Highest paying jobs in Montgomery for high school graduates

Published 1:42 pm Thursday, December 23, 2021

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Highest paying jobs in Montgomery for high school graduates

The average college graduate in 2019 earned $78,000 a year, while the average high school graduate takes home just $45,000, according to research from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. To put it in perspective, the average annual wage for workers in the U.S. that same year was $51,916.27.

Of course, college isn’t for everyone. There are many reasons high-school graduates may choose to not continue on to college, not the least of which being cost. Average tuition costs continue to rise each year, the exception being the 2020-2021 school year, due to the coronavirus pandemic. Average tuition at a public, in-state university coming in at $9,687; tuition for out-of-state students at public schools, and for everyone at private universities, is significantly higher at $21,874 and $35,087, respectively.

Just because you decide higher education isn’t in the cards doesn’t mean you have to resign yourself to a lifetime of low-paying jobs. You just need to be strategic about the career you choose. Stacker compiled a list of the highest paying jobs for high school graduates in Montgomery, AL using data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Jobs are ranked by 2020 annual mean wage.

Keep reading to see which jobs in your city pay the most for high school graduates.

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Guiderom // Shutterstock

#50. Rail car repairers

Montgomery, AL
– Annual mean salary: $41,740 (#21 highest pay among all metros)
– Employment: 90

National
– Annual mean salary: $58,250
– Employment: 22,310
– Metros with highest average pay:
— New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($78,660)
— Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV ($73,970)
— Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA ($73,790)
– Job description: Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul railroad rolling stock, mine cars, or mass transit rail cars.

London Metropolitan Archives/Heritage Images // Getty Images

#49. Machinists

Montgomery, AL
– Annual mean salary: $41,910 (#295 highest pay among all metros)
– Employment: 230

National
– Annual mean salary: $47,800
– Employment: 360,340
– 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.

Rob Kim // Getty Images

#48. First-line supervisors of retail sales workers

Montgomery, AL
– Annual mean salary: $42,260 (#304 highest pay among all metros)
– Employment: 1,490

National
– Annual mean salary: $47,300
– Employment: 1,063,110
– 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.

Kot500 // Shutterstock

#47. Bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists

Montgomery, AL
– Annual mean salary: $42,490 (#328 highest pay among all metros)
– Employment: 310

National
– Annual mean salary: $52,090
– Employment: 253,010
– Metros with highest average pay:
— San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($75,320)
— New Bedford, MA ($75,110)
— San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($72,460)
– Job description: Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul buses and trucks, or maintain and repair any type of diesel engines. Includes mechanics working primarily with automobile or marine diesel engines.

Sergey Ryzhov // Shutterstock

#46. Cutting and slicing machine setters, operators, and tenders

Montgomery, AL
– Annual mean salary: $42,580 (#26 highest pay among all metros)
– Employment: 90

National
– Annual mean salary: $38,220
– Employment: 52,760
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Providence-Warwick, RI-MA ($52,600)
— Canton-Massillon, OH ($51,020)
— Baton Rouge, LA ($50,110)
– Job description: Set up, operate, or tend machines that cut or slice materials, such as glass, stone, cork, rubber, tobacco, food, paper, or insulating material.

Viktoriia Hnatiuk // Shutterstock

#45. Travel agents

Montgomery, AL
– Annual mean salary: $42,600 (#74 highest pay among all metros)
– Employment: 40

National
– Annual mean salary: $46,650
– Employment: 55,180
– Metros with highest average pay:
— San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($65,040)
— Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($64,450)
— Sacramento–Roseville–Arden-Arcade, CA ($60,380)
– Job description: Plan and sell transportation and accommodations for customers. Determine destination, modes of transportation, travel dates, costs, and accommodations required. May also describe, plan, and arrange itineraries and sell tour packages. May assist in resolving clients’ travel problems.

Unsplash

#44. Structural iron and steel workers

Montgomery, AL
– Annual mean salary: $42,690 (#139 highest pay among all metros)
– Employment: data not available

National
– Annual mean salary: $58,650
– Employment: 71,490
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Trenton, NJ ($91,360)
— Rockford, IL ($90,160)
— Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($89,740)
– Job description: Raise, place, and unite iron or steel girders, columns, and other structural members to form completed structures or structural frameworks. May erect metal storage tanks and assemble prefabricated metal buildings.

