Highest paying jobs in Seattle for high school graduates
Written by:
July 20, 2022
michaeljung // Shutterstock
Highest paying jobs in Seattle 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 Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA 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
Roman023_photography // Shutterstock
#50. Riggers
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
- Annual mean salary: $73,160
- #3 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 150
National
- Annual mean salary: $53,020
- Employment: 21,700
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA ($89,080)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($73,310)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($73,160)
- Annual mean salary: $73,160
- #3 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 150
National
- Annual mean salary: $53,020
- Employment: 21,700
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA ($89,080)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($73,310)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($73,160)
2 / 50
Andrey_Popov // Shutterstock
#49. Private detectives and investigators
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
- Annual mean salary: $73,510
- #16 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 340
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: $73,510
- #16 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 340
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)
3 / 50
Wipas Rojjanakard // Shutterstock
#48. Occupational health and safety technicians
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
- Annual mean salary: $73,530
- #11 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 130
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: $73,530
- #11 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 130
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)
4 / 50
Jat306 // Shutterstock
#47. Millwrights
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
- Annual mean salary: $73,580
- #9 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 330
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: $73,580
- #9 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 330
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)
5 / 50
Oleg Golovnev // Shutterstock
#46. First-line supervisors of production and operating workers
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
- Annual mean salary: $75,100
- #49 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 6,880
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: $75,100
- #49 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 6,880
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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6 / 50
wonderlustpicstravel // Shutterstock
#45. Subway and streetcar operators
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
- Annual mean salary: $76,320
- #2 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 120
National
- Annual mean salary: $65,480
- Employment: 11,250
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($82,190)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($76,320)
--- Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV ($69,690)
- Annual mean salary: $76,320
- #2 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 120
National
- Annual mean salary: $65,480
- Employment: 11,250
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($82,190)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($76,320)
--- Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV ($69,690)
7 / 50
Glen Jones // Shutterstock
#44. Layout workers, metal and plastic
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
- Annual mean salary: $77,050
- #1 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 40
National
- Annual mean salary: $50,980
- Employment: 7,570
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($77,050)
--- Bremerton-Silverdale, WA ($62,170)
--- Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC ($57,820)
- Annual mean salary: $77,050
- #1 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 40
National
- Annual mean salary: $50,980
- Employment: 7,570
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($77,050)
--- Bremerton-Silverdale, WA ($62,170)
--- Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC ($57,820)
8 / 50
Canva
#43. Tool grinders, filers, and sharpeners
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
- Annual mean salary: $77,060
- #1 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 110
National
- Annual mean salary: $43,670
- Employment: 6,080
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($77,060)
--- Western Washington nonmetropolitan area ($59,390)
--- Fort Wayne, IN ($58,460)
- Annual mean salary: $77,060
- #1 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 110
National
- Annual mean salary: $43,670
- Employment: 6,080
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($77,060)
--- Western Washington nonmetropolitan area ($59,390)
--- Fort Wayne, IN ($58,460)
9 / 50
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
#42. Insurance sales agents
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
- Annual mean salary: $77,280
- #46 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 6,630
National
- Annual mean salary: $69,100
- Employment: 409,950
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($104,230)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($103,470)
--- Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA ($95,620)
- Annual mean salary: $77,280
- #46 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 6,630
National
- Annual mean salary: $69,100
- Employment: 409,950
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($104,230)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($103,470)
--- Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA ($95,620)
10 / 50
Tim Goode/PA Images // Getty Images
#41. Sales representatives of services, except advertising, insurance, financial services, and travel
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
- Annual mean salary: $77,370
- #22 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 11,150
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: $77,370
- #22 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 11,150
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)
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11 / 50
John Leung // Shutterstock
#40. Brickmasons and blockmasons
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
- Annual mean salary: $77,550
- #12 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 600
National
- Annual mean salary: $58,420
- Employment: 59,940
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH ($95,980)
--- Decatur, IL ($92,670)
--- Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ ($89,340)
- Annual mean salary: $77,550
- #12 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 600
National
- Annual mean salary: $58,420
- Employment: 59,940
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH ($95,980)
--- Decatur, IL ($92,670)
--- Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ ($89,340)
12 / 50
Canva
#39. Excavating and loading machine and dragline operators, surface mining
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
- Annual mean salary: $78,800
- #5 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 310
National
- Annual mean salary: $48,500
- Employment: 40,240
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($87,740)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($86,630)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($83,090)
- Annual mean salary: $78,800
- #5 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 310
National
- Annual mean salary: $48,500
- Employment: 40,240
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($87,740)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($86,630)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($83,090)
13 / 50
Olena Yakobchuk // Shutterstock
#38. Airfield operations specialists
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
- Annual mean salary: $79,230
- #3 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 110
National
- Annual mean salary: $58,360
- Employment: 10,590
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Austin-Round Rock, TX ($88,510)
--- Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA ($80,230)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($79,230)
- Annual mean salary: $79,230
- #3 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 110
National
- Annual mean salary: $58,360
- Employment: 10,590
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Austin-Round Rock, TX ($88,510)
--- Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA ($80,230)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($79,230)
14 / 50
Christian Lagerek // Shutterstock
#36 (tie). Gas plant operators
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
- Annual mean salary: $79,520
- #22 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 80
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: $79,520
- #22 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 80
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)
15 / 50
GaudiLab // Shutterstock
#36 (tie). First-line supervisors of office and administrative support workers
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
- Annual mean salary: $79,520
- #2 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 18,100
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: $79,520
- #2 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 18,100
National
- Annual mean salary: $62,010
- Employment: 1,427,260
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($82,050)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($79,520)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($78,430)
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16 / 50
kittirat roekburi // Shutterstock
#35. Stationary engineers and boiler operators
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
- Annual mean salary: $80,830
- #21 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 260
National
- Annual mean salary: $68,170
- Employment: 29,550
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($106,300)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($103,930)
--- South Illinois nonmetropolitan area ($101,630)
- Annual mean salary: $80,830
- #21 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 260
National
- Annual mean salary: $68,170
- Employment: 29,550
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($106,300)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($103,930)
--- South Illinois nonmetropolitan area ($101,630)
17 / 50
Avatar_023 // Shutterstock
#34. Water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
- Annual mean salary: $80,900
- #5 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 730
National
- Annual mean salary: $51,890
- Employment: 119,380
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($93,980)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($92,370)
--- Las Vegas-Henderson-Paradise, NV ($87,990)
- Annual mean salary: $80,900
- #5 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 730
National
- Annual mean salary: $51,890
- Employment: 119,380
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($93,980)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($92,370)
--- Las Vegas-Henderson-Paradise, NV ($87,990)
18 / 50
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
#33. Claims adjusters, examiners, and investigators
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
- Annual mean salary: $81,250
- #16 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 3,020
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: $81,250
- #16 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 3,020
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)
19 / 50
Canva
#32. Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
- Annual mean salary: $81,950
- #8 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 4,530
National
- Annual mean salary: $55,280
- Employment: 402,870
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($92,910)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($91,860)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($91,120)
- Annual mean salary: $81,950
- #8 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 4,530
National
- Annual mean salary: $55,280
- Employment: 402,870
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($92,910)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($91,860)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($91,120)
20 / 50
Stock Rocket // Shutterstock
#31. Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
- Annual mean salary: $82,040
- #15 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 21,010
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: $82,040
- #15 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 21,010
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)
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21 / 50
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
#30. Lodging managers
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
- Annual mean salary: $82,670
- #17 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 400
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: $82,670
- #17 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 400
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)
22 / 50
Canva
#29. Construction and building inspectors
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
- Annual mean salary: $83,560
- #22 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,480
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: $83,560
- #22 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,480
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)
23 / 50
Canva
#28. Boilermakers
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
- Annual mean salary: $83,870
- #6 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 130
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: $83,870
- #6 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 130
