Next page
The average college graduate in 2019 earned $78,000 a year, while the average high school graduate takes home just $45,000, according to research from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. To put it in perspective, the average annual wage for workers in the U.S. that same year was $51,916.27. Of course, college isn’t for everyone.
Next page
There are many reasons high-school graduates may choose to not continue on to college, not the least of which being cost. Average tuition costs continue to rise each year. Average tuition at a public, in-state university coming in at $9,687; tuition for out-of-state students at public schools, and for everyone at private universities, is significantly higher at $21,874 and $35,087, respectively.
Next page
Just because you decide higher education isn’t in the cards doesn’t mean you have to resign yourself to a lifetime of low-paying jobs. You just need to be strategic about the career you choose.
Next page
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC - Annual mean salary: $52,850 (#121 highest pay among all metros) - Employment: 1,180 National - Annual mean salary: $54,040 - Employment: 103,730
Next page
Job description: Directly supervise and coordinate activities of workers engaged in landscaping or groundskeeping activities. Work may involve reviewing contracts to ascertain service, machine, and workforce requirements; answering inquiries from potential customers regarding methods, material, and price ranges; and preparing estimates according to labor, material, and machine costs.
Next page
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC - Annual mean salary: $52,900 (#9 highest pay among all metros) - Employment: data not available National - Annual mean salary: $46,000 - Employment: 15,290
Next page
Job description: Operate or tend furnaces, such as gas, oil, coal, electric-arc or electric induction, open-hearth, or oxygen furnaces, to melt and refine metal before casting or to produce specified types of steel.
Next page
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC - Annual mean salary: $52,240 (#191 highest pay among all metros) - Employment: 1,190 National - Annual mean salary: $57,000 - Employment: 147,680
Next page
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.
Next page
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC - Annual mean salary: $52,210 (#121 highest pay among all metros) - Employment: 850 National - Annual mean salary: $62,400 - Employment: 50,660
Next page
-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.
Next page
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC - Annual mean salary: $53,240 (#5 highest pay among all metros) - Employment: 1,000 National - Annual mean salary: $45,710 - Employment: 110,020
Next page
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.
Next page
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC - Annual mean salary: $53,670 (#71 highest pay among all metros) - Employment: 2,670 National - Annual mean salary: $53,180 - Employment: 333,570
Next page
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.
Next page
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC - Annual mean salary: $54,310 (#41 highest pay among all metros) - Employment: 420 National - Annual mean salary: $51,200 - Employment: 86,950
Next page
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.
Next page
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC - Annual mean salary: $54,250 (#63 highest pay among all metros) - Employment: 70 National - Annual mean salary: $57,870 - Employment: 20,950
Next page
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.
Next page
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC - Annual mean salary: $54,640 (#118 highest pay among all metros) - Employment: 730 National - Annual mean salary: $58,740 - Employment: 101,490
Next page
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.
Next page
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC - Annual mean salary: $54,790 (#15 highest pay among all metros) - Employment: data not available National - Annual mean salary: $49,250 - Employment: 15,380 Job description: Repair, maintain, or install electric motors, wiring, or switches.
Next page
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC - Annual mean salary: $55,300 (#192 highest pay among all metros) - Employment: 3,870 National - Annual mean salary: $57,350 - Employment: 385,980
Next page
Job description: Repair, install, adjust, or maintain industrial production and processing machinery or refinery and pipeline distribution systems. May also install, dismantle, or move machinery and heavy equipment according to plans.
Next page
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC - Annual mean salary: $55,780 (#102 highest pay among all metros) - Employment: 2,710 National - Annual mean salary: $62,990 - Employment: 168,740
Next page
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.
Next page
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC - Annual mean salary: $55,770 (#2 highest pay among all metros) - Employment: 130 National - Annual mean salary: $43,100 - Employment: 23,710
Next page
Job description: Set up, operate, or tend lathe and turning machines to turn, bore, thread, form, or face metal or plastic materials, such as wire, rod, or bar stock.
Next page
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC - Annual mean salary: $56,240 (#56 highest pay among all metros) - Employment: 2,480 National - Annual mean salary: $52,090 - Employment: 253,010
Next page
Job description: Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul buses and trucks, or maintain and repair any type of diesel engines. Includes mechanics working primarily with automobile or marine diesel engines.
Next page
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC - Annual mean salary: $56,310 (#35 highest pay among all metros) - Employment: 50 National - Annual mean salary: $54,420 - Employment: 22,640
Next page
Job description: Directly supervise and coordinate the activities of agricultural, forestry, aquacultural, and related workers.
