Highest paying jobs in Midland that require a bachelor's degree
Highest paying jobs in Midland that require a bachelor's degree
While college and university tuition costs may be skyrocketing, many still believe a bachelor’s degree is essential to landing a high-paying job in the United States. Stacker compiled a list of the highest paying jobs that typically require a bachelors in Midland using data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Jobs are ranked by 2020 annual mean wage.
Whether highly technical, scientific, or based in finance or the arts, all the jobs require keeping up to date with the latest developments in culture, commerce, or tech.
Keep reading to discover the highest-paying jobs that require a bachelor degree in Midland.
#50. Surveyors
Midland, TX
- Annual mean salary: $63,800
- #109 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 90
National
- Annual mean salary: $70,260
- Employment: 43,710
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Redding, CA ($112,110)
--- Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA ($106,150)
--- Fresno, CA ($105,130)
- Job description: Make exact measurements and determine property boundaries. Provide data relevant to the shape, contour, gravitation, location, elevation, or dimension of land or land features on or near the earth's surface for engineering, mapmaking, mining, land evaluation, construction, and other purposes.
#49. Compensation, benefits, and job analysis specialists
Midland, TX
- Annual mean salary: $65,420
- #98 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 50
National
- Annual mean salary: $72,610
- Employment: 87,870
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($94,130)
--- Boulder, CO ($92,780)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($92,250)
- Job description: Conduct programs of compensation and benefits and job analysis for employer. May specialize in specific areas, such as position classification and pension programs.

#48. Human resources specialists
Midland, TX
- Annual mean salary: $65,590
- #120 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 330
National
- Annual mean salary: $69,430
- Employment: 647,810
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($96,090)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($93,680)
--- Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV ($90,130)
- Job description: Recruit, screen, interview, or place individuals within an organization. May perform other activities in multiple human resources areas.
#47. Registered nurses
Midland, TX
- Annual mean salary: $68,370
- #229 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,180
National
- Annual mean salary: $80,010
- Employment: 2,986,500
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($149,200)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($146,870)
--- Vallejo-Fairfield, CA ($142,140)
- Job description: Assess patient health problems and needs, develop and implement nursing care plans, and maintain medical records. Administer nursing care to ill, injured, convalescent, or disabled patients. May advise patients on health maintenance and disease prevention or provide case management. Licensing or registration required.

#46. Training and development specialists
Midland, TX
- Annual mean salary: $69,230
- #79 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 250
National
- Annual mean salary: $67,440
- Employment: 318,040
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Decatur, AL ($101,590)
--- Vallejo-Fairfield, CA ($99,070)
--- Savannah, GA ($94,820)
- Job description: Design or conduct work-related training and development programs to improve individual skills or organizational performance. May analyze organizational training needs or evaluate training effectiveness.

#45. Market research analysts and marketing specialists
Midland, TX
- Annual mean salary: $71,080
- #52 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 210
National
- Annual mean salary: $73,970
- Employment: 690,160
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($117,900)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($97,720)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($96,150)
- Job description: Research conditions in local, regional, national, or online markets. Gather information to determine potential sales of a product or service, or plan a marketing or advertising campaign. May gather information on competitors, prices, sales, and methods of marketing and distribution. May employ search marketing tactics, analyze web metrics, and develop recommendations to increase search engine ranking and visibility to target markets.

#44. Financial examiners
Midland, TX
- Annual mean salary: $71,740
- #93 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 30
National
- Annual mean salary: $92,730
- Employment: 68,210
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($130,230)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($125,050)
--- Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV ($124,620)
- Job description: Enforce or ensure compliance with laws and regulations governing financial and securities institutions and financial and real estate transactions. May examine, verify, or authenticate records.
#43. Occupational health and safety specialists
Midland, TX
- Annual mean salary: $73,050
- #157 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 480
National
- Annual mean salary: $78,110
- Employment: 95,960
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($112,250)
--- Kennewick-Richland, WA ($107,790)
--- Santa Rosa, CA ($101,190)
- Job description: Review, evaluate, and analyze work environments and design programs and procedures to control, eliminate, and prevent disease or injury caused by chemical, physical, and biological agents or ergonomic factors. May conduct inspections and enforce adherence to laws and regulations governing the health and safety of individuals. May be employed in the public or private sector.

