Highest-paying jobs in Burlington
Written by:
March 12, 2021
Grace Nichols // U.S. Air Force
Highest-paying jobs in Burlington
Stacker collected information on the highest-paying jobs in Burlington, NC, using data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Jobs are ranked by average annual salary with information up to date as of May 2019.
In Burlington, the annual mean wage is $40,370 or 24.5% lower than national mean of $53,490, while the highest-paying occupation makes $278,360. Read on to see which jobs make the list.

1 / 50
Paolo Bona // Shutterstock
#50. Food service managers
Burlington, NC
- Annual mean salary: $55,940
- #190 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 110
National
- Annual mean salary: $59,820
- Employment: 235,470
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Ocean City, NJ ($91,790)
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($90,830)
--- Kahului-Wailuku-Lahaina, HI ($89,760)
- Annual mean salary: $55,940
- #190 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 110
National
- Annual mean salary: $59,820
- Employment: 235,470
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Ocean City, NJ ($91,790)
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($90,830)
--- Kahului-Wailuku-Lahaina, HI ($89,760)

2 / 50
Rawpixel.com // Shutterstock
#49. Substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors
Burlington, NC
- Annual mean salary: $56,080
- #49 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 110
National
- Annual mean salary: $49,950
- Employment: 283,540
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Lewiston, ID-WA ($81,600)
--- Salt Lake City, UT ($76,710)
--- Reno, NV ($75,920)
- Annual mean salary: $56,080
- #49 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 110
National
- Annual mean salary: $49,950
- Employment: 283,540
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Lewiston, ID-WA ($81,600)
--- Salt Lake City, UT ($76,710)
--- Reno, NV ($75,920)

3 / 50
Mongta Studio // Shutterstock
#48. Cost estimators
Burlington, NC
- Annual mean salary: $56,420
- #324 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 110
National
- Annual mean salary: $71,350
- Employment: 210,000
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($98,960)
--- Vallejo-Fairfield, CA ($98,930)
--- Norwich-New London-Westerly, CT-RI ($93,350)
- Annual mean salary: $56,420
- #324 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 110
National
- Annual mean salary: $71,350
- Employment: 210,000
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($98,960)
--- Vallejo-Fairfield, CA ($98,930)
--- Norwich-New London-Westerly, CT-RI ($93,350)

4 / 50
Gorodenkoff // Shutterstock
#47. Commercial and industrial designers
Burlington, NC
- Annual mean salary: $57,130
- #95 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 70
National
- Annual mean salary: $73,820
- Employment: 32,770
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Durham-Chapel Hill, NC ($117,070)
--- Greensboro-High Point, NC ($96,760)
--- Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA ($91,480)
- Annual mean salary: $57,130
- #95 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 70
National
- Annual mean salary: $73,820
- Employment: 32,770
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Durham-Chapel Hill, NC ($117,070)
--- Greensboro-High Point, NC ($96,760)
--- Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA ($91,480)

5 / 50
Rido // Shutterstock
#45 (tie). Human resources specialists
Burlington, NC
- Annual mean salary: $57,210
- #259 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 180
National
- Annual mean salary: $67,760
- Employment: 633,040
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($89,820)
--- Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV ($87,670)
--- California-Lexington Park, MD ($86,700)
- Annual mean salary: $57,210
- #259 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 180
National
- Annual mean salary: $67,760
- Employment: 633,040
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($89,820)
--- Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV ($87,670)
--- California-Lexington Park, MD ($86,700)

