Flamingo Images // Shutterstock

Highest-paying jobs in Anniston that don’t require a college degree

From the moment they first set foot on campus, today’s high-school students are inundated with messages about the importance of receiving a college education. They hear it from their guidance counselors, teachers, parents, family members, neighbors, coaches—the list goes on and on. While graduation from a four-year college can certainly work wonders for students’ future careers, it’s not necessary for all fields—something admissions officers and guidance counselors sometimes fail to mention.

To find the highest-paying jobs that don’t require a college degree, Stacker consulted the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook to compile a list of all jobs that don’t require higher education. All professions that listed a high-school diploma, some college education (without a degree conferred), postsecondary non-degree award, or no formal education requirements for entry-level positions were considered. Jobs that didn’t list any entry-level education requirement were excluded, as were job titles that grouped several positions together. Jobs are ranked by 2020 annual mean wage. Job descriptions are from O*NET.

Keep reading to discover the highest-paying jobs in Anniston that don’t require a college degree.

You may also like: Metros where people in Anniston are getting new jobs

Fusionstudio // Shutterstock

#50. Shipping, receiving, and inventory clerks

Anniston-Oxford-Jacksonville, AL
– Annual mean salary: $36,380
– #199 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 130

National
– Annual mean salary: $37,210
– Employment: 727,640
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Fairbanks, AK ($52,310)
— California-Lexington Park, MD ($50,180)
— Bremerton-Silverdale, WA ($49,530)
– Job description: Verify and maintain records on incoming and outgoing shipments involving inventory. Duties include verifying and recording incoming merchandise or material and arranging for the transportation of products. May prepare items for shipment.

Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

#49. Driver/sales workers

Anniston-Oxford-Jacksonville, AL
– Annual mean salary: $37,000
– #68 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 130

National
– Annual mean salary: $31,870
– Employment: 420,890
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Gadsden, AL ($46,460)
— Cumberland, MD-WV ($45,780)
— Medford, OR ($45,310)
– Job description: Drive truck or other vehicle over established routes or within an established territory and sell or deliver goods, such as food products, including restaurant take-out items, or pick up or deliver items such as commercial laundry. May also take orders, collect payment, or stock merchandise at point of delivery.

Rawpixel.com // Shutterstock

#48. Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks

Anniston-Oxford-Jacksonville, AL
– Annual mean salary: $37,030
– #319 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 370

National
– Annual mean salary: $44,100
– Employment: 1,443,940
– 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.

Pixabay

#47. Heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers

Anniston-Oxford-Jacksonville, AL
– Annual mean salary: $37,150
– #383 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 520

National
– Annual mean salary: $48,710
– Employment: 1,797,710
– 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.

ALPA PROD // Shutterstock

#46. Medical secretaries and administrative assistants

Anniston-Oxford-Jacksonville, AL
– Annual mean salary: $37,320
– #142 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 150

National
– Annual mean salary: $39,000
– Employment: 597,100
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with highest average pay:
— San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($55,220)
— Salinas, CA ($53,900)
— San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($52,020)
– Job description: Perform secretarial duties using specific knowledge of medical terminology and hospital, clinic, or laboratory procedures. Duties may include scheduling appointments, billing patients, and compiling and recording medical charts, reports, and correspondence.

You may also like: Closest national parks to Anniston

Zivica Kerkez // Shutterstock

#45. Loan interviewers and clerks

Anniston-Oxford-Jacksonville, AL
– Annual mean salary: $38,680
– #220 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 50

National
– Annual mean salary: $42,780
– Employment: 204,100
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Danbury, CT ($53,960)
— North Port-Sarasota-Bradenton, FL ($52,670)
— Boulder, CO ($52,430)
– Job description: Interview loan applicants to elicit information; investigate applicants’ backgrounds and verify references; prepare loan request papers; and forward findings, reports, and documents to appraisal department. Review loan papers to ensure completeness, and complete transactions between loan establishment, borrowers, and sellers upon approval of loan.