Next page
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC - Annual mean salary: $57,060 (#184 highest pay among all metros) - Employment: 1,780 National - Annual mean salary: $66,470 - Employment: 113,770
Next page
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.
Next page
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC - Annual mean salary: $56,820 (#37 highest pay among all metros) - Employment: 1,120 National - Annual mean salary: $58,460 - Employment: 44,720
Next page
Job description: Perform duties related to the purchase, sale, or holding of securities. Duties include writing orders for stock purchases or sales, computing transfer taxes, verifying stock transactions, accepting and delivering securities, tracking stock price fluctuations, computing equity, distributing dividends, and keeping records of daily transactions and holdings.
Next page
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC - Annual mean salary: $57,060 (#184 highest pay among all metros) - Employment: 1,780 National - Annual mean salary: $66,470 - Employment: 113,770
Next page
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.
Next page
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC - Annual mean salary: $58,570 (#72 highest pay among all metros) - Employment: 60 National - Annual mean salary: $68,170 - Employment: 29,550
Next page
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.
Next page
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC - Annual mean salary: $59,330 (#51 highest pay among all metros) - Employment: data not available National - Annual mean salary: $77,610 - Employment: 40,480
Next page
Job description: Operate or control petroleum refining or processing units. May specialize in controlling manifold and pumping systems, gauging or testing oil in storage tanks, or regulating the flow of oil into pipelines.
Next page
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC - Annual mean salary: $58,910 (#1 highest pay among all metros) - Employment: 140 National - Annual mean salary: $40,280 - Employment: 12,580
Next page
Job description: Wind wire coils used in electrical components, such as resistors and transformers, and in electrical equipment and instruments, such as field cores, bobbins, armature cores, electrical motors, generators, and control equipment.
Next page
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC - Annual mean salary: $59,780 (#123 highest pay among all metros) - Employment: 12,810 National - Annual mean salary: $62,010 - Employment: 1,427,260
Next page
Job description: Directly supervise and coordinate the activities of clerical and administrative support workers.
Next page
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC - Annual mean salary: $60,250 (#147 highest pay among all metros) - Employment: data not available National - Annual mean salary: $61,000 - Employment: 197,010
Next page
Job description: Plan, direct, or coordinate activities of an organization or department that serves food and beverages.
Next page
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC - Annual mean salary: $61,950 (#1 highest pay among all metros) - Employment: 60 National - Annual mean salary: $42,440 - Employment: 7,200
Next page
Job description: Operate hand-controlled mechanisms to pour and regulate the flow of molten metal into molds to produce castings or ingots.
Next page
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC - Annual mean salary: $62,730 (#25 highest pay among all metros) - Employment: data not available National - Annual mean salary: $60,100 - Employment: 32,200
Next page
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.
Next page
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC - Annual mean salary: $63,110 (#5 highest pay among all metros) - Employment: 3,910 National - Annual mean salary: $59,150 - Employment: 116,260
Next page
Job description: Monitor safety of the aircraft cabin. Provide services to airline passengers, explain safety information, serve food and beverages, and respond to emergency incidents.
Next page
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC - Annual mean salary: $63,310 (#13 highest pay among all metros) - Employment: 1,690 National - Annual mean salary: $49,430 - Employment: 137,120 Job description: Repair and refinish automotive vehicle bodies and straighten vehicle frames.
Next page
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC - Annual mean salary: $63,610 (#228 highest pay among all metros) - Employment: 5,210 National - Annual mean salary: $66,800 - Employment: 599,900
Next page
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.
Next page
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC - Annual mean salary: $64,450 (#129 highest pay among all metros) - Employment: 12,520 National - Annual mean salary: $70,490 - Employment: 977,070
Next page
Job description: Sell services to individuals or businesses. May describe options or resolve client problems.
Next page
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC - Annual mean salary: $63,790 (#64 highest pay among all metros) - Employment: 3,650 National - Annual mean salary: $65,230 - Employment: 503,390
Next page
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.
Next page
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC - Annual mean salary: $65,310 (#16 highest pay among all metros) - Employment: data not available National - Annual mean salary: $67,430 - Employment: 14,020
Next page
Job description: Construct, assemble, maintain, and repair stationary steam boilers and boiler house auxiliaries. Align structures or plate sections to assemble boiler frame tanks or vats, following blueprints. Work involves use of hand and power tools, plumb bobs, levels, wedges, dogs, or turnbuckles. Assist in testing assembled vessels.
Next page
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC - Annual mean salary: $65,690 (#225 highest pay among all metros) - Employment: 9,510 National - Annual mean salary: $72,990 - Employment: 614,080
Next page
Job description: Directly supervise and coordinate activities of construction or extraction workers.