6 / 50
sculpies // Shutterstock
#45 (tie). First-line supervisors of construction trades and extraction workers
Burlington, NC
- Annual mean salary: $57,210
- #336 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 370
National
- Annual mean salary: $71,440
- Employment: 626,180
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($108,140)
--- Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA ($104,640)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($99,580)
- Annual mean salary: $57,210
- #336 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 370
National
- Annual mean salary: $71,440
- Employment: 626,180
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($108,140)
--- Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA ($104,640)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($99,580)
7 / 50
Dmytro Zinkevych // Shutterstock
#44. Social and community service managers
Burlington, NC
- Annual mean salary: $57,230
- #323 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 40
National
- Annual mean salary: $72,900
- Employment: 156,460
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Trenton, NJ ($93,060)
--- Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV ($92,720)
--- Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA ($92,200)
- Annual mean salary: $57,230
- #323 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 40
National
- Annual mean salary: $72,900
- Employment: 156,460
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Trenton, NJ ($93,060)
--- Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV ($92,720)
--- Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA ($92,200)
8 / 50
ernestoeslava // Pixabay
#43. Compliance officers
Burlington, NC
- Annual mean salary: $57,630
- #294 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 50
National
- Annual mean salary: $72,850
- Employment: 317,600
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($103,530)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($93,740)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($92,960)
- Annual mean salary: $57,630
- #294 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 50
National
- Annual mean salary: $72,850
- Employment: 317,600
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($103,530)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($93,740)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($92,960)
9 / 50
Syda Productions // Shutterstock
#42. Executive secretaries and executive administrative assistants
Burlington, NC
- Annual mean salary: $58,240
- #118 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 110
National
- Annual mean salary: $62,920
- Employment: 542,690
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($85,420)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($82,480)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($82,240)
- Annual mean salary: $58,240
- #118 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 110
National
- Annual mean salary: $62,920
- Employment: 542,690
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($85,420)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($82,480)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($82,240)
10 / 50
Aleksandar Karanov // Shutterstock
#41. Occupational health and safety specialists
Burlington, NC
- Annual mean salary: $58,960
- #267 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 30
National
- Annual mean salary: $76,290
- Employment: 92,780
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($108,230)
--- Idaho Falls, ID ($99,020)
--- Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA ($97,560)
- Annual mean salary: $58,960
- #267 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 30
National
- Annual mean salary: $76,290
- Employment: 92,780
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($108,230)
--- Idaho Falls, ID ($99,020)
--- Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA ($97,560)

11 / 50
Pressmaster // Shutterstock
#40. Market research analysts and marketing specialists
Burlington, NC
- Annual mean salary: $60,250
- #161 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 80
National
- Annual mean salary: $71,570
- Employment: 678,500
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($98,640)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($94,410)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($91,350)
- Annual mean salary: $60,250
- #161 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 80
National
- Annual mean salary: $71,570
- Employment: 678,500
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($98,640)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($94,410)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($91,350)

12 / 50
rawpixel.com // Shutterstock
#39. Securities, commodities, and financial services sales agents
Burlington, NC
- Annual mean salary: $60,630
- #246 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 70
National
- Annual mean salary: $93,090
- Employment: 437,880
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($149,880)
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($148,960)
--- Owensboro, KY ($133,600)
- Annual mean salary: $60,630
- #246 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 70
National
- Annual mean salary: $93,090
- Employment: 437,880
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($149,880)
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($148,960)
--- Owensboro, KY ($133,600)
13 / 50
GaudiLab // Shutterstock
#38. Librarians and media collections specialists
Burlington, NC
- Annual mean salary: $61,200
- #119 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 40
National
- Annual mean salary: $61,920
- Employment: 135,690
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles-Arroyo Grande, CA ($89,880)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($89,390)
--- Merced, CA ($87,800)
- Annual mean salary: $61,200
- #119 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 40
National
- Annual mean salary: $61,920
- Employment: 135,690
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles-Arroyo Grande, CA ($89,880)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($89,390)
--- Merced, CA ($87,800)

14 / 50
Rawpixel.com //Shutterstock
#37. Web developers and digital interface designers
Burlington, NC
- Annual mean salary: $61,530
- #131 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 70
National
- Annual mean salary: $82,370
- Employment: 148,340
- Entry level education requirements: Associate’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($138,600)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($110,790)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($102,250)
- Annual mean salary: $61,530
- #131 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 70
National
- Annual mean salary: $82,370
- Employment: 148,340
- Entry level education requirements: Associate’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($138,600)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($110,790)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($102,250)

