Highest-paying jobs in Phoenix that don't require a college degree
Highest-paying jobs in Phoenix that don't require a college degree
College isn't for everyone—despite what today's youth may hear from the adults in their lives.
From the moment they arrive freshman year, today's high school students are inundated with messages about the importance of receiving a college education. They hear it from their guidance counselors, teachers, parents, family members, neighbors, and coaches.
While graduation from a four-year college can certainly work wonders for students' future careers, it's not necessary for all fields—something admissions officers and guidance counselors sometimes fail to mention.
The median wage for high school diploma recipients is about $809 a week—higher than those without a diploma ($626), but well below the median for bachelor's degree holders ($1,334). But many jobs without college degree requirements still pay decent wages. Some even pay better than jobs reserved for degree earners.
Stacker used Bureau of Labor Statistics data to find the 50 highest-paying jobs in Phoenix that don't require higher education. Professions that listed a high school diploma, some college education (without a degree conferred), postsecondary nondegree award, or no formal education requirements for entry-level positions were considered. Jobs are ranked by their annual median salaries as of May 2022.
Keep reading to discover the highest-paying jobs in Phoenix that don't require a college degree.
This story features data reporting and writing by Paxtyn Merten and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 366 metros.
#50. Meter readers, utilities
- Median annual wage: $61,210
- Median hourly wage: $29.43
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 310 people (0.14 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Short-term on-the-job training
#49. Property, real estate, and community association managers
- Median annual wage: $61,280
- Median hourly wage: $29.46
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 4,740 people (2.14 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#48. Court reporters and simultaneous captioners
- Median annual wage: $61,390
- Median hourly wage: $29.51
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 170 people (0.08 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Short-term on-the-job training
#46. New accounts clerks (tie)
- Median annual wage: $61,690
- Median hourly wage: $29.66
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 100 people (0.05 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#46. Brickmasons and blockmasons (tie)
- Median annual wage: $61,690
- Median hourly wage: $29.66
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 920 people (0.41 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Apprenticeship
#45. Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products
- Median annual wage: $62,340
- Median hourly wage: $29.97
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 18,100 people (8.15 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#44. Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses
- Median annual wage: $62,350
- Median hourly wage: $29.98
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 4,320 people (1.94 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#43. Surgical technologists
- Median annual wage: $62,630
- Median hourly wage: $30.11
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 1,750 people (0.79 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#42. Maintenance workers, machinery
- Median annual wage: $62,900
- Median hourly wage: $30.24
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 700 people (0.32 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
#41. First-line supervisors of production and operating workers
- Median annual wage: $62,940
- Median hourly wage: $30.26
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 5,890 people (2.65 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#40. Drilling and boring machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic
- Median annual wage: $63,090
- Median hourly wage: $30.33
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 80 people (0.03 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#39. Tool grinders, filers, and sharpeners
- Median annual wage: $63,940
- Median hourly wage: $30.74
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 30 people (0.01 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#38. Chefs and head cooks
- Median annual wage: $63,990
- Median hourly wage: $30.76
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 1,700 people (0.76 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#37. Traffic technicians
- Median annual wage: $64,250
- Median hourly wage: $30.89
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 170 people (0.07 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#36. Insurance appraisers, auto damage
- Median annual wage: $64,560
- Median hourly wage: $31.04
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 270 people (0.12 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#35. Subway and streetcar operators
- Median annual wage: $65,250
- Median hourly wage: $31.37
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 170 people (0.08 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#34. Stationary engineers and boiler operators
- Median annual wage: $65,480
- Median hourly wage: $31.48
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 60 people (0.03 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
#33. Construction and building inspectors
- Median annual wage: $65,510
- Median hourly wage: $31.50
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 1,990 people (0.9 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#31. Lodging managers (tie)
- Median annual wage: $65,920
- Median hourly wage: $31.69
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 350 people (0.16 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#31. First-line supervisors of farming, fishing, and forestry workers (tie)
- Median annual wage: $65,920
- Median hourly wage: $31.69
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 310 people (0.14 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#30. Executive secretaries and executive administrative assistants
- Median annual wage: $66,150
- Median hourly wage: $31.80
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 4,190 people (1.89 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#29. Hearing aid specialists
- Median annual wage: $66,320
- Median hourly wage: $31.88
