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20 High-Paying Jobs That Only Require A High School Diploma

Alexis Zarycki September 30th, 2021
Inc.com published a great article on the question that Steve Jobs used to ask himself every morning,  "If today were the last day of my life, would I want to do what I am about to do today? If the answer is no for too many days in a row, I know I need to change something." 

Looking for work?

According to Insider, there are a bunch of jobs you can get with just a high school diploma. You could be a chef, plumber, bus driver, or welder just to name a few. And you know what the best part is? They pay some serious cash.

So if you are searching for a new job and don’t want to go back to school, here is a list of 20 high-paying jobs that only require a high school diploma you can get.

  • 1. Sales representatives of services, except advertising, insurance, financial services, and travel

    Projected new jobs between 2020 and 2030: 97,000
    Median annual wage in May 2020: $58,770
    On-the-job training: Moderate-term on-the-job training

  • 2. Industrial machinery mechanics

    Projected new jobs between 2020 and 2030: 83,600

    Median annual wage in May 2020: $55,490

    On-the-job training: Long-term on-the-job training

  • 3. Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators

    Projected new jobs between 2020 and 2030: 22,200

    Median annual wage in May 2020: $49,770

    On-the-job training: Moderate-term on-the-job training

  • 4. Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters

    Projected new jobs between 2020 and 2030: 23,400

    Median annual wage in May 2020: $56,330

    On-the-job training: Apprenticeship

  • 5. Machinists

    Projected new jobs between 2020 and 2030: 28,800

    Median annual wage in May 2020: $45,840

    On-the-job training: Long-term on-the-job training

  • 6. First-line supervisors of production and operating workers

    Projected new jobs between 2020 and 2030: 22,700

    Median annual wage in May 2020: $62,850

    On-the-job training: None

  • 7. Production, planning, and expediting clerks

    Projected new jobs between 2020 and 2030: 27,900

    Median annual wage in May 2020: $49,640

    On-the-job training: Moderate-term on-the-job training

  • 8. Welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers

    Projected new jobs between 2020 and 2030: 34,100

    Median annual wage in May 2020: $44,190

    On-the-job training: Moderate-term on-the-job training

  • 9. Chefs and head cooks

    Projected new jobs between 2020 and 2030: 28,000

    Median annual wage in May 2020: $53,380

    On-the-job training: None

  • 10. Transit and intercity bus drivers

    Projected new jobs between 2020 and 2030: 34,800

    Median annual wage in May 2020: $45,900

    On-the-job training: Moderate-term on-the-job training

  • 11. First-line supervisors of transportation and material-moving workers, except aircraft cargo handling supervisors

    Projected new jobs between 2020 and 2030: 30,900

    Median annual wage in May 2020: $54,870

    On-the-job training: None

  • 12. Flight attendant

    Projected new jobs between 2020 and 2030: 31,100

    Median annual wage in May 2020: $59,050

    On-the-job training: Moderate-term on-the-job training

  • 13. Insurance Sales Agents

    Projected new jobs between 2020 and 2030: 35,500

    Median annual wage in May 2020: $52,180

    On-the-job training: Moderate-term on-the-job training

  • 14. First-line supervisors of personal service and entertainment and recreation workers, except gambling services

    Projected new jobs between 2020 and 2030: 48,400

    Median annual wage in May 2020: $42,000

    On-the-job training: None

  • 15. First-line supervisors of mechanics, installers, and repairers

    Projected new jobs between 2020 and 2030: 31,700

    Median annual wage in May 2020: $70,240

    On-the-job training: None

  • 16. Food Service Managers

    Projected new jobs between 2020 and 2030: 46,200
    Median annual wage in May 2020: $56,590
    On-the-job training: None

  • 17. First-line supervisors of construction trades and extraction workers

    Projected new jobs between 2020 and 2030: 43,100

    Median annual wage in May 2020: $67,840

    On-the-job training: None

  • 18. Police and sheriff’s patrol officers

    Projected new jobs between 2020 and 2030: 48,600

    Median annual wage in May 2020: $65,540

    On-the-job training: Moderate-term on-the-job training

  • 19. Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products

    Projected new jobs between 2020 and 2030: 59,400

    Median annual wage in May 2020: $62,070

    On-the-job training: Moderate-term on-the-job training

  • 20. Electrician

    Projected new jobs between 2020 and 2030: 66,100

    Median annual wage in May 2020: $56,900

    On-the-job training: Apprenticeship

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