Highest paying jobs in Birmingham that require a bachelor's degree
Written by:
February 9, 2021
Almonroth // Wikimedia Commons
Highest paying jobs in Birmingham that require a bachelor's degree
While college and university tuition costs may be skyrocketing, many still believe a bachelor’s degree is essential to landing a high-paying job in the United States. Stacker compiled a list of the highest paying jobs that typically require a bachelors in Birmingham using data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Jobs are ranked by 2019 annual mean wage.
Whether highly technical, scientific, or based in finance or the arts, all the jobs require keeping up to date with the latest developments in culture, commerce, or tech.
Keep reading to discover the highest-paying jobs that require a bachelor degree in Birmingham.
1 / 50
GaudiLab // Shutterstock
#50. Technical writers
Birmingham-Hoover, AL
- Annual mean salary: $73,790
- #48 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 120
National
- Annual mean salary: $76,860
- Employment: 50,760
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($112,550)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($102,500)
--- Boulder, CO ($100,500)
- Annual mean salary: $73,790
- #48 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 120
National
- Annual mean salary: $76,860
- Employment: 50,760
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($112,550)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($102,500)
--- Boulder, CO ($100,500)

2 / 50
comzeal images // Shutterstock
#49. Loan officers
Birmingham-Hoover, AL
- Annual mean salary: $74,250
- #136 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,180
National
- Annual mean salary: $76,200
- Employment: 308,370
- 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: $74,250
- #136 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,180
National
- Annual mean salary: $76,200
- Employment: 308,370
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Stockton-Lodi, CA ($117,330)
--- Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA ($113,480)
--- Yuba City, CA ($113,340)

3 / 50
Stock Rocket // Shutterstock
#48. Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, technical and scientific products
Birmingham-Hoover, AL
- Annual mean salary: $75,580
- #209 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 910
National
- Annual mean salary: $92,980
- Employment: 306,980
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Durham-Chapel Hill, NC ($136,780)
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($128,380)
--- Casper, WY ($125,850)
- Annual mean salary: $75,580
- #209 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 910
National
- Annual mean salary: $92,980
- Employment: 306,980
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Durham-Chapel Hill, NC ($136,780)
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($128,380)
--- Casper, WY ($125,850)
4 / 50
possohh // Shutterstock
#47. Emergency management directors
Birmingham-Hoover, AL
- Annual mean salary: $76,460
- #39 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 40
National
- Annual mean salary: $82,530
- Employment: 10,060
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($132,440)
--- San Diego-Carlsbad, CA ($123,230)
--- Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV ($120,230)
- Annual mean salary: $76,460
- #39 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 40
National
- Annual mean salary: $82,530
- Employment: 10,060
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($132,440)
--- San Diego-Carlsbad, CA ($123,230)
--- Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV ($120,230)
5 / 50
ImageFlow // Shutterstock
#46. Accountants and auditors
Birmingham-Hoover, AL
- Annual mean salary: $76,800
- #78 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 6,580
National
- Annual mean salary: $79,520
- Employment: 1,280,700
- 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: $76,800
- #78 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 6,580
National
- Annual mean salary: $79,520
- Employment: 1,280,700
- 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)
6 / 50
ernestoeslava // Pixabay
#45. Compliance officers
Birmingham-Hoover, AL
- Annual mean salary: $76,940
- #39 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 700
National
- Annual mean salary: $72,850
- Employment: 317,600
- 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: $76,940
- #39 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 700
National
- Annual mean salary: $72,850
- Employment: 317,600
- 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)

