Most common jobs in Mobile

Published 12:43 pm Sunday, July 11, 2021

ESB Basic // Shutterstock

Most common jobs in Mobile

The 10 largest occupations in America employ 30.5 million workers, representing 21% of all workers. Keeping America’s economy moving would be impossible without office workers, package handlers, food prep workers, and truck drivers. And what would the sick do without the millions of hospital workers, nurses, and home health aides?

Stacker compiled a list of the most common jobs in Mobile using data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Jobs are ranked by total employment as of May 2020. While much has changed during the coronavirus pandemic, the jobs featured here give a holistic view at the most popular industries in your area and how many jobs are supported.

Keep reading to see which jobs in Mobile are the most common.

London Metropolitan Archives/Heritage Images // Getty Images

#50. Machinists

Mobile, AL
– Employment: 570 (3.341 per 1,000 jobs)
– Annual mean salary: $50,020 (#98 highest pay among all metros)

National
– Employment: 360,340 (2.59 per 1,000 jobs)
– Annual mean salary: $47,800
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Urban Honolulu, HI ($68,950)
— Anchorage, AK ($64,610)
— Farmington, NM ($64,190)
– Job description: Set up and operate a variety of machine tools to produce precision parts and instruments out of metal. Includes precision instrument makers who fabricate, modify, or repair mechanical instruments. May also fabricate and modify parts to make or repair machine tools or maintain industrial machines, applying knowledge of mechanics, mathematics, metal properties, layout, and machining procedures.

Dmitry Kalinovsky // Shutterstock

#49. Inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers

Mobile, AL
– Employment: 600 (3.553 per 1,000 jobs)
– Annual mean salary: $54,110 (#27 highest pay among all metros)

National
– Employment: 549,200 (3.948 per 1,000 jobs)
– Annual mean salary: $44,580
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Odessa, TX ($85,040)
— Fairbanks, AK ($80,520)
— Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($67,990)
– Job description: Inspect, test, sort, sample, or weigh nonagricultural raw materials or processed, machined, fabricated, or assembled parts or products for defects, wear, and deviations from specifications. May use precision measuring instruments and complex test equipment.

Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

#47 (tie). Claims adjusters, examiners, and investigators

Mobile, AL
– Employment: 610 (3.578 per 1,000 jobs)
– Annual mean salary: $70,830 (#115 highest pay among all metros)

National
– Employment: 287,150 (2.064 per 1,000 jobs)
– Annual mean salary: $70,650
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($97,980)
— Waterbury, CT ($92,160)
— San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($88,750)
– Job description: Review settled claims to determine that payments and settlements are made in accordance with company practices and procedures. Confer with legal counsel on claims requiring litigation. May also settle insurance claims.

Canva

#47 (tie). Chemical plant and system operators

Mobile, AL
– Employment: 610 (3.591 per 1,000 jobs)
– Annual mean salary: $76,270 (#4 highest pay among all metros)

National
– Employment: 29,710 (0.214 per 1,000 jobs)
– Annual mean salary: $65,460
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Corpus Christi, TX ($86,970)
— Lima, OH ($84,710)
— Charleston, WV ($76,830)
– Job description: Control or operate entire chemical processes or system of machines.

Daniel Lee // Flickr

#46. Cooks, fast food

Mobile, AL
– Employment: 640 (3.788 per 1,000 jobs)
– Annual mean salary: $19,500 (#278 highest pay among all metros)

National
– Employment: 544,420 (3.914 per 1,000 jobs)
– Annual mean salary: $24,300
– Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Cedar Rapids, IA ($34,790)
— Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA ($33,580)
— Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA ($33,570)
– Job description: Prepare and cook food in a fast food restaurant with a limited menu. Duties of these cooks are limited to preparation of a few basic items and normally involve operating large-volume single-purpose cooking equipment.

