From the moment they first set foot on campus, today’s high-school students are inundated with messages about the importance of receiving a college education. They hear it from their guidance counselors, teachers, parents, family members, neighbors, coaches—the list goes on and on. While graduation from a four-year college can certainly work wonders for students’ future careers, it’s not necessary for all fields—something admissions officers and guidance counselors sometimes fail to mention.
To find the highest-paying jobs that don’t require a college degree, Stacker consulted the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook to compile a list of all jobs that don’t require higher education. All professions that listed a high-school diploma, some college education (without a degree conferred), postsecondary non-degree award, or no formal education requirements for entry-level positions were considered. Jobs that didn’t list any entry-level education requirement were excluded, as were job titles that grouped several positions together. Jobs are ranked by 2020 annual mean wage. Job descriptions are from O*NET.
Keep reading to discover the highest-paying jobs in Albuquerque that don’t require a college degree.
You may also like: 100 Highest paying jobs in America
Vera Larina // Shutterstock
#50. Sheet metal workers
Albuquerque, NM
– Annual mean salary: $50,580
– #134 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 420
National
– Annual mean salary: $55,320
– Employment: 128,220
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Fairbanks, AK ($132,900)
— Kankakee, IL ($91,140)
— Olympia-Tumwater, WA ($87,030)
– Job description: Fabricate, assemble, install, and repair sheet metal products and equipment, such as ducts, control boxes, drainpipes, and furnace casings. Work may involve any of the following: setting up and operating fabricating machines to cut, bend, and straighten sheet metal; shaping metal over anvils, blocks, or forms using hammer; operating soldering and welding equipment to join sheet metal parts; or inspecting, assembling, and smoothing seams and joints of burred surfaces. Includes sheet metal duct installers who install prefabricated sheet metal ducts used for heating, air conditioning, or other purposes.
Dmitry Kalinovsky // Shutterstock
#49. Inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers
Albuquerque, NM
– Annual mean salary: $51,110
– #52 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 800
National
– Annual mean salary: $44,580
– Employment: 549,200
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Odessa, TX ($85,040)
— Fairbanks, AK ($80,520)
— Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($67,990)
– Job description: Inspect, test, sort, sample, or weigh nonagricultural raw materials or processed, machined, fabricated, or assembled parts or products for defects, wear, and deviations from specifications. May use precision measuring instruments and complex test equipment.
G-Stock Studio // Shutterstock
#48. Production, planning, and expediting clerks
Albuquerque, NM
– Annual mean salary: $51,930
– #116 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 310
National
– Annual mean salary: $52,000
– Employment: 362,090
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Bremerton-Silverdale, WA ($69,410)
— Pine Bluff, AR ($68,850)
— Portsmouth, NH-ME ($66,920)
– Job description: Coordinate and expedite the flow of work and materials within or between departments of an establishment according to production schedule. Duties include reviewing and distributing production, work, and shipment schedules; conferring with department supervisors to determine progress of work and completion dates; and compiling reports on progress of work, inventory levels, costs, and production problems.
VGstockstudio // Shutterstock
#47. Reservation and transportation ticket agents and travel clerks
Albuquerque, NM
– Annual mean salary: $51,980
– #12 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 700
National
– Annual mean salary: $45,710
– Employment: 110,020
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX ($57,110)
— Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR ($56,620)
— Buffalo-Cheektowaga-Niagara Falls, NY ($54,400)
– Job description: Make and confirm reservations for transportation or lodging, or sell transportation tickets. May check baggage and direct passengers to designated concourse, pier, or track; deliver tickets and contact individuals and groups to inform them of package tours; or provide tourists with travel or transportation information.
Roman023_photography // Shutterstock
#46. Riggers
Albuquerque, NM
– Annual mean salary: $52,120
– #32 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 40
National
– Annual mean salary: $53,020
– Employment: 21,700
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI ($78,600)
— New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($78,040)
— Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA ($68,240)
– Job description: Set up or repair rigging for construction projects, manufacturing plants, logging yards, ships and shipyards, or for the entertainment industry.