7 / 50
Robert Kneschke // Shutterstock
#44. Foresters
Birmingham-Hoover, AL
- Annual mean salary: $77,220
- #8 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: data not available
National
- Annual mean salary: $63,270
- Employment: 9,510
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($93,760)
--- Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA ($92,890)
--- Redding, CA ($89,650)
- Annual mean salary: $77,220
- #8 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: data not available
National
- Annual mean salary: $63,270
- Employment: 9,510
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($93,760)
--- Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA ($92,890)
--- Redding, CA ($89,650)
8 / 50
Canva
#43. Environmental engineers
Birmingham-Hoover, AL
- Annual mean salary: $77,390
- #142 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 160
National
- Annual mean salary: $94,220
- Employment: 53,150
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX ($123,340)
--- Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX ($120,600)
--- California-Lexington Park, MD ($117,170)
- Annual mean salary: $77,390
- #142 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 160
National
- Annual mean salary: $94,220
- Employment: 53,150
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX ($123,340)
--- Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX ($120,600)
--- California-Lexington Park, MD ($117,170)
9 / 50
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
#42. Industrial engineers
Birmingham-Hoover, AL
- Annual mean salary: $78,920
- #260 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 790
National
- Annual mean salary: $92,660
- Employment: 291,710
- 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: $78,920
- #260 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 790
National
- Annual mean salary: $92,660
- Employment: 291,710
- 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)
10 / 50
PR Image Factory // Shutterstock
#41. Operations research analysts
Birmingham-Hoover, AL
- Annual mean salary: $79,020
- #90 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 150
National
- Annual mean salary: $90,600
- Employment: 99,680
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($137,530)
--- Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA ($122,310)
--- Salinas, CA ($121,050)
- Annual mean salary: $79,020
- #90 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 150
National
- Annual mean salary: $90,600
- Employment: 99,680
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($137,530)
--- Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA ($122,310)
--- Salinas, CA ($121,050)

11 / 50
rawpixel.com // Shutterstock
#40. Art directors
Birmingham-Hoover, AL
- Annual mean salary: $79,110
- #75 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 130
National
- Annual mean salary: $109,600
- Employment: 42,890
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA ($142,650)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($135,970)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($134,810)
- Annual mean salary: $79,110
- #75 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 130
National
- Annual mean salary: $109,600
- Employment: 42,890
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA ($142,650)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($135,970)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($134,810)
12 / 50
Bradley Evans // U.S. Navy
#39. Chemical engineers
Birmingham-Hoover, AL
- Annual mean salary: $80,170
- #96 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: data not available
National
- Annual mean salary: $117,090
- Employment: 30,120
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX ($162,330)
--- Midland, TX ($152,170)
--- Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX ($150,680)
- Annual mean salary: $80,170
- #96 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: data not available
National
- Annual mean salary: $117,090
- Employment: 30,120
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX ($162,330)
--- Midland, TX ($152,170)
--- Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX ($150,680)

13 / 50
Canva
#38. Computer systems analysts
Birmingham-Hoover, AL
- Annual mean salary: $82,650
- #173 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,620
National
- Annual mean salary: $96,160
- Employment: 589,060
- 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: $82,650
- #173 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,620
National
- Annual mean salary: $96,160
- Employment: 589,060
- 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)
14 / 50
sabthai // Shutterstock
#37. Budget analysts
Birmingham-Hoover, AL
- Annual mean salary: $82,940
- #29 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 80
National
- Annual mean salary: $80,300
- Employment: 51,460
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($103,920)
--- Boulder, CO ($103,670)
--- Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV ($100,770)
- Annual mean salary: $82,940
- #29 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 80
National
- Annual mean salary: $80,300
- Employment: 51,460
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($103,920)
--- Boulder, CO ($103,670)
--- Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV ($100,770)
15 / 50
Arjuna Kodisinghe // Shutterstock
#36. Network and computer systems administrators
Birmingham-Hoover, AL
- Annual mean salary: $84,730
- #74 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,540
National
- Annual mean salary: $88,410
- Employment: 354,450
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($121,440)
--- Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD ($112,910)
--- California-Lexington Park, MD ($109,790)
- Annual mean salary: $84,730
- #74 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,540
National
- Annual mean salary: $88,410
- Employment: 354,450
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($121,440)
--- Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD ($112,910)
--- California-Lexington Park, MD ($109,790)

16 / 50
rawpixel.com // Shutterstock
#35. Securities, commodities, and financial services sales agents
Birmingham-Hoover, AL
- Annual mean salary: $85,250
- #64 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,060
National
- Annual mean salary: $93,090
- Employment: 437,880
- 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: $85,250
- #64 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,060
National
- Annual mean salary: $93,090
- Employment: 437,880
- 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)

