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Hickory Employment

Employment and Industries in the Hickory, North Carolina Area

The tables here illustrate essential information about work and employment in the area. Information includes:

  • A table of the most numerous types of work found here, both for jobs generally requiring college degrees and jobs not requiring college degrees.
  • A table listing those careers significantly more common in Hickory than in other US cities; this is useful both for career planning and for understanding the nature of Hickory.
  • A list of the highest-paying jobs in Hickory.
  • A list of any large public companies in Hickory.

Most Popular Jobs in Hickory, North Carolina Metro Area (2006 data)

Where the Majority of Workers Have College Degrees

RankTitleLocal JobsLocal Mean SalaryTypical Local SalaryNational Growth % 2006-2016National % With College Degree
1Registered nurses3,24052,810$38,270 - 65,26024%56%
2Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products2,17059,470$24,550 - 124,0108%51%
3Elementary school teachers, except special education2,14038,220$27,110 - 51,41014%95%
4Secondary school teachers, except special and vocational education98037,630$27,000 - 50,6506%96%
5Accountants and auditors79053,930$34,570 - 76,34018%79%
6Middle school teachers, except special and vocational education74037,090$26,260 - 50,62011%95%
7Sales managers44089,500$38,880 - 010%69%
8Special education teachers, preschool, kindergarten, and elementary school41037,870$26,220 - 53,13020%87%
9Financial managers39081,310$48,980 - 131,97013%60%
10Child, family, and school social workers38039,410$28,130 - 50,75019%77%
11Social and human service assistants34025,160$19,110 - 31,41034%58%
12Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, technical and scientific products33043,290$21,220 - 76,21012%51%
13Industrial engineers30056,630$38,020 - 76,13020%74%
14Education administrators, elementary and secondary school30061,180$38,900 - 85,4408%78%
15Teachers and instructors, all other25025,380$15,890 - 46,9609%54%
16Medical and health services managers24073,750$49,500 - 105,09016%57%
17Medical and clinical laboratory technicians23029,910$20,430 - 44,26015%51%
18Pharmacists23095,160$67,780 - 122,43022%97%
19Computer programmers21060,540$38,380 - 85,3600%73%
20Adult literacy, remedial education, and GED teachers and instructors20035,690$25,950 - 44,89014%54%
21Educational, vocational, and school counselors19042,780$30,840 - 56,49013%73%
22Librarians18041,480$32,420 - 53,6804%85%
23Market research analysts18067,640$35,560 - 104,06020%82%
24Lawyers18078,750$41,310 - 011%99%
25Mechanical engineers18060,290$42,410 - 75,5504%78%
26Mental health and substance abuse social workers15035,640$25,470 - 49,38030%77%
27Computer systems analysts15052,680$30,490 - 87,09029%68%
28Engineering managers15074,440$43,310 - 106,5407%84%
29Computer and information systems managers15090,130$49,190 - 141,24016%73%
30Vocational education teachers, secondary school13040,720$28,280 - 52,4100%96%
31Graphic designers13038,310$25,970 - 55,63010%55%
32Chief executives130162,890$96,220 - 02%65%
33Medical and clinical laboratory technologists12047,070$34,740 - 60,77012%51%
34Employment, recruitment, and placement specialists12038,710$24,390 - 55,95018%56%
35Self-enrichment education teachers12027,310$12,440 - 49,67023%54%
36Purchasing managers12070,820$41,360 - 112,2703%57%
37Physician assistants12077,610$63,140 - 95,29027%67%
38Healthcare practitioners and technical workers, all other11036,880$22,830 - 61,84015%72%
39Special education teachers, secondary school11036,480$25,820 - 50,4109%87%
40Managers, all other11067,840$36,110 - 105,5307%55%
41Medical and public health social workers11039,790$30,000 - 55,54024%77%
42Marketing managers10095,160$41,600 - 014%69%
43Community and social service specialists, all other10033,320$21,300 - 45,26025%58%
44Detectives and criminal investigators10038,810$27,580 - 55,26017%54%
45Network and computer systems administrators10052,970$33,260 - 76,50027%50%
46Physical therapists10066,920$51,330 - 89,13027%89%
47Computer software engineers, applications10073,790$42,970 - 114,42045%85%
48Social and community service managers9047,400$28,340 - 64,40025%72%
49Training and development specialists9042,810$24,800 - 60,52018%56%
50Advertising sales agents9034,480$20,270 - 47,06020%56%
51Rehabilitation counselors9035,040$24,040 - 65,30023%73%
52Education administrators, postsecondary9061,860$41,960 - 89,86014%78%
53Clinical, counseling, and school psychologists9049,180$36,700 - 64,97016%99%
54Compensation, benefits, and job analysis specialists8051,140$31,160 - 73,69018%56%
55Occupational therapists8061,100$43,470 - 85,14023%90%
56Public relations specialists8041,260$26,090 - 60,70018%81%
57Special education teachers, middle school7037,570$25,660 - 54,71016%87%
58Compliance officers, except agriculture, construction, health and safety, and transportation7037,740$22,090 - 55,4205%58%
59Floral designers7017,480$11,850 - 23,5200%55%
60Commercial and industrial designers7058,650$30,220 - 90,8707%55%
61Speech-language pathologists7056,860$40,050 - 87,82011%98%
62Coaches and scouts7024,300$12,840 - 39,33015%60%
63Instructional coordinators6044,870$32,080 - 61,87023%79%
64Network systems and data communications analysts6051,770$34,360 - 70,60053%57%
65Chemists6057,660$27,660 - 92,0609%93%
66Dentists, general60175,550$84,480 - 09%100%
67Electrical engineers6059,620$43,810 - 78,5206%81%
68Personal financial advisors6064,950$33,300 - 97,52041%81%
69Education administrators, preschool and child care center/program5032,120$23,950 - 45,85024%78%
70Human resources, training, and labor relations specialists, all other5046,850$29,660 - 68,33017%56%
71Dietitians and nutritionists5044,660$32,340 - 59,9809%72%
72Electronics engineers, except computer5057,710$41,220 - 88,5704%81%
73Computer software engineers, systems software4060,660$37,120 - 87,85028%85%
74Securities, commodities, and financial services sales agents4076,630$24,460 - 025%67%
75Compensation and benefits managers4063,490$34,350 - 114,67012%58%
76Sales and related workers, all other4036,870$20,740 - 55,97014%62%
77Human resources managers, all other4064,810$35,490 - 93,38011%58%
78Public relations managers4066,530$38,830 - 144,53017%75%
79Health educators3040,030$26,230 - 53,24026%58%