Syda Productions // Shutterstock

#45. Tellers

Mobile, AL
– Employment: 700 (4.142 per 1,000 jobs)
– Annual mean salary: $28,630 (#350 highest pay among all metros)

National
– Employment: 423,570 (3.045 per 1,000 jobs)
– Annual mean salary: $32,960
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with highest average pay:
— San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($41,600)
— Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL ($38,770)
— Redding, CA ($38,530)
– Job description: Receive and pay out money. Keep records of money and negotiable instruments involved in a financial institution’s various transactions.

Canva

#44. Landscaping and groundskeeping workers

Mobile, AL
– Employment: 710 (4.173 per 1,000 jobs)
– Annual mean salary: $27,900 (#335 highest pay among all metros)

National
– Employment: 872,370 (6.272 per 1,000 jobs)
– Annual mean salary: $33,800
– Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
– Metros with highest average pay:
— San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($46,990)
— San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($45,160)
— New Haven, CT ($43,820)
– Job description: Landscape or maintain grounds of property using hand or power tools or equipment. Workers typically perform a variety of tasks, which may include any combination of the following: sod laying, mowing, trimming, planting, watering, fertilizing, digging, raking, sprinkler installation, and installation of mortarless segmental concrete masonry wall units.

Nejron Photo // Shutterstock

#43. Cleaners of vehicles and equipment

Mobile, AL
– Employment: 740 (4.358 per 1,000 jobs)
– Annual mean salary: $26,730 (#246 highest pay among all metros)

National
– Employment: 341,660 (2.456 per 1,000 jobs)
– Annual mean salary: $29,400
– Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Danville, IL ($37,870)
— Wausau, WI ($37,660)
— New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($37,640)
– Job description: Wash or otherwise clean vehicles, machinery, and other equipment. Use such materials as water, cleaning agents, brushes, cloths, and hoses.

Canva

#42. Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators

Mobile, AL
– Employment: 750 (4.443 per 1,000 jobs)
– Annual mean salary: $41,950 (#291 highest pay among all metros)

National
– Employment: 402,870 (2.896 per 1,000 jobs)
– Annual mean salary: $55,280
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with highest average pay:
— New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($96,440)
— Barnstable Town, MA ($93,620)
— Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA ($93,320)
– Job description: Operate one or several types of power construction equipment, such as motor graders, bulldozers, scrapers, compressors, pumps, derricks, shovels, tractors, or front-end loaders to excavate, move, and grade earth, erect structures, or pour concrete or other hard surface pavement. May repair and maintain equipment in addition to other duties.

Krakenimages.com // Shutterstock

#41. Childcare workers

Mobile, AL
– Employment: 770 (4.554 per 1,000 jobs)
– Annual mean salary: $18,830 (#375 highest pay among all metros)

National
– Employment: 494,360 (3.554 per 1,000 jobs)
– Annual mean salary: $26,790
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Fairbanks, AK ($38,590)
— San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($38,090)
— Santa Rosa, CA ($36,220)
– Job description: Attend to children at schools, businesses, private households, and childcare institutions. Perform a variety of tasks, such as dressing, feeding, bathing, and overseeing play.

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4 PM production // Shutterstock

#40. Automotive service technicians and mechanics

Mobile, AL
– Employment: 790 (4.679 per 1,000 jobs)
– Annual mean salary: $40,200 (#310 highest pay among all metros)

National
– Employment: 620,110 (4.458 per 1,000 jobs)
– Annual mean salary: $46,760
– Entry level education requirements: Postsecondary nondegree award
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Fairbanks, AK ($66,060)
— San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($64,630)
— California-Lexington Park, MD ($64,420)
– Job description: Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul automotive vehicles.

David Spates // Shutterstock

#39. Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers

Mobile, AL
– Employment: 920 (5.390 per 1,000 jobs)
– Annual mean salary: $43,830 (#305 highest pay among all metros)

National
– Employment: 344,020 (2.473 per 1,000 jobs)
– Annual mean salary: $53,410
– Entry level education requirements: Postsecondary nondegree award
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Fairbanks, AK ($91,840)
— Napa, CA ($82,650)
— Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA ($76,440)
– Job description: Install or repair heating, central air conditioning, HVAC, or refrigeration systems, including oil burners, hot-air furnaces, and heating stoves.

