michaeljung // Shutterstock

Highest paying jobs in Louisville for high school graduates

The average college graduate in 2019 earned $78,000 a year, while the average high school graduate takes home just $45,000, according to research from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. To put it in perspective, the average annual wage for workers in the U.S. that same year was $51,916.27.

Of course, college isn’t for everyone. There are many reasons high-school graduates may choose to not continue on to college, not the least of which being cost. Average tuition costs continue to rise each year, the exception being the 2020-2021 school year, due to the coronavirus pandemic. Average tuition at a public, in-state university coming in at $9,687; tuition for out-of-state students at public schools, and for everyone at private universities, is significantly higher at $21,874 and $35,087, respectively.

Just because you decide higher education isn’t in the cards doesn’t mean you have to resign yourself to a lifetime of low-paying jobs. You just need to be strategic about the career you choose. Stacker compiled a list of the highest paying jobs for high school graduates in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN using data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Jobs are ranked by 2020 annual mean wage.

Keep reading to see which jobs in your city pay the most for high school graduates.

Akimov Igor // Shutterstock

#50. Furnace, kiln, oven, drier, and kettle operators and tenders

Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN
– Annual mean salary: $49,370 (#8 highest pay among all metros)
– Employment: data not available

National
– Annual mean salary: $41,910
– Employment: 16,880
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI ($56,520)
— Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($51,660)
— Charleston-North Charleston, SC ($51,570)
– Job description: Operate or tend heating equipment other than basic metal, plastic, or food processing equipment. Includes activities such as annealing glass, drying lumber, curing rubber, removing moisture from materials, or boiling soap.

Indypendenz // Shutterstock

#49. Postal service mail sorters, processors, and processing machine operators

Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN
– Annual mean salary: $49,870 (#124 highest pay among all metros)
– Employment: 570

National
– Annual mean salary: $51,440
– Employment: 105,400
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Wausau, WI ($57,620)
— Cape Girardeau, MO-IL ($55,670)
— Canton-Massillon, OH ($55,520)
– Job description: Prepare incoming and outgoing mail for distribution for the United States Postal Service (USPS). Examine, sort, and route mail. Load, operate, and occasionally adjust and repair mail processing, sorting, and canceling machinery. Keep records of shipments, pouches, and sacks, and perform other duties related to mail handling within the postal service. Includes postal service mail sorters and processors employed by USPS contractors.

LStockStudio // Shutterstock

#48. Brokerage clerks

Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN
– Annual mean salary: $50,100 (#78 highest pay among all metros)
– Employment: 140

National
– Annual mean salary: $58,460
– Employment: 44,720
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($75,240)
— New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($73,770)
— San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($69,860)
– Job description: Perform duties related to the purchase, sale, or holding of securities. Duties include writing orders for stock purchases or sales, computing transfer taxes, verifying stock transactions, accepting and delivering securities, tracking stock price fluctuations, computing equity, distributing dividends, and keeping records of daily transactions and holdings.

Canva

#47. Glaziers

Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN
– Annual mean salary: $50,390 (#58 highest pay among all metros)
– Employment: 230

National
– Annual mean salary: $50,970
– Employment: 52,190
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Olympia-Tumwater, WA ($89,250)
— Salem, OR ($85,640)
— San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($81,240)
– Job description: Install glass in windows, skylights, store fronts, and display cases, or on surfaces, such as building fronts, interior walls, ceilings, and tabletops.

Unsplash

#46. Crane and tower operators

Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN
– Annual mean salary: $50,560 (#96 highest pay among all metros)
– Employment: 100

National
– Annual mean salary: $64,010
– Employment: 44,060
– Metros with highest average pay:
— San Diego-Carlsbad, CA ($89,250)
— Urban Honolulu, HI ($84,670)
— Vallejo-Fairfield, CA ($84,410)
– Job description: Operate mechanical boom and cable or tower and cable equipment to lift and move materials, machines, or products in many directions.