Where the Majority of Workers Do Not Have College Degrees

RankTitleLocal JobsLocal Mean SalaryTypical Local SalaryNational Growth % 2006-2016National % With College Degree
1Team assemblers5,75023,580$15,640 - 33,8800%5%
2Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand4,65021,930$15,740 - 30,2102%5%
3Retail salespersons4,38023,760$13,400 - 39,96012%25%
4Cashiers4,37016,730$12,240 - 23,200-2%10%
5Home health aides4,04020,240$15,510 - 25,62049%7%
6Truck drivers, heavy and tractor-trailer3,59038,860$24,890 - 55,88010%4%
7Combined food preparation and serving workers, including fast food3,58014,740$11,610 - 19,56018%5%
8Sewing machine operators3,10027,740$16,840 - 40,120-26%5%
9Upholsterers2,77035,590$24,600 - 46,680-8%0%
10Office clerks, general2,56022,830$14,860 - 31,10013%19%
11First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers2,53043,190$27,880 - 62,350-4%15%
12Waiters and waitresses2,43015,200$11,530 - 24,00011%14%
13Helpers--production workers2,34022,330$16,270 - 29,7500%4%
14General and operations managers2,19097,710$46,270 - [?]2%48%
15Customer service representatives2,11028,330$19,300 - 39,33025%22%
16Janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners1,93019,190$13,700 - 25,36015%4%
17Packers and packagers, hand1,89020,420$14,130 - 28,480-11%3%
18Shipping, receiving, and traffic clerks1,81025,780$18,410 - 34,6704%6%
19Stock clerks and order fillers1,76021,430$13,690 - 31,650-7%8%
20Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks1,75028,520$19,880 - 38,01013%16%
21Maintenance and repair workers, general1,74031,890$21,030 - 44,39010%6%
22Woodworking machine setters, operators, and tenders, except sawing1,72025,630$17,950 - 34,3006%0%
23Teacher assistants1,70017,810$15,440 - 21,43010%18%
24Secretaries, except legal, medical, and executive1,67025,830$17,460 - 35,8801%18%
25First-line supervisors/managers of retail sales workers1,64036,940$19,820 - 58,4104%25%
26Furniture finishers1,64025,490$19,350 - 32,280-2%0%
27Inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers1,50025,200$18,120 - 34,660-6%14%
28Executive secretaries and administrative assistants1,27032,980$23,100 - 44,73015%18%
29First-line supervisors/managers of office and administrative support workers1,26041,700$27,030 - 60,4506%29%
30Truck drivers, light or delivery services1,23026,130$17,300 - 39,8508%4%
31Textile knitting and weaving machine setters, operators, and tenders1,20025,970$18,490 - 34,860-30%0%
32Cutters and trimmers, hand1,16031,820$20,630 - 44,850-5%3%
33Cabinetmakers and bench carpenters1,13026,830$17,550 - 37,0203%4%
34Receptionists and information clerks1,12021,930$16,410 - 28,41017%13%
35Correctional officers and jailers1,10027,400$22,260 - 31,68017%11%
36Industrial truck and tractor operators1,09024,670$18,700 - 32,580-1%2%
37First-line supervisors/managers of food preparation and serving workers1,07026,660$16,860 - 41,21011%14%
38Nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants1,01022,400$16,930 - 28,69018%7%
39Machine feeders and offbearers87022,100$15,660 - 30,250-14%0%
40Cooks, restaurant84017,530$12,110 - 24,44012%5%
41Food preparation workers80016,510$12,190 - 22,02015%7%
42Textile winding, twisting, and drawing out machine setters, operators, and tenders78020,960$16,490 - 26,210-23%0%
43Packaging and filling machine operators and tenders76022,370$14,960 - 29,760-4%5%
44Coating, painting, and spraying machine setters, operators, and tenders75025,850$18,370 - 33,020-12%4%
45Maids and housekeeping cleaners74016,910$12,250 - 22,99013%5%
46Sawing machine setters, operators, and tenders, wood73023,310$16,580 - 30,7304%0%
47Textile bleaching and dyeing machine operators and tenders72024,500$17,840 - 29,640-29%0%
48Preschool teachers, except special education69020,380$13,950 - 30,58026%43%
49Personal and home care aides67017,810$15,040 - 22,09051%10%
