Highest paying jobs in Houston that require a bachelor's degree
Written by:
February 9, 2021
Csomos Attila // Shutterstock
Highest paying jobs in Houston 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 Houston 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 Houston.
1 / 50
Patrizio Martorana // Shutterstock
#50. Environmental scientists and specialists, including health
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
- Annual mean salary: $92,610
- #13 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,090
National
- Annual mean salary: $77,940
- Employment: 84,290
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Santa Rosa, CA ($122,400)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($109,180)
--- Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV ($104,210)
- Annual mean salary: $92,610
- #13 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,090
National
- Annual mean salary: $77,940
- Employment: 84,290
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Santa Rosa, CA ($122,400)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($109,180)
--- Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV ($104,210)
2 / 50
aslysun // Shutterstock
#49. Chemists
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
- Annual mean salary: $97,090
- #14 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,910
National
- Annual mean salary: $84,150
- Employment: 83,530
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Peoria, IL ($127,750)
--- Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV ($124,540)
--- Norwich-New London-Westerly, CT-RI ($116,030)
- Annual mean salary: $97,090
- #14 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,910
National
- Annual mean salary: $84,150
- Employment: 83,530
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Peoria, IL ($127,750)
--- Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV ($124,540)
--- Norwich-New London-Westerly, CT-RI ($116,030)
3 / 50
Pakorn Khantiyaporn // Shutterstock
#48. Logisticians
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
- Annual mean salary: $98,060
- #4 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 4,440
National
- Annual mean salary: $78,680
- Employment: 182,050
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Lake Charles, LA ($124,160)
--- California-Lexington Park, MD ($106,490)
--- Anchorage, AK ($100,690)
- Annual mean salary: $98,060
- #4 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 4,440
National
- Annual mean salary: $78,680
- Employment: 182,050
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Lake Charles, LA ($124,160)
--- California-Lexington Park, MD ($106,490)
--- Anchorage, AK ($100,690)
4 / 50
Reeta Asmai // UC Davis
#47. Bioengineers and biomedical engineers
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
- Annual mean salary: $98,100
- #20 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 230
National
- Annual mean salary: $97,090
- Employment: 19,780
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($122,100)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($119,000)
--- Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH ($117,790)
- Annual mean salary: $98,100
- #20 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 230
National
- Annual mean salary: $97,090
- Employment: 19,780
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($122,100)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($119,000)
--- Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH ($117,790)
5 / 50
Arjuna Kodisinghe // Shutterstock
#46. Network and computer systems administrators
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
- Annual mean salary: $99,710
- #10 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 8,560
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: $99,710
- #10 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 8,560
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)
6 / 50
USACE NY // Flickr
#45. Construction managers
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
- Annual mean salary: $99,990
- #133 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 10,770
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: $99,990
- #133 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 10,770
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)
7 / 50
PIYAWAT WONGOPASS // Shutterstock
#44. Computer programmers
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
- Annual mean salary: $100,070
- #17 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 3,850
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: $100,070
- #17 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 3,850
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)
8 / 50
Jacob Lund // Shutterstock
#43. Database administrators and architects
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
- Annual mean salary: $100,710
- #24 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,660
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: $100,710
- #24 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,660
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)
9 / 50
dokurose // Shutterstock
#42. Actuaries
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
- Annual mean salary: $100,730
- #53 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 180
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: $100,730
- #53 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 180
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)
10 / 50
U.S. Geological Survey // Flickr
#41. Hydrologists
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
- Annual mean salary: $101,430
- #11 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 70
National
- Annual mean salary: $86,330
- Employment: 6,440
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Boulder, CO ($127,570)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($118,370)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($108,850)
- Annual mean salary: $101,430
- #11 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 70
National
- Annual mean salary: $86,330
- Employment: 6,440
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Boulder, CO ($127,570)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($118,370)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($108,850)
11 / 50
Financial Times // Wikimedia Commons
#40. Personal financial advisors
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
- Annual mean salary: $102,450
- #126 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 3,430
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: $102,450
- #126 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 3,430
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)
12 / 50
U.S. Department of State // Wikimedia Commons
#39. Atmospheric and space scientists
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
- Annual mean salary: $103,730
- #13 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 170
National
- Annual mean salary: $97,160
- Employment: 9,290
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA ($135,520)
--- Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC ($120,170)
--- Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA ($119,660)
- Annual mean salary: $103,730
- #13 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 170
National
- Annual mean salary: $97,160
- Employment: 9,290
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA ($135,520)
--- Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC ($120,170)
--- Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA ($119,660)
13 / 50
Jacob Lund // Shutterstock
#38. Architects, except landscape and naval
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
- Annual mean salary: $104,860
- #8 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,570
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: $104,860
- #8 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,570
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)
14 / 50
Canva
#37. Materials scientists
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
- Annual mean salary: $106,270
- #14 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 190
National
- Annual mean salary: $100,430
- Employment: 6,710
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Austin-Round Rock, TX ($134,280)
--- Durham-Chapel Hill, NC ($129,900)
--- Cleveland-Elyria, OH ($128,700)