G-Stock Studio // Shutterstock

#45. Production, planning, and expediting clerks

Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN
– Annual mean salary: $50,720 (#154 highest pay among all metros)
– Employment: 1,710

National
– Annual mean salary: $52,000
– Employment: 362,090
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Bremerton-Silverdale, WA ($69,410)
— Pine Bluff, AR ($68,850)
— Portsmouth, NH-ME ($66,920)
– Job description: Coordinate and expedite the flow of work and materials within or between departments of an establishment according to production schedule. Duties include reviewing and distributing production, work, and shipment schedules; conferring with department supervisors to determine progress of work and completion dates; and compiling reports on progress of work, inventory levels, costs, and production problems.

Paolo Bona // Shutterstock

#44. Food service managers

Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN
– Annual mean salary: $51,010 (#295 highest pay among all metros)
– Employment: 610

National
– Annual mean salary: $61,000
– Employment: 197,010
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($97,610)
— Trenton, NJ ($95,640)
— Waterbury, CT ($88,100)
– Job description: Plan, direct, or coordinate activities of an organization or department that serves food and beverages.

rlat // Shutterstock

#43. Postal service clerks

Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN
– Annual mean salary: $51,240 (#204 highest pay among all metros)
– Employment: 290

National
– Annual mean salary: $51,200
– Employment: 86,950
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Monroe, MI ($58,120)
— El Centro, CA ($58,000)
— Houma-Thibodaux, LA ($57,330)
– Job description: Perform any combination of tasks in a United States Postal Service (USPS) post office, such as receive letters and parcels; sell postage and revenue stamps, postal cards, and stamped envelopes; fill out and sell money orders; place mail in pigeon holes of mail rack or in bags; and examine mail for correct postage. Includes postal service clerks employed by USPS contractors.

welcomia // Shutterstock

#42. Mobile heavy equipment mechanics, except engines

Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN
– Annual mean salary: $51,890 (#201 highest pay among all metros)
– Employment: 430

National
– Annual mean salary: $57,000
– Employment: 147,680
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Urban Honolulu, HI ($84,460)
— Fairbanks, AK ($81,920)
— Bismarck, ND ($78,350)
– Job description: Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul mobile mechanical, hydraulic, and pneumatic equipment, such as cranes, bulldozers, graders, and conveyors, used in construction, logging, and mining.

SritanaN // Shutterstock

#41. Industrial machinery mechanics

Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN
– Annual mean salary: $52,390 (#266 highest pay among all metros)
– Employment: 1,990

National
– Annual mean salary: $57,350
– Employment: 385,980
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Norwich-New London-Westerly, CT-RI ($84,180)
— San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles-Arroyo Grande, CA ($84,150)
— San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($77,580)
– Job description: Repair, install, adjust, or maintain industrial production and processing machinery or refinery and pipeline distribution systems. May also install, dismantle, or move machinery and heavy equipment according to plans.

Pxhere

#40. Maintenance workers, machinery

Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN
– Annual mean salary: $52,610 (#86 highest pay among all metros)
– Employment: 480

National
– Annual mean salary: $51,960
– Employment: 65,240
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Florence, SC ($80,250)
— Vallejo-Fairfield, CA ($78,290)
— San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles-Arroyo Grande, CA ($69,070)
– Job description: Lubricate machinery, change parts, or perform other routine machinery maintenance.

Erin Deleon // Shutterstock

#39. Postal service mail carriers

Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN
– Annual mean salary: $53,540 (#84 highest pay among all metros)
– Employment: 1,360

National
– Annual mean salary: $53,180
– Employment: 333,570
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Bismarck, ND ($56,520)
— Burlington, NC ($55,750)
— Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA ($55,680)
– Job description: Sort and deliver mail for the United States Postal Service (USPS). Deliver mail on established route by vehicle or on foot. Includes postal service mail carriers employed by USPS contractors.