50Construction laborers67025,000$18,640 - 33,53011%5%
51Landscaping and groundskeeping workers67020,480$13,510 - 28,37018%6%
52Police and sheriff's patrol officers63034,180$25,340 - 45,50011%33%
53Automotive service technicians and mechanics63036,750$19,110 - 55,80014%4%
54First-line supervisors/managers of mechanics, installers, and repairers60051,460$34,720 - 70,7307%13%
55Security guards60020,110$12,260 - 38,52017%13%
56Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses60037,920$27,740 - 48,04014%7%
57Carpenters59028,570$20,750 - 37,47010%6%
58Industrial production managers59067,770$39,960 - 102,510-5%43%
59First-line supervisors/managers of construction trades and extraction workers58042,150$30,090 - 59,5509%10%
60Billing and posting clerks and machine operators57026,960$20,710 - 35,0504%15%
61Extruding and drawing machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic57030,010$23,370 - 35,810-6%0%
62Tellers56022,480$19,240 - 27,28014%16%
63Machinists56030,970$19,960 - 41,060-2%3%
64Cutting, punching, and press machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic54022,750$16,830 - 30,140-14%0%
65Mixing and blending machine setters, operators, and tenders49026,530$20,010 - 34,320-4%4%
66Driver/sales workers48030,770$15,170 - 43,940-4%4%
67Hosts and hostesses, restaurant, lounge, and coffee shop48015,350$11,700 - 20,94010%17%
68Cutting and slicing machine setters, operators, and tenders47024,550$17,400 - 33,460-8%3%
69Production, planning, and expediting clerks46032,050$21,580 - 48,2504%30%
70Electricians46030,940$21,250 - 41,3607%7%
71Industrial machinery mechanics46034,220$24,040 - 46,2309%5%
72Cooks, fast food43015,670$12,280 - 19,4708%5%
73Order clerks43026,920$19,290 - 35,610-23%16%
74First-line supervisors/managers of helpers, laborers, and material movers, hand43039,300$27,300 - 54,05013%17%
75Dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers43015,060$12,010 - 18,00012%6%
76First-line supervisors/managers of transportation and material-moving machine and vehicle operators42046,850$30,760 - 67,83010%17%
77Cooks, short order41015,870$11,950 - 21,4505%5%
78Medical secretaries41025,950$19,780 - 33,90017%18%
79Pharmacy technicians41025,200$17,120 - 34,71032%16%
80Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators40028,810$20,530 - 36,0008%3%
81Welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers40029,490$19,520 - 43,9305%2%
82Counter attendants, cafeteria, food concession, and coffee shop40013,570$11,570 - 17,00010%8%
83Cleaners of vehicles and equipment38020,420$13,600 - 28,16014%3%
84Medical assistants37024,720$19,620 - 31,68035%10%
85Bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists37034,290$25,050 - 45,11012%3%
86Postal service mail carriers37044,200$33,730 - 58,6001%11%
87First-line supervisors/managers of non-retail sales workers37064,200$34,200 - 107,9104%38%
88Pressers, textile, garment, and related materials36020,620$15,630 - 27,530-3%3%
89Purchasing agents, except wholesale, retail, and farm products36045,050$28,080 - 63,3400%42%
90Cementing and gluing machine operators and tenders36023,410$16,570 - 30,620-8%0%
91Fire fighters34030,130$19,370 - 43,45012%18%
92Bartenders34017,640$12,040 - 23,52011%17%
93Counter and rental clerks34023,040$13,900 - 41,08023%16%
94Child care workers34016,650$12,200 - 21,89018%15%
95Dishwashers33015,680$11,860 - 21,20010%3%
96Business operations specialists, all other33052,810$30,440 - 79,43021%49%
97Bus drivers, school33022,210$17,540 - 28,0809%4%
98Lathe and turning machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic32027,140$23,030 - 31,650-22%0%
99Cooks, institution and cafeteria31020,180$15,640 - 25,31011%5%
100Textile cutting machine setters, operators, and tenders30029,580$20,460 - 42,350-26%0%
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Jobs More Common Near Hickory Than Most Other Cities

