Here’s the Highest Paying Job in Your State in 2022

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By: Melina Duffett

Aug 7, 2022

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12 minute read

Summary

The highest paying jobs and occupations can vary depending on the location across the country. Learn more about the highest paying jobs from OneMain.

In this article:

Have you been thinking about making a move to another state? Or perhaps you want a career change — or maybe even both. You might be considering what’s the highest paying job in your desired location. Since the most common highly paid careers tend to be within the medical fields, we’re providing you with a list of the highest paying non-medical jobs in each state using the Bureau of National Labor Statistics’ State Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates.

  • Alabama: Natural Sciences Managers
    With an average annual salary of $167,120, Natural Sciences Managers have the highest salary in Alabama.

    This industry provides high paying jobs that are non-medical and in-demand. The education requirements to become a natural sciences manager vary, but a Bachelor’s degree is required at a minimum, with preferred post-secondary degrees. The job consists of supervising other scientists, as well as directing and coordinating activities related to research, development, testing and production.

  • Alaska: Post-Secondary Teachers
    Post-Secondary Teachers are one of the highest paying non-medical jobs that offer a large range of choices within the field. In Alaska, post-secondary teachers are among the highest-paid professionals, making an annual average salary of $205,700.

    Most postsecondary teachers have a PhD in a given field. The job entails developing instruction plans and assignments to create outlines for teaching their respective courses. Working with students is a major part of the career. They are also expected to stay on top of the latest developments in their field to provide the most accurate and up-to-date information to their students.

  • Arizona: Pilots, Copilots and Flight Engineers
    One of the highest paying jobs in the US includes pilots, copilots and flight engineers, particularly in Arizona, where it is the highest paying non-medical job with an average annual salary of $195,580.

    With a 13% industry-wide growth rate, there is a large demand for airline pilots, copilots and flight engineers. A Bachelor’s degree in any field is required, along with flight training at FAA-certified flight schools. Pilots and flight engineers are responsible for ensuring that the aircraft is stable and safe to use. The pilot and copilot will stay in contact with air traffic controllers while navigating the aircraft to fly themselves and their passengers to their destination safely.

  • Arkansas: Judges, Judge Magistrates and Magistrates
    Due to the intensity of the education for this career, becoming a judge is one of the top high paying jobs that is not medical. In Arkansas, judges, judge magistrates and magistrates are the highest paying jobs that aren’t medical, with an average annual salary of $161,800.

    Judges usually start off their careers as lawyers, requiring that they receive a degree in law and have practice in the courtroom. A Juris Doctor (J.D.) is the next step for those who wish to pursue this career. Most judges and magistrates are elected to their positions, which requires political support and will allow them a fixed renewable term to serve. Judges are expected to be knowledgeable and up to date with legal issues, laws and legal precedents. Judges will read and evaluate documents sent by lawyers, listen to hearings from defendants or witnesses and apply laws to reach a resolution for the parties involved.

  • California: Chief Executives
    Chief executives are high in demand and are one of the highest paying jobs in the US. In California, chief executives are the highest paid non-medical jobs, with an average annual salary of $230,730.

    Chief executives require at minimum a Bachelor’s degree, as well as extensive experience in a particular field. It is typical of top executives to have a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA). Most chief executives begin their careers in lower management occupations, gaining extensive managerial experience, before climbing the corporate ladder to become a chief executive. Job duties range from establishing company goals, to overseeing finances, to managing activities required to provide goods and/or services.

  • Colorado: Architectural and Engineering Managers
    The architecture and engineering fields are one of the highest paying jobs that aren't medical related, and managers are the highest paid positions in Colorado, making an average salary of $177,220.

    To become an architectural and engineering manager, you’ll need at least a Bachelor’s degree and considerable experience as an architect and/or an engineer. Architect and engineering managers typically make detailed plans for the development of new products and designs. They must ensure the soundness and accuracy of their staff’s plans before implementing the production, as well as lead their staff through development projects.

  • Connecticut: Chief Executives
    The highest paying non-medical jobs in Connecticut are chief executives, with an average annual salary of $243,140.

  • Delaware: Financial Manager
    In Delaware, one of the highest paid non-medical jobs is a financial manager, with an average salary of $191,020.