15 / 50
U.S. Air Force
#36. First-line supervisors of firefighting and prevention workers
Burlington, NC
- Annual mean salary: $61,670
- #172 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 40
National
- Annual mean salary: $82,010
- Employment: 69,590
- Entry level education requirements: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA ($180,200)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($179,350)
--- Vallejo-Fairfield, CA ($170,570)
- Annual mean salary: $61,670
- #172 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 40
National
- Annual mean salary: $82,010
- Employment: 69,590
- Entry level education requirements: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA ($180,200)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($179,350)
--- Vallejo-Fairfield, CA ($170,570)
16 / 50
Canva
#35. Speech-language pathologists
Burlington, NC
- Annual mean salary: $61,920
- #334 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 40
National
- Annual mean salary: $82,000
- Employment: 154,360
- Entry level education requirements: Master’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($117,710)
--- Corvallis, OR ($105,380)
--- Chico, CA ($104,640)
- Annual mean salary: $61,920
- #334 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 40
National
- Annual mean salary: $82,000
- Employment: 154,360
- Entry level education requirements: Master’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($117,710)
--- Corvallis, OR ($105,380)
--- Chico, CA ($104,640)

17 / 50
4 PM production // Shutterstock
#34. First-line supervisors of mechanics, installers, and repairers
Burlington, NC
- Annual mean salary: $62,010
- #305 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 220
National
- Annual mean salary: $70,550
- Employment: 485,700
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($94,180)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($89,740)
--- Fairbanks, AK ($88,950)
- Annual mean salary: $62,010
- #305 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 220
National
- Annual mean salary: $70,550
- Employment: 485,700
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($94,180)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($89,740)
--- Fairbanks, AK ($88,950)

18 / 50
comzeal images // Shutterstock
#33. Loan officers
Burlington, NC
- Annual mean salary: $64,870
- #257 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 70
National
- Annual mean salary: $76,200
- Employment: 308,370
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Stockton-Lodi, CA ($117,330)
--- Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA ($113,480)
--- Yuba City, CA ($113,340)
- Annual mean salary: $64,870
- #257 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 70
National
- Annual mean salary: $76,200
- Employment: 308,370
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Stockton-Lodi, CA ($117,330)
--- Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA ($113,480)
--- Yuba City, CA ($113,340)
19 / 50
David Bibo // Wikimedia Commons
#32. Education administrators, kindergarten through secondary
Burlington, NC
- Annual mean salary: $66,540
- #364 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 160
National
- Annual mean salary: $100,340
- Employment: 271,020
- Entry level education requirements: Master’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Modesto, CA ($150,080)
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($143,890)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($138,820)
- Annual mean salary: $66,540
- #364 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 160
National
- Annual mean salary: $100,340
- Employment: 271,020
- Entry level education requirements: Master’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Modesto, CA ($150,080)
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($143,890)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($138,820)

20 / 50
Wikimedia Commons
#31. Clinical, counseling, and school psychologists
Burlington, NC
- Annual mean salary: $71,530
- #205 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 40
National
- Annual mean salary: $87,450
- Employment: 113,270
- Entry level education requirements: Doctoral or professional degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Santa Rosa, CA ($136,390)
--- Jefferson City, MO ($118,920)
--- Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA ($117,960)
- Annual mean salary: $71,530
- #205 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 40
National
- Annual mean salary: $87,450
- Employment: 113,270
- Entry level education requirements: Doctoral or professional degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Santa Rosa, CA ($136,390)
--- Jefferson City, MO ($118,920)
--- Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA ($117,960)