#42. Cartographers and photogrammetrists
Midland, TX
- Annual mean salary: $74,040
- #19 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 30
National
- Annual mean salary: $72,420
- Employment: 12,600
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($110,530)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($109,420)
--- Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA ($109,350)
- Job description: Research, study, and prepare maps and other spatial data in digital or graphic form for one or more purposes, such as legal, social, political, educational, and design purposes. May work with Geographic Information Systems (GIS). May design and evaluate algorithms, data structures, and user interfaces for GIS and mapping systems. May collect, analyze, and interpret geographic information provided by geodetic surveys, aerial photographs, and satellite data.
#41. Compliance officers
Midland, TX
- Annual mean salary: $75,690
- #73 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 230
National
- Annual mean salary: $75,620
- Employment: 327,360
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Flagstaff, AZ ($99,640)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($98,030)
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($96,850)
- Job description: Examine, evaluate, and investigate eligibility for or conformity with laws and regulations governing contract compliance of licenses and permits, and perform other compliance and enforcement inspection and analysis activities not classified elsewhere.
#40. Social and community service managers
Midland, TX
- Annual mean salary: $75,980
- #92 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 60
National
- Annual mean salary: $75,140
- Employment: 155,800
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Yuba City, CA ($96,530)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($95,650)
--- Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV ($94,900)
- Job description: Plan, direct, or coordinate the activities of a social service program or community outreach organization. Oversee the program or organization's budget and policies regarding participant involvement, program requirements, and benefits. Work may involve directing social workers, counselors, or probation officers.
#39. Credit analysts
Midland, TX
- Annual mean salary: $78,310
- #78 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 40
National
- Annual mean salary: $86,170
- Employment: 72,090
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Danbury, CT ($126,820)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($122,540)
--- Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL ($119,980)
- Job description: Analyze credit data and financial statements of individuals or firms to determine the degree of risk involved in extending credit or lending money. Prepare reports with credit information for use in decisionmaking.
#38. Logisticians
Midland, TX
- Annual mean salary: $78,670
- #110 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 200
National
- Annual mean salary: $79,830
- Employment: 184,230
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($116,200)
--- California-Lexington Park, MD ($112,040)
--- Lake Charles, LA ($110,510)
- Job description: Analyze and coordinate the ongoing logistical functions of a firm or organization. Responsible for the entire life cycle of a product, including acquisition, distribution, internal allocation, delivery, and final disposal of resources.

#37. Cost estimators
Midland, TX
- Annual mean salary: $78,890
- #40 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 80
National
- Annual mean salary: $72,960
- Employment: 199,360
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($104,530)
--- Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL ($104,270)
--- Norwich-New London-Westerly, CT-RI ($101,020)
- Job description: Prepare cost estimates for product manufacturing, construction projects, or services to aid management in bidding on or determining price of product or service. May specialize according to particular service performed or type of product manufactured.