    With a Bachelor’s in Business, Economics or a similar field and roughly five or more years of experience, financial managers require a lot of continuing education. There are multiple certifications that are preferred in the field, including the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) certificate or Certified Treasury Professional (CFP). Responsibilities include preparing financial statements or documents, monitoring financial details, reviewing financial reports and analyzing data to help their organization build profit.

  • Florida: Pilots, Copilots and Flight Engineers
    Pilots, copilots and flight engineers are the highest paying non-medical jobs in Florida, with an average annual salary of $232,600.

  • Georgia: Actuaries
    Actuaries are the highest paid people in Georgia, with an average salary of $235,310.

    The majority of actuaries work for insurance companies, helping to create policies and costs that generate profit, while still offering competitive prices. By analyzing statistical data, actuaries are able to predict the probability of an event occurring, the possible cost of the event and whether an insurance company has enough money to pay future claims. Most actuaries have a Bachelor’s degree in mathematics, actuarial science or statistics. Those pursuing this career path must reach certification through the Casualty Actuarial Society (CAS) or the Society of Actuaries (SOA).

  • Hawaii: Chief Executives
    Chief executives are among the highest paying jobs that aren't medical in Hawaii, with an average annual salary of $289,860.

  • Idaho: Pilots, Copilots and Flight Engineers
    Pilots, copilots and flight engineers are the highest paid professions in Idaho, with an average annual salary of $186,880.

  • Illinois: Chief Executives
    Chief executives are the highest paying non-medical jobs in Illinois, with an average annual salary of $244,390.Indiana: Chief Executives

    In Indiana, chief executives are among the highest paid professionals, with an average annual salary of $206,910.

  • Iowa: Post-Secondary Teacher
    Post-secondary teachers are the highest paying professionals in Iowa, with an average annual salary of $138,740.

  • Kansas: Sales Manager
    As one of the non-medical jobs that pay well, Sales Managers have one of the more lenient and varied pathways to working at a managerial level and are the highest paid in Kansas, making an average of $145,210 a year.

    Sales managers usually begin their career with a Bachelor’s degree and start by getting experience as a sales representative. Coursework in management, accounting, finance and marketing are beneficial to the success of a sales manager. Duties of a sales manager include working with customers to sell products and/or services, finding new customers and monitoring customer preferences to determine the sales effort needed.

  • Kentucky: Nuclear Engineer
    Kentucky is one of the few states with highest paying jobs in the nuclear field, with nuclear engineers making an average of $198,900 per year.

    Nuclear engineers are required to have a Bachelor’s degree in nuclear engineering or a related field. The responsibilities for a nuclear engineer include handling nuclear equipment and performing experiments to test which methods are most effective for using nuclear materials. Safety is extremely important when working with nuclear equipment, so engineers are required to ensure all safety standards are met and corrective actions are taken in emergency situations.

  • Louisiana: Chief Executive
    Louisiana has chief executive as its highest paying job, with an average annual salary of $187,880.

  • Maine: Computer and Information Systems Manager
    It’s well known that the computer science and information systems industry contains some of the highest paying jobs in the US. Being a manager in this field is the highest paying job in Maine, with an average annual salary of $136,670.

    For most computer systems and information managers, a bachelor’s degree in computer or information science or similar is required, along with work experience. Entry-level jobs can be found in information technology (IT) fields and can help provide further education and training to climb the ladder. This role typically assesses a company’s software, hardware, network and electronic security, while also researching and developing new ways to upgrade the organization’s computer systems.

  • Maryland: Judges, Judge Magistrates and Magistrates
    Judges, judge magistrates and magistrates are the highest paying professionals in Maryland, making an average annual salary of $166,300.

  • Massachusetts: Chief Executives
    In Massachusetts, chief executives comprise the highest paid non-medical jobs, with an average annual salary of $267,670.

  • Michigan: Pilots, Copilots and Flight Engineers
    Pilots, copilots and flight engineers comprise the highest paying jobs not in the medical field in Michigan, with an average annual salary of $214,640.

  • Minnesota: Chief Executives
    Chief executives are among the highest paid non-medical jobs in Minnesota, making an average of $213,370.

