Highest-paying jobs in Houston
Highest-paying jobs in Houston
Stacker collected information on the highest-paying jobs in Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX, 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 2020. Job descriptions are from O*NET.
In Houston, the annual mean wage is $55,950 or 0.6% lower than national mean of $56,310, while the highest-paying occupation makes $260,450. Read on to see which jobs make the list.
#50. Electrical engineers
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
- Annual mean salary: $113,590
- #34 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 4,760
National
- Annual mean salary: $105,990
- Employment: 185,220
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($150,480)
--- Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV ($130,150)
--- Idaho Falls, ID ($125,700)
- Job description: Research, design, develop, test, or supervise the manufacturing and installation of electrical equipment, components, or systems for commercial, industrial, military, or scientific use.
#49. Medical and health services managers
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
- Annual mean salary: $114,040
- #148 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 8,770
National
- Annual mean salary: $118,800
- Employment: 402,540
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Vallejo-Fairfield, CA ($174,010)
--- Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA ($171,430)
--- Madera, CA ($168,090)
- Job description: Plan, direct, or coordinate medical and health services in hospitals, clinics, managed care organizations, public health agencies, or similar organizations.
#48. Hydrologists
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
- Annual mean salary: $114,960
- #4 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 50
National
- Annual mean salary: $90,150
- Employment: 6,170
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($123,620)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($115,380)
--- Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV ($115,020)
- Job description: Research the distribution, circulation, and physical properties of underground and surface waters; and study the form and intensity of precipitation and its rate of infiltration into the soil, movement through the earth, and return to the ocean and atmosphere.
#47. Health and safety engineers, except mining safety engineers and inspectors
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
- Annual mean salary: $116,570
- #8 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,240
National
- Annual mean salary: $97,330
- Employment: 23,780
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA ($123,730)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($121,700)
--- Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA ($121,330)
- Job description: Promote worksite or product safety by applying knowledge of industrial processes, mechanics, chemistry, psychology, and industrial health and safety laws. Includes industrial product safety engineers.
#46. Nurse midwives
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
- Annual mean salary: $116,750
- #10 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 50
National
- Annual mean salary: $115,540
- Employment: 7,120
- Entry level education requirements: Master’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA ($191,440)
--- Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA ($171,000)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($167,870)
- Job description: Diagnose and coordinate all aspects of the birthing process, either independently or as part of a healthcare team. May provide well-woman gynecological care. Must have specialized, graduate nursing education.
#45. Computer network architects
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
- Annual mean salary: $117,390
- #47 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,780
National
- Annual mean salary: $119,230
- Employment: 159,350
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($161,950)
--- Dover-Durham, NH-ME ($152,060)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($148,250)
- Job description: Design and implement computer and information networks, such as local area networks (LAN), wide area networks (WAN), intranets, extranets, and other data communications networks. Perform network modeling, analysis, and planning, including analysis of capacity needs for network infrastructures. May also design network and computer security measures. May research and recommend network and data communications hardware and software.
#44. Physicists
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
- Annual mean salary: $117,720
- #36 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 110
National
- Annual mean salary: $137,700
- Employment: 16,160
- Entry level education requirements: Doctoral or professional degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT ($170,690)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($164,420)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($159,290)
- Job description: Conduct research into physical phenomena, develop theories on the basis of observation and experiments, and devise methods to apply physical laws and theories.
#43. Information security analysts
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
- Annual mean salary: $118,700
- #9 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,490
National
- Annual mean salary: $107,580
- Employment: 138,000
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($147,160)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($136,910)
--- Idaho Falls, ID ($130,620)
- Job description: Plan, implement, upgrade, or monitor security measures for the protection of computer networks and information. Assess system vulnerabilities for security risks and propose and implement risk mitigation strategies. May ensure appropriate security controls are in place that will safeguard digital files and vital electronic infrastructure. May respond to computer security breaches and viruses.
#42. Compensation and benefits managers
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
- Annual mean salary: $120,620
- #38 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 460
National
- Annual mean salary: $137,160
- Employment: 16,340
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($194,810)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($184,050)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($180,840)
- Job description: Plan, direct, or coordinate compensation and benefits activities of an organization.
#41. Industrial engineers
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
- Annual mean salary: $123,510
- #3 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 5,000
National
- Annual mean salary: $93,610
- Employment: 290,190
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Billings, MT ($125,760)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($123,710)
--- Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX ($123,510)
- Job description: Design, develop, test, and evaluate integrated systems for managing industrial production processes, including human work factors, quality control, inventory control, logistics and material flow, cost analysis, and production coordination.
