Flamingo Images // Shutterstock

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

You may also like: 100 Highest paying jobs in America

welcomia // Shutterstock

#50. Mobile heavy equipment mechanics, except engines

Mobile, AL
– Annual mean salary: $48,690
– #264 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 450

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.

LuckView // Shutterstock

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

Mobile, AL
– Annual mean salary: $48,750
– #5 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 330

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.

Canva

#48. Tank car, truck, and ship loaders

Mobile, AL
– Annual mean salary: $49,570
– #10 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 240

National
– Annual mean salary: $50,670
– Employment: 12,610
– Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Pittsburgh, PA ($63,710)
— San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($62,180)
— Memphis, TN-MS-AR ($57,170)
– Job description: Load and unload chemicals and bulk solids, such as coal, sand, and grain, into or from tank cars, trucks, or ships, using material moving equipment. May perform a variety of other tasks relating to shipment of products. May gauge or sample shipping tanks and test them for leaks.

Hulton Archive // Getty Images

#47. Electricians

Mobile, AL
– Annual mean salary: $49,800
– #270 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 1,880

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.

London Metropolitan Archives/Heritage Images // Getty Images

#46. Machinists

Mobile, AL
– Annual mean salary: $50,020
– #98 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 570

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.

Canva

#45. Automotive body and related repairers

Mobile, AL
– Annual mean salary: $50,050
– #117 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 200

National
– Annual mean salary: $49,430
– Employment: 137,120
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– 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.

Marcin Wichary // Wikicommons

#44. Grinding, lapping, polishing, and buffing machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic

Mobile, AL
– Annual mean salary: $50,100
– #5 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 40

National
– Annual mean salary: $38,800
– Employment: 69,570
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Charleston-North Charleston, SC ($67,290)
— New Orleans-Metairie, LA ($63,490)
— Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($52,460)
– Job description: Set up, operate, or tend grinding and related tools that remove excess material or burrs from surfaces, sharpen edges or corners, or buff, hone, or polish metal or plastic work pieces.

Pixabay

#43. Surveying and mapping technicians

Mobile, AL
– Annual mean salary: $50,120
– #81 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 60

National
– Annual mean salary: $49,770
– Employment: 53,370
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– 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.

U.S. Air Force

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

Mobile, AL
– Annual mean salary: $51,130
– #226 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 140

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.

rlat // Shutterstock

#41. Postal service clerks

Mobile, AL
– Annual mean salary: $51,780
– #171 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 90

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.

Indypendenz // Shutterstock

#40. Postal service mail sorters, processors, and processing machine operators

Mobile, AL
– Annual mean salary: $52,330
– #36 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 140

National
– Annual mean salary: $51,440
– Employment: 105,400
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– 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

#39. Welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers

Mobile, AL
– Annual mean salary: $52,460
– #52 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 1,600

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.

Unsplash

#38. Crane and tower operators

Mobile, AL
– Annual mean salary: $52,490
– #89 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 360

National
– Annual mean salary: $64,010
– Employment: 44,060
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with highest average pay:
— San Diego-Carlsbad, CA ($89,250)
— Urban Honolulu, HI ($84,670)
— Vallejo-Fairfield, CA ($84,410)
– Job description: Operate mechanical boom and cable or tower and cable equipment to lift and move materials, machines, or products in many directions.

Canva

#37. Electric motor, power tool, and related repairers

Mobile, AL
– Annual mean salary: $52,590
– #21 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 40

National
– Annual mean salary: $49,250
– Employment: 15,380
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI ($79,090)
— San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($70,180)
— Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($66,910)
– Job description: Repair, maintain, or install electric motors, wiring, or switches.

Erin Deleon // Shutterstock

#36. Postal service mail carriers

Mobile, AL
– Annual mean salary: $52,950
– #159 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 400

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.

Jat306 // Shutterstock

#35. Millwrights

Mobile, AL
– Annual mean salary: $53,800
– #92 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 60

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.

Dmitry Kalinovsky // Shutterstock

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

Mobile, AL
– Annual mean salary: $54,110
– #27 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 600

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.

LStockStudio // Shutterstock

#33. Brokerage clerks

Mobile, AL
– Annual mean salary: $54,280
– #54 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: data not available

National
– Annual mean salary: $58,460
– Employment: 44,720
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($75,240)
— New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($73,770)
— San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($69,860)
– Job description: Perform duties related to the purchase, sale, or holding of securities. Duties include writing orders for stock purchases or sales, computing transfer taxes, verifying stock transactions, accepting and delivering securities, tracking stock price fluctuations, computing equity, distributing dividends, and keeping records of daily transactions and holdings.