Syda Productions // Shutterstock

#44. Dental assistants

Anniston-Oxford-Jacksonville, AL
– Annual mean salary: $38,800
– #242 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 50

National
– Annual mean salary: $42,310
– Employment: 312,140
– Entry level education requirements: Postsecondary nondegree award
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Santa Rosa, CA ($58,570)
— Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI ($56,240)
— Vallejo-Fairfield, CA ($54,550)
– Job description: Perform limited clinical duties under the direction of a dentist. Clinical duties may include equipment preparation and sterilization, preparing patients for treatment, assisting the dentist during treatment, and providing patients with instructions for oral healthcare procedures. May perform administrative duties such as scheduling appointments, maintaining medical records, billing, and coding information for insurance purposes.

Kot500 // Shutterstock

#43. Bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists

Anniston-Oxford-Jacksonville, AL
– Annual mean salary: $38,850
– #363 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 60

National
– Annual mean salary: $52,090
– Employment: 253,010
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– 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.

David Spates // Shutterstock

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

Anniston-Oxford-Jacksonville, AL
– Annual mean salary: $39,360
– #362 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 110

National
– Annual mean salary: $53,410
– Employment: 344,020
– 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.

4 PM production // Shutterstock

#41. Automotive service technicians and mechanics

Anniston-Oxford-Jacksonville, AL
– Annual mean salary: $39,430
– #323 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 230

National
– Annual mean salary: $46,760
– Employment: 620,110
– 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.

You may also like: Cities with the most expensive homes in Anniston metro area

Rob Kim // Getty Images

#40. First-line supervisors of retail sales workers

Anniston-Oxford-Jacksonville, AL
– Annual mean salary: $39,510
– #355 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 520

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

Jacob Lund // Shutterstock

#39. Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses

Anniston-Oxford-Jacksonville, AL
– Annual mean salary: $39,810
– #362 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 280

National
– Annual mean salary: $50,090
– Employment: 676,440
– 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.

Eric Fischer // Flickr

#38. Drilling and boring machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic

Anniston-Oxford-Jacksonville, AL
– Annual mean salary: $40,130
– #20 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 40

National
– Annual mean salary: $42,800
– Employment: 9,090
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI ($53,430)
— Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA ($53,370)
— Milwaukee-Waukesha-West Allis, WI ($48,180)
– Job description: Set up, operate, or tend drilling machines to drill, bore, ream, mill, or countersink metal or plastic work pieces.

LuckView // Shutterstock

#37. Cutting, punching, and press machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic

Anniston-Oxford-Jacksonville, AL
– Annual mean salary: $40,300
– #63 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 150

National
– Annual mean salary: $38,650
– Employment: 179,300
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Oshkosh-Neenah, WI ($50,080)
— Rome, GA ($49,580)
— Weirton-Steubenville, WV-OH ($49,140)
– Job description: Set up, operate, or tend machines to saw, cut, shear, slit, punch, crimp, notch, bend, or straighten metal or plastic material.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection // Wikimedia Commons

#36. Dispatchers, except police, fire, and ambulance

Anniston-Oxford-Jacksonville, AL
– Annual mean salary: $40,360
– #212 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 40

National
– Annual mean salary: $44,860
– Employment: 188,450
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with highest average pay:
— San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($64,710)
— Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($60,510)
— Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($58,920)
– Job description: Schedule and dispatch workers, work crews, equipment, or service vehicles for conveyance of materials, freight, or passengers, or for normal installation, service, or emergency repairs rendered outside the place of business. Duties may include using radio, telephone, or computer to transmit assignments and compiling statistics and reports on work progress.

You may also like: Where people in Anniston are moving to most

Avatar_023 // Shutterstock

#35. Water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators

Anniston-Oxford-Jacksonville, AL
– Annual mean salary: $40,600
– #297 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 50

National
– Annual mean salary: $51,890
– Employment: 119,380
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– 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.