#40. Pharmacists
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
- Annual mean salary: $123,980
- #216 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 5,990
National
- Annual mean salary: $125,460
- Employment: 315,470
- Entry level education requirements: Doctoral or professional degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Madera, CA ($165,350)
--- Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA ($162,540)
--- Vallejo-Fairfield, CA ($161,120)
- Job description: Dispense drugs prescribed by physicians and other health practitioners and provide information to patients about medications and their use. May advise physicians and other health practitioners on the selection, dosage, interactions, and side effects of medications.
#39. Computer systems analysts
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
- Annual mean salary: $124,070
- #3 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 14,420
National
- Annual mean salary: $99,020
- Employment: 574,450
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($133,970)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($125,350)
--- Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX ($124,070)
- Job description: Analyze science, engineering, business, and other data processing problems to develop and implement solutions to complex applications problems, system administration issues, or network concerns. Perform systems management and integration functions, improve existing computer systems, and review computer system capabilities, workflow, and schedule limitations. May analyze or recommend commercially available software.
#37 (tie). Computer and information research scientists
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
- Annual mean salary: $125,050
- #22 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 90
National
- Annual mean salary: $130,890
- Employment: 30,220
- Entry level education requirements: Master’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($170,890)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($163,330)
--- Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA ($150,090)
- Job description: Conduct research into fundamental computer and information science as theorists, designers, or inventors. Develop solutions to problems in the field of computer hardware and software.
#37 (tie). Sales engineers
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
- Annual mean salary: $125,050
- #22 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,130
National
- Annual mean salary: $117,270
- Employment: 63,780
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Durham-Chapel Hill, NC ($163,860)
--- Milwaukee-Waukesha-West Allis, WI ($158,140)
--- Dover-Durham, NH-ME ($155,490)
- Job description: Sell business goods or services, the selling of which requires a technical background equivalent to a baccalaureate degree in engineering.
#36. Marine engineers and naval architects
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
- Annual mean salary: $125,400
- #3 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 230
National
- Annual mean salary: $99,590
- Employment: 8,700
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- New Orleans-Metairie, LA ($129,690)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($129,280)
--- Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX ($125,400)
- Job description: Design, develop, and evaluate the operation of marine vessels, ship machinery, and related equipment, such as power supply and propulsion systems.
#35. Nurse practitioners
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
- Annual mean salary: $125,810
- #50 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 3,520
National
- Annual mean salary: $114,510
- Employment: 211,280
- Entry level education requirements: Master’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Vallejo-Fairfield, CA ($188,070)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($177,800)
--- Salinas, CA ($155,310)
- Job description: Diagnose and treat acute, episodic, or chronic illness, independently or as part of a healthcare team. May focus on health promotion and disease prevention. May order, perform, or interpret diagnostic tests such as lab work and x rays. May prescribe medication. Must be registered nurses who have specialized graduate education.
#34. General and operations managers
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
- Annual mean salary: $126,880
- #69 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 57,170
National
- Annual mean salary: $125,740
- Employment: 2,347,420
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($183,170)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($175,990)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($172,370)
- Job description: Plan, direct, or coordinate the operations of public or private sector organizations, overseeing multiple departments or locations. Duties and responsibilities include formulating policies, managing daily operations, and planning the use of materials and human resources, but are too diverse and general in nature to be classified in any one functional area of management or administration, such as personnel, purchasing, or administrative services. Usually manage through subordinate supervisors. Excludes First-Line Supervisors.
#33. Materials engineers
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
- Annual mean salary: $127,510
- #4 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 720
National
- Annual mean salary: $100,550
- Employment: 24,740
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV ($134,530)
--- Boulder, CO ($131,510)
--- Albuquerque, NM ($130,470)
- Job description: Evaluate materials and develop machinery and processes to manufacture materials for use in products that must meet specialized design and performance specifications. Develop new uses for known materials. Includes those engineers working with composite materials or specializing in one type of material, such as graphite, metal and metal alloys, ceramics and glass, plastics and polymers, and naturally occurring materials. Includes metallurgists and metallurgical engineers, ceramic engineers, and welding engineers.
#32. Industrial production managers
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
- Annual mean salary: $131,670
- #36 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 4,320
National
- Annual mean salary: $118,190
- Employment: 179,570
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- New Orleans-Metairie, LA ($171,890)
--- Florence, SC ($167,660)
--- Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA ($155,320)
- Job description: Plan, direct, or coordinate the work activities and resources necessary for manufacturing products in accordance with cost, quality, and quantity specifications.
#31. Training and development managers
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
- Annual mean salary: $132,620
- #24 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 720
National
- Annual mean salary: $125,920
- Employment: 38,710
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($178,590)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($167,570)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($166,750)
- Job description: Plan, direct, or coordinate the training and development activities and staff of an organization.