- Annual mean salary: $106,270
- #14 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 190
National
- Annual mean salary: $100,430
- Employment: 6,710
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Austin-Round Rock, TX ($134,280)
--- Durham-Chapel Hill, NC ($129,900)
--- Cleveland-Elyria, OH ($128,700)
15 / 50
Canva
#36. Health and safety engineers, except mining safety engineers and inspectors
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
- Annual mean salary: $106,450
- #20 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,540
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: $106,450
- #20 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,540
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)
16 / 50
possohh // Shutterstock
#35. Emergency management directors
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
- Annual mean salary: $106,570
- #7 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 170
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: $106,570
- #7 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 170
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)
17 / 50
Office of Naval Research // Flickr
#34. Marine engineers and naval architects
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
- Annual mean salary: $106,610
- #6 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 440
National
- Annual mean salary: $98,730
- Employment: 11,360
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($136,480)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($128,750)
--- New Orleans-Metairie, LA ($121,600)
- Annual mean salary: $106,610
- #6 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 440
National
- Annual mean salary: $98,730
- Employment: 11,360
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($136,480)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($128,750)
--- New Orleans-Metairie, LA ($121,600)
18 / 50
Roman Samborskyi // Shutterstock
#33. Software developers and software quality assurance analysts and testers
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
- Annual mean salary: $106,670
- #69 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 20,910
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: $106,670
- #69 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 20,910
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)
19 / 50
EU2017EE // Flickr
#32. Information security analysts
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
- Annual mean salary: $106,840
- #29 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,200
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: $106,840
- #29 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,200
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)
20 / 50
SeventyFour // Shutterstock
#31. Computer hardware engineers
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
- Annual mean salary: $106,950
- #49 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 600
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: $106,950
- #49 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 600
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)
21 / 50
Canva
#30. Mechanical engineers
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
- Annual mean salary: $107,800
- #18 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 8,760
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: $107,800
- #18 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 8,760
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)
22 / 50
Canva
#29. Civil engineers
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
- Annual mean salary: $107,890
- #19 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 10,740
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: $107,890
- #19 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 10,740
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)
23 / 50
fizkes // Shutterstock
#28. Management analysts
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
- Annual mean salary: $110,530
- #19 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 9,480
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: $110,530
- #19 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 9,480
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)
24 / 50
Canva
#27. Electrical engineers
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
- Annual mean salary: $111,450
- #24 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 4,290
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: $111,450
- #24 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 4,290
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)
25 / 50
BDUK fibre // flickr
#26. Electronics engineers, except computer
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
- Annual mean salary: $113,270
- #32 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,110
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: $113,270
- #32 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,110
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)
26 / 50
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
#25. Medical and health services managers
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
- Annual mean salary: $114,140
- #106 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 8,340
National
- Annual mean salary: $115,160
- Employment: 394,910
- 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: $114,140
- #106 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 8,340
National
- Annual mean salary: $115,160
- Employment: 394,910
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA ($163,280)
--- Vallejo-Fairfield, CA ($159,190)
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($154,570)
27 / 50
TaLaNoVa // Shutterstock
#24. Sales engineers
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
- Annual mean salary: $114,660
- #41 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,130
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: $114,660
- #41 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,130
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)
28 / 50
Canva
#23. Materials engineers
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
- Annual mean salary: $115,970
- #7 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,100
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: $115,970
- #7 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,100
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)
29 / 50
IBM Research // Flickr
#22. Computer network architects
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
- Annual mean salary: $116,380
- #30 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,850
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: $116,380
- #30 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,850
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)
30 / 50
Canva
#21. Computer systems analysts
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
- Annual mean salary: $119,540
- #3 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 15,300
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: $119,540
- #3 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 15,300
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)
31 / 50
Pixabay
#19 (tie). Advertising and promotions managers
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
- Annual mean salary: $122,690
- #27 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 230
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: $122,690
- #27 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 230
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)
32 / 50
Pixabay
#19 (tie). Compensation and benefits managers
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
- Annual mean salary: $122,690
- #36 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 400
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: $122,690
- #36 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 400
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)
33 / 50
Canva
#18. Environmental engineers
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
- Annual mean salary: $123,340
- #1 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,440
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: $123,340
- #1 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,440