Canva

#38. Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators

Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN
– Annual mean salary: $53,940 (#147 highest pay among all metros)
– Employment: 1,320

National
– Annual mean salary: $55,280
– Employment: 402,870
– Metros with highest average pay:
— New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($96,440)
— Barnstable Town, MA ($93,620)
— Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA ($93,320)
– Job description: Operate one or several types of power construction equipment, such as motor graders, bulldozers, scrapers, compressors, pumps, derricks, shovels, tractors, or front-end loaders to excavate, move, and grade earth, erect structures, or pour concrete or other hard surface pavement. May repair and maintain equipment in addition to other duties.

Keystone-France/Gamma-Keystone via Getty Images

#37. Carpenters

Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN
– Annual mean salary: $54,030 (#84 highest pay among all metros)
– Employment: 2,560

National
– Annual mean salary: $54,200
– Employment: 699,300
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Urban Honolulu, HI ($82,950)
— Vallejo-Fairfield, CA ($82,300)
— Hanford-Corcoran, CA ($79,870)
– Job description: Construct, erect, install, or repair structures and fixtures made of wood and comparable materials, such as concrete forms; building frameworks, including partitions, joists, studding, and rafters; and wood stairways, window and door frames, and hardwood floors. May also install cabinets, siding, drywall, and batt or roll insulation. Includes brattice builders who build doors or brattices (ventilation walls or partitions) in underground passageways.

DenisKlimov // Shutterstock

#36. Aircraft cargo handling supervisors

Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN
– Annual mean salary: $54,070 (#34 highest pay among all metros)
– Employment: 760

National
– Annual mean salary: $59,620
– Employment: 10,020
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV ($83,080)
— Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN ($77,290)
— Austin-Round Rock, TX ($71,970)
– Job description: Supervise and coordinate the activities of ground crew in the loading, unloading, securing, and staging of aircraft cargo or baggage. May determine the quantity and orientation of cargo and compute aircraft center of gravity. May accompany aircraft as member of flight crew and monitor and handle cargo in flight, and assist and brief passengers on safety and emergency procedures. Includes loadmasters.

Dmitry Kalinovsky // Shutterstock

#35. Chemical equipment operators and tenders

Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN
– Annual mean salary: $54,190 (#42 highest pay among all metros)
– Employment: 720

National
– Annual mean salary: $53,330
– Employment: 93,060
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Billings, MT ($77,010)
— Hattiesburg, MS ($73,780)
— Baton Rouge, LA ($71,630)
– Job description: Operate or tend equipment to control chemical changes or reactions in the processing of industrial or consumer products. Equipment used includes devulcanizers, steam-jacketed kettles, and reactor vessels.

Syda Productions // Shutterstock

#34. Executive secretaries and executive administrative assistants

Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN
– Annual mean salary: $54,550 (#216 highest pay among all metros)
– Employment: 1,340

National
– Annual mean salary: $65,230
– Employment: 503,390
– Metros with highest average pay:
— San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($92,040)
— Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($89,100)
— San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($86,180)
– Job description: Provide high-level administrative support by conducting research, preparing statistical reports, and handling information requests, as well as performing routine administrative functions such as preparing correspondence, receiving visitors, arranging conference calls, and scheduling meetings. May also train and supervise lower-level clerical staff.

Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

#33. Lodging managers

Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN
– Annual mean salary: $54,900 (#107 highest pay among all metros)
– Employment: 50

National
– Annual mean salary: $65,270
– Employment: 31,790
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY ($108,990)
— Reno, NV ($106,060)
— San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($105,560)
– Job description: Plan, direct, or coordinate activities of an organization or department that provides lodging and other accommodations.

Tim Goode/PA Images // Getty Images

#32. Sales representatives of services, except advertising, insurance, financial services, and travel

Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN
– Annual mean salary: $55,280 (#268 highest pay among all metros)
– Employment: 3,260

National
– Annual mean salary: $70,490
– Employment: 977,070
– Metros with highest average pay:
— San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($115,620)
— Lawrence, KS ($97,910)
— Boulder, CO ($94,870)
– Job description: Sell services to individuals or businesses. May describe options or resolve client problems.