21 / 50
Stealth Communications // Wikimedia Commons
#30. Telecommunications equipment installers and repairers, except line installers
Burlington, NC
- Annual mean salary: $72,000
- #19 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 100
National
- Annual mean salary: $58,560
- Employment: 208,480
- Entry level education requirements: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- New Bedford, MA ($92,790)
--- Kahului-Wailuku-Lahaina, HI ($90,010)
--- Springfield, MA-CT ($85,890)
- Annual mean salary: $72,000
- #19 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 100
National
- Annual mean salary: $58,560
- Employment: 208,480
- Entry level education requirements: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- New Bedford, MA ($92,790)
--- Kahului-Wailuku-Lahaina, HI ($90,010)
--- Springfield, MA-CT ($85,890)
22 / 50
Aykut Erdogdu // Shutterstock
#29. Physical therapists
Burlington, NC
- Annual mean salary: $72,830
- #368 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 90
National
- Annual mean salary: $90,170
- Employment: 233,350
- Entry level education requirements: Doctoral or professional degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Yuba City, CA ($116,360)
--- Bakersfield, CA ($116,120)
--- Las Vegas-Henderson-Paradise, NV ($113,950)
- Annual mean salary: $72,830
- #368 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 90
National
- Annual mean salary: $90,170
- Employment: 233,350
- Entry level education requirements: Doctoral or professional degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Yuba City, CA ($116,360)
--- Bakersfield, CA ($116,120)
--- Las Vegas-Henderson-Paradise, NV ($113,950)

23 / 50
fizkes // Shutterstock
#28. Management analysts
Burlington, NC
- Annual mean salary: $72,950
- #298 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 40
National
- Annual mean salary: $95,560
- Employment: 709,750
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Dothan, AL ($132,090)
--- Daphne-Fairhope-Foley, AL ($127,750)
--- Barnstable Town, MA ($127,570)
- Annual mean salary: $72,950
- #298 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 40
National
- Annual mean salary: $95,560
- Employment: 709,750
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Dothan, AL ($132,090)
--- Daphne-Fairhope-Foley, AL ($127,750)
--- Barnstable Town, MA ($127,570)

24 / 50
Stock Rocket // Shutterstock
#27. Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products
Burlington, NC
- Annual mean salary: $73,390
- #76 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 450
National
- Annual mean salary: $71,110
- Employment: 1,344,530
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Santa Fe, NM ($94,880)
--- Kingston, NY ($91,660)
--- Portsmouth, NH-ME ($90,850)
- Annual mean salary: $73,390
- #76 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 450
National
- Annual mean salary: $71,110
- Employment: 1,344,530
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Santa Fe, NM ($94,880)
--- Kingston, NY ($91,660)
--- Portsmouth, NH-ME ($90,850)
25 / 50
Canva
#26. First-line supervisors of police and detectives
Burlington, NC
- Annual mean salary: $74,210
- #235 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 60
National
- Annual mean salary: $94,950
- Employment: 121,340
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($189,800)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($180,940)
--- Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA ($178,670)
- Annual mean salary: $74,210
- #235 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 60
National
- Annual mean salary: $94,950
- Employment: 121,340
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($189,800)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($180,940)
--- Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA ($178,670)
26 / 50
Canva
#25. Civil engineers
Burlington, NC
- Annual mean salary: $74,580
- #313 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 50
National
- Annual mean salary: $94,360
- Employment: 310,850
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($120,110)
--- Midland, TX ($117,900)
--- Naples-Immokalee-Marco Island, FL ($117,200)
- Annual mean salary: $74,580
- #313 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 50
National
- Annual mean salary: $94,360
- Employment: 310,850
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($120,110)
--- Midland, TX ($117,900)
--- Naples-Immokalee-Marco Island, FL ($117,200)
27 / 50
ImageFlow // Shutterstock
#24. Accountants and auditors
Burlington, NC
- Annual mean salary: $76,150
- #84 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 260
National
- Annual mean salary: $79,520
- Employment: 1,280,700
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($102,090)
--- Salinas, CA ($97,640)
--- Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV ($95,570)
- Annual mean salary: $76,150
- #84 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 260
National
- Annual mean salary: $79,520
- Employment: 1,280,700
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($102,090)
--- Salinas, CA ($97,640)
--- Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV ($95,570)
28 / 50
Canva
#23. Dental hygienists
Burlington, NC
- Annual mean salary: $77,090
- #113 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 130
National
- Annual mean salary: $77,230
- Employment: 221,560
- Entry level education requirements: Associate’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA ($140,150)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($120,420)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($113,940)
- Annual mean salary: $77,090
- #113 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 130
National
- Annual mean salary: $77,230
- Employment: 221,560
- Entry level education requirements: Associate’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA ($140,150)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($120,420)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($113,940)