U.S. Air Force photo // Airman 1st Class Greg Erwin
#45. Coating, painting, and spraying machine setters, operators, and tenders
Albuquerque, NM
– Annual mean salary: $52,150
– #21 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 270
National
– Annual mean salary: $42,140
– Employment: 137,510
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Bremerton-Silverdale, WA ($64,780)
— Portsmouth, NH-ME ($64,240)
— Harrisonburg, VA ($61,990)
– Job description: Set up, operate, or tend spraying or rolling machines to coat or paint any of a wide variety of products, including glassware, cloth, ceramics, metal, plastic, paper, or wood, with lacquer, silver, copper, rubber, varnish, glaze, enamel, oil, or rust-proofing materials. Includes painters of transportation vehicles such as painters in auto body repair facilities.
ryanivy308 // Pixabay
#44. Electrical and electronics repairers, commercial and industrial equipment
Albuquerque, NM
– Annual mean salary: $52,610
– #164 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 120
National
– Annual mean salary: $63,350
– Employment: 55,200
– Entry level education requirements: Postsecondary nondegree award
– Metros with highest average pay:
— San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($96,510)
— Jackson, TN ($92,200)
— Vallejo-Fairfield, CA ($86,640)
– Job description: Repair, test, adjust, or install electronic equipment, such as industrial controls, transmitters, and antennas.
Erin Deleon // Shutterstock
#43. Postal service mail carriers
Albuquerque, NM
– Annual mean salary: $52,720
– #193 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 870
National
– Annual mean salary: $53,180
– Employment: 333,570
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Bismarck, ND ($56,520)
— Burlington, NC ($55,750)
— Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA ($55,680)
– Job description: Sort and deliver mail for the United States Postal Service (USPS). Deliver mail on established route by vehicle or on foot. Includes postal service mail carriers employed by USPS contractors.
rlat // Shutterstock
#42. Postal service clerks
Albuquerque, NM
– Annual mean salary: $52,890
– #94 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 220
National
– Annual mean salary: $51,200
– Employment: 86,950
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Monroe, MI ($58,120)
— El Centro, CA ($58,000)
— Houma-Thibodaux, LA ($57,330)
– Job description: Perform any combination of tasks in a United States Postal Service (USPS) post office, such as receive letters and parcels; sell postage and revenue stamps, postal cards, and stamped envelopes; fill out and sell money orders; place mail in pigeon holes of mail rack or in bags; and examine mail for correct postage. Includes postal service clerks employed by USPS contractors.
Canva
#41. Sound engineering technicians
Albuquerque, NM
– Annual mean salary: $53,030
– #24 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 50
National
– Annual mean salary: $67,210
– Employment: 10,870
– Entry level education requirements: Postsecondary nondegree award
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA ($89,500)
— New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($76,790)
— Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL ($71,740)
– Job description: Assemble and operate equipment to record, synchronize, mix, edit, or reproduce sound, including music, voices, or sound effects, for theater, video, film, television, podcasts, sporting events, and other productions.
Canva
#39 (tie). Tank car, truck, and ship loaders
Albuquerque, NM
– Annual mean salary: $53,140
– #5 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: data not available
National
– Annual mean salary: $50,670
– Employment: 12,610
– Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Pittsburgh, PA ($63,710)
— San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($62,180)
— Memphis, TN-MS-AR ($57,170)
– Job description: Load and unload chemicals and bulk solids, such as coal, sand, and grain, into or from tank cars, trucks, or ships, using material moving equipment. May perform a variety of other tasks relating to shipment of products. May gauge or sample shipping tanks and test them for leaks.