Milkovasa // Shutterstock

#38. Medical assistants

Mobile, AL
– Employment: 930 (5.482 per 1,000 jobs)
– Annual mean salary: $28,650 (#372 highest pay among all metros)

National
– Employment: 710,200 (5.106 per 1,000 jobs)
– Annual mean salary: $36,930
– Entry level education requirements: Postsecondary nondegree award
– Metros with highest average pay:
— San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($53,960)
— Vallejo-Fairfield, CA ($53,660)
— Santa Rosa, CA ($52,520)
– Job description: Perform administrative and certain clinical duties under the direction of a physician. Administrative duties may include scheduling appointments, maintaining medical records, billing, and coding information for insurance purposes. Clinical duties may include taking and recording vital signs and medical histories, preparing patients for examination, drawing blood, and administering medications as directed by physician.

Canva

#36. Cooks, institution and cafeteria

Mobile, AL
– Employment: 940 (5.553 per 1,000 jobs)
– Annual mean salary: $23,110 (#365 highest pay among all metros)

National
– Employment: 387,300 (2.784 per 1,000 jobs)
– Annual mean salary: $29,940
– Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Kahului-Wailuku-Lahaina, HI ($46,970)
— San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($44,240)
— Fairbanks, AK ($43,890)
– Job description: Prepare and cook large quantities of food for institutions, such as schools, hospitals, or cafeterias.

Tim Goode/PA Images // Getty Images

#36. Sales representatives of services, except advertising, insurance, financial services, and travel

Mobile, AL
– Employment: 940 (5.555 per 1,000 jobs)
– Annual mean salary: $59,920 (#206 highest pay among all metros)

National
– Employment: 977,070 (7.024 per 1,000 jobs)
– Annual mean salary: $70,490
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with highest average pay:
— San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($115,620)
— Lawrence, KS ($97,910)
— Boulder, CO ($94,870)
– Job description: Sell services to individuals or businesses. May describe options or resolve client problems.

Shift Drive // Shutterstock

#36. Computer user support specialists

Mobile, AL
– Employment: 940 (5.547 per 1,000 jobs)
– Annual mean salary: $44,870 (#321 highest pay among all metros)

National
– Employment: 634,820 (4.564 per 1,000 jobs)
– Annual mean salary: $57,000
– Entry level education requirements: Some college, no degree
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Sacramento–Roseville–Arden-Arcade, CA ($86,350)
— Napa, CA ($78,740)
— San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($78,670)
– Job description: Provide technical assistance to computer users. Answer questions or resolve computer problems for clients in person, via telephone, or electronically. May provide assistance concerning the use of computer hardware and software, including printing, installation, word processing, electronic mail, and operating systems.

Roman Samborskyi // Shutterstock

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

Mobile, AL
– Employment: 950 (5.609 per 1,000 jobs)
– Annual mean salary: $88,230 (#244 highest pay among all metros)

National
– Employment: 1,476,800 (10.617 per 1,000 jobs)
– Annual mean salary: $114,270
– 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.

4 PM production // Shutterstock

#33. First-line supervisors of mechanics, installers, and repairers

Mobile, AL
– Employment: 990 (5.860 per 1,000 jobs)
– Annual mean salary: $64,300 (#304 highest pay among all metros)

National
– Employment: 475,000 (3.415 per 1,000 jobs)
– Annual mean salary: $73,100
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with highest average pay:
— San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($95,680)
— Bremerton-Silverdale, WA ($93,140)
— San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($92,810)
– Job description: Directly supervise and coordinate the activities of mechanics, installers, and repairers. May also advise customers on recommended services. Excludes team or work leaders.

