salary: $69,470
- Employment: 125,440
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($86,470)
--- Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD ($86,370)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($85,860)
- Annual mean salary: $78,380
- #17 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,170
National
- Annual mean salary: $69,470
- Employment: 125,440
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($86,470)
--- Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD ($86,370)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($85,860)
32 / 50
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
#19. Lodging managers
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
- Annual mean salary: $78,600
- #26 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 580
National
- Annual mean salary: $67,770
- Employment: 35,920
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Kahului-Wailuku-Lahaina, HI ($121,090)
--- Urban Honolulu, HI ($111,410)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($99,600)
- Annual mean salary: $78,600
- #26 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 580
National
- Annual mean salary: $67,770
- Employment: 35,920
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Kahului-Wailuku-Lahaina, HI ($121,090)
--- Urban Honolulu, HI ($111,410)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($99,600)
33 / 50
Leszek Glasner // Shutterstock
#18. Property, real estate, and community association managers
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
- Annual mean salary: $78,650
- #52 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 5,850
National
- Annual mean salary: $70,030
- Employment: 234,680
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($109,540)
--- Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO ($106,420)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($103,610)
- Annual mean salary: $78,650
- #52 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 5,850
National
- Annual mean salary: $70,030
- Employment: 234,680
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($109,540)
--- Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO ($106,420)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($103,610)
34 / 50
Oil and Gas Photographer // Shutterstock
#17. Petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
- Annual mean salary: $81,290
- #28 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 5,010
National
- Annual mean salary: $80,500
- Employment: 34,230
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($105,090)
--- St. Louis, MO-IL ($97,860)
--- Vallejo-Fairfield, CA ($96,520)
- Annual mean salary: $81,290
- #28 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 5,010
National
- Annual mean salary: $80,500
- Employment: 34,230
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($105,090)
--- St. Louis, MO-IL ($97,860)
--- Vallejo-Fairfield, CA ($96,520)
35 / 50
Canva
#16. Transportation inspectors
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
- Annual mean salary: $81,480
- #38 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 460
National
- Annual mean salary: $77,620
- Employment: 25,070
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Portland-South Portland, ME ($112,260)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($111,930)
--- Anchorage, AK ($108,140)
- Annual mean salary: $81,480
- #38 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 460
National
- Annual mean salary: $77,620
- Employment: 25,070
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Portland-South Portland, ME ($112,260)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($111,930)
--- Anchorage, AK ($108,140)
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g-stockstudio // Shutterstock
#15. First-line supervisors of non-retail sales workers
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
- Annual mean salary: $81,850
- #200 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 6,470
National
- Annual mean salary: $92,320
- Employment: 243,920
- 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: $81,850
- #200 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 6,470
National
- Annual mean salary: $92,320
- Employment: 243,920
- 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)
37 / 50
Lovely Bird // Shutterstock
#14. Power distributors and dispatchers
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
- Annual mean salary: $82,060
- #39 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 230
National
- Annual mean salary: $95,520
- Employment: 9,660
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($131,560)
--- Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA ($129,570)
--- Birmingham-Hoover, AL ($123,540)
- Annual mean salary: $82,060
- #39 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 230
National
- Annual mean salary: $95,520
- Employment: 9,660
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($131,560)
--- Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA ($129,570)
--- Birmingham-Hoover, AL ($123,540)
38 / 50
Suwin // Shutterstock
#13. Electrical and electronics repairers, powerhouse, substation, and relay
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
- Annual mean salary: $82,390
- #78 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 380
National
- Annual mean salary: $87,640
- Employment: 22,490
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA ($120,210)
--- Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA ($118,510)
--- Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA ($114,280)
- Annual mean salary: $82,390
- #78 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 380
National
- Annual mean salary: $87,640
- Employment: 22,490
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA ($120,210)
--- Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA ($118,510)
--- Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA ($114,280)
39 / 50
Canva
#12. Chemical plant and system operators
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
- Annual mean salary: $82,410
- #8 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 3,960
National
- Annual mean salary: $69,020
- Employment: 21,740
- 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: $82,410
- #8 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 3,960
National
- Annual mean salary: $69,020
- Employment: 21,740
- 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)
40 / 50
Ken Wolter // Shutterstock
#11. Postmasters and mail superintendents
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
- Annual mean salary: $87,880
- #19 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 70
National
- Annual mean salary: $81,820
- Employment: 12,750
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL ($97,930)
--- Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ ($96,450)
--- San Diego-Carlsbad, CA ($94,460)
- Annual mean salary: $87,880
- #19 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 70
National
- Annual mean salary: $81,820
- Employment: 12,750
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL ($97,930)
--- Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ ($96,450)
--- San Diego-Carlsbad, CA ($94,460)
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Canva
#10. Construction and building inspectors
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
- Annual mean salary: $88,710
- #15 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 5,490
National
- Annual mean salary: $68,480
- Employment: 117,830
- 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: $88,710
- #15 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 5,490
National
- Annual mean salary: $68,480
- Employment: 117,830
- 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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curraheeshutter // Shutterstock
#9. Ship engineers
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
- Annual mean salary: $95,640
- #8 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: data not available
National
- Annual mean salary: $96,910
- Employment: 7,650
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Lafayette, LA ($108,770)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($100,970)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($99,670)
- Annual mean salary: $95,640
- #8 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: data not available
National
- Annual mean salary: $96,910
- Employment: 7,650
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Lafayette, LA ($108,770)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($100,970)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($99,670)
43 / 50
Prath // Shutterstock
#8. Detectives and criminal investigators
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
- Annual mean salary: $96,570
- #53 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,530
National
- Annual mean salary: $90,370
- Employment: 107,890
- 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: $96,570
- #53 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,530
National
- Annual mean salary: $90,370
- Employment: 107,890
- 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)
44 / 50
Christian Lagerek // Shutterstock
#7. Gas plant operators
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
- Annual mean salary: $97,080
- #3 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,170
National
- Annual mean salary: $76,970
- Employment: 15,110
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($99,600)
--- Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA ($98,750)
--- Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX ($97,080)
- Annual mean salary: $97,080
- #3 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,170
National
- Annual mean salary: $76,970
- Employment: 15,110
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($99,600)
--- Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA ($98,750)
--- Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX ($97,080)
45 / 50
Canva
#6. First-line supervisors of police and detectives
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
- Annual mean salary: $98,260
- #117 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,530
National
- Annual mean salary: $98,760
- Employment: 128,230
- 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: $98,260
- #117 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,530
National
- Annual mean salary: $98,760
- Employment: 128,230
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($182,700)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($170,740)
--- Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA ($164,600)
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Canva
#5. Court reporters and simultaneous captioners
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
- Annual mean salary: $100,060
- #2 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 150
National
- Annual mean salary: $65,240
- Employment: 12,300
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($109,910)
--- Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX ($100,060)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($99,120)
- Annual mean salary: $100,060
- #2 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 150
National
- Annual mean salary: $65,240
- Employment: 12,300
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($109,910)
--- Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX ($100,060)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($99,120)
47 / 50
Igor Kardasov // Shutterstock
#4. Captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
- Annual mean salary: $106,230
- #8 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,150
National
- Annual mean salary: $98,330
- Employment: 33,490
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($126,420)
--- Anchorage, AK ($118,620)
--- New Orleans-Metairie, LA ($110,750)
- Annual mean salary: $106,230
- #8 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,150
National
- Annual mean salary: $98,330
- Employment: 33,490
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($126,420)
--- Anchorage, AK ($118,620)
--- New Orleans-Metairie, LA ($110,750)
48 / 50
Skycolors // Shutterstock
#3. Commercial pilots
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
- Annual mean salary: $106,920
- #72 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,010
National
- Annual mean salary: $115,080
- Employment: 42,770
- 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: $106,920
- #72 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,010
National
- Annual mean salary: $115,080
- Employment: 42,770
- 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
Kelly Ogden // Wikimedia Commons
#2. Transportation, storage, and distribution managers
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
- Annual mean salary: $112,650
- #34 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 3,540
National
- Annual mean salary: $105,580
- Employment: 144,640
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($159,890)
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($154,170)
--- Trenton, NJ ($144,620)
- Annual mean salary: $112,650
- #34 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 3,540
National
- Annual mean salary: $105,580
- Employment: 144,640
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($159,890)
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($154,170)
--- Trenton, NJ ($144,620)
50 / 50
Unsplash
#1. Athletes and sports competitors
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
- Annual mean salary: $188,480
- #4 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: data not available
National
- Annual mean salary: $116,930
- Employment: 12,320
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN ($212,500)
--- Cleveland-Elyria, OH ($210,210)
--- Columbus, OH ($201,290)
- Annual mean salary: $188,480
- #4 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: data not available
National
- Annual mean salary: $116,930
- Employment: 12,320
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN ($212,500)
--- Cleveland-Elyria, OH ($210,210)
--- Columbus, OH ($201,290)
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