* Average job popularity for metro areas = 1.0

TitleMean Local SalaryLocal JobsPop. vs. Avg.*
Model makers, wood28,010120241.6
Patternmakers, wood29,070120234.7
Upholsterers35,5902,77096.2
Furniture finishers25,4901,64083.3
Textile bleaching and dyeing machine operators and tenders24,50072058.3
Textile knitting and weaving machine setters, operators, and tenders25,9701,20048
Cutters and trimmers, hand31,8201,16046.1
Fabric and apparel patternmakers34,14024032.5
Textile winding, twisting, and drawing out machine setters, operators, and tenders20,96078031.5
Woodworking machine setters, operators, and tenders, except sawing25,6301,72024.6
Cementing and gluing machine operators and tenders23,41036023.2
Sawing machine setters, operators, and tenders, wood23,31073023.1
Textile cutting machine setters, operators, and tenders29,58030020.5
Sewing machine operators27,7403,10013.9
Textile, apparel, and furnishings workers, all other22,79014012
Cabinetmakers and bench carpenters26,8301,1309
Extruding and drawing machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic30,0105707.7
Machine feeders and offbearers22,1008707.5
Coating, painting, and spraying machine setters, operators, and tenders25,8507507.4
Cutting and slicing machine setters, operators, and tenders24,5504706.6
Painting, coating, and decorating workers25,1601305.4
Lathe and turning machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic27,1403205.3
Grinding and polishing workers, hand22,7602105.2
Heat treating equipment setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic31,2101005
Home health aides20,2404,0404.6
Pressers, textile, garment, and related materials20,6203604.4
Correctional officers and jailers27,4001,1004.4
Team assemblers23,5805,7504.3
Helpers--production workers22,3302,3404.1
Adult literacy, remedial education, and GED teachers and instructors35,6902003.8
Real estate brokers 1003.5
Mixing and blending machine setters, operators, and tenders26,5304903.4
Welding, soldering, and brazing machine setters, operators, and tenders32,0701003.3
Extruding, forming, pressing, and compacting machine setters, operators, and tenders28,5302003.3
First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers43,1902,5303.3
Industrial production managers67,7705903.2
Vocational education teachers, postsecondary41,8403103.2
Maintenance workers, machinery30,6602302.9
Paper goods machine setters, operators, and tenders26,8302802.8
Weighers, measurers, checkers, and samplers, recordkeeping24,0802202.7
Inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers25,2001,5002.7
Family and general practitioners171,8902502.3
Pipelayers26,0201302.2
Healthcare practitioners and technical workers, all other36,8801102.2
Photographic processing machine operators18,6401002.1
Cooks, short order15,8704102.1
Eligibility interviewers, government programs28,8301902
Refuse and recyclable material collectors21,2102202
Packers and packagers, hand20,4201,8902
First-line supervisors/managers of helpers, laborers, and material movers, hand39,3004301.9

