What Are the Highest-Paying Jobs in Your City?

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It turns out that the highest-paying jobs vary by location. Are you in the best city for your profession?

A new study from All Star Home found the most lucrative occupations and industries among top earners in 50 different cities across the country, using data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics American Community Survey. The study focused on the percentage of people in each occupation or industry to determine the actual most common occupations of high earners.

But how do you define “top earners”? For the study, All Star Home focused on individuals making $150k or more a year as a baseline, “because when you look at the household income of these earners, in reality, many of them live wealthier lives than their salary shows thanks to contributions from their partners or additional assets.” Plus, $150k a year is over double the average salary. According to Forbes Advisor, the average annual salary nationwide is $59,428, and the average hourly rate is $28.34.

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Highest-paying jobs and industries in the U.S.

Overall, these are the top five occupations with the highest percentage of people making $150k or more, by U.S. city.

Lawyers and judges: 19.3%; Washington, DC
Managers: 16.8%; Arlington, VA
Chief executives: 12.8%; Miami, FL
Physicians: 12.6%; Little Rock, AR
Software developers: 9.1%; Seattle, WA

And these are the top five industries with the highest percentage of people making $150k or more.

Computer systems design: 22.93%
Legal services: 20.25%
Financial investing: 13.78%
Management, scientific and technical consulting: 12.73%
Colleges, universities and professional schools: 6.31%

The most common high-paying occupations also vary in popularity depending on which region you live in.

Most common high-paying occupations in the Northwest: Physicians
Most common high-paying occupations in the South: Physicians
Most common high-paying occupations in the Southwest: Managers
Most common high-paying occupations in the Midwest: Lawyers and judges
Most common high-paying occupations in the West: Managers

You can view a city-by-city breakdown by viewing the study here.

Erin pairs personal experience with research and is passionate about sharing personal finance advice with others. Previously, she was a freelancer focusing on the credit card side of finance, but has branched out since then to cover other aspects of personal finance. Erin is well-versed in traditional media with reporting, interviewing and research, as well as using graphic design and video and audio storytelling to share with her readers.

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Highest-paying jobs and industries in the U.S.

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