Highest paying jobs in Asheville, NC
The best paying occupations in the Asheville, NC metro area, ranked by median annual wage. Metro wage estimates are suppressed more often than state ones — BLS withholds any figure that too few local employers report — so an occupation missing here simply has no published local estimate.
Cost of living: prices here run 3.5% below the national average (2024).
Wages: BLS OEWS, May 2025
| # | Occupation | MedianAsheville, NC | 10th–90th percentilemiddle half shaded darker | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Physicians, All OtherDoctoral or professional degree | $360,010 | $164,170 – $411,580 | 1,020 |
| 2 | Chief ExecutivesBachelor's degree | $270,520 | $132,100 – $624,280 | 50 |
| 3 | General Internal Medicine PhysiciansDoctoral or professional degree | $225,830 | $60,210 – $470,880 | 340 |
| 4 | Nurse AnesthetistsMaster's degree | $223,630 | $124,100 – $289,380 | 150 |
| 5 | Family Medicine PhysiciansDoctoral or professional degree | $212,710 | $135,700 – $234,970 | 90 |
| 6 | Dentists, GeneralDoctoral or professional degree | $202,630 | $70,490 – $326,970 | 140 |
| 7 | Pediatricians, GeneralDoctoral or professional degree | $170,140 | $129,990 – $229,230 | 80 |
| 8 | OptometristsDoctoral or professional degree | $167,980 | $95,220 – $207,200 | 40 |
| 9 | PsychiatristsDoctoral or professional degree | $164,520 | $87,670 – $297,070 | 50 |
| 10 | Computer and Information Systems ManagersBachelor's degree | $163,290 | $100,840 – $234,650 | 420 |
| 11 | Architectural and Engineering ManagersBachelor's degree | $160,140 | $110,170 – $225,880 | 200 |
| 12 | Psychologists, All OtherMaster's degree | $152,550 | $91,730 – $169,980 | 60 |
| 13 | Financial ManagersBachelor's degree | $152,270 | $82,990 – $301,470 | 450 |
| 14 | Marketing ManagersBachelor's degree | $150,610 | $82,850 – $234,060 | 160 |
| 15 | Information Security AnalystsBachelor's degree | $149,350 | $76,860 – $155,030 | 200 |
| 16 | PharmacistsDoctoral or professional degree | $136,460 | $110,810 – $164,260 | 520 |
| 17 | Software DevelopersBachelor's degree | $134,350 | $83,370 – $215,750 | 780 |
| 18 | Natural Sciences ManagersBachelor's degree | $133,470 | $87,670 – $212,890 | 80 |
| 19 | Physician AssistantsMaster's degree | $131,260 | $102,420 – $174,370 | 460 |
| 20 | VeterinariansDoctoral or professional degree | $130,330 | $35,990 – $209,340 | 190 |
| 21 | Nurse PractitionersMaster's degree | $127,770 | $102,000 – $161,030 | 520 |
| 22 | Human Resources ManagersBachelor's degree | $125,420 | $88,400 – $204,990 | 150 |
| 23 | Industrial Production ManagersBachelor's degree | $125,140 | $74,720 – $210,490 | 360 |
| 24 | Managers, All OtherBachelor's degree | $124,150 | $65,000 – $204,370 | 580 |
| 25 | Electrical EngineersBachelor's degree | $123,480 | $73,190 – $149,140 | 300 |
| 26 | Medical and Health Services ManagersBachelor's degree | $122,710 | $72,500 – $199,390 | 750 |
| 27 | Sales ManagersBachelor's degree | $121,670 | $63,240 – $224,980 | 450 |
| 28 | Purchasing ManagersBachelor's degree | $116,040 | $86,200 – $222,970 | 50 |
| 29 | Software Quality Assurance Analysts and TestersBachelor's degree | $114,510 | $64,230 – $163,440 | 100 |
| 30 | Sales EngineersBachelor's degree | $111,250 | $75,560 – $165,600 | 60 |
| 31 | Database ArchitectsBachelor's degree | $110,910 | $70,390 – $154,960 | 50 |
| 32 | Fundraising ManagersBachelor's degree | $110,810 | $64,960 – $169,390 | 60 |
| 33 | Training and Development ManagersBachelor's degree | $108,660 | $62,020 – $193,510 | 40 |
| 34 | Mechanical EngineersBachelor's degree | $108,630 | $77,510 – $217,230 | 330 |
| 35 | Engineers, All OtherBachelor's degree | $105,840 | $68,810 – $187,870 | — |
| 36 | LawyersDoctoral or professional degree | $105,480 | $67,270 – $227,540 | 470 |
| 37 | Construction ManagersBachelor's degree | $105,040 | $67,320 – $168,140 | 470 |
| 38 | Public Relations ManagersBachelor's degree | $103,440 | $73,170 – $145,470 | 50 |
| 39 | Architects, Except Landscape and NavalBachelor's degree | $103,100 | $62,040 – $150,040 | 120 |
| 40 | Personal Financial AdvisorsBachelor's degree | $102,150 | $45,270 – $241,880 | 230 |
| 41 | Computer Network Support SpecialistsAssociate's degree | $101,650 | $46,110 – $129,800 | — |
| 42 | Computer Network ArchitectsBachelor's degree | $101,420 | $52,890 – $179,380 | 140 |
| 43 | Facilities ManagersBachelor's degree | $101,190 | $64,960 – $151,950 | 170 |
| 44 | Dental HygienistsAssociate's degree | $101,170 | $81,440 – $107,230 | 300 |
| 45 | ChiropractorsDoctoral or professional degree | $100,850 | $51,530 – $151,730 | 50 |
| 46 | Physical Scientists, All OtherBachelor's degree | $100,690 | $62,320 – $161,890 | 70 |
| 47 | Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural ManagersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $100,610 | $50,590 – $341,910 | 30 |
| 48 | Industrial EngineersBachelor's degree | $100,490 | $76,120 – $126,060 | 500 |
| 49 | Transportation, Storage, and Distribution ManagersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $100,280 | $62,090 – $173,340 | 210 |
| 50 | Civil EngineersBachelor's degree | $100,170 | $70,050 – $157,990 | 400 |