DenisProduction.com // Shutterstock

#31. Chefs and head cooks

Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN
– Annual mean salary: $55,360 (#108 highest pay among all metros)
– Employment: 250

National
– Annual mean salary: $58,740
– Employment: 101,490
– Metros with highest average pay:
— San Diego-Carlsbad, CA ($98,210)
— Kahului-Wailuku-Lahaina, HI ($90,840)
— Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($86,460)
– Job description: Direct and may participate in the preparation, seasoning, and cooking of salads, soups, fish, meats, vegetables, desserts, or other foods. May plan and price menu items, order supplies, and keep records and accounts.

Luisa Leal Photography // Shutterstock

#30. Electrical power-line installers and repairers

Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN
– Annual mean salary: $55,610 (#224 highest pay among all metros)
– Employment: 800

National
– Annual mean salary: $74,410
– Employment: 114,930
– Metros with highest average pay:
— San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($114,820)
— Redding, CA ($112,850)
— San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($111,810)
– Job description: Install or repair cables or wires used in electrical power or distribution systems. May erect poles and light or heavy duty transmission towers.

Nejron Photo // Shutterstock

#29. First-line supervisors of gambling services workers

Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN
– Annual mean salary: $56,080 (#13 highest pay among all metros)
– Employment: 50

National
– Annual mean salary: $51,160
– Employment: 19,100
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD ($67,100)
— Norwich-New London-Westerly, CT-RI ($63,600)
— Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV ($61,970)
– Job description: Directly supervise and coordinate activities of workers in assigned gambling areas. May circulate among tables, observe operations, and ensure that stations and games are covered for each shift. May verify and pay off jackpots. May reset slot machines after payoffs and make repairs or adjustments to slot machines or recommend removal of slot machines for repair. May plan and organize activities and services for guests in hotels/casinos.

Canva

#28. Construction and building inspectors

Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN
– Annual mean salary: $57,720 (#177 highest pay among all metros)
– Employment: 220

National
– Annual mean salary: $66,470
– Employment: 113,770
– Metros with highest average pay:
— San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($103,820)
— San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($102,920)
— Salinas, CA ($98,360)
– Job description: Inspect structures using engineering skills to determine structural soundness and compliance with specifications, building codes, and other regulations. Inspections may be general in nature or may be limited to a specific area, such as electrical systems or plumbing.

GaudiLab // Shutterstock

#27. First-line supervisors of office and administrative support workers

Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN
– Annual mean salary: $58,150 (#155 highest pay among all metros)
– Employment: 6,330

National
– Annual mean salary: $62,010
– Employment: 1,427,260
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Bremerton-Silverdale, WA ($78,770)
— Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($77,030)
— New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($75,820)
– Job description: Directly supervise and coordinate the activities of clerical and administrative support workers.

Hulton Archive // Getty Images

#26. Electricians

Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN
– Annual mean salary: $58,520 (#157 highest pay among all metros)
– Employment: 3,560

National
– Annual mean salary: $61,550
– Employment: 656,510
– Metros with highest average pay:
— San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($106,680)
— Trenton, NJ ($90,210)
— Kankakee, IL ($88,530)
– Job description: Install, maintain, and repair electrical wiring, equipment, and fixtures. Ensure that work is in accordance with relevant codes. May install or service street lights, intercom systems, or electrical control systems.

Canva

#24 (tie). Chemical plant and system operators

Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN
– Annual mean salary: $58,930 (#26 highest pay among all metros)
– Employment: 310

National
– Annual mean salary: $65,460
– Employment: 29,710
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Corpus Christi, TX ($86,970)
— Lima, OH ($84,710)
— Charleston, WV ($76,830)
– Job description: Control or operate entire chemical processes or system of machines.