29 / 50
g-stockstudio // Shutterstock
#22. First-line supervisors of non-retail sales workers
Burlington, NC
- Annual mean salary: $79,740
- #141 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 50
National
- Annual mean salary: $86,180
- Employment: 249,090
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Durham-Chapel Hill, NC ($116,640)
--- Raleigh, NC ($112,570)
--- Lake Charles, LA ($110,260)
- Annual mean salary: $79,740
- #141 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 50
National
- Annual mean salary: $86,180
- Employment: 249,090
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Durham-Chapel Hill, NC ($116,640)
--- Raleigh, NC ($112,570)
--- Lake Charles, LA ($110,260)

30 / 50
Canva
#21. Sales managers
Burlington, NC
- Annual mean salary: $81,510
- #361 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 40
National
- Annual mean salary: $141,690
- Employment: 402,600
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($195,220)
--- Trenton, NJ ($178,020)
--- Portsmouth, NH-ME ($175,500)
- Annual mean salary: $81,510
- #361 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 40
National
- Annual mean salary: $141,690
- Employment: 402,600
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($195,220)
--- Trenton, NJ ($178,020)
--- Portsmouth, NH-ME ($175,500)

31 / 50
Stock Rocket // Shutterstock
#20. Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, technical and scientific products
Burlington, NC
- Annual mean salary: $82,030
- #170 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 60
National
- Annual mean salary: $92,980
- Employment: 306,980
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Durham-Chapel Hill, NC ($136,780)
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($128,380)
--- Casper, WY ($125,850)
- Annual mean salary: $82,030
- #170 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 60
National
- Annual mean salary: $92,980
- Employment: 306,980
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Durham-Chapel Hill, NC ($136,780)
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($128,380)
--- Casper, WY ($125,850)

32 / 50
Canva
#19. Computer systems analysts
Burlington, NC
- Annual mean salary: $82,990
- #168 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 140
National
- Annual mean salary: $96,160
- Employment: 589,060
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($122,990)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($121,300)
--- Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX ($119,540)
- Annual mean salary: $82,990
- #168 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 140
National
- Annual mean salary: $96,160
- Employment: 589,060
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($122,990)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($121,300)
--- Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX ($119,540)