#36. Loan officers
Midland, TX
- Annual mean salary: $85,380
- #47 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 110
National
- Annual mean salary: $76,930
- Employment: 308,700
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Eau Claire, WI ($129,900)
--- Stockton-Lodi, CA ($121,100)
--- Tyler, TX ($114,690)
- Job description: Evaluate, authorize, or recommend approval of commercial, real estate, or credit loans. Advise borrowers on financial status and payment methods. Includes mortgage loan officers and agents, collection analysts, loan servicing officers, loan underwriters, and payday loan officers.
#35. Health and safety engineers, except mining safety engineers and inspectors
Midland, TX
- Annual mean salary: $91,460
- #58 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 70
National
- Annual mean salary: $97,330
- Employment: 23,780
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA ($123,730)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($121,700)
--- Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA ($121,330)
- Job description: Promote worksite or product safety by applying knowledge of industrial processes, mechanics, chemistry, psychology, and industrial health and safety laws. Includes industrial product safety engineers.
#34. Network and computer systems administrators
Midland, TX
- Annual mean salary: $91,710
- #38 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 240
National
- Annual mean salary: $89,460
- Employment: 339,560
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($134,260)
--- Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD ($116,840)
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($111,790)
- Job description: Install, configure, and maintain an organization's local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), data communications network, operating systems, and physical and virtual servers. Perform system monitoring and verify the integrity and availability of hardware, network, and server resources and systems. Review system and application logs and verify completion of scheduled jobs, including system backups. Analyze network and server resource consumption and control user access. Install and upgrade software and maintain software licenses. May assist in network modeling, analysis, planning, and coordination between network and data communications hardware and software.
#33. Operations research analysts
Midland, TX
- Annual mean salary: $93,210
- #40 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 50
National
- Annual mean salary: $92,280
- Employment: 96,220
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($146,830)
--- Salinas, CA ($124,950)
--- Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA ($123,370)
- Job description: Formulate and apply mathematical modeling and other optimizing methods to develop and interpret information that assists management with decisionmaking, policy formulation, or other managerial functions. May collect and analyze data and develop decision support software, services, or products. May develop and supply optimal time, cost, or logistics networks for program evaluation, review, or implementation.
#32. Electronics engineers, except computer
Midland, TX
- Annual mean salary: $93,240
- #129 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: data not available
National
- Annual mean salary: $112,320
- Employment: 122,320
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($148,210)
--- Austin-Round Rock, TX ($134,110)
--- Idaho Falls, ID ($131,740)
- Job description: Research, design, develop, or test electronic components and systems for commercial, industrial, military, or scientific use employing knowledge of electronic theory and materials properties. Design electronic circuits and components for use in fields such as telecommunications, aerospace guidance and propulsion control, acoustics, or instruments and controls.

#31. Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, technical and scientific products
Midland, TX
- Annual mean salary: $98,740
- #84 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 200
National
- Annual mean salary: $99,680
- Employment: 288,150
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Rochester, NY ($150,650)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($143,850)
--- Battle Creek, MI ($141,310)
- Job description: Sell goods for wholesalers or manufacturers where technical or scientific knowledge is required in such areas as biology, engineering, chemistry, and electronics, normally obtained from at least 2 years of postsecondary education.
#30. Environmental engineers
Midland, TX
- Annual mean salary: $99,000
- #51 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 40
National
- Annual mean salary: $96,890
- Employment: 50,260
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX ($128,000)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($124,210)
--- Baton Rouge, LA ($114,890)
- Job description: Research, design, plan, or perform engineering duties in the prevention, control, and remediation of environmental hazards using various engineering disciplines. Work may include waste treatment, site remediation, or pollution control technology.

#29. Database administrators and architects
Midland, TX
- Annual mean salary: $99,830
- #49 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 50
National
- Annual mean salary: $101,090
- Employment: 133,630
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($143,340)
--- Trenton, NJ ($126,540)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($120,430)
- Job description: Administer, test, and implement computer databases, applying knowledge of database management systems. Coordinate changes to computer databases. Identify, investigate, and resolve database performance issues, database capacity, and database scalability. May plan, coordinate, and implement security measures to safeguard computer databases.
#28. Environmental scientists and specialists, including health
Midland, TX
- Annual mean salary: $100,650
- #7 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 180
National
- Annual mean salary: $80,090
- Employment: 84,610
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($112,340)
--- Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV ($107,320)
--- Utica-Rome, NY ($104,870)
- Job description: Conduct research or perform investigation for the purpose of identifying, abating, or eliminating sources of pollutants or hazards that affect either the environment or public health. Using knowledge of various scientific disciplines, may collect, synthesize, study, report, and recommend action based on data derived from measurements or observations of air, food, soil, water, and other sources.
#27. Accountants and auditors
Midland, TX
- Annual mean salary: $103,120
- #3 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,610
National
- Annual mean salary: $81,660
- Employment: 1,274,620
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Salinas, CA ($111,680)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($105,720)
--- Midland, TX ($103,120)
- Job description: Examine, analyze, and interpret accounting records to prepare financial statements, give advice, or audit and evaluate statements prepared by others. Install or advise on systems of recording costs or other financial and budgetary data.