Andrey_Popov // Shutterstock

#24 (tie). Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters

Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN
– Annual mean salary: $58,930 (#132 highest pay among all metros)
– Employment: 2,460

National
– Annual mean salary: $61,100
– Employment: 417,440
– Metros with highest average pay:
— San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($106,100)
— Fairbanks, AK ($94,280)
— Kankakee, IL ($93,420)
– Job description: Assemble, install, alter, and repair pipelines or pipe systems that carry water, steam, air, or other liquids or gases. May install heating and cooling equipment and mechanical control systems. Includes sprinkler fitters.

kittirat roekburi // Shutterstock

#23. Stationary engineers and boiler operators

Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN
– Annual mean salary: $59,960 (#66 highest pay among all metros)
– Employment: 50

National
– Annual mean salary: $68,170
– Employment: 29,550
– Metros with highest average pay:
— San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($106,910)
— San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($104,970)
— Springfield, IL ($102,660)
– Job description: Operate or maintain stationary engines, boilers, or other mechanical equipment to provide utilities for buildings or industrial processes. Operate equipment such as steam engines, generators, motors, turbines, and steam boilers.

Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

#22. Insurance sales agents

Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN
– Annual mean salary: $60,120 (#194 highest pay among all metros)
– Employment: 2,150

National
– Annual mean salary: $69,100
– Employment: 409,950
– Metros with highest average pay:
— San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($109,540)
— Birmingham-Hoover, AL ($105,840)
— Fond du Lac, WI ($105,190)
– Job description: Sell life, property, casualty, health, automotive, or other types of insurance. May refer clients to independent brokers, work as an independent broker, or be employed by an insurance company.

Leszek Glasner // Shutterstock

#21. Property, real estate, and community association managers

Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN
– Annual mean salary: $61,290 (#144 highest pay among all metros)
– Employment: 710

National
– Annual mean salary: $73,210
– Employment: 219,800
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Charleston-North Charleston, SC ($117,770)
— New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($113,800)
— Boulder, CO ($107,230)
– Job description: Plan, direct, or coordinate the selling, buying, leasing, or governance activities of commercial, industrial, or residential real estate properties. Includes managers of homeowner and condominium associations, rented or leased housing units, buildings, or land (including rights-of-way).

Jat306 // Shutterstock

#20. Millwrights

Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN
– Annual mean salary: $61,530 (#42 highest pay among all metros)
– Employment: 700

National
– Annual mean salary: $59,080
– Employment: 44,400
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Elmira, NY ($94,190)
— Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($90,570)
— San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($85,090)
– Job description: Install, dismantle, or move machinery and heavy equipment according to layout plans, blueprints, or other drawings.

Terry Moon Cronk // DoD

#19. Animal trainers

Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN
– Annual mean salary: $62,090 (#1 highest pay among all metros)
– Employment: 220

National
– Annual mean salary: $37,950
– Employment: 14,880
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN ($62,090)
— New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($57,390)
— Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA ($54,640)
– Job description: Train animals for riding, harness, security, performance, or obedience, or for assisting persons with disabilities. Accustom animals to human voice and contact, and condition animals to respond to commands. Train animals according to prescribed standards for show or competition. May train animals to carry pack loads or work as part of pack team.

Oil and Gas Photographer // Shutterstock

#18. Petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers

Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN
– Annual mean salary: $64,040 (#47 highest pay among all metros)
– Employment: data not available

National
– Annual mean salary: $77,610
– Employment: 40,480
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA ($96,510)
— Billings, MT ($95,130)
— San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($92,800)
– Job description: Operate or control petroleum refining or processing units. May specialize in controlling manifold and pumping systems, gauging or testing oil in storage tanks, or regulating the flow of oil into pipelines.

Oil and Gas Photographer // Shutterstock

#17. Control and valve installers and repairers, except mechanical door

Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN
– Annual mean salary: $64,370 (#70 highest pay among all metros)
– Employment: 150

National
– Annual mean salary: $62,400
– Employment: 50,660
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Santa Rosa, CA ($95,240)
— Madison, WI ($90,020)
— Salinas, CA ($87,650)
– Job description: Install, repair, and maintain mechanical regulating and controlling devices, such as electric meters, gas regulators, thermostats, safety and flow valves, and other mechanical governors.

goodluz // Shutterstock

#16. Real estate sales agents

Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN
– Annual mean salary: $64,650 (#49 highest pay among all metros)
– Employment: 480

National
– Annual mean salary: $62,990
– Employment: 168,740
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Salinas, CA ($106,280)
— San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($101,300)
— New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($98,580)
– Job description: Rent, buy, or sell property for clients. Perform duties such as study property listings, interview prospective clients, accompany clients to property site, discuss conditions of sale, and draw up real estate contracts. Includes agents who represent buyer.

