Fort Smith has for years been a prominent regional manufacturing center. However, a large number of the manufacturing jobs have been relocated overseas. Fort Smith has been ranked number six in the nation regarding the lowest cost of doing business cities. The important elements of the economy are manufacturing, trucking, healthcare, food-processing, tourism, recreation and conventions. A variety of products are produced in Fort Smith including appliances, food products, wood and paper products, composite building materials and air conditioning systems.
The most popular jobs in Fort Smith which are typically filled by college graduates are registered nurses, teachers, wholesale and manufacturing sales representatives, accountant and auditors and social and human service assistants. Some of the high paying jobs in the region are physical therapists and physical therapist assistants, truck drivers, heavy and tractor trailers; sales managers, purchasing managers and lawyers.
Notable information about Fort Smith: Fort Smith has been mentioned by Forbes as having the lowest cost of living in the nation. For the population over 25 years of age, about 18% have a bachelor's degree or higher. In addition, the daytime population increases by about 35% due to commuters from the surrounding area.
In association with the Arkansas Department of Economic Development, the city offers various types of investment and job creation incentives in order to attract new companies and retain flourishing businesses. Tax Back, InvestArk and Advantage Arkansas are a few of the incentives that are available to businesses. The Arkansas Construction Education Foundation Training Program provides classroom and real-world experience via apprenticeship programs. In addition, the University of Arkansas Fort Smith's Center for Business and Professional Development partners with local businesses with the objective of developing the skills of employees.
The major employers in Fort Smith are:
The list shown below displays the major industries for employment in Fort Smith:
Business organizations offering assistance to Fort Smith companies:
The Times Record is an excellent publication to help individuals keep up-to-date with the business activities in the Fort Smith area.
| Rank | Title | Local Jobs | Local Mean Salary | Typical Local Salary | National Growth % 2006-2016 | National % With College Degree |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Registered nurses | 2,470 | 51,900 | $35,320 - 74,640 | 24% | 56% |
| 2 | Elementary school teachers, except special education | 1,480 | 41,440 | $32,740 - 53,080 | 14% | 95% |
| 3 | Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products | 1,340 | 49,830 | $27,420 - 80,960 | 8% | 51% |
| 4 | Secondary school teachers, except special and vocational education | 1,150 | 44,810 | $33,260 - 61,220 | 6% | 96% |
| 5 | Teachers and instructors, all other | 650 | 34,420 | $14,260 - 60,640 | 9% | 54% |
| 6 | Accountants and auditors | 540 | 46,390 | $29,230 - 67,990 | 18% | 79% |
| 7 | Middle school teachers, except special and vocational education | 530 | 41,940 | $33,160 - 52,970 | 11% | 95% |
| 8 | Financial managers | 310 | 88,160 | $37,740 - 153,260 | 13% | 60% |
| 9 | Lawyers | 270 | 118,100 | $34,440 - | 11% | 99% |
| 10 | Chief executives | 260 | 111,780 | $43,300 - | 2% | 65% |