#26. Medical and health services managers
Midland, TX
- Annual mean salary: $105,140
- #224 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 200
National
- Annual mean salary: $118,800
- Employment: 402,540
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Vallejo-Fairfield, CA ($174,010)
--- Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA ($171,430)
--- Madera, CA ($168,090)
- Job description: Plan, direct, or coordinate medical and health services in hospitals, clinics, managed care organizations, public health agencies, or similar organizations.
#25. Information security analysts
Midland, TX
- Annual mean salary: $105,190
- #48 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: data not available
National
- Annual mean salary: $107,580
- Employment: 138,000
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($147,160)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($136,910)
--- Idaho Falls, ID ($130,620)
- Job description: Plan, implement, upgrade, or monitor security measures for the protection of computer networks and information. Assess system vulnerabilities for security risks and propose and implement risk mitigation strategies. May ensure appropriate security controls are in place that will safeguard digital files and vital electronic infrastructure. May respond to computer security breaches and viruses.

#24. Software developers and software quality assurance analysts and testers
Midland, TX
- Annual mean salary: $107,300
- #69 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 140
National
- Annual mean salary: $114,270
- Employment: 1,476,800
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($157,480)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($144,740)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($140,930)
- Job description: Research, design, and develop computer and network software or specialized utility programs. Analyze user needs and develop software solutions, applying principles and techniques of computer science, engineering, and mathematical analysis. Update software or enhance existing software capabilities. May work with computer hardware engineers to integrate hardware and software systems, and develop specifications and performance requirements. May maintain databases within an application area, working individually or coordinating database development as part of a team.
#23. Construction managers
Midland, TX
- Annual mean salary: $108,470
- #96 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 440
National
- Annual mean salary: $107,260
- Employment: 285,640
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Napa, CA ($161,780)
--- Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ ($154,800)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($153,490)
- Job description: Plan, direct, or coordinate, usually through subordinate supervisory personnel, activities concerned with the construction and maintenance of structures, facilities, and systems. Participate in the conceptual development of a construction project and oversee its organization, scheduling, budgeting, and implementation. Includes managers in specialized construction fields, such as carpentry or plumbing.
#22. Industrial engineers
Midland, TX
- Annual mean salary: $109,280
- #17 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 70
National
- Annual mean salary: $93,610
- Employment: 290,190
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Billings, MT ($125,760)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($123,710)
--- Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX ($123,510)
- Job description: Design, develop, test, and evaluate integrated systems for managing industrial production processes, including human work factors, quality control, inventory control, logistics and material flow, cost analysis, and production coordination.
#21. Electrical engineers
Midland, TX
- Annual mean salary: $109,820
- #50 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 150
National
- Annual mean salary: $105,990
- Employment: 185,220
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($150,480)
--- Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV ($130,150)
--- Idaho Falls, ID ($125,700)
- Job description: Research, design, develop, test, or supervise the manufacturing and installation of electrical equipment, components, or systems for commercial, industrial, military, or scientific use.

#20. Sales engineers
Midland, TX
- Annual mean salary: $109,880
- #45 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 50
National
- Annual mean salary: $117,270
- Employment: 63,780
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Durham-Chapel Hill, NC ($163,860)
--- Milwaukee-Waukesha-West Allis, WI ($158,140)
--- Dover-Durham, NH-ME ($155,490)
- Job description: Sell business goods or services, the selling of which requires a technical background equivalent to a baccalaureate degree in engineering.
#19. Civil engineers
Midland, TX
- Annual mean salary: $112,380
- #14 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 230
National
- Annual mean salary: $95,440
- Employment: 300,850
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- New Orleans-Metairie, LA ($125,910)
--- Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA ($121,970)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($119,860)
- Job description: Perform engineering duties in planning, designing, and overseeing construction and maintenance of building structures and facilities, such as roads, railroads, airports, bridges, harbors, channels, dams, irrigation projects, pipelines, power plants, and water and sewage systems.

