Highest paying jobs in Charleston that require a bachelor's degree
Highest paying jobs in Charleston 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 Charleston 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 Charleston.
#50. Health education specialists
Charleston, WV
- Annual mean salary: $57,890
- #103 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 90
National
- Annual mean salary: $62,120
- Employment: 57,920
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA ($99,030)
--- New Haven, CT ($89,360)
--- Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV ($87,090)
- Job description: Provide and manage health education programs that help individuals, families, and their communities maximize and maintain healthy lifestyles. Use data to identify community needs prior to planning, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating programs designed to encourage healthy lifestyles, policies, and environments. May link health systems, health providers, insurers, and patients to address individual and population health needs. May serve as resource to assist individuals, other health professionals, or the community, and may administer fiscal resources for health education programs.
#49. Librarians and media collections specialists
Charleston, WV
- Annual mean salary: $58,620
- #160 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 70
National
- Annual mean salary: $63,560
- Employment: 135,070
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV ($88,390)
--- Vallejo-Fairfield, CA ($85,920)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($84,230)
- Job description: Administer and maintain libraries or collections of information, for public or private access through reference or borrowing. Work in a variety of settings, such as educational institutions, museums, and corporations, and with various types of informational materials, such as books, periodicals, recordings, films, and databases. Tasks may include acquiring, cataloging, and circulating library materials, and user services such as locating and organizing information, providing instruction on how to access information, and setting up and operating a library's media equipment.
#48. Tax examiners and collectors, and revenue agents
Charleston, WV
- Annual mean salary: $59,120
- #88 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 90
National
- Annual mean salary: $62,040
- Employment: 53,150
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($100,250)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($98,480)
--- Waterbury, CT ($97,230)
- Job description: Determine tax liability or collect taxes from individuals or business firms according to prescribed laws and regulations.
#47. Surveyors
Charleston, WV
- Annual mean salary: $60,060
- #141 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 80
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.
#46. Editors
Charleston, WV
- Annual mean salary: $60,340
- #74 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 30
National
- Annual mean salary: $73,910
- Employment: 93,370
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor's degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($93,840)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($92,970)
--- Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV ($88,660)
- Job description: Plan, coordinate, revise, or edit written material. May review proposals and drafts for possible publication.
#45. Computer systems analysts
Charleston, WV
- Annual mean salary: $61,040
- #338 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 270
National
- Annual mean salary: $99,020
- Employment: 574,450
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($133,970)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($125,350)
--- Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX ($124,070)
- Job description: Analyze science, engineering, business, and other data processing problems to develop and implement solutions to complex applications problems, system administration issues, or network concerns. Perform systems management and integration functions, improve existing computer systems, and review computer system capabilities, workflow, and schedule limitations. May analyze or recommend commercially available software.
#44. Dietitians and nutritionists
Charleston, WV
- Annual mean salary: $61,840
- #128 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 40
National
- Annual mean salary: $64,150
- Employment: 66,330
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Santa Rosa, CA ($95,140)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($95,060)
--- Vallejo-Fairfield, CA ($93,640)
- Job description: Plan and conduct food service or nutritional programs to assist in the promotion of health and control of disease. May supervise activities of a department providing quantity food services, counsel individuals, or conduct nutritional research.
#43. Accountants and auditors
Charleston, WV
- Annual mean salary: $62,170
- #359 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 820
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.
#42. Database administrators and architects
Charleston, WV
- Annual mean salary: $63,370
- #218 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 90
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.
#41. Logisticians
Charleston, WV
- Annual mean salary: $63,510
- #250 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 70
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.
#40. Registered nurses
Charleston, WV
- Annual mean salary: $64,790
- #291 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 3,600
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.
#39. Occupational health and safety specialists
Charleston, WV
- Annual mean salary: $65,130
- #248 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 120
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.
#38. Budget analysts
Charleston, WV
- Annual mean salary: $65,260
- #145 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 40
National
- Annual mean salary: $82,690
- Employment: 49,260
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($107,870)
--- Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV ($104,650)
--- Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA ($101,450)
- Job description: Examine budget estimates for completeness, accuracy, and conformance with procedures and regulations. Analyze budgeting and accounting reports.
#37. Cost estimators
Charleston, WV
- Annual mean salary: $65,980
- #190 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 140
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. Human resources specialists
Charleston, WV
- Annual mean salary: $66,170
- #105 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 490
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.
#35. Credit analysts
Charleston, WV
- Annual mean salary: $67,210
- #131 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.
#34. Network and computer systems administrators
Charleston, WV
- Annual mean salary: $68,400
- #308 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 260
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. Labor relations specialists
Charleston, WV
- Annual mean salary: $69,160
- #92 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 90
National
- Annual mean salary: $74,870
- Employment: 70,050
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($113,270)
--- Spartanburg, SC ($111,380)
--- Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA ($103,990)
- Job description: Resolve disputes between workers and managers, negotiate collective bargaining agreements, or coordinate grievance procedures to handle employee complaints.