| 11 | Education administrators, elementary and secondary school | 230 | 70,150 | $54,880 - 89,430 | 8% | 78% |
| 12 | Pharmacists | 220 | 99,090 | $74,790 - 128,090 | 22% | 97% |
| 13 | Network and computer systems administrators | 210 | 54,900 | $30,170 - 90,580 | 27% | 50% |
| 14 | Social and human service assistants | 190 | 24,720 | $17,350 - 33,940 | 34% | 58% |
| 15 | Librarians | 180 | 44,770 | $32,370 - 60,880 | 4% | 85% |
| 16 | Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, technical and scientific products | 180 | 59,480 | $27,110 - 99,520 | 12% | 51% |
| 17 | Sales managers | 180 | 90,880 | $46,930 - 158,960 | 10% | 69% |
| 18 | Medical and health services managers | 180 | 67,740 | $42,150 - 103,480 | 16% | 57% |
| 19 | Management analysts | 160 | 59,230 | $33,740 - 81,500 | 22% | 78% |
| 20 | Speech-language pathologists | 160 | 64,400 | $42,480 - 101,270 | 11% | 98% |
| 21 | Child, family, and school social workers | 160 | 31,070 | $17,550 - 40,560 | 19% | 77% |
| 22 | Educational, vocational, and school counselors | 160 | 52,200 | $35,690 - 67,710 | 13% | 73% |
| 23 | Medical and clinical laboratory technologists | 150 | 43,610 | $34,400 - 54,140 | 12% | 51% |
| 24 | Industrial engineers | 150 | 73,400 | $44,660 - 104,970 | 20% | 74% |
| 25 | Mechanical engineers | 150 | 67,130 | $45,730 - 87,620 | 4% | 78% |
| 26 | Vocational education teachers, secondary school | 140 | 46,510 | $34,740 - 61,290 | 0% | 96% |
| 27 | Compliance officers, except agriculture, construction, health and safety, and transportation | 130 | 44,310 | $25,780 - 64,260 | 5% | 58% |
| 28 | Legislators | 120 | 31,250 | $13,240 - 77,390 | 1% | 65% |
| 29 | Computer software engineers, applications | 120 | 60,650 | $44,200 - 81,170 | 45% | 85% |
| 30 | Advertising sales agents | 120 | 34,160 | $15,100 - 57,700 | 20% | 56% |
| 31 | Special education teachers, secondary school | 120 | 45,970 | $34,910 - 59,680 | 9% | 87% |
| 32 | Adult literacy, remedial education, and GED teachers and instructors | 120 | 39,130 | $15,480 - 60,480 | 14% | 54% |
| 33 | Self-enrichment education teachers | 110 | 40,550 | $19,630 - 54,030 | 23% | 54% |
| 34 | Computer systems analysts | 110 | 43,010 | $28,660 - 61,270 | 29% | 68% |
| 35 | Physical therapists | 100 | 78,270 | $49,750 - 106,560 | 27% | 89% |
| 36 | Training and development specialists | 100 | 43,500 | $27,720 - 67,500 | 18% | 56% |
| 37 | Employment, recruitment, and placement specialists | 100 | 36,770 | $23,110 - 55,180 | 18% | 56% |
| 38 | Managers, all other | 100 | 66,470 | $34,990 - 116,650 | 7% | 55% |
| 39 | Special education teachers, preschool, kindergarten, and elementary school | 100 | 41,270 | $31,610 - 52,120 | 20% | 87% |
| 40 | Coaches and scouts | 100 | 37,160 | $14,960 - 59,820 | 15% | 60% |
| 41 | Social and community service managers | 90 | 31,720 | $17,870 - 52,320 | 25% | 72% |
| 42 | Personal financial advisors | 90 | 69,460 | $26,490 - 135,750 | 41% | 81% |
| 43 | Graphic designers | 90 | 31,380 | $16,580 - 60,120 | 10% | 55% |
| 44 | Market research analysts | 80 | 49,060 | $30,690 - 67,230 | 20% | 82% |
| 45 | Medical and clinical laboratory technicians | 80 | 31,990 | $20,230 - 47,510 | 15% | 51% |
| 46 | Medical and public health social workers | 80 | 38,280 | $18,400 - 55,300 | 24% | 77% |