#30. Astronomers
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
- Annual mean salary: $133,080
- #3 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: data not available
National
- Annual mean salary: $126,250
- Employment: 1,910
- Entry level education requirements: Doctoral or professional degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA ($201,920)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($174,950)
--- Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX ($133,080)
- Job description: Observe, research, and interpret astronomical phenomena to increase basic knowledge or apply such information to practical problems.
#29. Physician assistants
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
- Annual mean salary: $133,190
- #33 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,030
National
- Annual mean salary: $116,080
- Employment: 125,280
- Entry level education requirements: Master’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Salinas, CA ($168,220)
--- Waterbury, CT ($165,230)
--- Portsmouth, NH-ME ($158,020)
- Job description: Provide healthcare services typically performed by a physician, under the supervision of a physician. Conduct complete physicals, provide treatment, and counsel patients. May, in some cases, prescribe medication. Must graduate from an accredited educational program for physician assistants.
#28. Advertising and promotions managers
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
- Annual mean salary: $133,490
- #20 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 230
National
- Annual mean salary: $147,560
- Employment: 22,490
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Boulder, CO ($220,420)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($185,490)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($181,540)
- Job description: Plan, direct, or coordinate advertising policies and programs or produce collateral materials, such as posters, contests, coupons, or giveaways, to create extra interest in the purchase of a product or service for a department, an entire organization, or on an account basis.
#27. Aerospace engineers
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
- Annual mean salary: $135,490
- #3 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,660
National
- Annual mean salary: $121,110
- Employment: 60,630
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV ($151,410)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($142,260)
--- Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX ($135,490)
- Job description: Perform engineering duties in designing, constructing, and testing aircraft, missiles, and spacecraft. May conduct basic and applied research to evaluate adaptability of materials and equipment to aircraft design and manufacture. May recommend improvements in testing equipment and techniques.
#26. Human resources managers
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
- Annual mean salary: $140,120
- #33 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 3,000
National
- Annual mean salary: $134,580
- Employment: 156,600
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($194,040)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($183,890)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($179,870)
- Job description: Plan, direct, or coordinate human resources activities and staff of an organization.
#25. Natural sciences managers
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
- Annual mean salary: $141,480
- #41 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 980
National
- Annual mean salary: $154,930
- Employment: 75,870
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($221,460)
--- Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR-MO ($214,020)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($205,120)
- Job description: Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as life sciences, physical sciences, mathematics, statistics, and research and development in these fields.
#24. Psychiatrists
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
- Annual mean salary: $143,840
- #84 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 320
National
- Annual mean salary: $217,100
- Employment: 25,540
- Entry level education requirements: Doctoral or professional degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA ($297,710)
--- Santa Rosa, CA ($289,580)
--- Kansas City, MO-KS ($287,220)
- Job description: Diagnose, treat, and help prevent mental disorders.
#23. Dentists, general
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
- Annual mean salary: $144,630
- #227 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,380
National
- Annual mean salary: $180,830
- Employment: 95,920
- Entry level education requirements: Doctoral or professional degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Dover-Durham, NH-ME ($286,540)
--- North Port-Sarasota-Bradenton, FL ($278,790)
--- Portland-South Portland, ME ($278,390)
- Job description: Examine, diagnose, and treat diseases, injuries, and malformations of teeth and gums. May treat diseases of nerve, pulp, and other dental tissues affecting oral hygiene and retention of teeth. May fit dental appliances or provide preventive care.
#22. Lawyers
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
- Annual mean salary: $145,600
- #32 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 13,320
National
- Annual mean salary: $148,910
- Employment: 658,120
- Entry level education requirements: Doctoral or professional degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($231,610)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($201,920)
--- Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV ($186,070)
- Job description: Represent clients in criminal and civil litigation and other legal proceedings, draw up legal documents, or manage or advise clients on legal transactions. May specialize in a single area or may practice broadly in many areas of law.
#21. Chemical engineers
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
- Annual mean salary: $147,310
- #2 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 3,210
National
- Annual mean salary: $114,820
- Employment: 25,770
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Midland, TX ($158,110)
--- Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX ($147,310)
--- Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX ($140,750)
- Job description: Design chemical plant equipment and devise processes for manufacturing chemicals and products, such as gasoline, synthetic rubber, plastics, detergents, cement, paper, and pulp, by applying principles and technology of chemistry, physics, and engineering.