Andrey_Popov // Shutterstock

#32. Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters

Mobile, AL
– Employment: 1,010 (5.960 per 1,000 jobs)
– Annual mean salary: $48,310 (#265 highest pay among all metros)

National
– Employment: 417,440 (3.001 per 1,000 jobs)
– Annual mean salary: $61,100
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with highest average pay:
— San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($106,100)
— Fairbanks, AK ($94,280)
— Kankakee, IL ($93,420)
– Job description: Assemble, install, alter, and repair pipelines or pipe systems that carry water, steam, air, or other liquids or gases. May install heating and cooling equipment and mechanical control systems. Includes sprinkler fitters.

pio3 // Shutterstock

#31. Police and sheriff’s patrol officers

Mobile, AL
– Employment: 1,040 (6.133 per 1,000 jobs)
– Annual mean salary: $45,690 (#331 highest pay among all metros)

National
– Employment: 654,900 (4.708 per 1,000 jobs)
– Annual mean salary: $70,000
– Entry level education requirements: nan
– Metros with highest average pay:
— San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($131,090)
— San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($122,570)
— Santa Rosa, CA ($115,690)
– Job description: Maintain order and protect life and property by enforcing local, tribal, state, or federal laws and ordinances. Perform a combination of the following duties: patrol a specific area; direct traffic; issue traffic summonses; investigate accidents; apprehend and arrest suspects, or serve legal processes of courts. Includes police officers working at educational institutions.

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Sean Rayford // Getty Images

#29 (tie). Security guards

Mobile, AL
– Employment: 1,050 (6.160 per 1,000 jobs)
– Annual mean salary: $25,450 (#354 highest pay among all metros)

National
– Employment: 1,054,400 (7.58 per 1,000 jobs)
– Annual mean salary: $34,360
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Idaho Falls, ID ($66,030)
— San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles-Arroyo Grande, CA ($61,090)
— Durham-Chapel Hill, NC ($51,850)
– Job description: Guard, patrol, or monitor premises to prevent theft, violence, or infractions of rules. May operate x-ray and metal detector equipment.

Rawpixel.com // Shutterstock

#29 (tie). Maids and housekeeping cleaners

Mobile, AL
– Employment: 1,050 (6.160 per 1,000 jobs)
– Annual mean salary: $20,250 (#371 highest pay among all metros)

National
– Employment: 795,590 (5.72 per 1,000 jobs)
– Annual mean salary: $28,010
– Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
– Metros with highest average pay:
— San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($44,640)
— Urban Honolulu, HI ($41,370)
— San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($40,490)
– Job description: Perform any combination of light cleaning duties to maintain private households or commercial establishments, such as hotels and hospitals, in a clean and orderly manner. Duties may include making beds, replenishing linens, cleaning rooms and halls, and vacuuming.

New Africa // Shutterstock

#28. Receptionists and information clerks

Mobile, AL
– Employment: 1,230 (7.273 per 1,000 jobs)
– Annual mean salary: $26,510 (#354 highest pay among all metros)

National
– Employment: 968,420 (6.962 per 1,000 jobs)
– Annual mean salary: $32,410
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Napa, CA ($43,270)
— San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($42,160)
— San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($41,840)
– Job description: Answer inquiries and provide information to the general public, customers, visitors, and other interested parties regarding activities conducted at establishment and location of departments, offices, and employees within the organization.

Canva

#27. Helpers–production workers

Mobile, AL
– Employment: 1,270 (7.507 per 1,000 jobs)
– Annual mean salary: $25,380 (#307 highest pay among all metros)

National
– Employment: 239,340 (1.721 per 1,000 jobs)
– Annual mean salary: $32,000
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Monroe, MI ($48,620)
— Lewiston, ID-WA ($46,520)
— Longview, WA ($43,080)
– Job description: Help production workers by performing duties requiring less skill. Duties include supplying or holding materials or tools, and cleaning work area and equipment.