Oleg Golovnev // Shutterstock

#15. First-line supervisors of production and operating workers

Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN
– Annual mean salary: $67,050 (#151 highest pay among all metros)
– Employment: 3,670

National
– Annual mean salary: $66,800
– Employment: 599,900
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Baton Rouge, LA ($101,930)
— Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX ($100,590)
— Longview, WA ($99,590)
– Job description: Directly supervise and coordinate the activities of production and operating workers, such as inspectors, precision workers, machine setters and operators, assemblers, fabricators, and plant and system operators. Excludes team or work leaders.

Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

#14. Claims adjusters, examiners, and investigators

Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN
– Annual mean salary: $69,030 (#135 highest pay among all metros)
– Employment: 2,160

National
– Annual mean salary: $70,650
– Employment: 287,150
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($97,980)
— Waterbury, CT ($92,160)
— San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($88,750)
– Job description: Review settled claims to determine that payments and settlements are made in accordance with company practices and procedures. Confer with legal counsel on claims requiring litigation. May also settle insurance claims.

sculpies // Shutterstock

#13. First-line supervisors of construction trades and extraction workers

Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN
– Annual mean salary: $69,630 (#155 highest pay among all metros)
– Employment: 2,310

National
– Annual mean salary: $72,990
– Employment: 614,080
– Metros with highest average pay:
— San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($107,870)
— Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA ($103,930)
— Santa Rosa, CA ($100,620)
– Job description: Directly supervise and coordinate activities of construction or extraction workers.

4 PM production // Shutterstock

#12. First-line supervisors of mechanics, installers, and repairers

Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN
– Annual mean salary: $70,890 (#176 highest pay among all metros)
– Employment: 2,060

National
– Annual mean salary: $73,100
– Employment: 475,000
– Metros with highest average pay:
— San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($95,680)
— Bremerton-Silverdale, WA ($93,140)
— San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($92,810)
– Job description: Directly supervise and coordinate the activities of mechanics, installers, and repairers. May also advise customers on recommended services. Excludes team or work leaders.

Canva

#11. Elevator and escalator installers and repairers

Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN
– Annual mean salary: $73,370 (#46 highest pay among all metros)
– Employment: 80

National
– Annual mean salary: $86,200
– Employment: 24,730
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH ($109,710)
— San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($105,080)
— Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI ($101,990)
– Job description: Assemble, install, repair, or maintain electric or hydraulic freight or passenger elevators, escalators, or dumbwaiters.

Canva

#10. First-line supervisors of police and detectives

Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN
– Annual mean salary: $73,450 (#249 highest pay among all metros)
– Employment: 350

National
– Annual mean salary: $97,180
– Employment: 122,310
– Metros with highest average pay:
— San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($200,090)
— San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($182,810)
— Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA ($182,720)
– Job description: Directly supervise and coordinate activities of members of police force.

Stock Rocket // Shutterstock

#9. Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products

Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN
– Annual mean salary: $75,500 (#77 highest pay among all metros)
– Employment: 7,000

National
– Annual mean salary: $73,500
– Employment: 1,278,670
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Danbury, CT ($112,810)
— Napa, CA ($101,850)
— Santa Fe, NM ($93,680)
– Job description: Sell goods for wholesalers or manufacturers to businesses or groups of individuals. Work requires substantial knowledge of items sold.

rawpixel.com // Shutterstock

#8. Real estate brokers

Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN
– Annual mean salary: $75,980 (#32 highest pay among all metros)
– Employment: 280

National
– Annual mean salary: $81,630
– Employment: 44,610
– Metros with highest average pay:
— New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($134,770)
— Lake Havasu City-Kingman, AZ ($129,820)
— San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($116,510)
– Job description: Operate real estate office, or work for commercial real estate firm, overseeing real estate transactions. Other duties usually include selling real estate or renting properties and arranging loans.