#20. Sales managers
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
- Annual mean salary: $147,450
- #60 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 8,330
National
- Annual mean salary: $147,580
- Employment: 390,170
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($207,070)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($202,700)
--- Trenton, NJ ($186,960)
- Job description: Plan, direct, or coordinate the actual distribution or movement of a product or service to the customer. Coordinate sales distribution by establishing sales territories, quotas, and goals and establish training programs for sales representatives. Analyze sales statistics gathered by staff to determine sales potential and inventory requirements and monitor the preferences of customers.
#19. Purchasing managers
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
- Annual mean salary: $151,880
- #14 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,050
National
- Annual mean salary: $132,660
- Employment: 70,960
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR-MO ($181,240)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($172,300)
--- Morgantown, WV ($167,740)
- Job description: Plan, direct, or coordinate the activities of buyers, purchasing officers, and related workers involved in purchasing materials, products, and services. Includes wholesale or retail trade merchandising managers and procurement managers.
#18. Pediatricians, general
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
- Annual mean salary: $151,940
- #63 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 660
National
- Annual mean salary: $184,570
- Employment: 27,550
- Entry level education requirements: Doctoral or professional degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA ($280,860)
--- State College, PA ($275,730)
--- Salt Lake City, UT ($275,610)
- Job description: Diagnose, treat, and help prevent diseases and injuries in children. May refer patients to specialists for further diagnosis or treatment, as needed.
#17. Financial managers
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
- Annual mean salary: $153,990
- #31 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 13,020
National
- Annual mean salary: $151,510
- Employment: 653,080
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($214,670)
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($210,180)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($192,310)
- Job description: Plan, direct, or coordinate accounting, investing, banking, insurance, securities, and other financial activities of a branch, office, or department of an establishment.
#16. Health specialties teachers, postsecondary
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
- Annual mean salary: $161,230
- #11 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 3,590
National
- Annual mean salary: $124,890
- Employment: 200,040
- Entry level education requirements: Doctoral or professional degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT ($211,500)
--- Jackson, MS ($195,830)
--- Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA ($176,930)
- Job description: Teach courses in health specialties, in fields such as dentistry, laboratory technology, medicine, pharmacy, public health, therapy, and veterinary medicine.
#15. Computer and information systems managers
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
- Annual mean salary: $161,500
- #20 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 6,410
National
- Annual mean salary: $161,730
- Employment: 457,290
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($235,040)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($212,480)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($201,320)
- Job description: Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as electronic data processing, information systems, systems analysis, and computer programming.
#14. Marketing managers
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
- Annual mean salary: $163,250
- #21 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 4,540
National
- Annual mean salary: $154,470
- Employment: 270,200
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA ($213,180)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($211,210)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($196,260)
- Job description: Plan, direct, or coordinate marketing policies and programs, such as determining the demand for products and services offered by a firm and its competitors, and identify potential customers. Develop pricing strategies with the goal of maximizing the firm's profits or share of the market while ensuring the firm's customers are satisfied. Oversee product development or monitor trends that indicate the need for new products and services.
#13. Veterinarians
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
- Annual mean salary: $169,220
- #1 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,220
National
- Annual mean salary: $108,350
- Employment: 73,710
- Entry level education requirements: Doctoral or professional degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX ($169,220)
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($150,370)
--- Akron, OH ($150,330)
- Job description: Diagnose, treat, or research diseases and injuries of animals. Includes veterinarians who conduct research and development, inspect livestock, or care for pets and companion animals.
#12. Oral and maxillofacial surgeons
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
- Annual mean salary: $176,580
- #7 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 90
National
- Annual mean salary: $234,990
- Employment: 4,120
- Entry level education requirements: Doctoral or professional degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV ($272,110)
--- Grand Rapids-Wyoming, MI ($264,030)
--- Reading, PA ($254,370)
- Job description: Perform surgery and related procedures on the hard and soft tissues of the oral and maxillofacial regions to treat diseases, injuries, or defects. May diagnose problems of the oral and maxillofacial regions. May perform surgery to improve function or appearance.
#11. Petroleum engineers
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
- Annual mean salary: $178,240
- #2 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 8,220
National
- Annual mean salary: $154,330
- Employment: 27,850
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX ($185,130)
--- Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX ($178,240)
--- Wichita Falls, TX ($174,910)
- Job description: Devise methods to improve oil and gas extraction and production and determine the need for new or modified tool designs. Oversee drilling and offer technical advice.
#10. Nurse anesthetists
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
- Annual mean salary: $185,910
- #42 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,010
National
- Annual mean salary: $189,190
- Employment: 41,960
- Entry level education requirements: Master’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Duluth, MN-WI ($271,940)
--- Ann Arbor, MI ($262,890)
--- Green Bay, WI ($239,140)
- Job description: Administer anesthesia, monitor patient's vital signs, and oversee patient recovery from anesthesia. May assist anesthesiologists, surgeons, other physicians, or dentists. Must be registered nurses who have specialized graduate education.