#18. Human resources managers
Midland, TX
- Annual mean salary: $112,840
- #162 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 130
National
- Annual mean salary: $134,580
- Employment: 156,600
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($194,040)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($183,890)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($179,870)
- Job description: Plan, direct, or coordinate human resources activities and staff of an organization.

#17. Management analysts
Midland, TX
- Annual mean salary: $115,040
- #10 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 220
National
- Annual mean salary: $97,580
- Employment: 734,000
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Dothan, AL ($163,720)
--- Barnstable Town, MA ($157,490)
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($135,250)
- Job description: Conduct organizational studies and evaluations, design systems and procedures, conduct work simplification and measurement studies, and prepare operations and procedures manuals to assist management in operating more efficiently and effectively. Includes program analysts and management consultants.
#16. Mechanical engineers
Midland, TX
- Annual mean salary: $117,690
- #5 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 170
National
- Annual mean salary: $95,560
- Employment: 293,960
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($125,760)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($124,190)
--- Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX ($123,700)
- Job description: Perform engineering duties in planning and designing tools, engines, machines, and other mechanically functioning equipment. Oversee installation, operation, maintenance, and repair of equipment such as centralized heat, gas, water, and steam systems.
#15. Computer programmers
Midland, TX
- Annual mean salary: $119,390
- #2 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 40
National
- Annual mean salary: $95,640
- Employment: 178,140
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($125,420)
--- Midland, TX ($119,390)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($113,530)
- Job description: Create, modify, and test the code and scripts that allow computer applications to run. Work from specifications drawn up by software and web developers or other individuals. May develop and write computer programs to store, locate, and retrieve specific documents, data, and information.
#14. Personal financial advisors
Midland, TX
- Annual mean salary: $123,100
- #80 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: data not available
National
- Annual mean salary: $122,490
- Employment: 218,050
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Gainesville, FL ($206,120)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($169,850)
--- Tyler, TX ($169,690)
- Job description: Advise clients on financial plans using knowledge of tax and investment strategies, securities, insurance, pension plans, and real estate. Duties include assessing clients' assets, liabilities, cash flow, insurance coverage, tax status, and financial objectives. May also buy and sell financial assets for clients.
#13. Natural sciences managers
Midland, TX
- Annual mean salary: $130,960
- #59 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 50
National
- Annual mean salary: $154,930
- Employment: 75,870
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($221,460)
--- Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR-MO ($214,020)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($205,120)
- Job description: Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as life sciences, physical sciences, mathematics, statistics, and research and development in these fields.
#12. Petroleum engineers
Midland, TX
- Annual mean salary: $134,000
- #22 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,400
National
- Annual mean salary: $154,330
- Employment: 27,850
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX ($185,130)
--- Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX ($178,240)
--- Wichita Falls, TX ($174,910)
- Job description: Devise methods to improve oil and gas extraction and production and determine the need for new or modified tool designs. Oversee drilling and offer technical advice.

#11. Industrial production managers
Midland, TX
- Annual mean salary: $135,150
- #29 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 310
National
- Annual mean salary: $118,190
- Employment: 179,570
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- New Orleans-Metairie, LA ($171,890)
--- Florence, SC ($167,660)
--- Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA ($155,320)
- Job description: Plan, direct, or coordinate the work activities and resources necessary for manufacturing products in accordance with cost, quality, and quantity specifications.
#10. General and operations managers
Midland, TX
- Annual mean salary: $138,070
- #34 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,740
National
- Annual mean salary: $125,740
- Employment: 2,347,420
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($183,170)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($175,990)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($172,370)
- Job description: Plan, direct, or coordinate the operations of public or private sector organizations, overseeing multiple departments or locations. Duties and responsibilities include formulating policies, managing daily operations, and planning the use of materials and human resources, but are too diverse and general in nature to be classified in any one functional area of management or administration, such as personnel, purchasing, or administrative services. Usually manage through subordinate supervisors. Excludes First-Line Supervisors.