Shift Drive // Shutterstock

#33 (tie). Computer user support specialists

Anniston-Oxford-Jacksonville, AL
– Annual mean salary: $41,260
– #364 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 100

National
– Annual mean salary: $57,000
– Employment: 634,820
– 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.

Canva

#33 (tie). Plating machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic

Anniston-Oxford-Jacksonville, AL
– Annual mean salary: $41,260
– #18 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 90

National
– Annual mean salary: $36,950
– Employment: 38,470
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($54,970)
— Reading, PA ($50,570)
— Ogden-Clearfield, UT ($49,680)
– Job description: Set up, operate, or tend plating machines to coat metal or plastic products with chromium, zinc, copper, cadmium, nickel, or other metal to protect or decorate surfaces. Typically, the product being coated is immersed in molten metal or an electrolytic solution.

U.S. Air Force photo // Airman 1st Class Greg Erwin

#32. Coating, painting, and spraying machine setters, operators, and tenders

Anniston-Oxford-Jacksonville, AL
– Annual mean salary: $41,720
– #134 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 150

National
– Annual mean salary: $42,140
– Employment: 137,510
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Bremerton-Silverdale, WA ($64,780)
— Portsmouth, NH-ME ($64,240)
— Harrisonburg, VA ($61,990)
– Job description: Set up, operate, or tend spraying or rolling machines to coat or paint any of a wide variety of products, including glassware, cloth, ceramics, metal, plastic, paper, or wood, with lacquer, silver, copper, rubber, varnish, glaze, enamel, oil, or rust-proofing materials. Includes painters of transportation vehicles such as painters in auto body repair facilities.

Daniel M Ernst // Shutterstock

#31. Eligibility interviewers, government programs

Anniston-Oxford-Jacksonville, AL
– Annual mean salary: $41,740
– #171 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 50

National
– Annual mean salary: $47,990
– Employment: 138,820
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with highest average pay:
— San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($81,300)
— San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($69,580)
— Napa, CA ($66,690)
– Job description: Determine eligibility of persons applying to receive assistance from government programs and agency resources, such as welfare, unemployment benefits, social security, and public housing.

You may also like: Most expensive homes for sale in Anniston

Dmitry Kalinovsky // Shutterstock

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

Anniston-Oxford-Jacksonville, AL
– Annual mean salary: $42,110
– #223 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 340

National
– Annual mean salary: $44,580
– Employment: 549,200
– 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.

Canva

#29. Computer numerically controlled tool operators

Anniston-Oxford-Jacksonville, AL
– Annual mean salary: $42,750
– #128 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 200

National
– Annual mean salary: $44,300
– Employment: 149,120
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($69,040)
— Waco, TX ($60,570)
— Springfield, MA-CT ($59,760)
– Job description: Operate computer-controlled tools, machines, or robots to machine or process parts, tools, or other work pieces made of metal, plastic, wood, stone, or other materials. May also set up and maintain equipment.

Needpix

#28. Crushing, grinding, and polishing machine setters, operators, and tenders

Anniston-Oxford-Jacksonville, AL
– Annual mean salary: $43,490
– #36 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 70

National
– Annual mean salary: $41,290
– Employment: 32,460
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH ($73,950)
— Farmington, NM ($56,560)
— Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($55,180)
– Job description: Set up, operate, or tend machines to crush, grind, or polish materials, such as coal, glass, grain, stone, food, or rubber.

Andrey_Popov // Shutterstock

#27. Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters

Anniston-Oxford-Jacksonville, AL
– Annual mean salary: $45,040
– #315 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 60

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

goodluz // Shutterstock

#26. Real estate sales agents

Anniston-Oxford-Jacksonville, AL
– Annual mean salary: $45,360
– #179 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: data not available

National
– Annual mean salary: $62,990
– Employment: 168,740
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– 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.