GaudiLab // Shutterstock

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

Mobile, AL
– Annual mean salary: $55,810
– #223 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 2,090

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.

Paolo Bona // Shutterstock

#31. Food service managers

Mobile, AL
– Annual mean salary: $56,220
– #211 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 160

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.

G-Stock Studio // Shutterstock

#30. Production, planning, and expediting clerks

Mobile, AL
– Annual mean salary: $58,150
– #30 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 220

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.

SritanaN // Shutterstock

#29. Industrial machinery mechanics

Mobile, AL
– Annual mean salary: $58,470
– #120 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 1,380

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

#28. Construction and building inspectors

Mobile, AL
– Annual mean salary: $58,660
– #164 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 150

National
– Annual mean salary: $66,470
– Employment: 113,770
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– 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.

Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

#27. Lodging managers

Mobile, AL
– Annual mean salary: $58,990
– #86 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 60

National
– Annual mean salary: $65,270
– Employment: 31,790
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY ($108,990)
— Reno, NV ($106,060)
— San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($105,560)
– Job description: Plan, direct, or coordinate activities of an organization or department that provides lodging and other accommodations.

Canva

#26. Boilermakers

Mobile, AL
– Annual mean salary: $59,080
– #26 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 50

National
– Annual mean salary: $67,430
– Employment: 14,020
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with highest average pay:
— New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($103,050)
— Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD ($87,180)
— San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($87,050)
– Job description: Construct, assemble, maintain, and repair stationary steam boilers and boiler house auxiliaries. Align structures or plate sections to assemble boiler frame tanks or vats, following blueprints. Work involves use of hand and power tools, plumb bobs, levels, wedges, dogs, or turnbuckles. Assist in testing assembled vessels. Direct cleaning of boilers and boiler furnaces. Inspect and repair boiler fittings, such as safety valves, regulators, automatic-control mechanisms, water columns, and auxiliary machines.

Wipas Rojjanakard // Shutterstock

#25. Occupational health and safety technicians

Mobile, AL
– Annual mean salary: $59,360
– #49 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 40

National
– Annual mean salary: $57,870
– Employment: 20,950
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH ($80,790)
— Knoxville, TN ($77,510)
— Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA ($76,950)
– Job description: Collect data on work environments for analysis by occupational health and safety specialists. Implement and conduct evaluation of programs designed to limit chemical, physical, biological, and ergonomic risks to workers.

Tim Goode/PA Images // Getty Images

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

Mobile, AL
– Annual mean salary: $59,920
– #206 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 940

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.

First Class Photography // Shutterstock

#23. Aircraft structure, surfaces, rigging, and systems assemblers

Mobile, AL
– Annual mean salary: $59,990
– #2 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: data not available

National
– Annual mean salary: $55,510
– Employment: 38,460
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX ($71,150)
— Mobile, AL ($59,990)
— Sacramento–Roseville–Arden-Arcade, CA ($59,790)
– Job description: Assemble, fit, fasten, and install parts of airplanes, space vehicles, or missiles, such as tails, wings, fuselage, bulkheads, stabilizers, landing gear, rigging and control equipment, or heating and ventilating systems.

Pandu Agus Wismoyo // Unsplash

#22. Aircraft mechanics and service technicians

Mobile, AL
– Annual mean salary: $60,310
– #113 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 150

National
– Annual mean salary: $69,040
– Employment: 128,300
– Entry level education requirements: Postsecondary nondegree award
– Metros with highest average pay:
— McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX ($95,680)
— Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($89,710)
— Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO ($87,830)
– Job description: Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul aircraft engines and assemblies, such as hydraulic and pneumatic systems.

Dmitry Kalinovsky // Shutterstock

#21. Chemical equipment operators and tenders

Mobile, AL
– Annual mean salary: $61,470
– #19 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 530

National
– Annual mean salary: $53,330
– Employment: 93,060
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Billings, MT ($77,010)
— Hattiesburg, MS ($73,780)
— Baton Rouge, LA ($71,630)
– Job description: Operate or tend equipment to control chemical changes or reactions in the processing of industrial or consumer products. Equipment used includes devulcanizers, steam-jacketed kettles, and reactor vessels.

Oil and Gas Photographer // Shutterstock

#20. Petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers

Mobile, AL
– Annual mean salary: $61,820
– #48 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 180

National
– Annual mean salary: $77,610
– Employment: 40,480
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA ($96,510)
— Billings, MT ($95,130)
— San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($92,800)
– Job description: Operate or control petroleum refining or processing units. May specialize in controlling manifold and pumping systems, gauging or testing oil in storage tanks, or regulating the flow of oil into pipelines.