OLIVIER DOULIERY // Getty Images

#26. First-line supervisors of food preparation and serving workers

Mobile, AL
– Employment: 1,290 (7.606 per 1,000 jobs)
– Annual mean salary: $31,640 (#330 highest pay among all metros)

National
– Employment: 891,540 (6.409 per 1,000 jobs)
– Annual mean salary: $37,880
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Kahului-Wailuku-Lahaina, HI ($59,490)
— San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($53,350)
— Napa, CA ($53,230)
– Job description: Directly supervise and coordinate activities of workers engaged in preparing and serving food.

Jacob Lund // Shutterstock

#25. Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses

Mobile, AL
– Employment: 1,300 (7.668 per 1,000 jobs)
– Annual mean salary: $38,540 (#376 highest pay among all metros)

National
– Employment: 676,440 (4.863 per 1,000 jobs)
– Annual mean salary: $50,090
– Entry level education requirements: Postsecondary nondegree award
– Metros with highest average pay:
— San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($75,950)
— Santa Rosa, CA ($74,820)
— San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($74,520)
– Job description: Care for ill, injured, or convalescing patients or persons with disabilities in hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, private homes, group homes, and similar institutions. May work under the supervision of a registered nurse. Licensing required.

Jorge Royan // Wikimedia Commons

#23 (tie). Cooks, restaurant

Mobile, AL
– Employment: 1,340 (7.891 per 1,000 jobs)
– Annual mean salary: $23,490 (#356 highest pay among all metros)

National
– Employment: 1,109,650 (7.977 per 1,000 jobs)
– Annual mean salary: $29,530
– Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Kahului-Wailuku-Lahaina, HI ($45,200)
— San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($39,950)
— Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($39,450)
– Job description: Prepare, season, and cook dishes such as soups, meats, vegetables, or desserts in restaurants. May order supplies, keep records and accounts, price items on menu, or plan menu.

The Boston Globe // Getty Images

#23 (tie). Elementary school teachers, except special education

Mobile, AL
– Employment: 1,340 (7.887 per 1,000 jobs)
– Annual mean salary: $48,740 (#302 highest pay among all metros)

National
– Employment: 1,364,870 (9.812 per 1,000 jobs)
– Annual mean salary: $65,420
– Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Merced, CA ($99,360)
— Kingston, NY ($93,780)
— Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA ($92,910)
– Job description: Teach academic and social skills to students at the elementary school level.

Pixabay

#22. Maintenance and repair workers, general

Mobile, AL
– Employment: 1,370 (8.085 per 1,000 jobs)
– Annual mean salary: $34,730 (#357 highest pay among all metros)

National
– Employment: 1,357,630 (9.76 per 1,000 jobs)
– Annual mean salary: $43,790
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with highest average pay:
— San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($58,140)
— Yuba City, CA ($57,930)
— San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($54,820)
– Job description: Perform work involving the skills of two or more maintenance or craft occupations to keep machines, mechanical equipment, or the structure of a building in repair. Duties may involve pipe fitting; HVAC maintenance; insulating; welding; machining; carpentry; repairing electrical or mechanical equipment; installing, aligning, and balancing new equipment; and repairing buildings, floors, or stairs.

sculpies // Shutterstock

#21. First-line supervisors of construction trades and extraction workers

Mobile, AL
– Employment: 1,410 (8.327 per 1,000 jobs)
– Annual mean salary: $66,130 (#217 highest pay among all metros)

National
– Employment: 614,080 (4.415 per 1,000 jobs)
– Annual mean salary: $72,990
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with highest average pay:
— San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($107,870)
— Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA ($103,930)
— Santa Rosa, CA ($100,620)
– Job description: Directly supervise and coordinate activities of construction or extraction workers.

Rob Kim // Getty Images

#20. First-line supervisors of retail sales workers

Mobile, AL
– Employment: 1,470 (8.654 per 1,000 jobs)
– Annual mean salary: $42,600 (#289 highest pay among all metros)

National
– Employment: 1,063,110 (7.643 per 1,000 jobs)
– Annual mean salary: $47,300
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($62,180)
— Yakima, WA ($61,710)
— Sheboygan, WI ($61,610)
– Job description: Directly supervise and coordinate activities of retail sales workers in an establishment or department. Duties may include management functions, such as purchasing, budgeting, accounting, and personnel work, in addition to supervisory duties.