Skycolors // Shutterstock

#7. Commercial pilots

Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN
– Annual mean salary: $79,740 (#89 highest pay among all metros)
– Employment: 130

National
– Annual mean salary: $110,830
– Employment: 37,120
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Sioux City, IA-NE-SD ($153,990)
— Medford, OR ($152,730)
— Sacramento–Roseville–Arden-Arcade, CA ($152,290)
– Job description: Pilot and navigate the flight of fixed-wing aircraft on nonscheduled air carrier routes, or helicopters. Requires Commercial Pilot certificate. Includes charter pilots with similar certification, and air ambulance and air tour pilots. Excludes regional, national, and international airline pilots.

Ken Wolter // Shutterstock

#6. Postmasters and mail superintendents

Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN
– Annual mean salary: $81,480 (#40 highest pay among all metros)
– Employment: 50

National
– Annual mean salary: $79,660
– Employment: 13,880
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ ($96,130)
— Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL ($95,920)
— San Diego-Carlsbad, CA ($92,630)
– Job description: Plan, direct, or coordinate operational, administrative, management, and support services of a U.S. post office; or coordinate activities of workers engaged in postal and related work in assigned post office.

michaeljung // Shutterstock

#5. Power plant operators

Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN
– Annual mean salary: $81,730 (#47 highest pay among all metros)
– Employment: 190

National
– Annual mean salary: $81,890
– Employment: 32,960
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Sacramento–Roseville–Arden-Arcade, CA ($114,420)
— San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($107,830)
— Redding, CA ($106,030)
– Job description: Control, operate, or maintain machinery to generate electric power. Includes auxiliary equipment operators.

Prath // Shutterstock

#4. Detectives and criminal investigators

Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN
– Annual mean salary: $81,900 (#131 highest pay among all metros)
– Employment: 220

National
– Annual mean salary: $89,300
– Employment: 105,980
– Metros with highest average pay:
— San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($127,380)
— Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV ($127,090)
— Anchorage, AK ($126,530)
– Job description: Conduct investigations related to suspected violations of federal, state, or local laws to prevent or solve crimes.

g-stockstudio // Shutterstock

#3. First-line supervisors of non-retail sales workers

Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN
– Annual mean salary: $84,490 (#125 highest pay among all metros)
– Employment: 970

National
– Annual mean salary: $90,120
– Employment: 240,290
– Metros with highest average pay:
— La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN ($124,150)
— Durham-Chapel Hill, NC ($122,460)
— Leominster-Gardner, MA ($119,130)
– Job description: Directly supervise and coordinate activities of sales workers other than retail sales workers. May perform duties such as budgeting, accounting, and personnel work, in addition to supervisory duties.

Canva

#2. Transportation inspectors

Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN
– Annual mean salary: $92,660 (#20 highest pay among all metros)
– Employment: 140

National
– Annual mean salary: $81,320
– Employment: 27,360
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Portland-South Portland, ME ($119,270)
— Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($117,900)
— Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA ($104,370)
– Job description: Inspect equipment or goods in connection with the safe transport of cargo or people. Includes rail transportation inspectors, such as freight inspectors, rail inspectors, and other inspectors of transportation vehicles not elsewhere classified.

Kelly Ogden // Wikimedia Commons

#1. Transportation, storage, and distribution managers

Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN
– Annual mean salary: $98,580 (#140 highest pay among all metros)
– Employment: 740

National
– Annual mean salary: $105,100
– Employment: 132,210
– Metros with highest average pay:
— San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($163,580)
— Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($137,680)
— Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ ($136,410)
– Job description: Plan, direct, or coordinate transportation, storage, or distribution activities in accordance with organizational policies and applicable government laws or regulations. Includes logistics managers.