Highest paying jobs in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC
The best paying occupations in the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, 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 11.5% below the national average (2024).
Wages: BLS OEWS, May 2025
| # | Occupation | MedianHickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | 10th–90th percentilemiddle half shaded darker | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Physicians, All OtherDoctoral or professional degree | $313,460 | $62,590 – $400,830 | 380 |
| 2 | Chief ExecutivesBachelor's degree | $312,730 | $129,980 – $520,540 | 50 |
| 3 | Nurse AnesthetistsMaster's degree | $213,630 | $71,800 – $331,510 | 120 |
| 4 | Family Medicine PhysiciansDoctoral or professional degree | $206,360 | $77,690 – $273,880 | 30 |
| 5 | Dentists, GeneralDoctoral or professional degree | $193,320 | $119,840 – $312,820 | 130 |
| 6 | Architectural and Engineering ManagersBachelor's degree | $170,730 | $118,280 – $219,020 | 200 |
| 7 | Computer and Information Systems ManagersBachelor's degree | $163,010 | $92,140 – $258,750 | 220 |
| 8 | Natural Sciences ManagersBachelor's degree | $162,690 | $76,770 – $264,020 | 40 |
| 9 | Marketing ManagersBachelor's degree | $151,190 | $83,610 – $254,150 | 200 |
| 10 | Financial ManagersBachelor's degree | $138,150 | $84,480 – $247,670 | 310 |
| 11 | PharmacistsDoctoral or professional degree | $137,180 | $105,540 – $166,200 | 330 |
| 12 | OptometristsDoctoral or professional degree | $136,920 | $109,150 – $193,300 | 40 |
| 13 | Purchasing ManagersBachelor's degree | $132,570 | $86,390 – $191,610 | 80 |
| 14 | Sales ManagersBachelor's degree | $132,060 | $65,280 – $233,070 | 360 |
| 15 | Physician AssistantsMaster's degree | $127,210 | $100,870 – $158,040 | 190 |
| 16 | Nurse PractitionersMaster's degree | $126,620 | $99,170 – $158,080 | 300 |
| 17 | Engineers, All OtherBachelor's degree | $125,160 | $72,230 – $151,820 | 60 |
| 18 | VeterinariansDoctoral or professional degree | $124,970 | $75,470 – $200,780 | 70 |
| 19 | Industrial Production ManagersBachelor's degree | $124,290 | $76,970 – $200,520 | 640 |
| 20 | Software DevelopersBachelor's degree | $122,540 | $76,130 – $197,080 | 420 |
| 21 | Sales EngineersBachelor's degree | $121,100 | $46,590 – $210,590 | 40 |
| 22 | Human Resources ManagersBachelor's degree | $117,950 | $80,130 – $208,480 | 140 |
| 23 | Information Security AnalystsBachelor's degree | $115,250 | $62,480 – $177,790 | 40 |
| 24 | Training and Development ManagersBachelor's degree | $113,070 | $73,070 – $200,110 | 40 |
| 25 | Facilities ManagersBachelor's degree | $111,610 | $73,130 – $172,600 | 110 |
| 26 | Managers, All OtherBachelor's degree | $110,140 | $62,700 – $202,130 | 380 |
| 27 | Computer Network ArchitectsBachelor's degree | $109,950 | $62,910 – $167,740 | 50 |
| 28 | Electrical EngineersBachelor's degree | $107,750 | $77,200 – $166,570 | 230 |
| 29 | Medical and Health Services ManagersBachelor's degree | $106,590 | $64,310 – $207,420 | 410 |
| 30 | Construction ManagersBachelor's degree | $104,470 | $69,270 – $168,220 | 270 |
| 31 | Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Powerhouse, Substation, and RelayPostsecondary nondegree award | $103,100 | $62,680 – $115,260 | 30 |
| 32 | Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific ProductsBachelor's degree | $102,460 | $47,150 – $208,070 | 80 |
| 33 | Power Plant OperatorsHigh school diploma or equivalent | $102,240 | $82,880 – $118,600 | 40 |
| 34 | Physical TherapistsDoctoral or professional degree | $101,950 | $78,690 – $123,220 | 160 |
| 35 | Administrative Services ManagersBachelor's degree | $100,270 | $60,220 – $148,340 | 160 |
| 36 | Occupational TherapistsMaster's degree | $100,160 | $69,480 – $118,410 | 120 |
| 37 | Personal Financial AdvisorsBachelor's degree | $98,090 | $40,300 – $258,690 | 120 |
| 38 | LawyersDoctoral or professional degree | $97,330 | $59,990 – $316,020 | 270 |
| 39 | General and Operations ManagersBachelor's degree | $95,640 | $45,060 – $219,920 | 1,750 |
| 40 | Data ScientistsBachelor's degree | $95,290 | $59,290 – $133,930 | 110 |
| 41 | Transportation, Storage, and Distribution ManagersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $94,750 | $63,360 – $171,700 | 260 |
| 42 | Civil EngineersBachelor's degree | $94,720 | $64,690 – $154,550 | 130 |
| 43 | Dental HygienistsAssociate's degree | $94,050 | $79,660 – $98,130 | 170 |
| 44 | Computer Systems AnalystsBachelor's degree | $93,970 | $58,990 – $143,980 | 190 |
| 45 | Software Quality Assurance Analysts and TestersBachelor's degree | $93,540 | $51,890 – $139,900 | 50 |
| 46 | First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales WorkersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $92,660 | $54,970 – $177,740 | 240 |
| 47 | Clinical and Counseling PsychologistsDoctoral or professional degree | $91,290 | $64,950 – $127,340 | 70 |
| 48 | Mechanical EngineersBachelor's degree | $89,960 | $61,320 – $145,080 | 250 |
| 49 | Occupational Health and Safety SpecialistsBachelor's degree | $87,530 | $55,890 – $122,480 | 130 |
| 50 | Industrial EngineersBachelor's degree | $86,640 | $61,600 – $128,290 | 670 |