17 / 50
Canva
#34. Materials engineers
Birmingham-Hoover, AL
- Annual mean salary: $86,970
- #73 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 90
National
- Annual mean salary: $97,890
- Employment: 26,820
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV ($127,690)
--- Boulder, CO ($127,260)
--- Albuquerque, NM ($126,970)
- Annual mean salary: $86,970
- #73 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 90
National
- Annual mean salary: $97,890
- Employment: 26,820
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV ($127,690)
--- Boulder, CO ($127,260)
--- Albuquerque, NM ($126,970)
18 / 50
PIYAWAT WONGOPASS // Shutterstock
#33. Computer programmers
Birmingham-Hoover, AL
- Annual mean salary: $88,150
- #69 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,910
National
- Annual mean salary: $92,610
- Employment: 199,540
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($116,400)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($113,990)
--- Charlottesville, VA ($113,760)
- Annual mean salary: $88,150
- #69 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,910
National
- Annual mean salary: $92,610
- Employment: 199,540
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($116,400)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($113,990)
--- Charlottesville, VA ($113,760)

19 / 50
fizkes // Shutterstock
#32. Management analysts
Birmingham-Hoover, AL
- Annual mean salary: $89,160
- #124 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,440
National
- Annual mean salary: $95,560
- Employment: 709,750
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Dothan, AL ($132,090)
--- Daphne-Fairhope-Foley, AL ($127,750)
--- Barnstable Town, MA ($127,570)
- Annual mean salary: $89,160
- #124 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,440
National
- Annual mean salary: $95,560
- Employment: 709,750
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Dothan, AL ($132,090)
--- Daphne-Fairhope-Foley, AL ($127,750)
--- Barnstable Town, MA ($127,570)

20 / 50
Roman Samborskyi // Shutterstock
#31. Software developers and software quality assurance analysts and testers
Birmingham-Hoover, AL
- Annual mean salary: $89,480
- #211 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,850
National
- Annual mean salary: $111,620
- Employment: 1,406,870
- 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: $89,480
- #211 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,850
National
- Annual mean salary: $111,620
- Employment: 1,406,870
- 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)
21 / 50
Canva
#30. Civil engineers
Birmingham-Hoover, AL
- Annual mean salary: $89,560
- #121 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 880
National
- Annual mean salary: $94,360
- Employment: 310,850
- 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: $89,560
- #121 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 880
National
- Annual mean salary: $94,360
- Employment: 310,850
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($120,110)
--- Midland, TX ($117,900)
--- Naples-Immokalee-Marco Island, FL ($117,200)
22 / 50
Canva
#29. Mechanical engineers
Birmingham-Hoover, AL
- Annual mean salary: $90,010
- #126 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 640
National
- Annual mean salary: $93,540
- Employment: 306,990
- 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: $90,010
- #126 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 640
National
- Annual mean salary: $93,540
- Employment: 306,990
- 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)
23 / 50
EU2017EE // Flickr
#28. Information security analysts
Birmingham-Hoover, AL
- Annual mean salary: $90,920
- #100 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 510
National
- Annual mean salary: $104,210
- Employment: 125,570
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($133,040)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($127,850)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($122,570)
- Annual mean salary: $90,920
- #100 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 510
National
- Annual mean salary: $104,210
- Employment: 125,570
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($133,040)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($127,850)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($122,570)
24 / 50
Dragon Images // Shutterstock
#27. Insurance underwriters
Birmingham-Hoover, AL
- Annual mean salary: $90,970
- #9 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 460
National
- Annual mean salary: $77,640
- Employment: 100,050
- 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: $90,970
- #9 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 460
National
- Annual mean salary: $77,640
- Employment: 100,050
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($114,370)
--- Rapid City, SD ($112,670)
--- Durham-Chapel Hill, NC ($110,470)
25 / 50
Flamingo Images // Shutterstock
#26. Credit analysts
Birmingham-Hoover, AL
- Annual mean salary: $91,270
- #16 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 330
National
- Annual mean salary: $84,930
- Employment: 73,930
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($120,850)
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($116,930)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($109,330)
- Annual mean salary: $91,270
- #16 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 330
National
- Annual mean salary: $84,930
- Employment: 73,930
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($120,850)
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($116,930)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($109,330)
26 / 50
Jacob Lund // Shutterstock
#25. Architects, except landscape and naval
Birmingham-Hoover, AL
- Annual mean salary: $91,960
- #38 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 490
National
- Annual mean salary: $89,560
- Employment: 105,850
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Salinas, CA ($123,770)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($121,550)
--- Lubbock, TX ($116,720)
- Annual mean salary: $91,960
- #38 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 490
National
- Annual mean salary: $89,560
- Employment: 105,850
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Salinas, CA ($123,770)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($121,550)
--- Lubbock, TX ($116,720)