#32. Social and community service managers
Charleston, WV
- Annual mean salary: $69,410
- #183 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 80
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.
#31. Petroleum engineers
Charleston, WV
- Annual mean salary: $69,430
- #33 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 60
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.
#30. Chemists
Charleston, WV
- Annual mean salary: $69,470
- #144 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 50
National
- Annual mean salary: $86,410
- Employment: 82,940
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Peoria, IL ($134,990)
--- Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV ($130,860)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($122,250)
- Job description: Conduct qualitative and quantitative chemical analyses or experiments in laboratories for quality or process control or to develop new products or knowledge.
#29. Health and safety engineers, except mining safety engineers and inspectors
Charleston, WV
- Annual mean salary: $70,870
- #102 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.
#28. Computer programmers
Charleston, WV
- Annual mean salary: $71,430
- #200 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 50
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.
#27. Environmental engineers
Charleston, WV
- Annual mean salary: $71,740
- #148 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 160
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.
#26. Architects, except landscape and naval
Charleston, WV
- Annual mean salary: $72,440
- #162 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 40
National
- Annual mean salary: $89,470
- Employment: 103,900
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor's degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA ($114,930)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($113,510)
--- Santa Rosa, CA ($112,110)
- Job description: Plan and design structures, such as private residences, office buildings, theaters, factories, and other structural property.
#25. Software developers and software quality assurance analysts and testers
Charleston, WV
- Annual mean salary: $75,670
- #329 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 390
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.
#24. Securities, commodities, and financial services sales agents
Charleston, WV
- Annual mean salary: $77,810
- #110 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 110
National
- Annual mean salary: $96,540
- Employment: 440,300
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($156,380)
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($155,340)
--- Missoula, MT ($122,420)
- Job description: Buy and sell securities or commodities in investment and trading firms, or provide financial services to businesses and individuals. May advise customers about stocks, bonds, mutual funds, commodities, and market conditions.
#23. Compliance officers
Charleston, WV
- Annual mean salary: $81,740
- #33 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 540
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.
#22. Information security analysts
Charleston, WV
- Annual mean salary: $82,340
- #162 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 60
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.
#21. Mechanical engineers
Charleston, WV
- Annual mean salary: $90,000
- #144 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 50
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.
#20. Civil engineers
Charleston, WV
- Annual mean salary: $90,390
- #136 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 350
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.
#19. Construction managers
Charleston, WV
- Annual mean salary: $91,100
- #231 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 70
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.
#18. Natural sciences managers
Charleston, WV
- Annual mean salary: $94,220
- #128 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 30
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.
#17. Personal financial advisors
Charleston, WV
- Annual mean salary: $94,820
- #193 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 110
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.
#16. Human resources managers
Charleston, WV
- Annual mean salary: $96,660
- #271 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 70
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.
#15. Industrial engineers
Charleston, WV
- Annual mean salary: $96,750
- #77 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 40
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.
#14. General and operations managers
Charleston, WV
- Annual mean salary: $101,380
- #242 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,000
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.
#13. Financial managers
Charleston, WV
- Annual mean salary: $102,860
- #328 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 330
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.
#12. Sales engineers
Charleston, WV
- Annual mean salary: $104,590
- #64 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 40
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.
#11. Electrical engineers
Charleston, WV
- Annual mean salary: $105,450
- #76 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 70
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.
#10. Marketing managers
Charleston, WV
- Annual mean salary: $114,030
- #188 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 70
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.
#9. Computer network architects
Charleston, WV
- Annual mean salary: $116,010
- #51 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 50
National
- Annual mean salary: $119,230
- Employment: 159,350
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($161,950)
--- Dover-Durham, NH-ME ($152,060)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($148,250)
- Job description: Design and implement computer and information networks, such as local area networks (LAN), wide area networks (WAN), intranets, extranets, and other data communications networks. Perform network modeling, analysis, and planning, including analysis of capacity needs for network infrastructures. May also design network and computer security measures. May research and recommend network and data communications hardware and software.
#8. Sales managers
Charleston, WV
- Annual mean salary: $118,390
- #231 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 170
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.
#7. Computer and information systems managers
Charleston, WV
- Annual mean salary: $119,000
- #234 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 170
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.
#6. Medical and health services managers
Charleston, WV
- Annual mean salary: $123,180
- #76 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 280
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.
#5. Industrial production managers
Charleston, WV
- Annual mean salary: $123,260
- #74 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 110
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.
#4. Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, technical and scientific products
Charleston, WV
- Annual mean salary: $123,890
- #11 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 110
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.
#3. Chemical engineers
Charleston, WV
- Annual mean salary: $128,610
- #8 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 50
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.
#2. Architectural and engineering managers
Charleston, WV
- Annual mean salary: $135,230
- #170 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 90
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
Charleston, WV
- Annual mean salary: $167,050
- #209 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 210
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.