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)
34 / 50
Pixabay
#17. General and operations managers
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
- Annual mean salary: $127,510
- #50 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 55,680
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: $127,510
- #50 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 55,680
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)
35 / 50
IBM Research // Flickr
#16. Aerospace engineers
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
- Annual mean salary: $128,480
- #10 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,770
National
- Annual mean salary: $119,220
- Employment: 63,200
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV ($144,090)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($139,560)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($135,230)
- Annual mean salary: $128,480
- #10 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,770
National
- Annual mean salary: $119,220
- Employment: 63,200
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV ($144,090)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($139,560)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($135,230)
36 / 50
Sunshine Seeds // Shutterstock
#15. Industrial production managers
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
- Annual mean salary: $129,700
- #42 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 3,990
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: $129,700
- #42 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 3,990
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
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
#14. Industrial engineers
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
- Annual mean salary: $131,850
- #1 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 5,400
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: $131,850
- #1 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 5,400
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)
38 / 50
Jacob Lund // Shutterstock
#13. Human resources managers
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
- Annual mean salary: $135,550
- #35 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,720
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: $135,550
- #35 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,720
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)
39 / 50
NTNU // Flickr
#12. Natural sciences managers
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
- Annual mean salary: $135,860
- #44 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 960
National
- Annual mean salary: $145,450
- Employment: 67,720
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($222,530)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($208,910)
--- Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA ($206,710)
- Annual mean salary: $135,860
- #44 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 960
National
- Annual mean salary: $145,450
- Employment: 67,720
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($222,530)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($208,910)
--- Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA ($206,710)
40 / 50
rawpixel.com // Shutterstock
#11. Training and development managers
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
- Annual mean salary: $137,840
- #14 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 620
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: $137,840
- #14 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 620
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)
41 / 50
Canva
#10. Sales managers
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
- Annual mean salary: $147,170
- #57 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 7,850
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: $147,170
- #57 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 7,850
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)
42 / 50
Canva
#9. Financial managers
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
- Annual mean salary: $149,970
- #35 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 12,700
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: $149,970
- #35 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 12,700
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)
43 / 50
rawpixel.com // Shutterstock
#8. Purchasing managers
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
- Annual mean salary: $156,180
- #5 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,860
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: $156,180
- #5 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,860
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)
44 / 50
Almonroth // Wikimedia Commons
#7. Computer and information systems managers
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
- Annual mean salary: $158,500
- #23 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 6,110
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: $158,500
- #23 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 6,110
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)
45 / 50
Bradley Evans // U.S. Navy
#6. Chemical engineers
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
- Annual mean salary: $162,330
- #1 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 4,230
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: $162,330
- #1 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 4,230
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)
46 / 50
Csomos Attila // Shutterstock
#5. Geoscientists, except hydrologists and geographers
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
- Annual mean salary: $170,220
- #2 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 4,370
National
- Annual mean salary: $108,350
- Employment: 29,200
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Tulsa, OK ($207,900)
--- Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX ($170,220)
--- Midland, TX ($165,590)
- Annual mean salary: $170,220
- #2 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 4,370
National
- Annual mean salary: $108,350
- Employment: 29,200
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Tulsa, OK ($207,900)
--- Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX ($170,220)
--- Midland, TX ($165,590)
47 / 50
TopRank Online Marketing // Flickr
#4. Marketing managers
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
- Annual mean salary: $170,570
- #12 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 4,220
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: $170,570
- #12 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 4,220
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)
48 / 50
Bureau of Land Management // Flickr
#3. Petroleum engineers
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
- Annual mean salary: $183,190
- #2 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 10,210
National
- Annual mean salary: $156,780
- Employment: 32,620
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI ($191,370)
--- Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX ($183,190)
--- Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX ($179,240)
- Annual mean salary: $183,190
- #2 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 10,210
National
- Annual mean salary: $156,780
- Employment: 32,620
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI ($191,370)
--- Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX ($183,190)
--- Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX ($179,240)
49 / 50
Pixabay
#2. Architectural and engineering managers
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
- Annual mean salary: $186,970
- #5 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 5,340
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: $186,970
- #5 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 5,340
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)
50 / 50
Maurizio Pesce // flickr
#1. Chief executives
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
- Annual mean salary: $248,900
- #7 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,480
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: $248,900
- #7 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,480
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)
