Highest Paying Jobs for High School Graduates

The typical college graduate in the United States makes roughly $23,000 more a year than the
typical high school graduate. While a college degree generally qualifies workers for higher-paying
jobs, there are a number of lucrative positions that require no more than a high school diploma.

To identify the highest-paying jobs for high school graduates, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed occupational
data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Of the 150 jobs reviewed that require just a high school
education, 13 have median annual salaries higher than $60,000.

Some of the highest paying jobs that do not require a college degree still often require some training
beyond high school. For example, before elevator installers and repairers can earn their ample
salary - the median is more than $80,000 - nearly all must complete an apprenticeship program that
typically lasts four years.

In place of a college education, other high-paying jobs require related work experience. Of the 13
jobs that do not require a bachelor's degree and have a median pay of more than $60,000, only three
are truly entry-level positions that require no experience or apprenticeships. For example, gaming
managers often work for years as a dealer or slot supervisor before they are fix my boiler promoted
to run the casino floor. The typical dealer earns $19,000 a year, less than one-third the median
salary of a gaming manager.

Jobs with low educational barriers to entry can still yield high salaries if they are dangerous and
stressful. Dangers associated with boilermaking and elevator repair include risk of severe burns and
other injuries such as bruises and broken bones associated with falls. Other jobs can be especially
stressful and emotionally taxing. Detectives can spend much of their working lives around death and
suffering. A majority of workers in other high-paying fields, including subway and streetcar
operators, report dealing with angry and unpleasant people on a daily basis.

To determine the highest-paying jobs for high school graduates, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed occupational
data from the BLS. Occupations were considered if the job required a high school diploma or
equivalent, as listed by the BLS. The highest-paying jobs were identified as the 13 jobs with a
median annual wage greater than $60,000. Total employment, projected employment change, the
share of workers in a given occupation that are self-employed, the typical work experience required
by an occupation, and the typical on-the-job training needed for an occupation also came from the
BLS.

These are the highest-paying jobs for high school graduates.

13. Boilermakers

> Median annual wage: $60,120

> Typical training: Apprenticeship

> 2014 jobs: 17,400

> Projected change 2014-2024: 8.7%

Boilermakers are usually high school graduates who have completed an apprenticeship. Despite the
relatively low educational requirements, boilermakers earn relatively high salaries at more than
$60,000 a year. This is likely because the job is not that appealing to many. Building boilers, or large
closed vats that hold hot liquids and gases, can be both physically demanding and dangerous.
Common injuries on-the-job include burns, cuts, and broken bones due to falls. Additionally, boiler
construction and repair jobs are often contractual and could require extended travel and long stays
at worksites far from home.

Demand for boilermakers is projected to increase by 9% by 2024, slightly faster than demand for all
occupations.

12. First-line supervisors of construction trades and extraction workers

> Median annual wage: $62,070

> Typical training: None

> 2014 jobs: 578,400

> Projected change 2014-2024: 10.0%

A high school diploma is often the highest formal degree needed for jobs such as construction
foreman, field supervisor, and site superintendent. Such jobs regularly pay more than $62,000 a
year. It may be difficult to find work as a construction or material extraction supervisor directly out
of high school, however. Workers in these occupations typically have years of on-the-job experience
or have completed an apprenticeship program.

Employment growth for construction and extraction supervisors is projected to outpace overall job
growth between 2014 and 2024. The BLS projects a 10.0% increase in employment across the field,
a faster rate than the 6.5% total labor force projected growth.

11. Subway and streetcar operators

> Median annual wage: $62,360

> Typical training: Moderate-term on-the-job training

> 2014 jobs: 12,000

> Projected change 2014-2024: 4.7%

Public transportation is a popular and practical option for many people living in major urban centers.
Cities such as Chicago, New York, San Francisco, and Washington D.C. have extensive public transit
networks that each serve tens of millions of riders a year. Operating those public transit systems
requires little more than a high school diploma and typically pays more than $62,000 a year.

While such jobs are often routine in nature, they can also be stressful. Subway and streetcar
operators may be responsible for directing emergency evacuations, and a majority of workers in the
field report dealing with unpleasant or angry people on a daily basis.
10. First-line supervisors of mechanics, installers, and repairers

> Median annual wage: $63,010

> Typical training: None

> 2014 jobs: 447,100

> Projected change 2014-2024: 5.4%

Supervisors of mechanics, installers, and repairers need to be able to manage, coordinate, and think
critically. Job titles in the field include facilities manager, electrical foreman, and maintenance
supervisor. While it takes a certain skill set to be effective in these jobs, it does not necessarily
require formal education beyond high school. Despite the low educational barrier to entry, the
typical worker in the field earns $63,010 a year, far more than than the $27,809 a year the typical
worker with no more than a high school diploma earns.

9. Farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural managers

> Median annual wage: $64,170

> Typical training: None

> 2014 jobs: 929,800

> Projected change 2014-2024: -1.9%

The typical farmer, rancher, and agricultural manager earns $64,170 a year. The different job titles
often indicate different work places. While farmers and ranchers tend to own their own small family
farms, agricultural managers mostly supervise work at larger agricultural establishments for
companies or farmers. Similarly, while farmers are involved in all aspects of crop and livestock
production, managers hire workers to carry out most of the physical labor tasks. Farm revenues can
be unpredictable and dependent on a number of factors, such as the weather, and often times the
government may subsidize income to ensure farmers earn a fair wage.

Most farmers and ranchers have some experience as a farmhand before coming into the position.
While the job tends to require just a high school diploma, many universities offer postsecondary
degrees in farm and land management.