Work Paying Relatively Well in the Hickory, North Carolina Metro Area (2006 data)

* Average Salary Index for metro areas = 1.0

TitleMean Local SalarySalary Index *Local Jobs
Sewing machine operators27,7401.333,100
Cutters and trimmers, hand31,8201.281,160
Textile cutting machine setters, operators, and tenders29,5801.26300
Driver/sales workers30,7701.25480
Upholsterers35,5901.222,770
Chief executives162,8901.19130
Market research analysts67,6401.17180
Family and general practitioners171,8901.13250
Pressers, textile, garment, and related materials20,6201.12360
Model makers, wood28,0101.11120
Truck drivers, heavy and tractor-trailer38,8601.13,590
Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products59,4701.12,170
General and operations managers97,7101.092,190
Packers and packagers, hand20,4201.071,890
Automotive service technicians and mechanics36,7501.06630
Hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks19,4101.06130
Motor vehicle operators, all other27,3601.05120
Counter and rental clerks23,0401.05340
Cleaners of vehicles and equipment20,4201.05380
Radiologic technologists and technicians49,8001.04260
Textile knitting and weaving machine setters, operators, and tenders25,9701.041,200
Physician assistants77,6101.04120
Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses37,9201.03600
Medical transcriptionists30,8601.03120
Home health aides20,2401.034,040
Child, family, and school social workers39,4101.03380
Woodworking machine setters, operators, and tenders, except sawing25,6301.031,720
Emergency medical technicians and paramedics30,0601.02260
Assemblers and fabricators, all other25,5001.02110
Pharmacists95,1601.02230
Retail salespersons23,7601.014,380
Graphic designers38,3101.01130
Postal service mail carriers44,2001.01370
Extruding and drawing machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic30,0101.01570
Tellers22,4801.01560
Postal service mail sorters, processors, and processing machine operators40,9301.01180
Dispatchers, except police, fire, and ambulance33,0501.01220
Bartenders17,6401340
Computer programmers60,5401210
Nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants22,40011,010
Dishwashers15,6801330
Order clerks26,9201430
Customer service representatives28,33012,110
Helpers--production workers22,33012,340
Extruding, forming, pressing, and compacting machine setters, operators, and tenders28,5300.99200
Dental assistants29,7000.99300
Painting, coating, and decorating workers25,1600.99130
Truck drivers, light or delivery services26,1300.991,230
Cooks, fast food15,6700.99430
Laundry and dry-cleaning workers18,3600.99210

Highest Paying Jobs in Hickory, North Carolina Metro Area (2006 data)

TitleMean Local SalaryLocal Jobs
Physicians and surgeons, all other199,190 
Dentists, general175,55060
Family and general practitioners171,890250
Chief executives162,890130
General and operations managers97,7102,190
Marketing managers95,160100
Pharmacists95,160230
Computer and information systems managers90,130150
Sales managers89,500440
Veterinarians87,240 
Financial managers81,310390
Lawyers78,750180
Funeral directors78,270 
Physician assistants77,610120
Securities, commodities, and financial services sales agents76,63040
Engineering managers74,440150
Computer software engineers, applications73,790100
Medical and health services managers73,750240
Construction managers71,700160
Management analysts71,500 
Purchasing managers70,820120
Managers, all other67,840110
Industrial production managers67,770590
Market research analysts67,640180
Physical therapists66,920100
Public relations managers66,53040
Personal financial advisors64,95060
Human resources managers, all other64,81040
First-line supervisors/managers of non-retail sales workers64,200370
Compensation and benefits managers63,49040
Education administrators, postsecondary61,86090
Education administrators, elementary and secondary school61,180300
Occupational therapists61,10080
Computer software engineers, systems software60,66040
Computer programmers60,540210
Transportation, storage, and distribution managers60,410110
Mechanical engineers60,290180
Dental hygienists60,240 
Electrical engineers59,62060
Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products59,4702,170
Commercial and industrial designers58,65070
Electronics engineers, except computer57,71050
Chemists57,66060
Speech-language pathologists56,86070
Industrial engineers56,630300
Accountants and auditors53,930790
Electrical and electronics repairers, powerhouse, substation, and relay53,210 
Mechanical engineering technicians53,02060
Network and computer systems administrators52,970100
Registered nurses52,8103,240

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