Highest paying jobs in Columbus, IN
The best paying occupations in the Columbus, IN 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 7.0% below the national average (2024).
Wages: BLS OEWS, May 2025
| # | Occupation | MedianColumbus, IN | 10th–90th percentilemiddle half shaded darker | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Physicians, All OtherDoctoral or professional degree | $369,300 | $154,400 – $494,090 | 130 |
| 2 | Architectural and Engineering ManagersBachelor's degree | $180,830 | $129,530 – $211,950 | 310 |
| 3 | Marketing ManagersBachelor's degree | $166,610 | $98,590 – $196,340 | 40 |
| 4 | Managers, All OtherBachelor's degree | $147,910 | $50,130 – $209,270 | 40 |
| 5 | Financial ManagersBachelor's degree | $143,590 | $78,340 – $217,100 | 180 |
| 6 | Computer and Information Systems ManagersBachelor's degree | $139,430 | $91,180 – $201,830 | 90 |
| 7 | PharmacistsDoctoral or professional degree | $137,330 | $89,630 – $154,950 | 50 |
| 8 | Administrative Services ManagersBachelor's degree | $134,150 | $74,990 – $211,640 | 80 |
| 9 | Industrial Production ManagersBachelor's degree | $130,490 | $79,550 – $221,980 | 360 |
| 10 | Mechanical EngineersBachelor's degree | $127,700 | $86,480 – $162,370 | 1,000 |
| 11 | Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific ProductsBachelor's degree | $126,110 | $63,910 – $159,130 | 60 |
| 12 | Nurse PractitionersMaster's degree | $125,780 | $98,290 – $172,600 | 170 |
| 13 | Physician AssistantsMaster's degree | $124,460 | $107,810 – $170,610 | 60 |
| 14 | Human Resources ManagersBachelor's degree | $124,230 | $79,230 – $169,150 | 60 |
| 15 | Sales ManagersBachelor's degree | $120,730 | $69,230 – $222,260 | 130 |
| 16 | General and Operations ManagersBachelor's degree | $112,760 | $59,090 – $241,960 | 590 |
| 17 | Management AnalystsBachelor's degree | $111,090 | $57,930 – $168,980 | 110 |
| 18 | Facilities ManagersBachelor's degree | $110,720 | $81,190 – $196,820 | 90 |
| 19 | Chemical EngineersBachelor's degree | $109,190 | $105,880 – $121,750 | 40 |
| 20 | LawyersDoctoral or professional degree | $105,790 | $70,710 – $279,780 | 70 |
| 21 | Software DevelopersBachelor's degree | $104,880 | $80,000 – $137,340 | 280 |
| 22 | Computer Systems AnalystsBachelor's degree | $103,800 | $60,600 – $145,720 | 130 |
| 23 | Construction ManagersBachelor's degree | $102,020 | $63,550 – $179,410 | 40 |
| 24 | Medical and Health Services ManagersBachelor's degree | $101,380 | $63,460 – $159,810 | 170 |
| 25 | LogisticiansBachelor's degree | $100,720 | $64,360 – $130,090 | 280 |
| 26 | Electrical EngineersBachelor's degree | $99,960 | $73,830 – $134,140 | 70 |
| 27 | Commercial PilotsPostsecondary nondegree award | $99,250 | $88,730 – $149,270 | — |
| 28 | Education Administrators, Kindergarten through SecondaryMaster's degree | $98,160 | $72,750 – $129,270 | 90 |
| 29 | Industrial EngineersBachelor's degree | $97,480 | $80,590 – $160,210 | 910 |
| 30 | Clinical and Counseling PsychologistsDoctoral or professional degree | $97,460 | $77,050 – $125,630 | 40 |
| 31 | Physical TherapistsDoctoral or professional degree | $96,400 | $73,810 – $130,420 | 90 |
| 32 | Information Security AnalystsBachelor's degree | $94,770 | $61,630 – $193,010 | 40 |
| 33 | Data ScientistsBachelor's degree | $94,700 | $59,840 – $142,310 | 40 |
| 34 | Project Management SpecialistsBachelor's degree | $91,510 | $60,330 – $142,790 | 140 |
| 35 | Financial and Investment AnalystsBachelor's degree | $91,040 | $62,840 – $124,950 | 40 |
| 36 | Occupational Health and Safety SpecialistsBachelor's degree | $87,920 | $47,580 – $125,000 | 60 |
| 37 | Network and Computer Systems AdministratorsBachelor's degree | $86,050 | $62,950 – $118,970 | 50 |
| 38 | Plumbers, Pipefitters, and SteamfittersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $85,930 | $49,400 – $97,070 | 100 |
| 39 | Business Operations Specialists, All OtherBachelor's degree | $85,460 | $43,280 – $122,720 | 110 |
| 40 | Dental HygienistsAssociate's degree | $84,810 | $63,320 – $102,690 | 70 |
| 41 | Computer Occupations, All OtherBachelor's degree | $83,830 | $28,220 – $124,660 | 50 |
| 42 | Mechanical Engineering Technologists and TechniciansAssociate's degree | $82,460 | $38,640 – $123,010 | 130 |
| 43 | Cost EstimatorsBachelor's degree | $80,800 | $50,880 – $100,390 | 50 |
| 44 | ElectriciansHigh school diploma or equivalent | $79,670 | $44,880 – $92,210 | 290 |
| 45 | Compliance OfficersBachelor's degree | $78,770 | $59,780 – $98,280 | 150 |
| 46 | Accountants and AuditorsBachelor's degree | $78,740 | $51,370 – $121,120 | 330 |
| 47 | Personal Financial AdvisorsBachelor's degree | $77,650 | $45,360 – $205,920 | 70 |
| 48 | Registered NursesBachelor's degree | $77,030 | $61,840 – $94,970 | 640 |
| 49 | First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction WorkersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $76,940 | $53,340 – $108,440 | 150 |
| 50 | Real Estate BrokersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $75,920 | $28,920 – $138,080 | 30 |