Pixabay
#39 (tie). Hazardous materials removal workers
Albuquerque, NM
– Annual mean salary: $53,140
– #28 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 170
National
– Annual mean salary: $49,170
– Employment: 44,010
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Knoxville, TN ($79,260)
— Salinas, CA ($72,170)
— Kennewick-Richland, WA ($70,300)
– Job description: Identify, remove, pack, transport, or dispose of hazardous materials, including asbestos, lead-based paint, waste oil, fuel, transmission fluid, radioactive materials, or contaminated soil. Specialized training and certification in hazardous materials handling or a confined entry permit are generally required. May operate earth-moving equipment or trucks.
kittirat roekburi // Shutterstock
#38. Stationary engineers and boiler operators
Albuquerque, NM
– Annual mean salary: $53,460
– #93 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 70
National
– Annual mean salary: $68,170
– Employment: 29,550
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with highest average pay:
— San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($106,910)
— San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($104,970)
— Springfield, IL ($102,660)
– Job description: Operate or maintain stationary engines, boilers, or other mechanical equipment to provide utilities for buildings or industrial processes. Operate equipment such as steam engines, generators, motors, turbines, and steam boilers.
NDAB Creativity // Shutterstock
#37. Massage therapists
Albuquerque, NM
– Annual mean salary: $53,580
– #42 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 370
National
– Annual mean salary: $47,350
– Employment: 85,040
– Entry level education requirements: Postsecondary nondegree award
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Port St. Lucie, FL ($81,640)
— Anchorage, AK ($77,530)
— Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH ($72,730)
– Job description: Perform therapeutic massages of soft tissues and joints. May assist in the assessment of range of motion and muscle strength, or propose client therapy plans.
Canva
#36. Cargo and freight agents
Albuquerque, NM
– Annual mean salary: $53,750
– #17 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 90
National
– Annual mean salary: $47,170
– Employment: 96,510
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Yakima, WA ($72,590)
— St. Cloud, MN ($67,360)
— Springfield, MO ($59,660)
– Job description: Expedite and route movement of incoming and outgoing cargo and freight shipments in airline, train, and trucking terminals and shipping docks. Take orders from customers and arrange pickup of freight and cargo for delivery to loading platform. Prepare and examine bills of lading to determine shipping charges and tariffs.
Leszek Glasner // Shutterstock
#35. Property, real estate, and community association managers
Albuquerque, NM
– Annual mean salary: $53,780
– #205 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 560
National
– Annual mean salary: $73,210
– Employment: 219,800
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Charleston-North Charleston, SC ($117,770)
— New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($113,800)
— Boulder, CO ($107,230)
– Job description: Plan, direct, or coordinate the selling, buying, leasing, or governance activities of commercial, industrial, or residential real estate properties. Includes managers of homeowner and condominium associations, rented or leased housing units, buildings, or land (including rights-of-way).
Rebekah Zemansky // Shutterstock
#34. First-line supervisors of correctional officers
Albuquerque, NM
– Annual mean salary: $54,680
– #98 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 210
National
– Annual mean salary: $67,600
– Employment: 53,420
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Sacramento–Roseville–Arden-Arcade, CA ($115,020)
— Trenton, NJ ($113,630)
— New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($113,070)
– Job description: Directly supervise and coordinate activities of correctional officers and jailers.
Oil and Gas Photographer // Shutterstock
#33. Control and valve installers and repairers, except mechanical door
Albuquerque, NM
– Annual mean salary: $54,690
– #110 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 240
National
– Annual mean salary: $62,400
– Employment: 50,660
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Santa Rosa, CA ($95,240)
— Madison, WI ($90,020)
— Salinas, CA ($87,650)
– Job description: Install, repair, and maintain mechanical regulating and controlling devices, such as electric meters, gas regulators, thermostats, safety and flow valves, and other mechanical governors.