| 47 | Instructional coordinators | 70 | 58,370 | $34,260 - 81,890 | 23% | 79% |
| 48 | Mental health counselors | 70 | 48,990 | $30,200 - 67,170 | 30% | 73% |
| 49 | Electrical engineers | 70 | 61,990 | $39,370 - 79,840 | 6% | 81% |
| 50 | Marketing managers | 70 | 82,570 | $41,310 - | 14% | 69% |
| 51 | Engineering managers | 70 | 87,730 | $54,300 - 128,190 | 7% | 84% |
| 52 | Public relations specialists | 70 | 39,300 | $28,160 - 54,040 | 18% | 81% |
| 53 | Occupational therapists | 60 | 72,480 | $42,390 - 107,930 | 23% | 90% |
| 54 | Occupational health and safety specialists | 60 | 41,380 | $22,180 - 75,480 | 8% | 72% |
| 55 | Computer and information systems managers | 60 | 101,770 | $61,900 - 136,160 | 16% | 73% |
| 56 | Compensation, benefits, and job analysis specialists | 60 | 37,690 | $24,310 - 54,000 | 18% | 56% |
| 57 | Surveyors | 60 | 35,600 | $20,280 - 54,370 | 24% | 82% |
| 58 | Detectives and criminal investigators | 60 | 51,320 | $27,550 - 93,170 | 17% | 54% |
| 59 | Editors | 60 | 37,290 | $26,960 - 50,840 | 2% | 81% |
| 60 | Purchasing managers | 60 | 111,470 | $56,420 - | 3% | 57% |
| 61 | Civil engineers | 60 | 67,790 | $44,630 - 98,260 | 18% | 87% |
| 62 | Special education teachers, middle school | 50 | 41,680 | $34,750 - 50,390 | 16% | 87% |
| 63 | Human resources, training, and labor relations specialists, all other | 50 | 45,060 | $28,850 - 65,250 | 17% | 56% |
| 64 | Human resources managers, all other | 50 | 81,190 | $45,890 - 126,750 | 11% | 58% |
| 65 | Floral designers | 50 | 19,240 | $14,260 - 24,740 | 0% | 55% |
| 66 | Postmasters and mail superintendents | 50 | 58,310 | $41,020 - 77,460 | 0% | 55% |
| 67 | Tax preparers | 50 | 24,350 | $17,280 - 36,720 | 0% | 54% |
| 68 | Securities, commodities, and financial services sales agents | 40 | 50,420 | $27,550 - 64,680 | 25% | 67% |
| 69 | Education administrators, preschool and child care center/program | 40 | 33,050 | $21,420 - 59,450 | 24% | 78% |
| 70 | Dietitians and nutritionists | 40 | 47,360 | $26,720 - 80,830 | 9% | 72% |
| 71 | Veterinarians | 40 | 63,260 | $41,500 - 81,560 | 35% | 100% |
| 72 | Network systems and data communications analysts | 40 | 53,460 | $35,260 - 74,020 | 53% | 57% |
| 73 | Database administrators | 40 | 65,530 | $36,090 - 97,360 | 29% | 72% |
| 74 | Financial analysts | 40 | 44,060 | $27,790 - 73,210 | 34% | 87% |
| 75 | Substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors | 40 | 35,820 | $20,490 - 54,790 | 34% | 73% |
| 76 | Clinical, counseling, and school psychologists | 40 | 57,450 | $38,100 - 84,530 | 16% | 99% |
| 77 | Architects, except landscape and naval | 30 | 50,130 | $34,000 - 66,100 | 18% | 88% |
| 78 | Financial specialists, all other | 30 | 32,020 | $21,360 - 61,830 | 12% | 50% |
| 79 | Credit analysts | 30 | 50,010 | $22,410 - 83,940 | 2% | 60% |
| 80 | Producers and directors | 30 | 50,420 | $20,420 - 74,840 | 11% | 75% |
| 81 | Mental health and substance abuse social workers | 30 | 34,510 | $18,800 - 51,170 | 30% | 77% |
| 82 | Optometrists | 30 | 61,370 | $26,280 - 123,780 | 11% | 100% |
| 83 | Social workers, all other | 30 | 30,690 | $15,050 - 49,020 | 18% | 77% |
| Rank | Title | Local Jobs | Local Mean Salary | Typical Local Salary | National Growth % 2006-2016 | National % With College Degree |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Truck drivers, heavy and tractor-trailer | 5,090 | 39,410 | $26,000 - 62,430 | 10% | 4% |