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)
24 / 50
Hulton Archive // Getty Images
#27. Electricians
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
- Annual mean salary: $84,790
- #6 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 10,160
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: $84,790
- #6 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 10,160
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)
25 / 50
Andrey_Popov // Shutterstock
#26. Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
- Annual mean salary: $86,040
- #6 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 5,880
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: $86,040
- #6 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 5,880
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)
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26 / 50
Oil and Gas Photographer // Shutterstock
#25. Control and valve installers and repairers, except mechanical door
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
- Annual mean salary: $86,120
- #10 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 280
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: $86,120
- #10 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 280
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)
27 / 50
4 PM production // Shutterstock
#24. First-line supervisors of mechanics, installers, and repairers
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
- Annual mean salary: $86,250
- #12 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 6,270
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: $86,250
- #12 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 6,270
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)
28 / 50
Ken Wolter // Shutterstock
#23. Postmasters and mail superintendents
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
- Annual mean salary: $87,140
- #22 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 50
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: $87,140
- #22 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 50
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)
29 / 50
Unsplash
#22. Structural iron and steel workers
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
- Annual mean salary: $88,250
- #2 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,580
National
- Annual mean salary: $58,650
- Employment: 71,490
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($95,020)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($88,250)
--- Western Washington nonmetropolitan area ($84,570)
- Annual mean salary: $88,250
- #2 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,580
National
- Annual mean salary: $58,650
- Employment: 71,490
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($95,020)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($88,250)
--- Western Washington nonmetropolitan area ($84,570)
30 / 50
Canva
#21. Pile driver operators
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
- Annual mean salary: $88,750
- #6 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 140
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: $88,750
- #6 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 140
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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31 / 50
Unsplash
#20. Crane and tower operators
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
- Annual mean salary: $89,850
- #7 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 450
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: $89,850
- #7 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 450
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)
32 / 50
Paolo Bona // Shutterstock
#19. Food service managers
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
- Annual mean salary: $89,860
- #2 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,460
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: $89,860
- #2 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,460
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)
33 / 50
rawpixel.com // Shutterstock
#18. Real estate brokers
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
- Annual mean salary: $91,180
- #26 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 600
National
- Annual mean salary: $81,630
- Employment: 44,610
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT ($152,460)
--- Kahului-Wailuku-Lahaina, HI ($133,810)
--- Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA ($132,320)
- Annual mean salary: $91,180
- #26 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 600
National
- Annual mean salary: $81,630
- Employment: 44,610
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT ($152,460)
--- Kahului-Wailuku-Lahaina, HI ($133,810)
--- Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA ($132,320)
34 / 50
Rebekah Zemansky // Shutterstock
#17. First-line supervisors of correctional officers
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
- Annual mean salary: $92,200
- #18 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 400
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: $92,200
- #18 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 400
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)
35 / 50
Nagy-Bagoly Arpad // Shutterstock
#16. Insulation workers, mechanical
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
- Annual mean salary: $93,740
- #3 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 170
National
- Annual mean salary: $55,470
- Employment: 27,700
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($109,380)
--- Syracuse, NY ($97,670)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($93,740)
- Annual mean salary: $93,740
- #3 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 170
National
- Annual mean salary: $55,470
- Employment: 27,700
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($109,380)
--- Syracuse, NY ($97,670)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($93,740)
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36 / 50
Vera Larina // Shutterstock
#15. Sheet metal workers
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
- Annual mean salary: $93,840
- #3 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,860
National
- Annual mean salary: $55,320
- Employment: 128,220
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Fairbanks, AK ($101,150)
--- Kennewick-Richland, WA ($94,930)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($93,840)
- Annual mean salary: $93,840
- #3 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,860
National
- Annual mean salary: $55,320
- Employment: 128,220
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Fairbanks, AK ($101,150)
--- Kennewick-Richland, WA ($94,930)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($93,840)
37 / 50
Viewfoto studio
#14. Signal and track switch repairers
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
- Annual mean salary: $95,230
- #1 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 80
National
- Annual mean salary: $75,970
- Employment: 7,250