Zhanna Kavaliova // Shutterstock

#43. Logging equipment operators

Montgomery, AL
– Annual mean salary: $42,900 (#36 highest pay among all metros)
– Employment: 50

National
– Annual mean salary: $43,570
– Employment: 25,560
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Longview, WA ($63,460)
— Flagstaff, AZ ($63,110)
— Lewiston, ID-WA ($59,690)
– Job description: Drive logging tractor or wheeled vehicle equipped with one or more accessories, such as bulldozer blade, frontal shear, grapple, logging arch, cable winches, hoisting rack, or crane boom, to fell tree; to skid, load, unload, or stack logs; or to pull stumps or clear brush. Includes operating stand-alone logging machines, such as log chippers.

Canva

#42. Paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators

Montgomery, AL
– Annual mean salary: $43,460 (#61 highest pay among all metros)
– Employment: 80

National
– Annual mean salary: $46,400
– Employment: 44,560
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Worcester, MA-CT ($80,010)
— San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($73,360)
— Evansville, IN-KY ($71,030)
– Job description: Operate equipment used for applying concrete, asphalt, or other materials to road beds, parking lots, or airport runways and taxiways or for tamping gravel, dirt, or other materials. Includes concrete and asphalt paving machine operators, form tampers, tamping machine operators, and stone spreader operators.

Pixabay

#41. Welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers

Montgomery, AL
– Annual mean salary: $43,500 (#242 highest pay among all metros)
– Employment: 410

National
– Annual mean salary: $46,690
– Employment: 397,550
– 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.

New Africa // Shutterstock

#40. First-line supervisors of housekeeping and janitorial workers

Montgomery, AL
– Annual mean salary: $43,700 (#160 highest pay among all metros)
– Employment: 200

National
– Annual mean salary: $45,500
– Employment: 141,260
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC ($72,260)
— New Haven, CT ($65,830)
— Lima, OH ($65,190)
– Job description: Directly supervise and coordinate work activities of cleaning personnel in hotels, hospitals, offices, and other establishments.

Canva

#39. Automotive body and related repairers

Montgomery, AL
– Annual mean salary: $44,160 (#238 highest pay among all metros)
– Employment: 170

National
– Annual mean salary: $49,430
– Employment: 137,120
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Santa Rosa, CA ($81,730)
— Midland, TX ($76,760)
— Raleigh, NC ($75,460)
– Job description: Repair and refinish automotive vehicle bodies and straighten vehicle frames.

Avatar_023 // Shutterstock

#38. Water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators

Montgomery, AL
– Annual mean salary: $44,520 (#239 highest pay among all metros)
– Employment: 60

National
– Annual mean salary: $51,890
– Employment: 119,380
– Metros with highest average pay:
— San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($99,130)
— San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($89,730)
— Vallejo-Fairfield, CA ($86,080)
– Job description: Operate or control an entire process or system of machines, often through the use of control boards, to transfer or treat water or wastewater.

Nicola Forenza // Shutterstock

#37. Legal secretaries and administrative assistants

Montgomery, AL
– Annual mean salary: $45,600 (#122 highest pay among all metros)
– Employment: 210

National
– Annual mean salary: $52,750
– Employment: 160,950
– Metros with highest average pay:
— San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($76,350)
— San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($76,220)
— Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV ($73,740)
– Job description: Perform secretarial duties using legal terminology, procedures, and documents. Prepare legal papers and correspondence, such as summonses, complaints, motions, and subpoenas. May also assist with legal research.

Dragon Images // Shutterstock

#36. Procurement clerks

Montgomery, AL
– Annual mean salary: $45,720 (#92 highest pay among all metros)
– Employment: 50

National
– Annual mean salary: $45,400
– Employment: 61,000
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ ($55,550)
— San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($55,320)
— East Stroudsburg, PA ($55,240)
– Job description: Compile information and records to draw up purchase orders for procurement of materials and services.

Andrey_Popov // Shutterstock

#35. Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters

Montgomery, AL
– Annual mean salary: $46,530 (#291 highest pay among all metros)
– Employment: 250

National
– Annual mean salary: $61,100
– Employment: 417,440
– 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.