  • Mississippi: Post-Secondary Teacher
    Post-secondary teachers are the highest paid professionals in Mississippi, making $163,610 annually.

  • Missouri: Chief Executives
    Chief Executives are the highest paid positions in Missouri, making $189,620 per year.

  • Montana: Post-Secondary Teacher
    The highest paid non-medical jobs in Montana are in post-secondary education. Post-secondary teachers in Montana make an average of $167,320 annually.

  • Nebraska: Chief Executives
    Since chief executives are one of the highest paying jobs in the US, it’s no surprise that they’re also the highest paid job in Nebraska. Nebraskans in this role typically earn 224,420 per year.

  • Nevada: Judges, Judge Magistrates and Magistrates
    Nevada’s highest non-medical earners are judges, judge magistrates and magistrates. Their average annual salary is $164,010.

  • New Hampshire: Chief Executives
    As we previously mentioned, chief executives are one of the highest paying jobs not in the medical field. In New Hampshire, the average annual salary is $191,850.

  • New Jersey: Chief Executives
    Chief executives in New Jersey earn an average of $253,150 per year.

  • New Mexico: Architectural and Engineering Managers
    The highest paid non-medical jobs in New Mexico are architectural and engineering managers, earning an average of $179,560.

  • New York: Chief Executives
    Chief Executives in the state of New York earn an average of 256,810 annually.

  • North Carolina: Chief Executives
    In North Carolina, chief executives earn an average of $262,660 a year.

  • North Dakota: Chief Executives
    Chief executives in North Dakota, earn an average of $181,710 annually.

  • Ohio: Chief Executives
    Chief executives in Ohio make an average annual salary of $214,990.

  • Oklahoma: Chief Executives
    In Oklahoma, chief executives earn $148,610 annually.

  • Oregon: Chief Executives
    Chief executives in Oregon have an average annual salary of $251,440.

  • Pennsylvania: Chief Executives
    In Pennsylvania, chief executives earn an average of $232,630 annually.

  • Rhode Island: Chief Executives
    Chief executives in Rhode Island earn an average annual salary of $243,400.

  • South Carolina: Chief Executives
    In South Carolina, chief executives earn an average of $195,930 per year.

  • South Dakota: Chief Executives
    Chief executives in South Dakota earn an average salary of $272,780 annually.

  • Tennessee: Chief Executives
    In Tennessee, chief executives earn an average annual salary of $176,650.

  • Texas: Chief Executives
    Chief executives in Texas earn an average of $264,210 per year.

  • Utah: Chief Executives
    In Utah, people in the chief executive role earn an average annual salary of $185,890.

  • Vermont: Chief Executives
    The average annual salary of chief executives in Vermont is $184,95.

  • Virginia: Chief Executives
    In Virginia, the average annual salary for chief executives is $243,750.

  • Washington: Chief Executives
    Chief executives in Washington state earn an average annual salary of $279,590.

  • West Virginia: Chief Executives
    In West Virginia, chief executives earn an average of $180,700 annually.

  • Wisconsin: Chief Executives
    The average annual salary of chief executives in Wisconsin is $217,480.

  • Wyoming: Industrial Production Manager
    Industrial production managers require a bachelor’s degree and several years of experience. Common majors include business or engineering, but it is not required to major in those subjects, making this one of the high paying jobs not in the medical field. This is especially the case in Wyoming, where it’s the highest paying job, with an average annual salary of $133,380.

    Industrial production managers keep an organization’s production on target and ensure that they are meeting all goals and deadlines. Managers will oversee staff, analyze data regarding production data and streamline the production process.

Consider Remote Work

Not all of the highest paying non-medical jobs mentioned above require you to be on-site. If you’re looking to increase your salary without relocating, pursue a remote position in another state that’s offering higher pay.

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This article is for general education and informational purposes, without any express or implied warranty of any kind, including warranties of accuracy, completeness, or fitness for any purpose and is not intended to be and does not constitute financial, legal, tax, or any other advice. Parties (other than sponsored partners of OneMain Financial (OMF)) referenced in the article are not sponsors of, do not endorse, and are not otherwise affiliated with OMF.