| 2 | Retail salespersons | 3,690 | 21,900 | $14,160 - 32,920 | 12% | 25% |
| 3 | Cashiers | 3,300 | 16,270 | $13,480 - 20,600 | -2% | 10% |
| 4 | Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand | 2,520 | 22,230 | $15,550 - 32,230 | 2% | 5% |
| 5 | Combined food preparation and serving workers, including fast food | 2,310 | 14,890 | $13,310 - 16,600 | 18% | 5% |
| 6 | Team assemblers | 2,070 | 25,440 | $17,120 - 38,260 | 0% | 5% |
| 7 | Helpers--production workers | 1,980 | 21,850 | $16,380 - 34,330 | 0% | 4% |
| 8 | Janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners | 1,910 | 20,320 | $14,820 - 29,430 | 15% | 4% |
| 9 | Office clerks, general | 1,880 | 22,060 | $14,890 - 31,500 | 13% | 19% |
| 10 | Meat, poultry, and fish cutters and trimmers | 1,880 | 18,960 | $15,800 - 23,770 | 11% | 2% |
| 11 | Nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants | 1,800 | 19,380 | $16,200 - 24,400 | 18% | 7% |
| 12 | Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks | 1,770 | 27,080 | $17,010 - 38,050 | 13% | 16% |
| 13 | Waiters and waitresses | 1,620 | 17,480 | $13,840 - 26,480 | 11% | 14% |
| 14 | Stock clerks and order fillers | 1,460 | 20,500 | $14,440 - 29,740 | -7% | 8% |
| 15 | Secretaries, except legal, medical, and executive | 1,440 | 24,240 | $14,860 - 34,280 | 1% | 18% |
| 16 | Maintenance and repair workers, general | 1,370 | 30,700 | $18,170 - 47,340 | 10% | 6% |
| 17 | First-line supervisors/managers of retail sales workers | 1,260 | 33,160 | $18,790 - 53,740 | 4% | 25% |
| 18 | Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses | 1,210 | 33,160 | $25,640 - 40,830 | 14% | 7% |
| 19 | General and operations managers | 1,200 | 88,360 | $37,190 - 161,930 | 2% | 48% |
| 20 | Cooks, fast food | 1,150 | 15,840 | $13,820 - 19,330 | 8% | 5% |
| 21 | First-line supervisors/managers of office and administrative support workers | 1,120 | 38,240 | $20,900 - 59,890 | 6% | 29% |
| 22 | Packaging and filling machine operators and tenders | 1,060 | 23,210 | $14,650 - 37,930 | -4% | 5% |
| 23 | Customer service representatives | 1,010 | 25,090 | $15,810 - 35,950 | 25% | 22% |
| 24 | Industrial truck and tractor operators | 990 | 27,740 | $18,160 - 38,970 | -1% | 2% |
| 25 | First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers | 900 | 43,850 | $27,510 - 64,290 | -4% | 15% |
| 26 | Home health aides | 870 | 16,670 | $13,340 - 21,770 | 49% | 7% |
| 27 | Child care workers | 850 | 16,130 | $13,880 - 19,550 | 18% | 15% |
| 28 | Personal and home care aides | 830 | 18,040 | $14,800 - 21,430 | 51% | 10% |
| 29 | Inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers | 810 | 28,120 | $17,890 - 41,980 | -6% | 14% |
| 30 | First-line supervisors/managers of construction trades and extraction workers | 800 | 57,680 | $32,500 - 102,910 | 9% | 10% |
| 31 | Receptionists and information clerks | 740 | 20,760 | $14,600 - 28,690 | 17% | 13% |
| 32 | Welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers | 740 | 30,380 | $21,210 - 40,640 | 5% | 2% |
| 33 | Teacher assistants | 720 | 17,740 | $13,460 - 24,240 | 10% | 18% |
| 34 | Tellers | 710 | 21,360 | $16,240 - 28,780 | 14% | 16% |
| 35 | First-line supervisors/managers of food preparation and serving workers | 710 | 26,290 | $17,700 - 37,570 | 11% | 14% |