Hulton Archive // Getty Images

#34. Electricians

Montgomery, AL
– Annual mean salary: $46,770 (#312 highest pay among all metros)
– Employment: 690

National
– Annual mean salary: $61,550
– Employment: 656,510
– Metros with highest average pay:
— San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($106,680)
— Trenton, NJ ($90,210)
— Kankakee, IL ($88,530)
– Job description: Install, maintain, and repair electrical wiring, equipment, and fixtures. Ensure that work is in accordance with relevant codes. May install or service street lights, intercom systems, or electrical control systems.

Brian S. Hagberg // Wikimedia Commons

#33. Self-enrichment teachers

Montgomery, AL
– Annual mean salary: $47,670 (#62 highest pay among all metros)
– Employment: 40

National
– Annual mean salary: $47,930
– Employment: 222,700
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Fairbanks, AK ($74,220)
— New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($73,900)
— Salinas, CA ($65,580)
– Job description: Teach or instruct individuals or groups for the primary purpose of self-enrichment or recreation, rather than for an occupational objective, educational attainment, competition, or fitness.

Pixabay

#32. Photographers

Montgomery, AL
– Annual mean salary: $48,430 (#40 highest pay among all metros)
– Employment: data not available

National
– Annual mean salary: $50,290
– Employment: 41,600
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Logan, UT-ID ($75,100)
— Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($74,620)
— New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($72,690)
– Job description: Photograph people, landscapes, merchandise, or other subjects. May use lighting equipment to enhance a subject’s appearance. May use editing software to produce finished images and prints. Includes commercial and industrial photographers, scientific photographers, and photojournalists.

Kitawit Jitaton // Shutterstock

#31. Telecommunications line installers and repairers

Montgomery, AL
– Annual mean salary: $49,140 (#118 highest pay among all metros)
– Employment: data not available

National
– Annual mean salary: $61,860
– Employment: 122,480
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Fresno, CA ($93,060)
— Salinas, CA ($91,790)
— Champaign-Urbana, IL ($89,000)
– Job description: Install and repair telecommunications cable, including fiber optics.

DenisProduction.com // Shutterstock

#30. Chefs and head cooks

Montgomery, AL
– Annual mean salary: $49,960 (#167 highest pay among all metros)
– Employment: 80

National
– Annual mean salary: $58,740
– Employment: 101,490
– Metros with highest average pay:
— San Diego-Carlsbad, CA ($98,210)
— Kahului-Wailuku-Lahaina, HI ($90,840)
— Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($86,460)
– Job description: Direct and may participate in the preparation, seasoning, and cooking of salads, soups, fish, meats, vegetables, desserts, or other foods. May plan and price menu items, order supplies, and keep records and accounts.

SritanaN // Shutterstock

#29. Industrial machinery mechanics

Montgomery, AL
– Annual mean salary: $50,310 (#306 highest pay among all metros)
– Employment: 570

National
– Annual mean salary: $57,350
– Employment: 385,980
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Norwich-New London-Westerly, CT-RI ($84,180)
— San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles-Arroyo Grande, CA ($84,150)
— San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($77,580)
– Job description: Repair, install, adjust, or maintain industrial production and processing machinery or refinery and pipeline distribution systems. May also install, dismantle, or move machinery and heavy equipment according to plans.

welcomia // Shutterstock

#28. Mobile heavy equipment mechanics, except engines

Montgomery, AL
– Annual mean salary: $51,190 (#219 highest pay among all metros)
– Employment: 150

National
– Annual mean salary: $57,000
– Employment: 147,680
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Urban Honolulu, HI ($84,460)
— Fairbanks, AK ($81,920)
— Bismarck, ND ($78,350)
– Job description: Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul mobile mechanical, hydraulic, and pneumatic equipment, such as cranes, bulldozers, graders, and conveyors, used in construction, logging, and mining.

Indypendenz // Shutterstock

#26 (tie). Postal service mail sorters, processors, and processing machine operators

Montgomery, AL
– Annual mean salary: $51,290 (#74 highest pay among all metros)
– Employment: 210

National
– Annual mean salary: $51,440
– Employment: 105,400
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Wausau, WI ($57,620)
— Cape Girardeau, MO-IL ($55,670)
— Canton-Massillon, OH ($55,520)
– Job description: Prepare incoming and outgoing mail for distribution for the United States Postal Service (USPS). Examine, sort, and route mail. Load, operate, and occasionally adjust and repair mail processing, sorting, and canceling machinery. Keep records of shipments, pouches, and sacks, and perform other duties related to mail handling within the postal service. Includes postal service mail sorters and processors employed by USPS contractors.