8. Gaming managers

> Median annual wage: $68,380

> Typical training: None

> 2014 jobs: 3,800

> Projected change 2014-2024: -0.6%

The typical gaming manager earns $68,380 a year, more than any other worker in gaming services
such as dealers or slot supervisors. Gaming managers are responsible for ensuring that the casino
floor runs smoothly, walking table to table and addressing any complaints from customers that may
arise. They also keep an eye out for potential cheaters and make sure that all customers and
employees are following the establishment's rules.

Gaming managers are typically promoted from lower positions in the casino after gaining a few
years of experience. Las Vegas has the highest concentration of gaming managers of any metro area
and offers them the highest salaries in the country.

7. Media and communication equipment

workers, all other

> Median annual wage: $70,590

> Typical training: Short-term on-the-job

training

> 2014 jobs: 19,400

> Projected change 2014-2024: -3.3%

Media and communication equipment workers

mostly work in the motion picture and video
industry. More than one-fourth of such workers
live in the Los Angeles metro area, where the
large film industry likely provides the most
jobs. Film work can be inconsistent, which is one reason for the high minimum pay many
entertainment-related workers unions require for their members. Many media and communication
equipment jobs require workers to be in such unions, like the International Alliance of Theatrical
Stage Employees. Jobs may include crew positions such as boom operator, grip, gaffer, with the
more specialized positions paying higher salaries. The typical media and communication equipment
worker earns $70,590 a year, one of the highest salaries of any occupation that requires just a high
school diploma.

6. Postmasters and mail superintendents

> Median annual wage: $70,640

> Typical training: Moderate-term on-the-job training

> 2014 jobs: 17,300

> Projected change 2014-2024: -26.2%

A majority of postmasters and mail superintendents have no more than a high school diploma in the
way of formal education. While there is a low educational barrier to entry, postmasters need to have
some on-the-job experience as well as management skills, organizational skills, and a knowledge of
business administration. Those in such positions are relatively well compensated. A typical
postmaster or mail superintendent makes more than $70,000 a year, more than all but five other
jobs with similarly low formal education requirements.
However, the job may not be a viable option for high school graduates in the near future. The BLS
projects a 26.2% decline in demand for postmasters and mail superintendents between 2014 and
2024.

5. Transportation inspectors

> Median annual wage: $70,820

> Typical training: Moderate-term on-the-job training

> 2014 jobs: 26,400

> Projected change 2014-2024: 1.2%

Transportation inspectors are responsible for conducting safety inspections for all modes of
transportation, including flight and rail. The typical transportation inspector earns $70,820, more
than all but just four other positions that require only a high school education. Nearly half of all
transportation inspectors work for the government, and about a third work in the private
transportation and warehousing industry.

Job outlook for the profession is somewhat less promising than the job market as a whole. Despite
expectations that the trucking industry will grow in the coming years, the BLS projects that the
number of transportation inspectors will grow by just 1.2% in the decade ending in 2024, far slower
than the overall projected labor market growth.

4. First-line supervisors of non-retail sales workers

> Median annual wage: $72,300

> Typical training: None

> 2014 jobs: 430,700

> Projected change 2014-2024: 4.7%

The typical first-line supervisor of non-retail sales workers, which includes positions such as sales
manager, branch manager, and sales supervisor, earns $72,300 a year. Such managers are
responsible for supervising sales employees, and may also carry out budgeting, accounting, and
personnel duties. While the job tends to require just a high school diploma, sales managers often
work their way up from lower positions. Some first-line sales supervising jobs require up to five
years of experience in a related position.

Many first-line supervisors may run their own businesses. More than 40% of such workers are self
employed, one of the largest shares of any profession.

3. Detectives and criminal investigators

> Median annual wage: $77,210

> Typical training: Moderate-term on-the-job training

> 2014 jobs: 116,700

> Projected change 2014-2024: -1.2%

While police officers actively fight crime and enforce the law, detectives or criminal investigators are
responsible for investigating crime scenes, gathering evidence, and compiling facts. While it is not
necessary for a detective to have formal schooling past high school, the job is often contingent on
successful completion of a training academy. Detective salaries tend to be far higher than nearly
every other job with similar educational requirements. The typical detective earns more than
$77,000 a year.

High salaries in the profession are due largely to the stresses and dangers associated with the job.
Working in crime scenes often means working in close proximity to death and suffering.

2. Elevator installers and repairers

> Median annual wage: $80,870

> Typical training: Apprenticeship

> 2014 jobs: 20,700

> Projected change 2014-2024: 13.0%

While a college education is not a prerequisite to working as an elevator installer and repairer, most
who work in the field have completed an apprenticeship. The job is one of only two in the United
States where the typical person with no more than a high school diploma can earn more than
$80,000 a year.

Like many high-paying jobs with a low minimum educational attainment threshold, working as an
elevator installer can be especially difficult and dangerous. Workers often spend long hours in
tightly enclosed areas such as elevator shafts and are susceptible to electrical burns, falls, and
muscle strain. Because of the possibility of emergency repairs, elevator installers can be on call 24
hours a day.

1. Transportation, storage, and distribution managers

> Median annual wage: $86,630

> Typical training: None

> 2014 jobs: 111,600

> Projected change 2014-2024: 2.2%

Transportation, storage, and distribution managers can reasonably expect to earn more than
$86,500 a year, the highest annual salary of any job that does not require formal education past high
school. There are a range of job titles in the field, including distribution manager, shipping
supervisor, warehouse manager, and transportation director. Job responsibilities typically include
adhering to budgets, supervising workers, and directing dispatching and routing operations.
Demand for these workers is projected to grow at a slower rate than demand across all fields.
Consequently, those with only a high school diploma may find it increasingly difficult to find work in
the field.

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