Highest paying jobs in Anchorage for high school graduates
A high school diploma gives graduates a leg up in the workforce, even if they don't pursue any further education.
The latest Bureau of Labor Statistics data shows that workers over age of 25 with a high school diploma or equivalent earned about 25% more than those without one—$853 a week compared to $682. Diploma holders also faced lower unemployment rates, at 4% in 2022, compared to 5.5% for those who never completed high school.
There are many reasons high-school graduates may choose to not continue on to college—for instance, the cost. Average tuition costs continue to rise, increasing by 1% to 4% last year, depending on the institution type. While higher degrees of education typically pave the way for higher earnings, a college degree isn't necessary for many high-paying jobs. And for many careers, it doesn't make sense to pay to study for years when there are paid apprenticeship or learn-on-the-job programs.
Stacker used Bureau of Labor Statistics data to find the highest-paying jobs in Anchorage for those with a high school diploma or equivalent. Jobs are ranked by their annual median salaries as of May 2022. Jobs without available data for annual pay were excluded from this analysis.
Keep reading to see which jobs in your city pay high school graduates the most.
This story features data reporting and writing by Paxtyn Merten and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 366 metros.
#50. Structural metal fabricators and fitters
- Median annual wage: $60,390
- Median hourly wage: $29.04
- Total employment: 60 people (0.35 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#49. First-line supervisors of transportation and material moving workers, except aircraft cargo handling supervisors
- Median annual wage: $60,530
- Median hourly wage: $29.10
- Total employment: 920 people (5.48 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#48. Executive secretaries and executive administrative assistants
- Median annual wage: $60,800
- Median hourly wage: $29.23
- Total employment: 670 people (4.03 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#47. Glaziers
- Median annual wage: $60,990
- Median hourly wage: $29.32
- Total employment: 90 people (0.53 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Apprenticeship
#46. Title examiners, abstractors, and searchers
- Median annual wage: $61,420
- Median hourly wage: $29.53
- Total employment: 40 people (0.25 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#45. Bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists
- Median annual wage: $61,460
- Median hourly wage: $29.55
- Total employment: 360 people (2.15 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
#44. Lodging managers
- Median annual wage: $62,060
- Median hourly wage: $29.84
- Total employment: 80 people (0.46 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#43. Structural iron and steel workers
- Median annual wage: $62,150
- Median hourly wage: $29.88
- Total employment: 40 people (0.21 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Apprenticeship
#42. Pump operators, except wellhead pumpers
- Median annual wage: $62,660
- Median hourly wage: $30.13
- Total employment: 60 people (0.36 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#41. Bus drivers, transit and intercity
- Median annual wage: $63,080
- Median hourly wage: $30.33
- Total employment: 200 people (1.19 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#40. Inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers
- Median annual wage: $63,110
- Median hourly wage: $30.34
- Total employment: 120 people (0.74 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#39. First-line supervisors of office and administrative support workers
- Median annual wage: $63,230
- Median hourly wage: $30.40
- Total employment: 2,400 people (14.38 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#38. First-line supervisors of production and operating workers
- Median annual wage: $63,460
- Median hourly wage: $30.51
- Total employment: 410 people (2.48 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#37. Carpenters
- Median annual wage: $64,410
- Median hourly wage: $30.97
- Total employment: 1,320 people (7.94 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Apprenticeship
#36. First-line supervisors of gambling services workers
- Median annual wage: $65,240
- Median hourly wage: $31.36
- Total employment: 40 people (0.25 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#35. Real estate sales agents
- Median annual wage: $65,500
- Median hourly wage: $31.49
- Total employment: 140 people (0.84 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#34. Installation, maintenance, and repair workers, all other
- Median annual wage: $65,810
- Median hourly wage: $31.64
- Total employment: 70 people (0.43 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#33. Telecommunications line installers and repairers
- Median annual wage: $66,990
- Median hourly wage: $32.21
- Total employment: 100 people (0.59 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
#32. Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators
- Median annual wage: $67,550
- Median hourly wage: $32.48
- Total employment: 940 people (5.62 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#31. Occupational health and safety technicians
- Median annual wage: $69,990
- Median hourly wage: $33.65
- Total employment: 60 people (0.38 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#30. Tree trimmers and pruners
- Median annual wage: $71,190
- Median hourly wage: $34.23
- Total employment: 150 people (0.9 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Short-term on-the-job training