Next page
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC - Annual mean salary: $66,300 (#128 highest pay among all metros) - Employment: 4,790 National - Annual mean salary: $69,100 - Employment: 409,950
Next page
Job description: Sell life, property, casualty, health, automotive, or other types of insurance. May refer clients to independent brokers, work as an independent broker, or be employed by an insurance company.
Next page
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC - Annual mean salary: $69,150 (#132 highest pay among all metros) - Employment: 3,030 National - Annual mean salary: $70,650 - Employment: 287,150
Next page
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.
Next page
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC - Annual mean salary: $70,820 (#133 highest pay among all metros) - Employment: 730 National - Annual mean salary: $74,410 - Employment: 114,930
Next page
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.
Next page
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC - Annual mean salary: $70,990 (#47 highest pay among all metros) - Employment: 130 National - Annual mean salary: $67,600 - Employment: 53,420
Next page
Job description: Directly supervise and coordinate activities of correctional officers and jailers.
Next page
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC - Annual mean salary: $71,590 (#57 highest pay among all metros) - Employment: 70 National - Annual mean salary: $81,320 - Employment: 27,360
Next page
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.
Next page
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC - Annual mean salary: $72,210 (#187 highest pay among all metros) - Employment: 590 National - Annual mean salary: $89,300 - Employment: 105,980
Next page
Job description: Conduct investigations related to suspected violations of federal, state, or local laws to prevent or solve crimes
Next page
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC - Annual mean salary: $72,610 (#77 highest pay among all metros) - Employment: 1,890 National - Annual mean salary: $73,210 - Employment: 219,800
Next page
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).
Next page
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC - Annual mean salary: $73,090 (#14 highest pay among all metros) - Employment: 80 National - Annual mean salary: $73,290 - Employment: 14,990
Next page
Job description: Distribute or process gas for utility companies and others by controlling compressors to maintain specified pressures on main pipelines.
Next page
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC - Annual mean salary: $73,930 (#117 highest pay among all metros) - Employment: 4,500 National - Annual mean salary: $73,100 - Employment: 475,000
Next page
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.
Next page
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC - Annual mean salary: $74,360 (#16 highest pay among all metros) - Employment: 1,190 National - Annual mean salary: $68,040 - Employment: 110,040
Next page
Job description: Sell or solicit advertising space, time, or media in publications, signage, TV, radio, or Internet establishments or public spaces.
Next page
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC - Annual mean salary: $79,290 (#226 highest pay among all metros) - Employment: 1,060 National - Annual mean salary: $97,180 - Employment: 122,310 Job description: Directly supervise and coordinate activities of members of police force.
Next page
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC - Annual mean salary: $80,700 (#20 highest pay among all metros) - Employment: 50 National - Annual mean salary: $65,270 - Employment: 31,790
Next page
Job description: Plan, direct, or coordinate activities of an organization or department that provides lodging and other accommodations.
Next page
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC - Annual mean salary: $83,050 (#41 highest pay among all metros) - Employment: 210 National - Annual mean salary: $81,890 - Employment: 32,960
Next page
Job description: Control, operate, or maintain machinery to generate electric power. Includes auxiliary equipment operators.
Next page
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC - Annual mean salary: $85,090 (#21 highest pay among all metros) - Employment: 60 National - Annual mean salary: $79,660 - Employment: 13,880
Next page
Job description: Sell goods for wholesalers or manufacturers to businesses or groups of individuals. Work requires substantial knowledge of items sold.
Next page
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC - Annual mean salary: $88,910 (#10 highest pay among all metros) - Employment: 16,190 National - Annual mean salary: $73,500 - Employment: 1,278,670
Next page
Job description: Sell goods for wholesalers or manufacturers to businesses or groups of individuals. Work requires substantial knowledge of items sold.
Next page
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC - Annual mean salary: $106,290 (#7 highest pay among all metros) - Employment: 980 National - Annual mean salary: $81,630 - Employment: 44,610
Next page
Job description: Operate real estate office, or work for commercial real estate firm, overseeing real estate transactions. Other duties usually include selling real estate or renting properties and arranging loans.
Next page
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC - Annual mean salary: $106,780 (#14 highest pay among all metros) - Employment: 3,790 National - Annual mean salary: $90,120 - Employment: 240,290
Next page
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.
Next page
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC - Annual mean salary: $110,660 (#49 highest pay among all metros) - Employment: 870 National - Annual mean salary: $105,100 - Employment: 132,210
Next page
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.