Canva
#32. Pipelayers
Albuquerque, NM
– Annual mean salary: $55,000
– #24 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 40
National
– Annual mean salary: $45,060
– Employment: 33,950
– Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI ($77,880)
— Eugene, OR ($76,240)
— Worcester, MA-CT ($72,600)
– Job description: Lay pipe for storm or sanitation sewers, drains, and water mains. Perform any combination of the following tasks: grade trenches or culverts, position pipe, or seal joints.
GaudiLab // Shutterstock
#31. First-line supervisors of office and administrative support workers
Albuquerque, NM
– Annual mean salary: $57,270
– #181 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 4,650
National
– Annual mean salary: $62,010
– Employment: 1,427,260
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Bremerton-Silverdale, WA ($78,770)
— Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($77,030)
— New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($75,820)
– Job description: Directly supervise and coordinate the activities of clerical and administrative support workers.
wandee007 // Shutterstock
#30. Earth drillers, except oil and gas; and explosives workers, ordnance handling experts, and blasters
Albuquerque, NM
– Annual mean salary: $57,480
– #22 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 50
National
– Annual mean salary: $51,040
– Employment: 22,540
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Lafayette, LA ($98,100)
— San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($69,160)
— Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY ($69,090)
– Job description: Operate a variety of drills such as rotary, churn, and pneumatic to tap subsurface water and salt deposits, to remove core samples during mineral exploration or soil testing, and to facilitate the use of explosives in mining or construction. Includes horizontal and earth boring machine operators.
welcomia // Shutterstock
#29. Mobile heavy equipment mechanics, except engines
Albuquerque, NM
– Annual mean salary: $57,750
– #87 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 270
National
– Annual mean salary: $57,000
– Employment: 147,680
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Urban Honolulu, HI ($84,460)
— Fairbanks, AK ($81,920)
— Bismarck, ND ($78,350)
– Job description: Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul mobile mechanical, hydraulic, and pneumatic equipment, such as cranes, bulldozers, graders, and conveyors, used in construction, logging, and mining.
DenisProduction.com // Shutterstock
#28. Chefs and head cooks
Albuquerque, NM
– Annual mean salary: $57,760
– #83 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 210
National
– Annual mean salary: $58,740
– Employment: 101,490
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with highest average pay:
— San Diego-Carlsbad, CA ($98,210)
— Kahului-Wailuku-Lahaina, HI ($90,840)
— Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($86,460)
– Job description: Direct and may participate in the preparation, seasoning, and cooking of salads, soups, fish, meats, vegetables, desserts, or other foods. May plan and price menu items, order supplies, and keep records and accounts.
Luisa Leal Photography // Shutterstock
#27. Electrical power-line installers and repairers
Albuquerque, NM
– Annual mean salary: $58,040
– #210 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 300
National
– Annual mean salary: $74,410
– Employment: 114,930
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with highest average pay:
— San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($114,820)
— Redding, CA ($112,850)
— San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($111,810)
– Job description: Install or repair cables or wires used in electrical power or distribution systems. May erect poles and light or heavy duty transmission towers.
goodluz // Shutterstock
#26. Real estate sales agents
Albuquerque, NM
– Annual mean salary: $58,120
– #82 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 500
National
– Annual mean salary: $62,990
– Employment: 168,740
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Salinas, CA ($106,280)
— San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($101,300)
— New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($98,580)
– Job description: Rent, buy, or sell property for clients. Perform duties such as study property listings, interview prospective clients, accompany clients to property site, discuss conditions of sale, and draw up real estate contracts. Includes agents who represent buyer.
Tim Goode/PA Images // Getty Images
#25. Sales representatives of services, except advertising, insurance, financial services, and travel
Albuquerque, NM
– Annual mean salary: $58,900
– #230 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 2,180
National
– Annual mean salary: $70,490
– Employment: 977,070
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with highest average pay:
— San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($115,620)
— Lawrence, KS ($97,910)
— Boulder, CO ($94,870)
– Job description: Sell services to individuals or businesses. May describe options or resolve client problems.