| 36 | Cooks, restaurant | 680 | 19,400 | $14,820 - 25,090 | 12% | 5% |
| 37 | Food preparation workers | 670 | 17,130 | $13,800 - 22,020 | 15% | 7% |
| 38 | Maids and housekeeping cleaners | 660 | 16,800 | $13,850 - 20,660 | 13% | 5% |
| 39 | Cooks, institution and cafeteria | 650 | 18,380 | $13,930 - 25,630 | 11% | 5% |
| 40 | Truck drivers, light or delivery services | 640 | 24,350 | $16,080 - 38,320 | 8% | 4% |
| 41 | Rotary drill operators, oil and gas | 640 | 50,630 | $30,980 - 78,660 | -4% | 0% |
| 42 | Police and sheriff's patrol officers | 630 | 33,070 | $17,870 - 53,510 | 11% | 33% |
| 43 | Automotive service technicians and mechanics | 620 | 30,150 | $17,670 - 45,630 | 14% | 4% |
| 44 | Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators | 610 | 33,180 | $23,350 - 45,690 | 8% | 3% |
| 45 | Executive secretaries and administrative assistants | 590 | 36,140 | $22,880 - 58,570 | 15% | 18% |
| 46 | Shipping, receiving, and traffic clerks | 570 | 28,010 | $20,020 - 37,670 | 4% | 6% |
| 47 | Security guards | 550 | 20,180 | $15,300 - 26,700 | 17% | 13% |
| 48 | Carpenters | 550 | 29,440 | $20,180 - 40,420 | 10% | 6% |
| 49 | Industrial machinery mechanics | 530 | 39,710 | $25,280 - 59,610 | 9% | 5% |
| 50 | Cutting, punching, and press machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic | 510 | 24,950 | $17,070 - 33,820 | -14% | 0% |
| 51 | Business operations specialists, all other | 490 | 54,060 | $27,050 - 80,040 | 21% | 49% |
| 52 | Landscaping and groundskeeping workers | 490 | 19,360 | $14,420 - 25,790 | 18% | 6% |
| 53 | First-line supervisors/managers of mechanics, installers, and repairers | 490 | 52,720 | $34,570 - 80,270 | 7% | 13% |
| 54 | Counter and rental clerks | 450 | 20,570 | $13,760 - 32,680 | 23% | 16% |
| 55 | Dishwashers | 430 | 15,980 | $13,700 - 19,910 | 10% | 3% |
| 56 | Bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists | 410 | 32,000 | $20,340 - 42,860 | 12% | 3% |
| 57 | Bill and account collectors | 380 | 25,110 | $16,360 - 35,160 | 23% | 13% |
| 58 | Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters | 380 | 33,340 | $22,250 - 43,400 | 11% | 4% |
| 59 | Derrick operators, oil and gas | 380 | 40,430 | $29,240 - 59,020 | -5% | 0% |
| 60 | Fire fighters | 380 | 30,460 | $17,050 - 44,860 | 12% | 18% |
| 61 | Service unit operators, oil, gas, and mining | 380 | 39,470 | $26,060 - 73,500 | -4% | 0% |
| 62 | Electricians | 370 | 41,320 | $28,870 - 51,370 | 7% | 7% |
| 63 | Molding, coremaking, and casting machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic | 370 | 31,970 | $22,770 - 39,250 | -12% | 0% |
| 64 | Administrative services managers | 340 | 52,040 | $25,110 - 89,090 | 12% | 40% |
| 65 | Billing and posting clerks and machine operators | 330 | 25,460 | $17,790 - 34,920 | 4% | 15% |
| 66 | Loan officers | 320 | 49,490 | $24,950 - 85,400 | 12% | 49% |
| 67 | Bus drivers, school | 320 | 20,970 | $13,660 - 32,760 | 9% | 4% |
| 68 | Kindergarten teachers, except special education | 310 | 41,260 | $31,870 - 52,390 | 16% | 43% |
| 69 | Insurance sales agents | 310 | 13% | 45% | ||
| 70 | Extruding, forming, pressing, and compacting machine setters, operators, and tenders | 300 | -7% | 0% | ||
| 71 | Production, planning, and expediting clerks | 300 | 37,970 | $26,800 - 50,720 | 4% | 30% |