You may also like: Zip codes with the most expensive homes in Anniston metro area

Canva

#25. Painters, construction and maintenance

Anniston-Oxford-Jacksonville, AL
– Annual mean salary: $46,510
– #93 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 100

National
– Annual mean salary: $46,460
– Employment: 217,880
– Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
– Metros with highest average pay:
— San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($69,360)
— Salinas, CA ($64,630)
— Vallejo-Fairfield, CA ($63,070)
– Job description: Paint walls, equipment, buildings, bridges, and other structural surfaces, using brushes, rollers, and spray guns. May remove old paint to prepare surface prior to painting. May mix colors or oils to obtain desired color or consistency.

London Metropolitan Archives/Heritage Images // Getty Images

#24. Machinists

Anniston-Oxford-Jacksonville, AL
– Annual mean salary: $47,070
– #168 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 330

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

Hulton Archive // Getty Images

#23. Electricians

Anniston-Oxford-Jacksonville, AL
– Annual mean salary: $47,950
– #296 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 190

National
– Annual mean salary: $61,550
– Employment: 656,510
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– 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.

Pixabay

#22. Welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers

Anniston-Oxford-Jacksonville, AL
– Annual mean salary: $48,610
– #101 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 400

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

Oil and Gas Photographer // Shutterstock

#21. Control and valve installers and repairers, except mechanical door

Anniston-Oxford-Jacksonville, AL
– Annual mean salary: $49,130
– #138 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 60

National
– Annual mean salary: $62,400
– Employment: 50,660
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Santa Rosa, CA ($95,240)
— Madison, WI ($90,020)
— Salinas, CA ($87,650)
– Job description: Install, repair, and maintain mechanical regulating and controlling devices, such as electric meters, gas regulators, thermostats, safety and flow valves, and other mechanical governors.

You may also like: Highest-earning zip codes in Anniston metro area

G-Stock Studio // Shutterstock

#20. Production, planning, and expediting clerks

Anniston-Oxford-Jacksonville, AL
– Annual mean salary: $49,220
– #200 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 260

National
– Annual mean salary: $52,000
– Employment: 362,090
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– 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

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

Anniston-Oxford-Jacksonville, AL
– Annual mean salary: $49,820
– #352 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 340

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

Tim Goode/PA Images // Getty Images

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

Anniston-Oxford-Jacksonville, AL
– Annual mean salary: $50,080
– #325 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 100

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

sculpies // Shutterstock

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

Anniston-Oxford-Jacksonville, AL
– Annual mean salary: $50,280
– #383 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 150

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

welcomia // Shutterstock

#16. Mobile heavy equipment mechanics, except engines

Anniston-Oxford-Jacksonville, AL
– Annual mean salary: $52,170
– #194 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 680

National
– Annual mean salary: $57,000
– Employment: 147,680
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– 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.

You may also like: Cities with the fastest growing home prices in Anniston metro area

Erin Deleon // Shutterstock

#15. Postal service mail carriers

Anniston-Oxford-Jacksonville, AL
– Annual mean salary: $52,670
– #202 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 140

National
– Annual mean salary: $53,180
– Employment: 333,570
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– 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.

ryanivy308 // Pixabay

#14. Electrical and electronics repairers, commercial and industrial equipment

Anniston-Oxford-Jacksonville, AL
– Annual mean salary: $53,240
– #159 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 210

National
– Annual mean salary: $63,350
– Employment: 55,200
– Entry level education requirements: Postsecondary nondegree award
– Metros with highest average pay:
— San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($96,510)
— Jackson, TN ($92,200)
— Vallejo-Fairfield, CA ($86,640)
– Job description: Repair, test, adjust, or install electronic equipment, such as industrial controls, transmitters, and antennas.

Syda Productions // Shutterstock

#13. Executive secretaries and executive administrative assistants

Anniston-Oxford-Jacksonville, AL
– Annual mean salary: $53,970
– #227 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 50

National
– Annual mean salary: $65,230
– Employment: 503,390
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– 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.