Pixabay

#26 (tie). Surveying and mapping technicians

Montgomery, AL
– Annual mean salary: $51,290 (#65 highest pay among all metros)
– Employment: 50

National
– Annual mean salary: $49,770
– Employment: 53,370
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA ($86,090)
— Vallejo-Fairfield, CA ($82,010)
— Sacramento–Roseville–Arden-Arcade, CA ($79,790)
– Job description: Perform surveying and mapping duties, usually under the direction of an engineer, surveyor, cartographer, or photogrammetrist, to obtain data used for construction, mapmaking, boundary location, mining, or other purposes. May calculate mapmaking information and create maps from source data, such as surveying notes, aerial photography, satellite data, or other maps to show topographical features, political boundaries, and other features. May verify accuracy and completeness of maps.

rlat // Shutterstock

#25. Postal service clerks

Montgomery, AL
– Annual mean salary: $51,840 (#166 highest pay among all metros)
– Employment: 100

National
– Annual mean salary: $51,200
– Employment: 86,950
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Monroe, MI ($58,120)
— El Centro, CA ($58,000)
— Houma-Thibodaux, LA ($57,330)
– Job description: Perform any combination of tasks in a United States Postal Service (USPS) post office, such as receive letters and parcels; sell postage and revenue stamps, postal cards, and stamped envelopes; fill out and sell money orders; place mail in pigeon holes of mail rack or in bags; and examine mail for correct postage. Includes postal service clerks employed by USPS contractors.

Erin Deleon // Shutterstock

#24. Postal service mail carriers

Montgomery, AL
– Annual mean salary: $52,150 (#280 highest pay among all metros)
– Employment: 440

National
– Annual mean salary: $53,180
– Employment: 333,570
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Bismarck, ND ($56,520)
— Burlington, NC ($55,750)
— Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA ($55,680)
– Job description: Sort and deliver mail for the United States Postal Service (USPS). Deliver mail on established route by vehicle or on foot. Includes postal service mail carriers employed by USPS contractors.

Tim Goode/PA Images // Getty Images

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

Montgomery, AL
– Annual mean salary: $52,520 (#300 highest pay among all metros)
– Employment: 640

National
– Annual mean salary: $70,490
– Employment: 977,070
– 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.

Canva

#22. Construction and building inspectors

Montgomery, AL
– Annual mean salary: $53,430 (#223 highest pay among all metros)
– Employment: 110

National
– Annual mean salary: $66,470
– Employment: 113,770
– Metros with highest average pay:
— San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($103,820)
— San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($102,920)
— Salinas, CA ($98,360)
– Job description: Inspect structures using engineering skills to determine structural soundness and compliance with specifications, building codes, and other regulations. Inspections may be general in nature or may be limited to a specific area, such as electrical systems or plumbing.

GolF2532 // Shutterstock

#21. Security and fire alarm systems installers

Montgomery, AL
– Annual mean salary: $54,950 (#45 highest pay among all metros)
– Employment: 80

National
– Annual mean salary: $52,150
– Employment: 68,920
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH ($71,820)
— Anchorage, AK ($68,510)
— Rockford, IL ($65,040)
– Job description: Install, program, maintain, and repair security and fire alarm wiring and equipment. Ensure that work is in accordance with relevant codes.

Paolo Bona // Shutterstock

#20. Food service managers

Montgomery, AL
– Annual mean salary: $55,240 (#223 highest pay among all metros)
– Employment: 280

National
– Annual mean salary: $61,000
– Employment: 197,010
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($97,610)
— Trenton, NJ ($95,640)
— Waterbury, CT ($88,100)
– Job description: Plan, direct, or coordinate activities of an organization or department that serves food and beverages.

sculpies // Shutterstock

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

Montgomery, AL
– Annual mean salary: $55,630 (#362 highest pay among all metros)
– Employment: 820

National
– Annual mean salary: $72,990
– Employment: 614,080
– 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.