ImageFlow // Shutterstock

#19. Accountants and auditors

Mobile, AL
– Employment: 1,500 (8.860 per 1,000 jobs)
– Annual mean salary: $67,670 (#280 highest pay among all metros)

National
– Employment: 1,274,620 (9.163 per 1,000 jobs)
– Annual mean salary: $81,660
– 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.

Pixabay

#18. Construction laborers

Mobile, AL
– Employment: 1,520 (8.950 per 1,000 jobs)
– Annual mean salary: $33,380 (#305 highest pay among all metros)

National
– Employment: 971,330 (6.983 per 1,000 jobs)
– Annual mean salary: $43,000
– Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI ($66,670)
— Kankakee, IL ($65,730)
— Urban Honolulu, HI ($63,860)
– Job description: Perform tasks involving physical labor at construction sites. May operate hand and power tools of all types: air hammers, earth tampers, cement mixers, small mechanical hoists, surveying and measuring equipment, and a variety of other equipment and instruments. May clean and prepare sites, dig trenches, set braces to support the sides of excavations, erect scaffolding, and clean up rubble, debris, and other waste materials. May assist other craft workers.

Pixabay

#17. Welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers

Mobile, AL
– Employment: 1,600 (9.412 per 1,000 jobs)
– Annual mean salary: $52,460 (#52 highest pay among all metros)

National
– Employment: 397,550 (2.858 per 1,000 jobs)
– Annual mean salary: $46,690
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Fairbanks, AK ($75,080)
— Wheeling, WV-OH ($74,970)
— Anchorage, AK ($73,790)
– Job description: Use hand-welding, flame-cutting, hand-soldering, or brazing equipment to weld or join metal components or to fill holes, indentations, or seams of fabricated metal products.

Rawpixel.com // Shutterstock

#16. Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks

Mobile, AL
– Employment: 1,910 (11.229 per 1,000 jobs)
– Annual mean salary: $35,620 (#359 highest pay among all metros)

National
– Employment: 1,443,940 (10.381 per 1,000 jobs)
– Annual mean salary: $44,100
– Entry level education requirements: Some college, no degree
– Metros with highest average pay:
— San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($56,700)
— Santa Rosa, CA ($55,720)
— Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($55,720)
– Job description: Compute, classify, and record numerical data to keep financial records complete. Perform any combination of routine calculating, posting, and verifying duties to obtain primary financial data for use in maintaining accounting records. May also check the accuracy of figures, calculations, and postings pertaining to business transactions recorded by other workers.

GagliardiPhotography // Shutterstock

#15. Nursing assistants

Mobile, AL
– Employment: 1,920 (11.308 per 1,000 jobs)
– Annual mean salary: $24,350 (#370 highest pay among all metros)

National
– Employment: 1,371,050 (9.857 per 1,000 jobs)
– Annual mean salary: $32,050
– Entry level education requirements: Postsecondary nondegree award
– Metros with highest average pay:
— San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($48,420)
— Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA ($43,960)
— Vallejo-Fairfield, CA ($42,200)
– Job description: Provide or assist with basic care or support under the direction of onsite licensed nursing staff. Perform duties such as monitoring of health status, feeding, bathing, dressing, grooming, toileting, or ambulation of patients in a health or nursing facility. May include medication administration and other health-related tasks. Includes nursing care attendants, nursing aides, and nursing attendants.

