Highest paying jobs in Houston for high school graduates
Written by:
April 25, 2022
Prath // Shutterstock
Highest paying jobs in Houston 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 Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX 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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1 / 50
Oil and Gas Photographer // Shutterstock
#50. Control and valve installers and repairers, except mechanical door
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
- Annual mean salary: $55,640
- #186 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,150
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: $55,640
- #186 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,150
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)
2 / 50
Hulton Archive // Getty Images
#49. Electricians
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
- Annual mean salary: $56,090
- #264 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 12,810
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: $56,090
- #264 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 12,810
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)
3 / 50
Rebekah Zemansky // Shutterstock
#48. First-line supervisors of correctional officers
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
- Annual mean salary: $56,260
- #154 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 510
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: $56,260
- #154 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 510
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)
4 / 50
Andrey_Popov // Shutterstock
#47. Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
- Annual mean salary: $56,380
- #230 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 9,330
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: $56,380
- #230 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 9,330
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)
5 / 50
rlat // Shutterstock
#46. Postal service clerks
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
- Annual mean salary: $56,420
- #32 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 860
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: $56,420
- #32 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 860
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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LStockStudio // Shutterstock
#45. Brokerage clerks
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
- Annual mean salary: $56,840
- #32 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 740
National
- Annual mean salary: $58,460
- Employment: 44,720
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT ($74,310)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($69,330)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($68,970)
- Annual mean salary: $56,840
- #32 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 740
National
- Annual mean salary: $58,460
- Employment: 44,720
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT ($74,310)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($69,330)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($68,970)
7 / 50
welcomia // Shutterstock
#44. Mobile heavy equipment mechanics, except engines
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
- Annual mean salary: $56,870
- #135 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 4,940
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: $56,870
- #135 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 4,940
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)
8 / 50
Canva
#43. Cooling and freezing equipment operators and tenders
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
- Annual mean salary: $56,960
- #3 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 50
National
- Annual mean salary: $39,610
- Employment: 8,020
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD ($61,370)
--- Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX ($58,810)
--- Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX ($56,960)
- Annual mean salary: $56,960
- #3 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 50
National
- Annual mean salary: $39,610
- Employment: 8,020
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD ($61,370)
--- Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX ($58,810)
--- Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX ($56,960)
9 / 50
goodluz // Shutterstock
#42. Real estate sales agents
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
- Annual mean salary: $58,290
- #144 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 7,290
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: $58,290
- #144 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 7,290
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)
10 / 50
Canva
#41. Pile driver operators
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
- Annual mean salary: $59,350
- #13 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: data not available
National
- Annual mean salary: $71,880
- Employment: 3,820
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($106,620)
--- Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI ($106,340)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($104,880)
- Annual mean salary: $59,350
- #13 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: data not available
National
- Annual mean salary: $71,880
- Employment: 3,820
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($106,620)
--- Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI ($106,340)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($104,880)
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11 / 50
Pressmaster // Shutterstock
#40. Title examiners, abstractors, and searchers
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
- Annual mean salary: $59,510
- #30 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,000
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: $59,510
- #30 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,000
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)
12 / 50
Pxhere
#39. Maintenance workers, machinery
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
- Annual mean salary: $60,120
- #29 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,090
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: $60,120
- #29 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,090
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)
13 / 50
Jat306 // Shutterstock
#38. Millwrights
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
- Annual mean salary: $61,320
- #67 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 670
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: $61,320
- #67 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 670
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)
14 / 50
DenisKlimov // Shutterstock
#37. 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: $59,620
- Employment: 10,020
- 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: $59,620
- Employment: 10,020
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN ($79,660)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($72,800)
--- Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA ($71,910)
15 / 50
Wipas Rojjanakard // Shutterstock
#36. 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: $57,870
- 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: $62,090
- #50 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 890
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)
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16 / 50
GaudiLab // Shutterstock
#35. 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: $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: $62,220
- #112 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 34,230
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)
17 / 50
Kitawit Jitaton // Shutterstock
#34. 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: $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: $62,660
- #87 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,020
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)
18 / 50
Andrey_Popov // Shutterstock
#33. 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: $60,100
- Employment: 32,200
- 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: $60,100
- Employment: 32,200
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Jackson, MI ($93,360)
--- Bakersfield, CA ($91,080)
--- Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR-MO ($87,760)
19 / 50
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
#32. 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: $69,100
- 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: $63,280
- #197 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 5,740
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)
20 / 50
Unsplash
#31. 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: $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: $64,000
- #59 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 3,000
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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21 / 50
Canva
#30. 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: $86,200
- Employment: 24,730
- 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: $86,200
- Employment: 24,730
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($130,290)