27 / 50
Jacob Lund // Shutterstock
#24. Database administrators and architects
Birmingham-Hoover, AL
- Annual mean salary: $93,970
- #58 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 880
National
- Annual mean salary: $96,110
- Employment: 125,460
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($140,580)
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($116,780)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($114,960)
- Annual mean salary: $93,970
- #58 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 880
National
- Annual mean salary: $96,110
- Employment: 125,460
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($140,580)
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($116,780)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($114,960)

28 / 50
Canva
#23. Mining and geological engineers, including mining safety engineers
Birmingham-Hoover, AL
- Annual mean salary: $96,370
- #13 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 110
National
- Annual mean salary: $96,990
- Employment: 6,280
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($132,720)
--- Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL ($125,940)
--- Anchorage, AK ($122,280)
- Annual mean salary: $96,370
- #13 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 110
National
- Annual mean salary: $96,990
- Employment: 6,280
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($132,720)
--- Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL ($125,940)
--- Anchorage, AK ($122,280)
29 / 50
Canva
#22. Health and safety engineers, except mining safety engineers and inspectors
Birmingham-Hoover, AL
- Annual mean salary: $96,810
- #42 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 50
National
- Annual mean salary: $94,810
- Employment: 25,860
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($124,110)
--- Albuquerque, NM ($122,020)
--- Kennewick-Richland, WA ($121,620)
- Annual mean salary: $96,810
- #42 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 50
National
- Annual mean salary: $94,810
- Employment: 25,860
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($124,110)
--- Albuquerque, NM ($122,020)
--- Kennewick-Richland, WA ($121,620)
30 / 50
BDUK fibre // flickr
#21. Electronics engineers, except computer
Birmingham-Hoover, AL
- Annual mean salary: $97,480
- #89 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 160
National
- Annual mean salary: $110,210
- Employment: 128,800
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($141,660)
--- Santa Rosa, CA ($132,600)
--- Austin-Round Rock, TX ($130,890)
- Annual mean salary: $97,480
- #89 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 160
National
- Annual mean salary: $110,210
- Employment: 128,800
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($141,660)
--- Santa Rosa, CA ($132,600)
--- Austin-Round Rock, TX ($130,890)
31 / 50
IBM Research // Flickr
#20. Computer network architects
Birmingham-Hoover, AL
- Annual mean salary: $97,830
- #127 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 390
National
- Annual mean salary: $115,110
- Employment: 152,420
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($152,400)
--- Dover-Durham, NH-ME ($151,650)
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($142,100)
- Annual mean salary: $97,830
- #127 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 390
National
- Annual mean salary: $115,110
- Employment: 152,420
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($152,400)
--- Dover-Durham, NH-ME ($151,650)
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($142,100)