The Boston Globe // Getty Images

#14. Stockers and order fillers

Mobile, AL
– Employment: 1,990 (11.724 per 1,000 jobs)
– Annual mean salary: $27,080 (#325 highest pay among all metros)

National
– Employment: 2,210,960 (15.895 per 1,000 jobs)
– Annual mean salary: $31,010
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Odessa, TX ($39,130)
— Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($39,040)
— San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($38,580)
– Job description: Receive, store, and issue merchandise, materials, equipment, and other items from stockroom, warehouse, or storage yard to fill shelves, racks, tables, or customers’ orders. May operate power equipment to fill orders. May mark prices on merchandise and set up sales displays.

Stock Rocket // Shutterstock

#13. Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products

Mobile, AL
– Employment: 2,050 (12.061 per 1,000 jobs)
– Annual mean salary: $69,430 (#159 highest pay among all metros)

National
– Employment: 1,278,670 (9.192 per 1,000 jobs)
– Annual mean salary: $73,500
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Danbury, CT ($112,810)
— Napa, CA ($101,850)
— Santa Fe, NM ($93,680)
– Job description: Sell goods for wholesalers or manufacturers to businesses or groups of individuals. Work requires substantial knowledge of items sold.

GaudiLab // Shutterstock

#12. First-line supervisors of office and administrative support workers

Mobile, AL
– Employment: 2,090 (12.334 per 1,000 jobs)
– Annual mean salary: $55,810 (#223 highest pay among all metros)

National
– Employment: 1,427,260 (10.261 per 1,000 jobs)
– Annual mean salary: $62,010
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Bremerton-Silverdale, WA ($78,770)
— Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($77,030)
— New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($75,820)
– Job description: Directly supervise and coordinate the activities of clerical and administrative support workers.

Ruslan Galiullin // Shutterstock

#11. Office clerks, general

Mobile, AL
– Employment: 2,290 (13.482 per 1,000 jobs)
– Annual mean salary: $25,770 (#379 highest pay among all metros)

National
– Employment: 2,788,090 (20.044 per 1,000 jobs)
– Annual mean salary: $37,770
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with highest average pay:
— San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($49,560)
— Napa, CA ($47,570)
— Boulder, CO ($47,160)
– Job description: Perform duties too varied and diverse to be classified in any specific office clerical occupation, requiring knowledge of office systems and procedures. Clerical duties may be assigned in accordance with the office procedures of individual establishments and may include a combination of answering telephones, bookkeeping, typing or word processing, office machine operation, and filing.

Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

#10. Waiters and waitresses

Mobile, AL
– Employment: 2,360 (13.915 per 1,000 jobs)
– Annual mean salary: $21,360 (#294 highest pay among all metros)

National
– Employment: 1,944,240 (13.977 per 1,000 jobs)
– Annual mean salary: $27,470
– Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Urban Honolulu, HI ($62,630)
— Kahului-Wailuku-Lahaina, HI ($57,210)
— Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($43,160)
– Job description: Take orders and serve food and beverages to patrons at tables in dining establishment.

Unsplash

#9. Janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners

Mobile, AL
– Employment: 2,720 (16.009 per 1,000 jobs)
– Annual mean salary: $24,050 (#361 highest pay among all metros)

National
– Employment: 1,990,510 (14.31 per 1,000 jobs)
– Annual mean salary: $31,410
– Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($44,110)
— Barnstable Town, MA ($43,860)
— San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($42,250)
– Job description: Keep buildings in clean and orderly condition. Perform heavy cleaning duties, such as cleaning floors, shampooing rugs, washing walls and glass, and removing rubbish. Duties may include tending furnace and boiler, performing routine maintenance activities, notifying management of need for repairs, and cleaning snow or debris from sidewalk.

Pixabay

#8. Heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers

Mobile, AL
– Employment: 2,960 (17.414 per 1,000 jobs)
– Annual mean salary: $39,690 (#363 highest pay among all metros)

National
– Employment: 1,797,710 (12.924 per 1,000 jobs)
– Annual mean salary: $48,710
– Entry level education requirements: Postsecondary nondegree award
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Barnstable Town, MA ($65,170)
— Danville, IL ($63,230)
— Lewiston, ID-WA ($62,250)
– Job description: Drive a tractor-trailer combination or a truck with a capacity of at least 26,001 pounds Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW). May be required to unload truck. Requires commercial drivers’ license. Includes tow truck drivers.

