Almonroth // Wikimedia Commons

Highest paying jobs in Huntsville 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 Huntsville 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 Huntsville.

Rido // Shutterstock

#50. Human resources specialists

Huntsville, AL
– Annual mean salary: $73,360
– #33 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 1,290

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.

ImageFlow // Shutterstock

#49. Accountants and auditors

Huntsville, AL
– Annual mean salary: $74,810
– #135 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 2,460

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.

comzeal images // Shutterstock

#48. Loan officers

Huntsville, AL
– Annual mean salary: $76,490
– #133 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 390

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.

rawpixel.com // Shutterstock

#47. Securities, commodities, and financial services sales agents

Huntsville, AL
– Annual mean salary: $77,410
– #113 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 200

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.

ernestoeslava // Pixabay

#46. Compliance officers

Huntsville, AL
– Annual mean salary: $78,960
– #43 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 220

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.

Mr.Whiskey // Shutterstock

#45. Editors

Huntsville, AL
– Annual mean salary: $82,120
– #9 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 100

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.

Arjuna Kodisinghe // Shutterstock

#44. Network and computer systems administrators

Huntsville, AL
– Annual mean salary: $83,220
– #112 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 940

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.

USACE NY // Flickr

#43. Construction managers

Huntsville, AL
– Annual mean salary: $83,600
– #294 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 350

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.

Jacob Lund // Shutterstock

#42. Architects, except landscape and naval

Huntsville, AL
– Annual mean salary: $83,850
– #94 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 120

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.

Stock Rocket // Shutterstock

#41. Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, technical and scientific products

Huntsville, AL
– Annual mean salary: $84,140
– #171 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 340

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.

Aleksandar Karanov // Shutterstock

#40. Occupational health and safety specialists

Huntsville, AL
– Annual mean salary: $84,930
– #36 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 190

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.

Jacob Lund // Shutterstock

#39. Database administrators and architects

Huntsville, AL
– Annual mean salary: $86,510
– #137 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 400

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.

aslysun // Shutterstock

#38. Chemists

Huntsville, AL
– Annual mean salary: $87,000
– #50 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 220

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.

PIYAWAT WONGOPASS // Shutterstock

#37. Computer programmers

Huntsville, AL
– Annual mean salary: $87,240
– #90 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 1,110

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.

TaLaNoVa // Shutterstock

#36. Sales engineers

Huntsville, AL
– Annual mean salary: $87,540
– #109 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 100

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.

U.S. Department of State // Wikimedia Commons

#35. Atmospheric and space scientists

Huntsville, AL
– Annual mean salary: $89,890
– #41 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 40

National
– Annual mean salary: $100,550
– Employment: 10,210
– Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA ($128,100)
— Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA ($123,080)
— Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC ($121,200)
– Job description: Investigate atmospheric phenomena and interpret meteorological data, gathered by surface and air stations, satellites, and radar to prepare reports and forecasts for public and other uses. Includes weather analysts and forecasters whose functions require the detailed knowledge of meteorology.

Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

#34. Medical and health services managers

Huntsville, AL
– Annual mean salary: $90,600
– #339 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 520

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.

EU2017EE // Flickr

#33. Information security analysts

Huntsville, AL
– Annual mean salary: $92,430
– #117 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 960

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.

rawpixel.com // Shutterstock

#32. Training and development managers

Huntsville, AL
– Annual mean salary: $94,730
– #109 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 40

National
– Annual mean salary: $125,920
– Employment: 38,710
– Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
– Metros with highest average pay:
— New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($178,590)
— San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($167,570)
— San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($166,750)
– Job description: Plan, direct, or coordinate the training and development activities and staff of an organization.

sabthai // Shutterstock

#31. Budget analysts

Huntsville, AL
– Annual mean salary: $94,990
– #7 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 600

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.

Canva

#30. Environmental engineers

Huntsville, AL
– Annual mean salary: $95,390
– #64 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 110

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.

Financial Times // Wikimedia Commons

#29. Personal financial advisors

Huntsville, AL
– Annual mean salary: $96,060
– #182 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 280

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.

Pakorn Khantiyaporn // Shutterstock

#28. Logisticians

Huntsville, AL
– Annual mean salary: $98,990
– #6 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 2,750

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.

Canva

#27. Mechanical engineers

Huntsville, AL
– Annual mean salary: $101,380
– #45 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 1,400

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.

Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

#26. Industrial engineers

Huntsville, AL
– Annual mean salary: $102,990
– #33 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 1,540

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.

Canva

#25. Computer systems analysts

Huntsville, AL
– Annual mean salary: $103,380
– #25 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: data not available

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.

Canva

#24. Health and safety engineers, except mining safety engineers and inspectors

Huntsville, AL
– Annual mean salary: $105,040
– #29 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 250

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.

