Highest paying jobs in Athens-Clarke County, GA
The best paying occupations in the Athens-Clarke County, GA 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 6.7% below the national average (2024).
Wages: BLS OEWS, May 2025
| # | Occupation | MedianAthens-Clarke County, GA | 10th–90th percentilemiddle half shaded darker | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Emergency Medicine PhysiciansDoctoral or professional degree | $388,370 | $231,070 – $388,370 | — |
| 2 | General Internal Medicine PhysiciansDoctoral or professional degree | $281,100 | $99,120 – $281,100 | 110 |
| 3 | Physicians, All OtherDoctoral or professional degree | $235,360 | $55,120 – $407,890 | 190 |
| 4 | Family Medicine PhysiciansDoctoral or professional degree | $217,050 | $131,470 – $432,800 | 90 |
| 5 | Dentists, GeneralDoctoral or professional degree | $166,440 | $64,040 – $326,260 | 40 |
| 6 | Chief ExecutivesBachelor's degree | $164,460 | $55,240 – $551,360 | 50 |
| 7 | Architectural and Engineering ManagersBachelor's degree | $157,340 | $119,650 – $214,550 | 40 |
| 8 | Computer and Information Systems ManagersBachelor's degree | $137,570 | $95,000 – $232,920 | 110 |
| 9 | Financial ManagersBachelor's degree | $137,130 | $78,230 – $276,290 | 210 |
| 10 | Engineering Teachers, PostsecondaryDoctoral or professional degree | $134,370 | $83,310 – $172,260 | 60 |
| 11 | Purchasing ManagersBachelor's degree | $133,630 | $94,050 – $217,060 | 30 |
| 12 | PharmacistsDoctoral or professional degree | $132,230 | $78,950 – $162,910 | 330 |
| 13 | Marketing ManagersBachelor's degree | $131,280 | $79,380 – $257,980 | 50 |
| 14 | Industrial Production ManagersBachelor's degree | $131,200 | $81,340 – $179,990 | 100 |
| 15 | Human Resources ManagersBachelor's degree | $129,490 | $77,560 – $193,120 | 60 |
| 16 | Nurse PractitionersMaster's degree | $128,140 | $90,470 – $162,130 | 240 |
| 17 | Medical and Health Services ManagersBachelor's degree | $126,420 | $70,010 – $206,130 | 240 |
| 18 | Physician AssistantsMaster's degree | $125,460 | $96,720 – $162,240 | 160 |
| 19 | VeterinariansDoctoral or professional degree | $123,320 | $61,630 – $208,940 | 120 |
| 20 | Transportation, Storage, and Distribution ManagersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $122,180 | $66,640 – $191,570 | 50 |
| 21 | Sales ManagersBachelor's degree | $121,530 | $70,350 – $211,220 | 170 |
| 22 | ChemistsBachelor's degree | $117,990 | $64,500 – $151,920 | 110 |
| 23 | MicrobiologistsBachelor's degree | $112,440 | $91,210 – $185,870 | 80 |
| 24 | Facilities ManagersBachelor's degree | $108,050 | $73,090 – $177,280 | 50 |
| 25 | Software DevelopersBachelor's degree | $106,870 | $65,400 – $160,670 | 150 |
| 26 | English Language and Literature Teachers, PostsecondaryDoctoral or professional degree | $105,970 | $55,420 – $142,640 | 60 |
| 27 | LawyersDoctoral or professional degree | $105,360 | $52,630 – $205,830 | 240 |
| 28 | Education Administrators, Kindergarten through SecondaryMaster's degree | $104,770 | $78,500 – $125,370 | 150 |
| 29 | Construction ManagersBachelor's degree | $101,980 | $63,640 – $196,860 | 170 |
| 30 | Physical TherapistsDoctoral or professional degree | $101,570 | $75,340 – $129,970 | 150 |
| 31 | Occupational TherapistsMaster's degree | $101,080 | $72,350 – $121,750 | 90 |
| 32 | Electrical EngineersBachelor's degree | $99,490 | $73,300 – $128,870 | 50 |
| 33 | Mechanical EngineersBachelor's degree | $98,970 | $68,820 – $128,270 | 50 |
| 34 | Personal Financial AdvisorsBachelor's degree | $98,070 | $46,210 – $454,180 | 130 |
| 35 | Architects, Except Landscape and NavalBachelor's degree | $98,020 | $57,480 – $187,210 | 40 |
| 36 | Physical Scientists, All OtherBachelor's degree | $96,820 | $40,030 – $170,370 | 40 |
| 37 | Managers, All OtherBachelor's degree | $94,240 | $55,040 – $168,070 | 510 |
| 38 | Speech-Language PathologistsMaster's degree | $93,890 | $60,470 – $121,610 | 70 |
| 39 | Magnetic Resonance Imaging TechnologistsAssociate's degree | $92,060 | $67,000 – $108,020 | 50 |
| 40 | Industrial EngineersBachelor's degree | $91,930 | $63,550 – $126,380 | 170 |
| 41 | Database AdministratorsBachelor's degree | $91,360 | $63,230 – $151,120 | 30 |
| 42 | Administrative Services ManagersBachelor's degree | $90,810 | $54,580 – $183,500 | 210 |
| 43 | Financial and Investment AnalystsBachelor's degree | $89,430 | $61,270 – $129,990 | 80 |
| 44 | Computer Occupations, All OtherBachelor's degree | $88,610 | $47,920 – $152,650 | 100 |
| 45 | Education Administrators, PostsecondaryMaster's degree | $85,460 | $55,260 – $111,420 | 100 |
| 46 | Health Specialties Teachers, PostsecondaryDoctoral or professional degree | $84,620 | $54,550 – $223,950 | 120 |
| 47 | Business Teachers, PostsecondaryDoctoral or professional degree | $84,320 | $39,560 – $139,970 | 70 |
| 48 | Occupational Health and Safety SpecialistsBachelor's degree | $83,650 | $45,560 – $128,410 | 60 |
| 49 | Biological Scientists, All OtherBachelor's degree | $83,390 | $29,310 – $118,710 | 50 |
| 50 | Project Management SpecialistsBachelor's degree | $82,430 | $46,190 – $134,450 | 250 |