#9. Financial managers
Midland, TX
- Annual mean salary: $143,260
- #72 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 590
National
- Annual mean salary: $151,510
- Employment: 653,080
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($214,670)
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($210,180)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($192,310)
- Job description: Plan, direct, or coordinate accounting, investing, banking, insurance, securities, and other financial activities of a branch, office, or department of an establishment.

#8. Purchasing managers
Midland, TX
- Annual mean salary: $145,300
- #19 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: data not available
National
- Annual mean salary: $132,660
- Employment: 70,960
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR-MO ($181,240)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($172,300)
--- Morgantown, WV ($167,740)
- Job description: Plan, direct, or coordinate the activities of buyers, purchasing officers, and related workers involved in purchasing materials, products, and services. Includes wholesale or retail trade merchandising managers and procurement managers.

#7. Sales managers
Midland, TX
- Annual mean salary: $150,100
- #52 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 250
National
- Annual mean salary: $147,580
- Employment: 390,170
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($207,070)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($202,700)
--- Trenton, NJ ($186,960)
- Job description: Plan, direct, or coordinate the actual distribution or movement of a product or service to the customer. Coordinate sales distribution by establishing sales territories, quotas, and goals and establish training programs for sales representatives. Analyze sales statistics gathered by staff to determine sales potential and inventory requirements and monitor the preferences of customers.
#6. Computer and information systems managers
Midland, TX
- Annual mean salary: $151,130
- #49 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 140
National
- Annual mean salary: $161,730
- Employment: 457,290
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($235,040)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($212,480)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($201,320)
- Job description: Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as electronic data processing, information systems, systems analysis, and computer programming.
#5. Chemical engineers
Midland, TX
- Annual mean salary: $158,110
- #1 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 100
National
- Annual mean salary: $114,820
- Employment: 25,770
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Midland, TX ($158,110)
--- Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX ($147,310)
--- Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX ($140,750)
- Job description: Design chemical plant equipment and devise processes for manufacturing chemicals and products, such as gasoline, synthetic rubber, plastics, detergents, cement, paper, and pulp, by applying principles and technology of chemistry, physics, and engineering.

#4. Geoscientists, except hydrologists and geographers
Midland, TX
- Annual mean salary: $167,040
- #3 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 320
National
- Annual mean salary: $112,110
- Employment: 27,890
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX ($188,400)
--- Tulsa, OK ($186,490)
--- Midland, TX ($167,040)
- Job description: Study the composition, structure, and other physical aspects of the Earth. May use geological, physics, and mathematics knowledge in exploration for oil, gas, minerals, or underground water; or in waste disposal, land reclamation, or other environmental problems. May study the Earth's internal composition, atmospheres, and oceans, and its magnetic, electrical, and gravitational forces. Includes mineralogists, paleontologists, stratigraphers, geodesists, and seismologists.
#3. Marketing managers
Midland, TX
- Annual mean salary: $168,700
- #16 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 120
National
- Annual mean salary: $154,470
- Employment: 270,200
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA ($213,180)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($211,210)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($196,260)
- Job description: Plan, direct, or coordinate marketing policies and programs, such as determining the demand for products and services offered by a firm and its competitors, and identify potential customers. Develop pricing strategies with the goal of maximizing the firm's profits or share of the market while ensuring the firm's customers are satisfied. Oversee product development or monitor trends that indicate the need for new products and services.
#2. Architectural and engineering managers
Midland, TX
- Annual mean salary: $187,410
- #7 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 290
National
- Annual mean salary: $158,100
- Employment: 195,900
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($226,920)
--- Amarillo, TX ($199,940)
--- Naples-Immokalee-Marco Island, FL ($198,610)
- Job description: Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as architecture and engineering or research and development in these fields.
#1. Chief executives
Midland, TX
- Annual mean salary: $269,360
- #2 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 60
National
- Annual mean salary: $197,840
- Employment: 202,360
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($293,000)
--- Midland, TX ($269,360)
--- Sioux Falls, SD ($263,770)
- Job description: Determine and formulate policies and provide overall direction of companies or private and public sector organizations within guidelines set up by a board of directors or similar governing body. Plan, direct, or coordinate operational activities at the highest level of management with the help of subordinate executives and staff managers.