| 72 | Paper goods machine setters, operators, and tenders | 290 | 29,710 | $20,940 - 39,610 | -17% | 0% |
| 73 | Dispatchers, except police, fire, and ambulance | 290 | 30,830 | $18,820 - 44,760 | 2% | 11% |
| 74 | Postal service mail carriers | 290 | 1% | 11% | ||
| 75 | Counter attendants, cafeteria, food concession, and coffee shop | 290 | 15,810 | $13,720 - 19,120 | 10% | 8% |
| 76 | Dental assistants | 280 | 25,790 | $19,130 - 32,400 | 29% | 9% |
| 77 | Machine feeders and offbearers | 280 | 27,910 | $18,150 - 37,560 | -14% | 0% |
| 78 | Recreation workers | 280 | 18,750 | $13,900 - 24,630 | 13% | 47% |
| 79 | Food batchmakers | 270 | 25,130 | $16,210 - 38,040 | 11% | 5% |
| 80 | Cleaners of vehicles and equipment | 270 | 21,060 | $15,550 - 27,450 | 14% | 3% |
| 81 | First-line supervisors/managers of transportation and material-moving machine and vehicle operators | 260 | 46,410 | $25,660 - 68,640 | 10% | 17% |
| 82 | Correctional officers and jailers | 260 | 22,620 | $17,430 - 31,900 | 17% | 11% |
| 83 | Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers | 250 | 31,960 | $17,830 - 41,820 | 9% | 3% |
| 84 | Computer support specialists | 250 | 35,410 | $22,980 - 49,570 | 13% | 43% |
| 85 | Cement masons and concrete finishers | 250 | 31,650 | $22,490 - 47,720 | 11% | 2% |
| 86 | Parts salespersons | 250 | 26,330 | $16,890 - 39,250 | -1% | 6% |
| 87 | Machinists | 250 | 32,180 | $22,860 - 39,940 | -2% | 3% |
| 88 | Printing machine operators | 240 | 36,710 | $22,640 - 49,220 | -5% | 6% |
| 89 | Driver/sales workers | 240 | 27,240 | $18,190 - 38,360 | -4% | 4% |
| 90 | Interviewers, except eligibility and loan | 230 | 22,300 | $16,920 - 30,100 | 10% | 24% |
| 91 | Sheet metal workers | 230 | 28,020 | $17,670 - 40,110 | 7% | 4% |
| 92 | Hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks | 230 | 16,800 | $13,650 - 22,710 | 17% | 14% |
| 93 | Food cooking machine operators and tenders | 230 | 27,990 | $16,170 - 39,160 | -4% | 0% |
| 94 | Pharmacy technicians | 230 | 25,250 | $18,260 - 33,310 | 32% | 16% |
| 95 | Laundry and dry-cleaning workers | 220 | 17,470 | $13,820 - 23,800 | 10% | 5% |
| 96 | Industrial production managers | 220 | 79,020 | $40,830 - 113,890 | -5% | 43% |
| 97 | Medical secretaries | 220 | 25,480 | $18,660 - 36,800 | 17% | 18% |
| 98 | Mobile heavy equipment mechanics, except engines | 210 | 36,140 | $27,510 - 46,390 | 12% | 3% |
| 99 | Office and administrative support workers, all other | 210 | 42,460 | $29,040 - 53,200 | -8% | 32% |
| 100 | Property, real estate, and community association managers | 210 | 45,690 | $18,000 - 119,750 | 15% | 36% |
| Fort Smith Colleges Fort Smith colleges and trade schools. |
| Fort Smith Hotels & Travel Fort Smith hotels, landmarks, tourism, transportation. |
| Fort Smith Mortgage Fort Smith property, mortgage, and real estate. |
* Average job popularity for metro areas = 1.0
| Title | Mean Local Salary | Local Jobs | Pop. vs. Avg.* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rock splitters, quarry | 23,210 | 130 | 440.6 |
| Rotary drill operators, oil and gas | 50,630 | 640 | 57.7 |
| Derrick operators, oil and gas | 40,430 | 380 | 46.7 |
| Meat, poultry, and fish cutters and trimmers | 18,960 | 1,880 | 34.4 |
| Wellhead pumpers | 38,240 | 100 | 25.1 |