--- Kansas City, MO-KS ($113,590)
--- Urban Honolulu, HI ($113,480)
22 / 50
SritanaN // Shutterstock
#29. 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: $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: $64,840
- #66 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 14,150
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)
23 / 50
Paolo Bona // Shutterstock
#28. 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: $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: $67,530
- #75 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 3,090
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)
24 / 50
Canva
#26 (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: $51,830
- Employment: 10,580
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH ($75,030)
--- Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX ($69,840)
--- West North Dakota nonmetropolitan area ($68,890)
- Annual mean salary: $68,260
- #6 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,100
National
- Annual mean salary: $51,830
- Employment: 10,580
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH ($75,030)
--- Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX ($69,840)
--- West North Dakota nonmetropolitan area ($68,890)
25 / 50
Syda Productions // Shutterstock
#26 (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: $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: $68,260
- #48 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 6,760
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)
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26 / 50
Canva
#25. Boilermakers
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
- Annual mean salary: $68,500
- #19 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 850
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: $68,500
- #19 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 850
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)
27 / 50
Tim Goode/PA Images // Getty Images
#24. 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: $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: $68,540
- #99 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 24,260
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)
28 / 50
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
#23. 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: $70,650
- 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: $69,730
- #181 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 3,470
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)
29 / 50
Stock Rocket // Shutterstock
#22. 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: $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: $69,890
- #171 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 22,680
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)
30 / 50
Unsplash
#21. 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: $52,710
- Employment: 62,600
- 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: $52,710
- Employment: 62,600
- 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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31 / 50
Dmitry Kalinovsky // Shutterstock
#20. 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: $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: $71,340
- #5 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 5,720
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)
32 / 50
Luisa Leal Photography // Shutterstock
#19. 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: $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: $74,140
- #227 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 3,450
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)
33 / 50
ded pixto // Shutterstock
#17 (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: $60,500
- Employment: 12,050
- 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: $60,500
- Employment: 12,050
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX ($77,750)
--- Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX ($75,610)
--- Midland, TX ($74,690)
34 / 50
sculpies // Shutterstock
#17 (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: $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: $75,610
- #120 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 21,820
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)
35 / 50
Oleg Golovnev // Shutterstock
#16. 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: $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: $77,030
- #33 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 15,280
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)
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36 / 50
4 PM production // Shutterstock
#15. 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: $73,100
- 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: $77,150
- #77 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 13,920
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)
37 / 50
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
#14. 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: $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: $78,600
- #26 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 580
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)
38 / 50
Leszek Glasner // Shutterstock
#13. 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: $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: $78,650
- #52 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 5,850
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)
39 / 50
Oil and Gas Photographer // Shutterstock
#12. 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: $77,610
- Employment: 40,480
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($105,090)
--- Alaska nonmetropolitan area ($101,900)
--- St. Louis, MO-IL ($97,860)
- Annual mean salary: $81,290
- #28 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 5,010
National
- Annual mean salary: $77,610
- Employment: 40,480
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($105,090)
--- Alaska nonmetropolitan area ($101,900)
--- St. Louis, MO-IL ($97,860)
40 / 50
Canva
#11. 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: $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: $81,480
- #38 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 460
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)
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41 / 50
g-stockstudio // Shutterstock
#10. 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: $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: $81,850
- #200 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 6,470
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)
42 / 50
Lovely Bird // Shutterstock
#9. 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: $93,260
- Employment: 9,940
- 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: $93,260
- Employment: 9,940
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($131,560)
--- Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA ($129,570)
--- Birmingham-Hoover, AL ($123,540)
43 / 50
Canva
#8. 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: $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: $82,410
- #8 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 3,960
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)
44 / 50
Ken Wolter // Shutterstock
#7. 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: $79,660
- Employment: 13,880
- 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: $79,660
- Employment: 13,880
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL ($97,930)
--- Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ ($96,450)
--- San Diego-Carlsbad, CA ($94,460)
45 / 50
Canva
#6. 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: $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: $88,710
- #15 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 5,490
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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46 / 50
Prath // Shutterstock
#5. 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: $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: $96,570
- #53 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,530
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)
47 / 50
Christian Lagerek // Shutterstock
#4. 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: $73,290
- Employment: 14,990
- 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: $73,290
- Employment: 14,990
- 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)
48 / 50
Canva
#3. 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: $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: $98,260
- #117 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,530
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)
49 / 50
Skycolors // Shutterstock
#2. 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: $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: $106,920
- #72 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,010
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)
50 / 50
Kelly Ogden // Wikimedia Commons
#1. 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: $105,100
- 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: $112,650
- #34 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 3,540
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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