Pixabay

#7. Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand

Mobile, AL
– Employment: 3,060 (18.000 per 1,000 jobs)
– Annual mean salary: $28,250 (#354 highest pay among all metros)

National
– Employment: 2,805,200 (20.167 per 1,000 jobs)
– Annual mean salary: $33,710
– Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
– Metros with highest average pay:
— San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($42,690)
— Fairbanks, AK ($41,900)
— San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($41,820)
– Job description: Manually move freight, stock, luggage, or other materials, or perform other general labor. Includes all manual laborers not elsewhere classified.

Dean Drobot // Shutterstock

#6. Cashiers

Mobile, AL
– Employment: 4,120 (24.275 per 1,000 jobs)
– Annual mean salary: $21,180 (#371 highest pay among all metros)

National
– Employment: 3,333,100 (23.962 per 1,000 jobs)
– Annual mean salary: $25,710
– Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
– Metros with highest average pay:
— San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($35,970)
— San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($34,480)
— Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($34,320)
– Job description: Receive and disburse money in establishments other than financial institutions. May use electronic scanners, cash registers, or related equipment. May process credit or debit card transactions and validate checks.

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ESB Basic // Shutterstock

#5. Customer service representatives

Mobile, AL
– Employment: 4,240 (24.995 per 1,000 jobs)
– Annual mean salary: $36,490 (#160 highest pay among all metros)

National
– Employment: 2,833,250 (20.368 per 1,000 jobs)
– Annual mean salary: $38,510
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with highest average pay:
— San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($49,930)
— San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($47,720)
— Midland, MI ($47,250)
– Job description: Interact with customers to provide basic or scripted information in response to routine inquiries about products and services. May handle and resolve general complaints. Excludes individuals whose duties are primarily installation, sales, repair, and technical support.

G-Stock Studio // Shutterstock

#4. Secretaries and administrative assistants, except legal, medical, and executive

Mobile, AL
– Employment: 4,520 (26.641 per 1,000 jobs)
– Annual mean salary: $36,960 (#214 highest pay among all metros)

National
– Employment: 1,850,360 (13.302 per 1,000 jobs)
– Annual mean salary: $40,420
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($56,080)
— San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($52,480)
— San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($51,930)
– Job description: Perform routine administrative functions such as drafting correspondence, scheduling appointments, organizing and maintaining paper and electronic files, or providing information to callers.

Pxhere

#3. Fast food and counter workers

Mobile, AL
– Employment: 4,990 (29.366 per 1,000 jobs)
– Annual mean salary: $18,750 (#388 highest pay among all metros)

National
– Employment: 3,450,120 (24.803 per 1,000 jobs)
– Annual mean salary: $24,540
– Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
– Metros with highest average pay:
— San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($34,020)
— San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($34,000)
— Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($33,370)
– Job description: Perform duties such as taking orders and serving food and beverages. Serve customers at counter or from a steam table. May take payment. May prepare food and beverages.

Rawpixel.com // Shutterstock

#2. Registered nurses

Mobile, AL
– Employment: 5,320 (31.328 per 1,000 jobs)
– Annual mean salary: $59,130 (#358 highest pay among all metros)

National
– Employment: 2,986,500 (21.47 per 1,000 jobs)
– Annual mean salary: $80,010
– 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.

Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

#1. Retail salespersons

Mobile, AL
– Employment: 6,730 (39.658 per 1,000 jobs)
– Annual mean salary: $27,250 (#313 highest pay among all metros)

National
– Employment: 3,659,670 (26.31 per 1,000 jobs)
– Annual mean salary: $30,940
– Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
– Metros with highest average pay:
— San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($43,160)
— Carson City, NV ($40,030)
— Santa Rosa, CA ($39,160)
– Job description: Sell merchandise, such as furniture, motor vehicles, appliances, or apparel to consumers.