Wipas Rojjanakard // Shutterstock
#24. Occupational health and safety technicians
Albuquerque, NM
– Annual mean salary: $59,370
– #48 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 30
National
– Annual mean salary: $57,870
– Employment: 20,950
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH ($80,790)
— Knoxville, TN ($77,510)
— Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA ($76,950)
– Job description: Collect data on work environments for analysis by occupational health and safety specialists. Implement and conduct evaluation of programs designed to limit chemical, physical, biological, and ergonomic risks to workers.
U.S. Air Force
#23. First-line supervisors of firefighting and prevention workers
Albuquerque, NM
– Annual mean salary: $59,870
– #187 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 370
National
– Annual mean salary: $83,170
– Employment: 69,000
– Entry level education requirements: Postsecondary nondegree award
– Metros with highest average pay:
— San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($187,890)
— Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA ($181,340)
— San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($176,050)
– Job description: Directly supervise and coordinate activities of workers engaged in firefighting and fire prevention and control.
Oleg Golovnev // Shutterstock
#22. First-line supervisors of production and operating workers
Albuquerque, NM
– Annual mean salary: $61,250
– #280 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 970
National
– Annual mean salary: $66,800
– Employment: 599,900
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Baton Rouge, LA ($101,930)
— Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX ($100,590)
— Longview, WA ($99,590)
– Job description: Directly supervise and coordinate the activities of production and operating workers, such as inspectors, precision workers, machine setters and operators, assemblers, fabricators, and plant and system operators. Excludes team or work leaders.
Canva
#21. Construction and building inspectors
Albuquerque, NM
– Annual mean salary: $61,460
– #128 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 280
National
– Annual mean salary: $66,470
– Employment: 113,770
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with highest average pay:
— San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($103,820)
— San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($102,920)
— Salinas, CA ($98,360)
– Job description: Inspect structures using engineering skills to determine structural soundness and compliance with specifications, building codes, and other regulations. Inspections may be general in nature or may be limited to a specific area, such as electrical systems or plumbing.
Andrey_Popov // Shutterstock
#20. Private detectives and investigators
Albuquerque, NM
– Annual mean salary: $61,500
– #29 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 40
National
– Annual mean salary: $60,100
– Employment: 32,200
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with highest average pay:
— San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($88,550)
— Fresno, CA ($79,220)
— Anchorage, AK ($77,960)
– Job description: Gather, analyze, compile, and report information regarding individuals or organizations to clients, or detect occurrences of unlawful acts or infractions of rules in private establishment.
Stock Rocket // Shutterstock
#19. Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products
Albuquerque, NM
– Annual mean salary: $61,700
– #283 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 2,160
National
– Annual mean salary: $73,500
– Employment: 1,278,670
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Danbury, CT ($112,810)
— Napa, CA ($101,850)
— Santa Fe, NM ($93,680)
– Job description: Sell goods for wholesalers or manufacturers to businesses or groups of individuals. Work requires substantial knowledge of items sold.
Dragana Gordic // Shutterstock
#18. Community health workers
Albuquerque, NM
– Annual mean salary: $62,250
– #6 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 730
National
– Annual mean salary: $46,000
– Employment: 58,670
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with highest average pay:
— San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($66,920)
— Manchester, NH ($66,210)
— Sacramento–Roseville–Arden-Arcade, CA ($64,370)
– Job description: Promote health within a community by assisting individuals to adopt healthy behaviors. Serve as an advocate for the health needs of individuals by assisting community residents in effectively communicating with healthcare providers or social service agencies. Act as liaison or advocate and implement programs that promote, maintain, and improve individual and overall community health. May deliver health-related preventive services such as blood pressure, glaucoma, and hearing screenings. May collect data to help identify community health needs.