- Metros with highest average pay: data not available
- Annual mean salary: $95,230
- #1 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 80
National
- Annual mean salary: $75,970
- Employment: 7,250
- Metros with highest average pay: data not available
38 / 50
Pixabay
#13. Gambling managers
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
- Annual mean salary: $96,870
- #6 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 50
National
- Annual mean salary: $85,440
- Employment: 3,240
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Diego-Carlsbad, CA ($106,830)
--- Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ ($104,140)
--- Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA ($103,210)
- Annual mean salary: $96,870
- #6 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 50
National
- Annual mean salary: $85,440
- Employment: 3,240
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Diego-Carlsbad, CA ($106,830)
--- Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ ($104,140)
--- Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA ($103,210)
39 / 50
Jacob Lund // Shutterstock
#12. Advertising sales agents
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
- Annual mean salary: $97,720
- #2 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 4,290
National
- Annual mean salary: $68,040
- Employment: 110,040
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($97,840)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($97,720)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($83,050)
- Annual mean salary: $97,720
- #2 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 4,290
National
- Annual mean salary: $68,040
- Employment: 110,040
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($97,840)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($97,720)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($83,050)
40 / 50
Luisa Leal Photography // Shutterstock
#11. Electrical power-line installers and repairers
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
- Annual mean salary: $98,150
- #33 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 970
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: $98,150
- #33 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 970
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)
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41 / 50
sculpies // Shutterstock
#10. First-line supervisors of construction trades and extraction workers
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
- Annual mean salary: $101,210
- #3 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 10,870
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: $101,210
- #3 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 10,870
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)
42 / 50
Canva
#9. Elevator and escalator installers and repairers
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
- Annual mean salary: $101,330
- #11 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 460
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: $101,330
- #11 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 460
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)
43 / 50
Skycolors // Shutterstock
#8. Commercial pilots
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
- Annual mean salary: $103,640
- #90 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 910
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: $103,640
- #90 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 910
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)
44 / 50
g-stockstudio // Shutterstock
#7. First-line supervisors of non-retail sales workers
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
- Annual mean salary: $104,510
- #15 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 4,050
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: $104,510
- #15 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 4,050
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)
45 / 50
Leszek Glasner // Shutterstock
#6. Property, real estate, and community association managers
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
- Annual mean salary: $109,540
- #1 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,670
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: $109,540
- #1 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,670
National
- Annual mean salary: $73,210
- Employment: 219,800
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($109,540)
--- Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO ($106,420)
--- Piedmont North Carolina nonmetropolitan area ($105,220)
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46 / 50
michaeljung // Shutterstock
#5. Power plant operators
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
- Annual mean salary: $110,600
- #4 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 110
National
- Annual mean salary: $81,890
- Employment: 32,960
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Fresno, CA ($129,650)
--- Wenatchee, WA ($123,180)
--- Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA ($114,660)
- Annual mean salary: $110,600
- #4 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 110
National
- Annual mean salary: $81,890
- Employment: 32,960
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Fresno, CA ($129,650)
--- Wenatchee, WA ($123,180)
--- Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA ($114,660)
47 / 50
Canva
#4. Transportation inspectors
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
- Annual mean salary: $111,930
- #2 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 200
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: $111,930
- #2 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 200
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)
48 / 50
Kelly Ogden // Wikimedia Commons
#3. Transportation, storage, and distribution managers
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
- Annual mean salary: $119,240
- #17 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,930
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: $119,240
- #17 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,930
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)
49 / 50
Lovely Bird // Shutterstock
#2. Power distributors and dispatchers
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
- Annual mean salary: $131,560
- #1 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 90
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: $131,560
- #1 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 90
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)
50 / 50
Canva
#1. First-line supervisors of police and detectives
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
- Annual mean salary: $134,440
- #20 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,190
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: $134,440
- #20 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,190
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)
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