Syda Productions // Shutterstock

#19. Executive secretaries and executive administrative assistants

Mobile, AL
– Annual mean salary: $61,890
– #94 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 230

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.

Stealth Communications // Wikimedia Commons

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

Mobile, AL
– Annual mean salary: $62,700
– #97 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 460

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.

4 PM production // Shutterstock

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

Mobile, AL
– Annual mean salary: $64,300
– #304 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 990

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.

sculpies // Shutterstock

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

Mobile, AL
– Annual mean salary: $66,130
– #217 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 1,410

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.

Stock Rocket // Shutterstock

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

Mobile, AL
– Annual mean salary: $69,430
– #159 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 2,050

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.

Aniwat phromrungsee // Shutterstock

#14. Commercial divers

Mobile, AL
– Annual mean salary: $69,930
– #6 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 30

National
– Annual mean salary: $71,850
– Employment: 3,460
– Entry level education requirements: Postsecondary nondegree award
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA ($182,340)
— Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA ($112,310)
— New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($77,070)
– Job description: Work below surface of water, using surface-supplied air or scuba equipment to inspect, repair, remove, or install equipment and structures. May use a variety of power and hand tools, such as drills, sledgehammers, torches, and welding equipment. May conduct tests or experiments, rig explosives, or photograph structures or marine life.

ryanivy308 // Pixabay

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

Mobile, AL
– Annual mean salary: $70,360
– #37 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 130

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.

Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

#12. Claims adjusters, examiners, and investigators

Mobile, AL
– Annual mean salary: $70,830
– #115 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 610

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

Skycolors // Shutterstock

#11. Commercial pilots

Mobile, AL
– Annual mean salary: $72,600
– #100 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 50

National
– Annual mean salary: $110,830
– Employment: 37,120
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– 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.

Oleg Golovnev // Shutterstock

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

Mobile, AL
– Annual mean salary: $75,060
– #43 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 1,080

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.

Luisa Leal Photography // Shutterstock

#9. Electrical power-line installers and repairers

Mobile, AL
– Annual mean salary: $75,180
– #106 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 180

National
– Annual mean salary: $74,410
– Employment: 114,930
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– 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.

Igor Kardasov // Shutterstock

#8. Captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels

Mobile, AL
– Annual mean salary: $75,420
– #28 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 90

National
– Annual mean salary: $89,740
– Employment: 27,590
– Entry level education requirements: Postsecondary nondegree award
– Metros with highest average pay:
— New Orleans-Metairie, LA ($122,730)
— Baton Rouge, LA ($111,530)
— Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN ($111,140)
– Job description: Command or supervise operations of ships and water vessels, such as tugboats and ferryboats. Required to hold license issued by U.S. Coast Guard.

Canva

#7. Chemical plant and system operators

Mobile, AL
– Annual mean salary: $76,270
– #4 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 610

National
– Annual mean salary: $65,460
– Employment: 29,710
– 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.

Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

#6. Insurance sales agents

Mobile, AL
– Annual mean salary: $76,290
– #54 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 540

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.

Prath // Shutterstock

#5. Detectives and criminal investigators

Mobile, AL
– Annual mean salary: $79,730
– #147 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 150

National
– Annual mean salary: $89,300
– Employment: 105,980
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– 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.

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#4. First-line supervisors of police and detectives

Mobile, AL
– Annual mean salary: $87,750
– #176 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 70

National
– Annual mean salary: $97,180
– Employment: 122,310
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– 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.

Canva

#3. Transportation inspectors

Mobile, AL
– Annual mean salary: $91,880
– #21 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: data not available

National
– Annual mean salary: $81,320
– Employment: 27,360
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Portland-South Portland, ME ($119,270)
— Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($117,900)
— Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA ($104,370)
– Job description: Inspect equipment or goods in connection with the safe transport of cargo or people. Includes rail transportation inspectors, such as freight inspectors, rail inspectors, and other inspectors of transportation vehicles not elsewhere classified.

g-stockstudio // Shutterstock

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

Mobile, AL
– Annual mean salary: $95,790
– #52 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 330

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.

Kelly Ogden // Wikimedia Commons

#1. Transportation, storage, and distribution managers

Mobile, AL
– Annual mean salary: $105,910
– #68 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 160

National
– Annual mean salary: $105,100
– Employment: 132,210
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– 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.