32 / 50
TaLaNoVa // Shutterstock
#19. Sales engineers
Birmingham-Hoover, AL
- Annual mean salary: $99,770
- #75 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 150
National
- Annual mean salary: $112,780
- Employment: 63,550
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA ($158,150)
--- Durham-Chapel Hill, NC ($156,600)
--- Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV ($153,860)
- Annual mean salary: $99,770
- #75 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 150
National
- Annual mean salary: $112,780
- Employment: 63,550
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA ($158,150)
--- Durham-Chapel Hill, NC ($156,600)
--- Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV ($153,860)
33 / 50
Canva
#18. Electrical engineers
Birmingham-Hoover, AL
- Annual mean salary: $100,300
- #92 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,050
National
- Annual mean salary: $103,480
- Employment: 185,570
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($138,450)
--- Salinas, CA ($129,850)
--- Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV ($128,080)
- Annual mean salary: $100,300
- #92 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,050
National
- Annual mean salary: $103,480
- Employment: 185,570
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($138,450)
--- Salinas, CA ($129,850)
--- Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV ($128,080)
34 / 50
USACE NY // Flickr
#17. Construction managers
Birmingham-Hoover, AL
- Annual mean salary: $101,900
- #120 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,600
National
- Annual mean salary: $105,000
- Employment: 293,380
- 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: $101,900
- #120 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,600
National
- Annual mean salary: $105,000
- Employment: 293,380
- 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)

35 / 50
rawpixel.com // Shutterstock
#16. Training and development managers
Birmingham-Hoover, AL
- Annual mean salary: $102,580
- #82 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 90
National
- Annual mean salary: $123,470
- Employment: 38,510
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($168,900)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($167,850)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($152,380)
- Annual mean salary: $102,580
- #82 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 90
National
- Annual mean salary: $123,470
- Employment: 38,510
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($168,900)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($167,850)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($152,380)

36 / 50
Sunshine Seeds // Shutterstock
#15. Industrial production managers
Birmingham-Hoover, AL
- Annual mean salary: $105,130
- #234 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 570
National
- Annual mean salary: $115,110
- Employment: 185,790
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Florence, SC ($158,000)
--- Boulder, CO ($149,990)
--- Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX ($149,500)
- Annual mean salary: $105,130
- #234 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 570
National
- Annual mean salary: $115,110
- Employment: 185,790
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Florence, SC ($158,000)
--- Boulder, CO ($149,990)
--- Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX ($149,500)

37 / 50
SeventyFour // Shutterstock
#14. Computer hardware engineers
Birmingham-Hoover, AL
- Annual mean salary: $105,690
- #54 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 40
National
- Annual mean salary: $123,030
- Employment: 67,880
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($161,210)
--- Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA ($149,740)
--- Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH ($142,820)
- Annual mean salary: $105,690
- #54 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 40
National
- Annual mean salary: $123,030
- Employment: 67,880
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($161,210)
--- Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA ($149,740)
--- Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH ($142,820)

38 / 50
rawpixel.com // Shutterstock
#13. Purchasing managers
Birmingham-Hoover, AL
- Annual mean salary: $106,630
- #144 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 160
National
- Annual mean salary: $128,400
- Employment: 72,100
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($171,560)
--- Morgantown, WV ($163,830)
--- Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR-MO ($160,620)
- Annual mean salary: $106,630
- #144 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 160
National
- Annual mean salary: $128,400
- Employment: 72,100
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($171,560)
--- Morgantown, WV ($163,830)
--- Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR-MO ($160,620)

39 / 50
Canva
#12. Sales managers
Birmingham-Hoover, AL
- Annual mean salary: $112,690
- #263 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,090
National
- Annual mean salary: $141,690
- Employment: 402,600
- 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: $112,690
- #263 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,090
National
- Annual mean salary: $141,690
- Employment: 402,600
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($195,220)
--- Trenton, NJ ($178,020)
--- Portsmouth, NH-ME ($175,500)

40 / 50
dokurose // Shutterstock
#11. Actuaries
Birmingham-Hoover, AL
- Annual mean salary: $116,860
- #23 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: data not available
National
- Annual mean salary: $120,970
- Employment: 22,260
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($167,850)
--- Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC ($150,630)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($147,760)
- Annual mean salary: $116,860
- #23 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: data not available
National
- Annual mean salary: $120,970
- Employment: 22,260
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($167,850)
--- Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC ($150,630)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($147,760)
41 / 50
TopRank Online Marketing // Flickr
#10. Marketing managers
Birmingham-Hoover, AL
- Annual mean salary: $117,620
- #175 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 400
National
- Annual mean salary: $149,200
- Employment: 263,680
- 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: $117,620
- #175 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 400
National
- Annual mean salary: $149,200
- Employment: 263,680
- 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)
42 / 50
Pixabay
#9. Compensation and benefits managers
Birmingham-Hoover, AL
- Annual mean salary: $119,420
- #43 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 40
National
- Annual mean salary: $134,210
- Employment: 16,900
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($181,770)
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($179,430)
--- New Haven, CT ($179,310)
- Annual mean salary: $119,420
- #43 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 40
National
- Annual mean salary: $134,210
- Employment: 16,900
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($181,770)
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($179,430)
--- New Haven, CT ($179,310)