33 / 50
Roman Samborskyi // Shutterstock
#18. Software developers and software quality assurance analysts and testers
Burlington, NC
- Annual mean salary: $83,840
- #268 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 90
National
- Annual mean salary: $111,620
- Employment: 1,406,870
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($145,730)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($145,250)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($134,090)
- Annual mean salary: $83,840
- #268 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 90
National
- Annual mean salary: $111,620
- Employment: 1,406,870
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($145,730)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($145,250)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($134,090)
34 / 50
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
#17. Industrial engineers
Burlington, NC
- Annual mean salary: $83,980
- #197 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 130
National
- Annual mean salary: $92,660
- Employment: 291,710
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX ($131,850)
--- Billings, MT ($124,350)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($121,940)
- Annual mean salary: $83,980
- #197 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 130
National
- Annual mean salary: $92,660
- Employment: 291,710
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX ($131,850)
--- Billings, MT ($124,350)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($121,940)
35 / 50
Canva
#16. Mechanical engineers
Burlington, NC
- Annual mean salary: $84,120
- #196 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 140
National
- Annual mean salary: $93,540
- Employment: 306,990
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($125,640)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($123,270)
--- Lake Charles, LA ($120,950)
- Annual mean salary: $84,120
- #196 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 140
National
- Annual mean salary: $93,540
- Employment: 306,990
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($125,640)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($123,270)
--- Lake Charles, LA ($120,950)
36 / 50
Dragon Images // Shutterstock
#15. Insurance underwriters
Burlington, NC
- Annual mean salary: $91,740
- #8 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 50
National
- Annual mean salary: $77,640
- Employment: 100,050
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($114,370)
--- Rapid City, SD ($112,670)
--- Durham-Chapel Hill, NC ($110,470)
- Annual mean salary: $91,740
- #8 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 50
National
- Annual mean salary: $77,640
- Employment: 100,050
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($114,370)
--- Rapid City, SD ($112,670)
--- Durham-Chapel Hill, NC ($110,470)
37 / 50
USACE NY // Flickr
#14. Construction managers
Burlington, NC
- Annual mean salary: $93,530
- #187 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 70
National
- Annual mean salary: $105,000
- Employment: 293,380
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Vineland-Bridgeton, NJ ($160,500)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($148,140)
--- Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ ($146,820)
- Annual mean salary: $93,530
- #187 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 70
National
- Annual mean salary: $105,000
- Employment: 293,380
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Vineland-Bridgeton, NJ ($160,500)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($148,140)
--- Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ ($146,820)
38 / 50
Financial Times // Wikimedia Commons
#13. Personal financial advisors
Burlington, NC
- Annual mean salary: $97,390
- #149 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 40
National
- Annual mean salary: $119,290
- Employment: 210,190
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Montgomery, AL ($178,100)
--- Santa Fe, NM ($173,970)
--- San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles-Arroyo Grande, CA ($171,370)
- Annual mean salary: $97,390
- #149 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 40
National
- Annual mean salary: $119,290
- Employment: 210,190
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Montgomery, AL ($178,100)
--- Santa Fe, NM ($173,970)
--- San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles-Arroyo Grande, CA ($171,370)
39 / 50
TopRank Online Marketing // Flickr
#12. Marketing managers
Burlington, NC
- Annual mean salary: $98,160
- #241 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 50
National
- Annual mean salary: $149,200
- Employment: 263,680
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($199,710)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($188,810)
--- Boulder, CO ($183,460)
- Annual mean salary: $98,160
- #241 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 50
National
- Annual mean salary: $149,200
- Employment: 263,680
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($199,710)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($188,810)
--- Boulder, CO ($183,460)

40 / 50
Jacob Lund // Shutterstock
#11. Human resources managers
Burlington, NC
- Annual mean salary: $99,620
- #242 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 30
National
- Annual mean salary: $129,570
- Employment: 154,800
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($196,900)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($174,390)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($170,070)
- Annual mean salary: $99,620
- #242 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 30
National
- Annual mean salary: $129,570
- Employment: 154,800
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($196,900)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($174,390)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($170,070)
41 / 50
Ohiodominican // Wikimedia Commons
#10. Physician assistants
Burlington, NC
- Annual mean salary: $101,970
- #240 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 60
National
- Annual mean salary: $112,410
- Employment: 120,090
- Entry level education requirements: Master’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Salinas, CA ($161,370)
--- Leominster-Gardner, MA ($156,250)
--- Waterbury, CT ($154,550)
- Annual mean salary: $101,970
- #240 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 60
National
- Annual mean salary: $112,410
- Employment: 120,090
- Entry level education requirements: Master’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Salinas, CA ($161,370)
--- Leominster-Gardner, MA ($156,250)
--- Waterbury, CT ($154,550)

42 / 50
Sunshine Seeds // Shutterstock
#9. Industrial production managers
Burlington, NC
- Annual mean salary: $103,320
- #248 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 140
National
- Annual mean salary: $115,110
- Employment: 185,790
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Florence, SC ($158,000)
--- Boulder, CO ($149,990)
--- Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX ($149,500)
- Annual mean salary: $103,320
- #248 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 140
National
- Annual mean salary: $115,110
- Employment: 185,790
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Florence, SC ($158,000)
--- Boulder, CO ($149,990)
--- Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX ($149,500)