| Service unit operators, oil, gas, and mining | 39,470 | 380 | 22.4 |
| Farmworkers, farm and ranch animals | 21,210 | 190 | 16.3 |
| Food cooking machine operators and tenders | 27,990 | 230 | 11.2 |
| Extruding, forming, pressing, and compacting machine setters, operators, and tenders | 300 | 6.5 | |
| Meter readers, utilities | 25,930 | 170 | 6.2 |
| Conveyor operators and tenders | 26,540 | 100 | 5.7 |
| Helpers--production workers | 21,850 | 1,980 | 5.5 |
| Sawing machine setters, operators, and tenders, wood | 22,050 | 100 | 5.3 |
| Paper goods machine setters, operators, and tenders | 29,710 | 290 | 4.4 |
| Paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators | 27,050 | 170 | 4.3 |
| Food batchmakers | 25,130 | 270 | 4.2 |
| Packaging and filling machine operators and tenders | 23,210 | 1,060 | 4 |
| Control and valve installers and repairers, except mechanical door | 42,880 | 100 | 3.9 |
| Truck drivers, heavy and tractor-trailer | 39,410 | 5,090 | 3.9 |
| Molding, coremaking, and casting machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic | 31,970 | 370 | 3.9 |
| Machine feeders and offbearers | 27,910 | 280 | 3.4 |
| Legislators | 31,250 | 120 | 3.3 |
| Prepress technicians and workers | 31,810 | 140 | 2.9 |
| Cutting, punching, and press machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic | 24,950 | 510 | 2.9 |
| Adult literacy, remedial education, and GED teachers and instructors | 39,130 | 120 | 2.9 |
| Coating, painting, and spraying machine setters, operators, and tenders | 26,200 | 190 | 2.8 |
| Health technologists and technicians, all other | 24,820 | 150 | 2.7 |
| Cooks, fast food | 15,840 | 1,150 | 2.7 |
| Cargo and freight agents | 37,760 | 180 | 2.6 |
| Welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers | 30,380 | 740 | 2.6 |
| Water and liquid waste treatment plant and system operators | 28,890 | 190 | 2.6 |
| Industrial machinery mechanics | 39,710 | 530 | 2.5 |
| Weighers, measurers, checkers, and samplers, recordkeeping | 26,520 | 130 | 2.5 |
| Team assemblers | 25,440 | 2,070 | 2.5 |
| Vocational education teachers, secondary school | 46,510 | 140 | 2.4 |
| Tool and die makers | 38,170 | 150 | 2.4 |
| Cooks, institution and cafeteria | 18,380 | 650 | 2.4 |
| Kindergarten teachers, except special education | 41,260 | 310 | 2.4 |
| Extruding and drawing machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic | 27,590 | 130 | 2.2 |
| Inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers | 28,120 | 810 | 2.2 |
| Personal and home care aides | 18,040 | 830 | 2.2 |
| Mobile heavy equipment mechanics, except engines | 36,140 | 210 | 2.2 |
| Electrical power-line installers and repairers | 50,080 | 140 | 2.2 |
| Physical therapist assistants | 50,440 | 100 | 2.1 |
| Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses | 33,160 | 1,210 | 2.1 |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators | 33,180 | 610 | 2.1 |
| Bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists | 32,000 | 410 | 2.1 |
| Butchers and meat cutters | 21,050 | 190 | 2 |
| Industrial truck and tractor operators | 27,740 | 990 | 2 |
| Maintenance workers, machinery | 30,860 | 100 | 2 |
* Average Salary Index for metro areas = 1.0
| Title | Mean Local Salary | Salary Index * | Local Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Office and administrative support workers, all other | 42,460 | 1.37 | 210 |