Syda Productions // Shutterstock
#17. Executive secretaries and executive administrative assistants
Albuquerque, NM
– Annual mean salary: $62,330
– #87 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 670
National
– Annual mean salary: $65,230
– Employment: 503,390
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with highest average pay:
— San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($92,040)
— Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($89,100)
— San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($86,180)
– Job description: Provide high-level administrative support by conducting research, preparing statistical reports, and handling information requests, as well as performing routine administrative functions such as preparing correspondence, receiving visitors, arranging conference calls, and scheduling meetings. May also train and supervise lower-level clerical staff.
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
#16. Claims adjusters, examiners, and investigators
Albuquerque, NM
– Annual mean salary: $63,400
– #206 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 950
National
– Annual mean salary: $70,650
– Employment: 287,150
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($97,980)
— Waterbury, CT ($92,160)
— San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($88,750)
– Job description: Review settled claims to determine that payments and settlements are made in accordance with company practices and procedures. Confer with legal counsel on claims requiring litigation. May also settle insurance claims.
Paolo Bona // Shutterstock
#15. Food service managers
Albuquerque, NM
– Annual mean salary: $64,420
– #92 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 540
National
– Annual mean salary: $61,000
– Employment: 197,010
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($97,610)
— Trenton, NJ ($95,640)
— Waterbury, CT ($88,100)
– Job description: Plan, direct, or coordinate activities of an organization or department that serves food and beverages.
sculpies // Shutterstock
#14. First-line supervisors of construction trades and extraction workers
Albuquerque, NM
– Annual mean salary: $64,450
– #248 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 2,730
National
– Annual mean salary: $72,990
– Employment: 614,080
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with highest average pay:
— San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($107,870)
— Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA ($103,930)
— Santa Rosa, CA ($100,620)
– Job description: Directly supervise and coordinate activities of construction or extraction workers.
Pandu Agus Wismoyo // Unsplash
#13. Aircraft mechanics and service technicians
Albuquerque, NM
– Annual mean salary: $64,490
– #85 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 330
National
– Annual mean salary: $69,040
– Employment: 128,300
– Entry level education requirements: Postsecondary nondegree award
– Metros with highest average pay:
— McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX ($95,680)
— Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($89,710)
— Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO ($87,830)
– Job description: Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul aircraft engines and assemblies, such as hydraulic and pneumatic systems.
Unsplash
#12. Structural iron and steel workers
Albuquerque, NM
– Annual mean salary: $64,720
– #41 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: data not available
National
– Annual mean salary: $58,650
– Employment: 71,490
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Trenton, NJ ($91,360)
— Rockford, IL ($90,160)
— Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($89,740)
– Job description: Raise, place, and unite iron or steel girders, columns, and other structural members to form completed structures or structural frameworks. May erect metal storage tanks and assemble prefabricated metal buildings.
Jat306 // Shutterstock
#11. Millwrights
Albuquerque, NM
– Annual mean salary: $67,190
– #21 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 30
National
– Annual mean salary: $59,080
– Employment: 44,400
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Elmira, NY ($94,190)
— Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($90,570)
— San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($85,090)
– Job description: Install, dismantle, or move machinery and heavy equipment according to layout plans, blueprints, or other drawings.
g-stockstudio // Shutterstock
#10. First-line supervisors of non-retail sales workers
Albuquerque, NM
– Annual mean salary: $67,390
– #288 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 380
National
– Annual mean salary: $90,120
– Employment: 240,290
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with highest average pay:
— La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN ($124,150)
— Durham-Chapel Hill, NC ($122,460)
— Leominster-Gardner, MA ($119,130)
– Job description: Directly supervise and coordinate activities of sales workers other than retail sales workers. May perform duties such as budgeting, accounting, and personnel work, in addition to supervisory duties.
Unsplash
#9. Tax preparers
Albuquerque, NM
– Annual mean salary: $67,790
– #12 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 70
National
– Annual mean salary: $52,710
– Employment: 62,600
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with highest average pay:
— San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($99,160)
— College Station-Bryan, TX ($80,580)
— Anchorage, AK ($78,470)
– Job description: Prepare tax returns for individuals or small businesses.