43 / 50
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
#8. Nurse practitioners
Burlington, NC
- Annual mean salary: $103,350
- #250 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 50
National
- Annual mean salary: $111,840
- Employment: 200,600
- Entry level education requirements: Master’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Vallejo-Fairfield, CA ($175,060)
--- Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA ($160,110)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($157,150)
- Annual mean salary: $103,350
- #250 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 50
National
- Annual mean salary: $111,840
- Employment: 200,600
- Entry level education requirements: Master’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Vallejo-Fairfield, CA ($175,060)
--- Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA ($160,110)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($157,150)
44 / 50
Rappaport Center // Wikimedia Commons
#7. Lawyers
Burlington, NC
- Annual mean salary: $111,560
- #171 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 70
National
- Annual mean salary: $145,300
- Employment: 657,170
- Entry level education requirements: Doctoral or professional degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($218,420)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($188,910)
--- Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV ($179,590)
- Annual mean salary: $111,560
- #171 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 70
National
- Annual mean salary: $145,300
- Employment: 657,170
- Entry level education requirements: Doctoral or professional degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($218,420)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($188,910)
--- Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV ($179,590)

45 / 50
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
#6. Medical and health services managers
Burlington, NC
- Annual mean salary: $113,590
- #114 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 150
National
- Annual mean salary: $115,160
- Employment: 394,910
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA ($163,280)
--- Vallejo-Fairfield, CA ($159,190)
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($154,570)
- Annual mean salary: $113,590
- #114 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 150
National
- Annual mean salary: $115,160
- Employment: 394,910
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA ($163,280)
--- Vallejo-Fairfield, CA ($159,190)
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($154,570)
46 / 50
Grace Nichols // U.S. Air Force
#5. Pharmacists
Burlington, NC
- Annual mean salary: $118,080
- #307 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 100
National
- Annual mean salary: $125,510
- Employment: 311,200
- Entry level education requirements: Doctoral or professional degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Tyler, TX ($161,790)
--- Vallejo-Fairfield, CA ($158,250)
--- Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA ($157,850)
- Annual mean salary: $118,080
- #307 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 100
National
- Annual mean salary: $125,510
- Employment: 311,200
- Entry level education requirements: Doctoral or professional degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Tyler, TX ($161,790)
--- Vallejo-Fairfield, CA ($158,250)
--- Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA ($157,850)
47 / 50
Pixabay
#4. General and operations managers
Burlington, NC
- Annual mean salary: $123,220
- #75 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 840
National
- Annual mean salary: $123,030
- Employment: 2,400,280
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($189,060)
--- Trenton, NJ ($173,050)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($167,160)
- Annual mean salary: $123,220
- #75 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 840
National
- Annual mean salary: $123,030
- Employment: 2,400,280
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($189,060)
--- Trenton, NJ ($173,050)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($167,160)

48 / 50
Canva
#3. Financial managers
Burlington, NC
- Annual mean salary: $124,890
- #159 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 80
National
- Annual mean salary: $147,530
- Employment: 654,790
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($208,770)
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($203,430)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($182,190)
- Annual mean salary: $124,890
- #159 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 80
National
- Annual mean salary: $147,530
- Employment: 654,790
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($208,770)
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($203,430)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($182,190)
49 / 50
Maurizio Pesce // flickr
#2. Chief executives
Burlington, NC
- Annual mean salary: $158,900
- #224 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 40
National
- Annual mean salary: $193,850
- Employment: 205,890
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($270,040)
--- Sioux Falls, SD ($264,330)
--- Midland, TX ($258,760)
- Annual mean salary: $158,900
- #224 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 40
National
- Annual mean salary: $193,850
- Employment: 205,890
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($270,040)
--- Sioux Falls, SD ($264,330)
--- Midland, TX ($258,760)
50 / 50
Canva
#1. Dentists, general
Burlington, NC
- Annual mean salary: $278,360
- #1 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 40
National
- Annual mean salary: $178,260
- Employment: 110,730
- Entry level education requirements: Doctoral or professional degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Burlington, NC ($278,360)
--- Burlington-South Burlington, VT ($275,430)
--- Longview, TX ($272,440)
- Annual mean salary: $278,360
- #1 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 40
National
- Annual mean salary: $178,260
- Employment: 110,730
- Entry level education requirements: Doctoral or professional degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Burlington, NC ($278,360)
--- Burlington-South Burlington, VT ($275,430)
--- Longview, TX ($272,440)