43 / 50
Jacob Lund // Shutterstock
#8. Human resources managers
Birmingham-Hoover, AL
- Annual mean salary: $121,420
- #87 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 500
National
- Annual mean salary: $129,570
- Employment: 154,800
- 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: $121,420
- #87 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 500
National
- Annual mean salary: $129,570
- Employment: 154,800
- 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)
44 / 50
Pixabay
#7. Advertising and promotions managers
Birmingham-Hoover, AL
- Annual mean salary: $122,750
- #26 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 30
National
- Annual mean salary: $141,890
- Employment: 25,100
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Boulder, CO ($200,420)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($186,040)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($175,210)
- Annual mean salary: $122,750
- #26 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 30
National
- Annual mean salary: $141,890
- Employment: 25,100
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Boulder, CO ($200,420)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($186,040)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($175,210)
45 / 50
Pixabay
#6. General and operations managers
Birmingham-Hoover, AL
- Annual mean salary: $124,040
- #70 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 9,790
National
- Annual mean salary: $123,030
- Employment: 2,400,280
- 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: $124,040
- #70 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 9,790
National
- Annual mean salary: $123,030
- Employment: 2,400,280
- 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)
46 / 50
Almonroth // Wikimedia Commons
#5. Computer and information systems managers
Birmingham-Hoover, AL
- Annual mean salary: $132,430
- #128 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,310
National
- Annual mean salary: $156,390
- Employment: 433,960
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($215,090)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($201,960)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($196,290)
- Annual mean salary: $132,430
- #128 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,310
National
- Annual mean salary: $156,390
- Employment: 433,960
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($215,090)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($201,960)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($196,290)
47 / 50
Financial Times // Wikimedia Commons
#4. Personal financial advisors
Birmingham-Hoover, AL
- Annual mean salary: $133,830
- #31 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 830
National
- Annual mean salary: $119,290
- Employment: 210,190
- 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: $133,830
- #31 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 830
National
- Annual mean salary: $119,290
- Employment: 210,190
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Montgomery, AL ($178,100)
--- Santa Fe, NM ($173,970)
--- San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles-Arroyo Grande, CA ($171,370)
48 / 50
Pixabay
#3. Architectural and engineering managers
Birmingham-Hoover, AL
- Annual mean salary: $138,600
- #129 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 600
National
- Annual mean salary: $152,930
- Employment: 194,250
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($203,310)
--- Amarillo, TX ($198,010)
--- Naples-Immokalee-Marco Island, FL ($188,210)
- Annual mean salary: $138,600
- #129 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 600
National
- Annual mean salary: $152,930
- Employment: 194,250
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($203,310)
--- Amarillo, TX ($198,010)
--- Naples-Immokalee-Marco Island, FL ($188,210)

49 / 50
Canva
#2. Financial managers
Birmingham-Hoover, AL
- Annual mean salary: $143,040
- #54 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,530
National
- Annual mean salary: $147,530
- Employment: 654,790
- 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: $143,040
- #54 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,530
National
- Annual mean salary: $147,530
- Employment: 654,790
- 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)
50 / 50
Maurizio Pesce // flickr
#1. Chief executives
Birmingham-Hoover, AL
- Annual mean salary: $232,110
- #26 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 400
National
- Annual mean salary: $193,850
- Employment: 205,890
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($270,040)
--- Sioux Falls, SD ($264,330)
--- Midland, TX ($258,760)
- Annual mean salary: $232,110
- #26 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 400
National
- Annual mean salary: $193,850
- Employment: 205,890
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($270,040)
--- Sioux Falls, SD ($264,330)
--- Midland, TX ($258,760)