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
#8. Lodging managers
Albuquerque, NM
– Annual mean salary: $68,820
– #41 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: data not available
National
– Annual mean salary: $65,270
– Employment: 31,790
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY ($108,990)
— Reno, NV ($106,060)
— San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($105,560)
– Job description: Plan, direct, or coordinate activities of an organization or department that provides lodging and other accommodations.
4 PM production // Shutterstock
#7. First-line supervisors of mechanics, installers, and repairers
Albuquerque, NM
– Annual mean salary: $69,590
– #199 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 1,020
National
– Annual mean salary: $73,100
– Employment: 475,000
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with highest average pay:
— San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($95,680)
— Bremerton-Silverdale, WA ($93,140)
— San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($92,810)
– Job description: Directly supervise and coordinate the activities of mechanics, installers, and repairers. May also advise customers on recommended services. Excludes team or work leaders.
Canva
#6. Elevator and escalator installers and repairers
Albuquerque, NM
– Annual mean salary: $78,390
– #37 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 140
National
– Annual mean salary: $86,200
– Employment: 24,730
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH ($109,710)
— San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($105,080)
— Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI ($101,990)
– Job description: Assemble, install, repair, or maintain electric or hydraulic freight or passenger elevators, escalators, or dumbwaiters.
Prath // Shutterstock
#5. Detectives and criminal investigators
Albuquerque, NM
– Annual mean salary: $85,170
– #109 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 290
National
– Annual mean salary: $89,300
– Employment: 105,980
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with highest average pay:
— San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($127,380)
— Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV ($127,090)
— Anchorage, AK ($126,530)
– Job description: Conduct investigations related to suspected violations of federal, state, or local laws to prevent or solve crimes.
Canva
#4. Transportation inspectors
Albuquerque, NM
– Annual mean salary: $85,390
– #34 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 50
National
– Annual mean salary: $81,320
– Employment: 27,360
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Portland-South Portland, ME ($119,270)
— Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($117,900)
— Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA ($104,370)
– Job description: Inspect equipment or goods in connection with the safe transport of cargo or people. Includes rail transportation inspectors, such as freight inspectors, rail inspectors, and other inspectors of transportation vehicles not elsewhere classified.
Kelly Ogden // Wikimedia Commons
#3. Transportation, storage, and distribution managers
Albuquerque, NM
– Annual mean salary: $91,660
– #199 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 260
National
– Annual mean salary: $105,100
– Employment: 132,210
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with highest average pay:
— San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($163,580)
— Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($137,680)
— Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ ($136,410)
– Job description: Plan, direct, or coordinate transportation, storage, or distribution activities in accordance with organizational policies and applicable government laws or regulations. Includes logistics managers.
Canva
#2. First-line supervisors of police and detectives
Albuquerque, NM
– Annual mean salary: $92,370
– #138 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 210
National
– Annual mean salary: $97,180
– Employment: 122,310
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with highest average pay:
— San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($200,090)
— San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($182,810)
— Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA ($182,720)
– Job description: Directly supervise and coordinate activities of members of police force.
Skycolors // Shutterstock
#1. Commercial pilots
Albuquerque, NM
– Annual mean salary: $103,920
– #41 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 150
National
– Annual mean salary: $110,830
– Employment: 37,120
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Sioux City, IA-NE-SD ($153,990)
— Medford, OR ($152,730)
— Sacramento–Roseville–Arden-Arcade, CA ($152,290)
– Job description: Pilot and navigate the flight of fixed-wing aircraft on nonscheduled air carrier routes, or helicopters. Requires Commercial Pilot certificate. Includes charter pilots with similar certification, and air ambulance and air tour pilots. Excludes regional, national, and international airline pilots.