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 70 people (0.03 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#27. Aircraft mechanics and service technicians (tie)
- Median annual wage: $66,880
- Median hourly wage: $32.15
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 3,210 people (1.44 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#27. First-line supervisors of mechanics, installers, and repairers (tie)
- Median annual wage: $66,880
- Median hourly wage: $32.15
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 7,210 people (3.25 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#26. Media and communication equipment workers, all other
- Median annual wage: $67,090
- Median hourly wage: $32.26
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 80 people (0.04 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Short-term on-the-job training
#25. Fire inspectors and investigators
- Median annual wage: $68,550
- Median hourly wage: $32.96
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 70 people (0.03 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#24. Media and communication workers, all other
- Median annual wage: $68,810
- Median hourly wage: $33.08
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: Not available
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Short-term on-the-job training
#23. Transportation inspectors
- Median annual wage: $69,830
- Median hourly wage: $33.57
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 410 people (0.18 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#22. Millwrights
- Median annual wage: $71,760
- Median hourly wage: $34.50
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: Not available
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Apprenticeship
#21. First-line supervisors of firefighting and prevention workers
- Median annual wage: $72,400
- Median hourly wage: $34.81
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 1,120 people (0.5 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#20. Grounds maintenance workers, all other
- Median annual wage: $72,510
- Median hourly wage: $34.86
- Education required: No formal educational credential
- Total employment: 30 people (0.01 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Short-term on-the-job training
#19. Crane and tower operators
- Median annual wage: $73,500
- Median hourly wage: $35.34
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 550 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
#18. First-line supervisors of non-retail sales workers
- Median annual wage: $73,990
- Median hourly wage: $35.57
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 2,410 people (1.08 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#17. First-line supervisors of construction trades and extraction workers
- Median annual wage: $74,170
- Median hourly wage: $35.66
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 13,030 people (5.87 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#16. Police and sheriff's patrol officers
- Median annual wage: $79,470
- Median hourly wage: $38.21
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 7,790 people (3.51 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#15. Petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers
- Median annual wage: $79,770
- Median hourly wage: $38.35
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 120 people (0.05 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#14. Control and valve installers and repairers, except mechanical door
- Median annual wage: $80,450
- Median hourly wage: $38.68
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 270 people (0.12 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#13. Healthcare practitioners and technical workers, all other
- Median annual wage: $82,910
- Median hourly wage: $39.86
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 520 people (0.24 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#12. Riggers
- Median annual wage: $83,050
- Median hourly wage: $39.93
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 30 people (0.02 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#11. Airfield operations specialists
- Median annual wage: $85,180
- Median hourly wage: $40.95
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 90 people (0.04 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
#10. Flight attendants
- Median annual wage: $85,520
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 3,240 people (1.46 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#9. Commercial pilots
- Median annual wage: $92,010
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 800 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
#8. Transportation, storage, and distribution managers
- Median annual wage: $93,540
- Median hourly wage: $44.97
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 2,070 people (0.93 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#7. Postmasters and mail superintendents
- Median annual wage: $95,830
- Median hourly wage: $46.07
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 40 people (0.02 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#6. Detectives and criminal investigators
- Median annual wage: $96,280
- Median hourly wage: $46.29
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 1,250 people (0.56 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#5. Personal service managers, all other
- Median annual wage: $104,060
- Median hourly wage: $50.03
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: Not available
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#4. Elevator and escalator installers and repairers
- Median annual wage: $105,340
- Median hourly wage: $50.65
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: Not available
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Apprenticeship
#3. First-line supervisors of police and detectives
- Median annual wage: $105,390
- Median hourly wage: $50.67
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 1,220 people (0.55 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#2. Electrical power-line installers and repairers
- Median annual wage: $106,050
- Median hourly wage: $50.99
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 1,350 people (0.61 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
#1. Electrical and electronics repairers, powerhouse, substation, and relay
- Median annual wage: $108,220
- Median hourly wage: $52.03
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 180 people (0.08 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