| Food cooking machine operators and tenders | 27,990 | 1.15 | 230 |
| Lawyers | 118,100 | 1.15 | 270 |
| Preschool teachers, except special education | 29,320 | 1.15 | 160 |
| Family and general practitioners | 184,930 | 1.12 | 150 |
| Printing machine operators | 36,710 | 1.12 | 240 |
| Molding, coremaking, and casting machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic | 31,970 | 1.09 | 370 |
| Machine feeders and offbearers | 27,910 | 1.08 | 280 |
| Self-enrichment education teachers | 40,550 | 1.06 | 110 |
| Truck drivers, heavy and tractor-trailer | 39,410 | 1.05 | 5,090 |
| Driver/sales workers | 27,240 | 1.04 | 240 |
| Hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists | 25,870 | 1.03 | 130 |
| Educational, vocational, and school counselors | 52,200 | 1.01 | 160 |
| Industrial engineers | 73,400 | 1.01 | 150 |
| Cleaners of vehicles and equipment | 21,060 | 1 | 270 |
| Service unit operators, oil, gas, and mining | 39,470 | 1 | 380 |
| Speech-language pathologists | 64,400 | 1 | 160 |
| Dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers | 17,300 | 0.99 | 140 |
| First-line supervisors/managers of construction trades and extraction workers | 57,680 | 0.99 | 800 |
| Automotive body and related repairers | 38,710 | 0.98 | 120 |
| Shipping, receiving, and traffic clerks | 28,010 | 0.98 | 570 |
| Rotary drill operators, oil and gas | 50,630 | 0.98 | 640 |
| Food batchmakers | 25,130 | 0.98 | 270 |
| Cargo and freight agents | 37,760 | 0.97 | 180 |
| Hosts and hostesses, restaurant, lounge, and coffee shop | 17,200 | 0.97 | 180 |
| Derrick operators, oil and gas | 40,430 | 0.96 | 380 |
| All other information and record clerks | 31,580 | 0.96 | 150 |
| Financial managers | 88,160 | 0.95 | 310 |
| Pharmacists | 99,090 | 0.94 | 220 |
| First-line supervisors/managers of non-retail sales workers | 65,710 | 0.94 | 180 |
| Waiters and waitresses | 17,480 | 0.93 | 1,620 |
| Executive secretaries and administrative assistants | 36,140 | 0.93 | 590 |
| Paper goods machine setters, operators, and tenders | 29,710 | 0.93 | 290 |
| Team assemblers | 25,440 | 0.93 | 2,070 |
| Purchasing agents, except wholesale, retail, and farm products | 49,300 | 0.93 | 130 |
| Dishwashers | 15,980 | 0.93 | 430 |
| Production, planning, and expediting clerks | 37,970 | 0.93 | 300 |
| First-line supervisors/managers of mechanics, installers, and repairers | 52,720 | 0.93 | 490 |
| Weighers, measurers, checkers, and samplers, recordkeeping | 26,520 | 0.93 | 130 |
| Helpers--production workers | 21,850 | 0.92 | 1,980 |
| Sales managers | 90,880 | 0.92 | 180 |
| Industrial truck and tractor operators | 27,740 | 0.92 | 990 |
| Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand | 22,230 | 0.92 | 2,520 |
| Business operations specialists, all other | 54,060 | 0.92 | 490 |
| General and operations managers | 88,360 | 0.92 | 1,200 |
| Electrical power-line installers and repairers | 50,080 | 0.91 | 140 |
| Farmworkers, farm and ranch animals | 21,210 | 0.91 | 190 |
| Cooks, fast food | 15,840 | 0.91 | 1,150 |
| First-line supervisors/managers of helpers, laborers, and material movers, hand | 39,110 | 0.91 | 200 |
| Mechanical engineers | 67,130 | 0.91 | 150 |
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