G-Stock Studio // Shutterstock

#18. Production, planning, and expediting clerks

Montgomery, AL
– Annual mean salary: $55,970 (#50 highest pay among all metros)
– Employment: 170

National
– Annual mean salary: $52,000
– Employment: 362,090
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Bremerton-Silverdale, WA ($69,410)
— Pine Bluff, AR ($68,850)
— Portsmouth, NH-ME ($66,920)
– Job description: Coordinate and expedite the flow of work and materials within or between departments of an establishment according to production schedule. Duties include reviewing and distributing production, work, and shipment schedules; conferring with department supervisors to determine progress of work and completion dates; and compiling reports on progress of work, inventory levels, costs, and production problems.

GaudiLab // Shutterstock

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

Montgomery, AL
– Annual mean salary: $56,370 (#204 highest pay among all metros)
– Employment: 1,960

National
– Annual mean salary: $62,010
– Employment: 1,427,260
– 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.

Loveischiangrai // Shutterstock

#16. First-line supervisors of landscaping, lawn service, and groundskeeping workers

Montgomery, AL
– Annual mean salary: $57,000 (#59 highest pay among all metros)
– Employment: 50

National
– Annual mean salary: $54,040
– Employment: 103,730
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Anchorage, AK ($85,110)
— San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($77,260)
— Sacramento–Roseville–Arden-Arcade, CA ($76,940)
– Job description: Directly supervise and coordinate activities of workers engaged in landscaping or groundskeeping activities. Work may involve reviewing contracts to ascertain service, machine, and workforce requirements; answering inquiries from potential customers regarding methods, material, and price ranges; and preparing estimates according to labor, material, and machine costs.

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Stock Rocket // Shutterstock

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

Montgomery, AL
– Annual mean salary: $57,140 (#340 highest pay among all metros)
– Employment: 1,060

National
– Annual mean salary: $73,500
– Employment: 1,278,670
– 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.

Jacob L. // Shutterstock

#14. Advertising sales agents

Montgomery, AL
– Annual mean salary: $57,630 (#100 highest pay among all metros)
– Employment: 150

National
– Annual mean salary: $68,040
– Employment: 110,040
– Metros with highest average pay:
— San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($112,850)
— Winston-Salem, NC ($104,930)
— New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($92,370)
– Job description: Sell or solicit advertising space, time, or media in publications, signage, TV, radio, or Internet establishments or public spaces.

Oleg Golovnev // Shutterstock

#13. First-line supervisors of production and operating workers

Montgomery, AL
– Annual mean salary: $60,030 (#304 highest pay among all metros)
– Employment: 910

National
– Annual mean salary: $66,800
– Employment: 599,900
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Baton Rouge, LA ($101,930)
— Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX ($100,590)
— Longview, WA ($99,590)
– Job description: Directly supervise and coordinate the activities of production and operating workers, such as inspectors, precision workers, machine setters and operators, assemblers, fabricators, and plant and system operators. Excludes team or work leaders.

Syda Productions // Shutterstock

#12. Executive secretaries and executive administrative assistants

Montgomery, AL
– Annual mean salary: $61,760 (#96 highest pay among all metros)
– Employment: 400

National
– Annual mean salary: $65,230
– Employment: 503,390
– Metros with highest average pay:
— San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($92,040)
— Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($89,100)
— San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($86,180)
– Job description: Provide high-level administrative support by conducting research, preparing statistical reports, and handling information requests, as well as performing routine administrative functions such as preparing correspondence, receiving visitors, arranging conference calls, and scheduling meetings. May also train and supervise lower-level clerical staff.

4 PM production // Shutterstock

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

Montgomery, AL
– Annual mean salary: $63,140 (#325 highest pay among all metros)
– Employment: 670

National
– Annual mean salary: $73,100
– Employment: 475,000
– 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.

Rebekah Zemansky // Shutterstock

#10. First-line supervisors of correctional officers

Montgomery, AL
– Annual mean salary: $65,720 (#59 highest pay among all metros)
– Employment: 100

National
– Annual mean salary: $67,600
– Employment: 53,420
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Sacramento–Roseville–Arden-Arcade, CA ($115,020)
— Trenton, NJ ($113,630)
— New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($113,070)
– Job description: Directly supervise and coordinate activities of correctional officers and jailers.

Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

#9. Claims adjusters, examiners, and investigators

Montgomery, AL
– Annual mean salary: $68,290 (#143 highest pay among all metros)
– Employment: 320

National
– Annual mean salary: $70,650
– Employment: 287,150
– 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.

g-stockstudio // Shutterstock

#8. First-line supervisors of non-retail sales workers

Montgomery, AL
– Annual mean salary: $68,640 (#269 highest pay among all metros)
– Employment: 200

National
– Annual mean salary: $90,120
– Employment: 240,290
– Metros with highest average pay:
— La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN ($124,150)
— Durham-Chapel Hill, NC ($122,460)
— Leominster-Gardner, MA ($119,130)
– Job description: Directly supervise and coordinate activities of sales workers other than retail sales workers. May perform duties such as budgeting, accounting, and personnel work, in addition to supervisory duties.

Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

#7. Insurance sales agents

Montgomery, AL
– Annual mean salary: $68,660 (#106 highest pay among all metros)
– Employment: 440

National
– Annual mean salary: $69,100
– Employment: 409,950
– Metros with highest average pay:
— San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($109,540)
— Birmingham-Hoover, AL ($105,840)
— Fond du Lac, WI ($105,190)
– Job description: Sell life, property, casualty, health, automotive, or other types of insurance. May refer clients to independent brokers, work as an independent broker, or be employed by an insurance company.

Prath // Shutterstock

#6. Detectives and criminal investigators

Montgomery, AL
– Annual mean salary: $69,200 (#202 highest pay among all metros)
– Employment: 210

National
– Annual mean salary: $89,300
– Employment: 105,980
– Metros with highest average pay:
— San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($127,380)
— Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV ($127,090)
— Anchorage, AK ($126,530)
– Job description: Conduct investigations related to suspected violations of federal, state, or local laws to prevent or solve crimes.

goodluz // Shutterstock

#5. Real estate sales agents

Montgomery, AL
– Annual mean salary: $78,210 (#17 highest pay among all metros)
– Employment: 180

National
– Annual mean salary: $62,990
– Employment: 168,740
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Salinas, CA ($106,280)
— San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($101,300)
— New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($98,580)
– Job description: Rent, buy, or sell property for clients. Perform duties such as study property listings, interview prospective clients, accompany clients to property site, discuss conditions of sale, and draw up real estate contracts. Includes agents who represent buyer.

Kelly Ogden // Wikimedia Commons

#4. Transportation, storage, and distribution managers

Montgomery, AL
– Annual mean salary: $79,040 (#283 highest pay among all metros)
– Employment: 100

National
– Annual mean salary: $105,100
– Employment: 132,210
– Metros with highest average pay:
— San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($163,580)
— Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($137,680)
— Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ ($136,410)
– Job description: Plan, direct, or coordinate transportation, storage, or distribution activities in accordance with organizational policies and applicable government laws or regulations. Includes logistics managers.

Skycolors // Shutterstock

#3. Commercial pilots

Montgomery, AL
– Annual mean salary: $80,010 (#88 highest pay among all metros)
– Employment: 40

National
– Annual mean salary: $110,830
– Employment: 37,120
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Sioux City, IA-NE-SD ($153,990)
— Medford, OR ($152,730)
— Sacramento–Roseville–Arden-Arcade, CA ($152,290)
– Job description: Pilot and navigate the flight of fixed-wing aircraft on nonscheduled air carrier routes, or helicopters. Requires Commercial Pilot certificate. Includes charter pilots with similar certification, and air ambulance and air tour pilots. Excludes regional, national, and international airline pilots.

Luisa Leal Photography // Shutterstock

#2. Electrical power-line installers and repairers

Montgomery, AL
– Annual mean salary: $81,600 (#73 highest pay among all metros)
– Employment: 350

National
– Annual mean salary: $74,410
– Employment: 114,930
– Metros with highest average pay:
— San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($114,820)
— Redding, CA ($112,850)
— San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($111,810)
– Job description: Install or repair cables or wires used in electrical power or distribution systems. May erect poles and light or heavy duty transmission towers.

Canva

#1. First-line supervisors of police and detectives

Montgomery, AL
– Annual mean salary: $86,370 (#186 highest pay among all metros)
– Employment: 80

National
– Annual mean salary: $97,180
– Employment: 122,310
– Metros with highest average pay:
— San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($200,090)
— San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($182,810)
— Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA ($182,720)
– Job description: Directly supervise and coordinate activities of members of police force.

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