NTNU // Flickr

#23. Natural sciences managers

Huntsville, AL
– Annual mean salary: $105,080
– #113 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.

fizkes // Shutterstock

#22. Management analysts

Huntsville, AL
– Annual mean salary: $105,550
– #39 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 1,890

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.

Canva

#21. Materials engineers

Huntsville, AL
– Annual mean salary: $106,510
– #19 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 330

National
– Annual mean salary: $100,550
– Employment: 24,740
– Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV ($134,530)
— Boulder, CO ($131,510)
— Albuquerque, NM ($130,470)
– Job description: Evaluate materials and develop machinery and processes to manufacture materials for use in products that must meet specialized design and performance specifications. Develop new uses for known materials. Includes those engineers working with composite materials or specializing in one type of material, such as graphite, metal and metal alloys, ceramics and glass, plastics and polymers, and naturally occurring materials. Includes metallurgists and metallurgical engineers, ceramic engineers, and welding engineers.

Canva

#20. Civil engineers

Huntsville, AL
– Annual mean salary: $107,350
– #24 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: data not available

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.

Canva

#19. Electrical engineers

Huntsville, AL
– Annual mean salary: $107,880
– #64 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 1,960

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.

IBM Research // Flickr

#18. Computer network architects

Huntsville, AL
– Annual mean salary: $110,110
– #83 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: data not available

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.

Bradley Evans // U.S. Navy

#17. Chemical engineers

Huntsville, AL
– Annual mean salary: $110,970
– #37 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: data not available

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.

PR Image Factory // Shutterstock

#16. Operations research analysts

Huntsville, AL
– Annual mean salary: $111,910
– #9 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 340

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.

Roman Samborskyi // Shutterstock

#15. Software developers and software quality assurance analysts and testers

Huntsville, AL
– Annual mean salary: $112,250
– #34 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 7,480

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.

Canva

#14. Airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers

Huntsville, AL
– Annual mean salary: $114,320
– #26 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 40

National
– Annual mean salary: $186,870
– Employment: 83,550
– Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI ($259,010)
— Naples-Immokalee-Marco Island, FL ($254,640)
— San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($252,430)
– Job description: Pilot and navigate the flight of fixed-wing aircraft, usually on scheduled air carrier routes, for the transport of passengers and cargo. Requires Federal Air Transport certificate and rating for specific aircraft type used. Includes regional, national, and international airline pilots and flight instructors of airline pilots.

Canva

#13. Sales managers

Huntsville, AL
– Annual mean salary: $115,130
– #254 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 380

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.

SeventyFour // Shutterstock

#12. Computer hardware engineers

Huntsville, AL
– Annual mean salary: $117,790
– #29 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 930

National
– Annual mean salary: $126,140
– Employment: 64,710
– Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
– Metros with highest average pay:
— San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($179,570)
— Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($171,540)
— Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH ($153,780)
– Job description: Research, design, develop, or test computer or computer-related equipment for commercial, industrial, military, or scientific use. May supervise the manufacturing and installation of computer or computer-related equipment and components.

Jacob Lund // Shutterstock

#11. Human resources managers

Huntsville, AL
– Annual mean salary: $118,520
– #131 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 230

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.

IBM Research // Flickr

#10. Aerospace engineers

Huntsville, AL
– Annual mean salary: $121,300
– #21 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 3,010

National
– Annual mean salary: $121,110
– Employment: 60,630
– Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV ($151,410)
— San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($142,260)
— Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX ($135,490)
– Job description: Perform engineering duties in designing, constructing, and testing aircraft, missiles, and spacecraft. May conduct basic and applied research to evaluate adaptability of materials and equipment to aircraft design and manufacture. May recommend improvements in testing equipment and techniques.

Sunshine Seeds // Shutterstock

#9. Industrial production managers

Huntsville, AL
– Annual mean salary: $122,860
– #77 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 460

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.

BDUK fibre // flickr

#8. Electronics engineers, except computer

Huntsville, AL
– Annual mean salary: $123,390
– #18 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 970

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.

rawpixel.com // Shutterstock

#7. Purchasing managers

Huntsville, AL
– Annual mean salary: $124,970
– #66 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 410

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.

Canva

#6. Financial managers

Huntsville, AL
– Annual mean salary: $136,580
– #109 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.

Almonroth // Wikimedia Commons

#5. Computer and information systems managers

Huntsville, AL
– Annual mean salary: $142,640
– #82 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 1,310

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.

Pixabay

#4. General and operations managers

Huntsville, AL
– Annual mean salary: $149,420
– #14 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 4,110

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.

TopRank Online Marketing // Flickr

#3. Marketing managers

Huntsville, AL
– Annual mean salary: $150,230
– #49 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 260

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.

Pixabay

#2. Architectural and engineering managers

Huntsville, AL
– Annual mean salary: $155,360
– #70 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 980

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.

Maurizio Pesce // flickr

#1. Chief executives

Huntsville, AL
– Annual mean salary: $208,840
– #86 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 140

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.