#29. Real estate brokers
- Median annual wage: $71,490
- Median hourly wage: $34.37
- Total employment: 160 people (0.96 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#28. Personal service managers, all other
- Median annual wage: $72,980
- Median hourly wage: $35.09
- Total employment: Not available
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#27. First-line supervisors of protective service workers, all other
- Median annual wage: $73,340
- Median hourly wage: $35.26
- Total employment: 70 people (0.39 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#26. Food service managers
- Median annual wage: $73,480
- Median hourly wage: $35.33
- Total employment: 140 people (0.84 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Short-term on-the-job training
#25. Surveying and mapping technicians
- Median annual wage: $73,570
- Median hourly wage: $35.37
- Total employment: 200 people (1.2 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#24. Public safety telecommunicators
- Median annual wage: $74,280
- Median hourly wage: $35.71
- Total employment: 120 people (0.74 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#23. First-line supervisors of non-retail sales workers
- Median annual wage: $74,470
- Median hourly wage: $35.81
- Total employment: 300 people (1.8 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#22. Excavating and loading machine and dragline operators, surface mining
- Median annual wage: $75,730
- Median hourly wage: $36.41
- Total employment: 40 people (0.26 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#21. Mobile heavy equipment mechanics, except engines
- Median annual wage: $78,500
- Median hourly wage: $37.74
- Total employment: 450 people (2.72 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
#20. Stationary engineers and boiler operators
- Median annual wage: $78,660
- Median hourly wage: $37.82
- Total employment: 30 people (0.2 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
#19. Electricians
- Median annual wage: $80,290
- Median hourly wage: $38.60
- Total employment: 800 people (4.78 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Apprenticeship
#18. Claims adjusters, examiners, and investigators
- Median annual wage: $80,300
- Median hourly wage: $38.61
- Total employment: 230 people (1.4 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
#17. Water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators
- Median annual wage: $80,350
- Median hourly wage: $38.63
- Total employment: 140 people (0.82 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
#16. Millwrights
- Median annual wage: $80,670
- Median hourly wage: $38.79
- Total employment: Not available
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Apprenticeship
#15. Construction and building inspectors
- Median annual wage: $81,860
- Median hourly wage: $39.35
- Total employment: 140 people (0.82 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#14. Industrial machinery mechanics
- Median annual wage: $83,320
- Median hourly wage: $40.06
- Total employment: 160 people (0.93 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
#13. First-line supervisors of mechanics, installers, and repairers
- Median annual wage: $83,460
- Median hourly wage: $40.13
- Total employment: 920 people (5.53 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#12. Crane and tower operators
- Median annual wage: $91,580
- Median hourly wage: $44.03
- Total employment: 30 people (0.2 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#11. Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters
- Median annual wage: $91,820
- Median hourly wage: $44.14
- Total employment: 420 people (2.53 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Apprenticeship
#10. First-line supervisors of construction trades and extraction workers
- Median annual wage: $92,380
- Median hourly wage: $44.41
- Total employment: 1,270 people (7.64 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#9. Power plant operators
- Median annual wage: $96,140
- Median hourly wage: $46.22
- Total employment: 140 people (0.83 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
#8. Sheet metal workers
- Median annual wage: $96,380
- Median hourly wage: $46.34
- Total employment: 230 people (1.36 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Apprenticeship
#7. Electrical power-line installers and repairers
- Median annual wage: $96,790
- Median hourly wage: $46.53
- Total employment: 150 people (0.9 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
#6. Police and sheriff's patrol officers
- Median annual wage: $101,090
- Median hourly wage: $48.60
- Total employment: 600 people (3.6 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#5. Transportation, storage, and distribution managers
- Median annual wage: $102,650
- Median hourly wage: $49.35
- Total employment: 480 people (2.87 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#4. Boilermakers
- Median annual wage: $103,230
- Median hourly wage: $49.63
- Total employment: 90 people (0.55 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Apprenticeship
#3. Petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers
- Median annual wage: $103,740
- Median hourly wage: $49.87
- Total employment: 120 people (0.74 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#2. Detectives and criminal investigators
- Median annual wage: $141,210
- Median hourly wage: $67.89
- Total employment: 80 people (0.51 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#1. First-line supervisors of police and detectives
- Median annual wage: $156,460
- Median hourly wage: $75.22
- Total employment: 90 people (0.51 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