SritanaN // Shutterstock

#12. Industrial machinery mechanics

Anniston-Oxford-Jacksonville, AL
– Annual mean salary: $54,360
– #218 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 270

National
– Annual mean salary: $57,350
– Employment: 385,980
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– 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.

Canva

#11. Computer numerically controlled tool programmers

Anniston-Oxford-Jacksonville, AL
– Annual mean salary: $54,490
– #85 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 50

National
– Annual mean salary: $61,010
– Employment: 25,530
– Entry level education requirements: Postsecondary nondegree award
– Metros with highest average pay:
— San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($98,330)
— Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($95,140)
— Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($85,480)
– Job description: Develop programs to control machining or processing of materials by automatic machine tools, equipment, or systems. May also set up, operate, or maintain equipment.

rlat // Shutterstock

#10. Postal service clerks

Anniston-Oxford-Jacksonville, AL
– Annual mean salary: $54,560
– #32 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 30

National
– Annual mean salary: $51,200
– Employment: 86,950
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– 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.

Jat306 // Shutterstock

#9. Millwrights

Anniston-Oxford-Jacksonville, AL
– Annual mean salary: $55,840
– #72 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 70

National
– Annual mean salary: $59,080
– Employment: 44,400
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Elmira, NY ($94,190)
— Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($90,570)
— San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($85,090)
– Job description: Install, dismantle, or move machinery and heavy equipment according to layout plans, blueprints, or other drawings.

g-stockstudio // Shutterstock

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

Anniston-Oxford-Jacksonville, AL
– Annual mean salary: $56,320
– #342 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 90

National
– Annual mean salary: $90,120
– Employment: 240,290
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– 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

Anniston-Oxford-Jacksonville, AL
– Annual mean salary: $57,000
– #225 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 60

National
– Annual mean salary: $69,100
– Employment: 409,950
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– 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.

Stock Rocket // Shutterstock

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

Anniston-Oxford-Jacksonville, AL
– Annual mean salary: $60,400
– #304 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 430

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

Stealth Communications // Wikimedia Commons

#5. Telecommunications equipment installers and repairers, except line installers

Anniston-Oxford-Jacksonville, AL
– Annual mean salary: $63,560
– #85 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 50

National
– Annual mean salary: $61,980
– Employment: 190,510
– Entry level education requirements: Postsecondary nondegree award
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Elmira, NY ($94,280)
— Springfield, MA-CT ($92,920)
— Fairbanks, AK ($87,940)
– Job description: Install, set up, rearrange, or remove switching, distribution, routing, and dialing equipment used in central offices or headends. Service or repair telephone, cable television, Internet, and other communications equipment on customers’ property. May install communications equipment or communications wiring in buildings.

U.S. Air Force

#4. First-line supervisors of firefighting and prevention workers

Anniston-Oxford-Jacksonville, AL
– Annual mean salary: $63,910
– #171 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: data not available

National
– Annual mean salary: $83,170
– Employment: 69,000
– Entry level education requirements: Postsecondary nondegree award
– Metros with highest average pay:
— San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($187,890)
— Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA ($181,340)
— San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($176,050)
– Job description: Directly supervise and coordinate activities of workers engaged in firefighting and fire prevention and control.

Oleg Golovnev // Shutterstock

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

Anniston-Oxford-Jacksonville, AL
– Annual mean salary: $67,230
– #144 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 310

National
– Annual mean salary: $66,800
– Employment: 599,900
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– 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.

4 PM production // Shutterstock

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

Anniston-Oxford-Jacksonville, AL
– Annual mean salary: $68,220
– #225 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 220

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

Paolo Bona // Shutterstock

#1. Food service managers

Anniston-Oxford-Jacksonville, AL
– Annual mean salary: $70,960
– #46 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 30

National
– Annual mean salary: $61,000
– Employment: 197,010
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– 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.