#9. Geoscientists, except hydrologists and geographers
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
- Annual mean salary: $188,400
- #1 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 3,820
National
- Annual mean salary: $112,110
- Employment: 27,890
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX ($188,400)
--- Tulsa, OK ($186,490)
--- Midland, TX ($167,040)
- Job description: Study the composition, structure, and other physical aspects of the Earth. May use geological, physics, and mathematics knowledge in exploration for oil, gas, minerals, or underground water; or in waste disposal, land reclamation, or other environmental problems. May study the Earth's internal composition, atmospheres, and oceans, and its magnetic, electrical, and gravitational forces. Includes mineralogists, paleontologists, stratigraphers, geodesists, and seismologists.
#8. Architectural and engineering managers
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
- Annual mean salary: $194,630
- #4 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 5,680
National
- Annual mean salary: $158,100
- Employment: 195,900
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($226,920)
--- Amarillo, TX ($199,940)
--- Naples-Immokalee-Marco Island, FL ($198,610)
- Job description: Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as architecture and engineering or research and development in these fields.
#7. Podiatrists
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
- Annual mean salary: $203,660
- #5 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 140
National
- Annual mean salary: $151,110
- Employment: 9,710
- Entry level education requirements: Doctoral or professional degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Youngstown-Warren-Boardman, OH-PA ($229,330)
--- Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC ($226,260)
--- Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC ($221,380)
- Job description: Diagnose and treat diseases and deformities of the human foot.
#6. General internal medicine physicians
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
- Annual mean salary: $207,040
- #76 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 860
National
- Annual mean salary: $210,960
- Employment: 50,600
- Entry level education requirements: Doctoral or professional degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Rochester, MN ($315,830)
--- Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC ($314,080)
--- Wichita Falls, TX ($311,260)
- Job description: Diagnose and provide nonsurgical treatment for a wide range of diseases and injuries of internal organ systems. Provide care mainly for adults and adolescents, and are based primarily in an outpatient care setting.
#5. Obstetricians and gynecologists
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
- Annual mean salary: $210,920
- #44 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 390
National
- Annual mean salary: $239,120
- Employment: 18,900
- Entry level education requirements: Doctoral or professional degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Milwaukee-Waukesha-West Allis, WI ($294,450)
--- Tulsa, OK ($294,400)
--- Albuquerque, NM ($292,740)
- Job description: Provide medical care related to pregnancy or childbirth. Diagnose, treat, and help prevent diseases of women, particularly those affecting the reproductive system. May also provide general care to women. May perform both medical and gynecological surgery functions.
#4. Family medicine physicians
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
- Annual mean salary: $220,400
- #132 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,830
National
- Annual mean salary: $214,370
- Employment: 98,590
- Entry level education requirements: Doctoral or professional degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Bloomsburg-Berwick, PA ($309,800)
--- Napa, CA ($302,040)
--- Gadsden, AL ($292,110)
- Job description: Diagnose, treat, and provide preventive care to individuals and families across the lifespan. May refer patients to specialists when needed for further diagnosis or treatment.
#3. Surgeons, except ophthalmologists
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
- Annual mean salary: $227,890
- #67 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,120
National
- Annual mean salary: $251,650
- Employment: 37,900
- Entry level education requirements: Doctoral or professional degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Sioux City, IA-NE-SD ($305,480)
--- Akron, OH ($297,710)
--- Lincoln, NE ($296,150)
- Job description: Diagnose and perform surgery to treat and prevent rheumatic and other diseases in the musculoskeletal system.
#2. Anesthesiologists
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
- Annual mean salary: $247,530
- #20 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 960
National
- Annual mean salary: $271,440
- Employment: 28,590
- Entry level education requirements: Doctoral or professional degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Pittsburgh, PA ($307,390)
--- Duluth, MN-WI ($306,350)
--- Tallahassee, FL ($303,600)
- Job description: Administer anesthetics and analgesics for pain management prior to, during, or after surgery.
#1. Chief executives
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
- Annual mean salary: $260,450
- #4 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,710
National
- Annual mean salary: $197,840
- Employment: 202,360
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($293,000)
--- Midland, TX ($269,360)
--- Sioux Falls, SD ($263,770)
- Job description: Determine and formulate policies and provide overall direction of companies or private and public sector organizations within guidelines set up by a board of directors or similar governing body. Plan, direct, or coordinate operational activities at the highest level of management with the help of subordinate executives and staff managers.
