Highest-paying jobs in Bakersfield that don't require a college degree
Highest-paying jobs in Bakersfield 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 Bakersfield 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 Bakersfield 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. Roustabouts, oil and gas
- Median annual wage: $60,160
- Median hourly wage: $28.92
- Education required: No formal educational credential
- Total employment: 660 people (2.03 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#49. Carpenters
- Median annual wage: $60,300
- Median hourly wage: $28.99
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 1,180 people (3.64 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Apprenticeship
#48. Recreational vehicle service technicians
- Median annual wage: $60,430
- Median hourly wage: $29.06
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 50 people (0.16 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
#47. Crane and tower operators
- Median annual wage: $61,160
- Median hourly wage: $29.40
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 150 people (0.45 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#46. Property, real estate, and community association managers
- Median annual wage: $61,250
- Median hourly wage: $29.45
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 320 people (0.99 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#45. First-line supervisors of office and administrative support workers
- Median annual wage: $61,570
- Median hourly wage: $29.60
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 2,270 people (7.01 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#44. Industrial machinery mechanics
- Median annual wage: $61,670
- Median hourly wage: $29.65
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 1,150 people (3.54 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
#43. Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products
- Median annual wage: $61,770
- Median hourly wage: $29.70
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 1,470 people (4.53 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#42. Wind turbine service technicians
- Median annual wage: $62,750
- Median hourly wage: $30.17
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 150 people (0.47 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
#41. Mobile heavy equipment mechanics, except engines
- Median annual wage: $62,820
- Median hourly wage: $30.20
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 460 people (1.43 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
#40. Surgical technologists
- Median annual wage: $62,950
- Median hourly wage: $30.26
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 240 people (0.74 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#39. Surveying and mapping technicians
- Median annual wage: $63,010
- Median hourly wage: $30.29
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 110 people (0.34 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#38. Locksmiths and safe repairers
- Median annual wage: $63,040
- Median hourly wage: $30.31
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 30 people (0.1 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
#37. Sales representatives of services, except advertising, insurance, financial services, and travel
- Median annual wage: $63,520
- Median hourly wage: $30.54
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 1,230 people (3.81 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#36. Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses
- Median annual wage: $63,740
- Median hourly wage: $30.64
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 1,230 people (3.78 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#35. Healthcare practitioners and technical workers, all other
- Median annual wage: $64,790
- Median hourly wage: $31.15
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 50 people (0.16 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#34. First-line supervisors of production and operating workers
- Median annual wage: $64,870
- Median hourly wage: $31.19
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 860 people (2.66 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#33. Firefighters
- Median annual wage: $65,150
- Median hourly wage: $31.32
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 700 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
#32. Executive secretaries and executive administrative assistants
- Median annual wage: $65,540
- Median hourly wage: $31.51
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 590 people (1.81 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#31. Sheet metal workers
- Median annual wage: $65,860
- Median hourly wage: $31.66
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 220 people (0.67 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Apprenticeship
#30. Water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators
- Median annual wage: $66,030
- Median hourly wage: $31.75
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 290 people (0.91 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
#29. Brickmasons and blockmasons
- Median annual wage: $67,370
- Median hourly wage: $32.39
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 60 people (0.19 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Apprenticeship
#28. Electricians
- Median annual wage: $67,700
- Median hourly wage: $32.55
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 1,380 people (4.26 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Apprenticeship
#27. Plant and system operators, all other
- Median annual wage: $72,000
- Median hourly wage: $34.62
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 70 people (0.21 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#26. Electrical and electronics repairers, commercial and industrial equipment
- Median annual wage: $73,510
- Median hourly wage: $35.34
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 270 people (0.84 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
#25. Claims adjusters, examiners, and investigators
- Median annual wage: $74,960
- Median hourly wage: $36.04
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 230 people (0.72 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
#24. Petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers
- Median annual wage: $75,850
- Median hourly wage: $36.46
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 220 people (0.69 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#23. Stationary engineers and boiler operators
- Median annual wage: $75,930
- Median hourly wage: $36.50
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 140 people (0.43 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
#22. First-line supervisors of non-retail sales workers
- Median annual wage: $76,750
- Median hourly wage: $36.90
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 230 people (0.72 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#21. Construction and building inspectors
- Median annual wage: $76,950
- Median hourly wage: $36.99
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 260 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
#20. Police and sheriff's patrol officers
- Median annual wage: $77,320
- Median hourly wage: $37.17
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 1,690 people (5.22 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#19. Aircraft mechanics and service technicians
- Median annual wage: $79,030
- Median hourly wage: $38.00
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 700 people (2.16 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#18. Commercial pilots
- Median annual wage: $79,390
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 130 people (0.39 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#17. Transportation, storage, and distribution managers
- Median annual wage: $80,010
- Median hourly wage: $38.47
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 540 people (1.68 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#16. First-line supervisors of construction trades and extraction workers
- Median annual wage: $80,970
- Median hourly wage: $38.93
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 1,590 people (4.9 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#15. First-line supervisors of mechanics, installers, and repairers
- Median annual wage: $83,570
- Median hourly wage: $40.18
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 1,060 people (3.27 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#14. First-line supervisors of firefighting and prevention workers
- Median annual wage: $84,820
- Median hourly wage: $40.78
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 290 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
#13. Control and valve installers and repairers, except mechanical door
- Median annual wage: $87,770
- Median hourly wage: $42.20
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 150 people (0.45 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#12. Detectives and criminal investigators
- Median annual wage: $90,880
- Median hourly wage: $43.69
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 160 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
#11. Media and communication equipment workers, all other
- Median annual wage: $91,230
- Median hourly wage: $43.86
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 50 people (0.16 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Short-term on-the-job training
#10. Chemical plant and system operators
- Median annual wage: $91,300
- Median hourly wage: $43.90
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 30 people (0.1 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#9. Electrical and electronics repairers, powerhouse, substation, and relay
- Median annual wage: $91,340
- Median hourly wage: $43.92
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 40 people (0.11 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#8. Rotary drill operators, oil and gas
- Median annual wage: $98,550
- Median hourly wage: $47.38
- Education required: No formal educational credential
- Total employment: 280 people (0.87 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#7. Correctional officers and jailers
- Median annual wage: $98,590
- Median hourly wage: $47.40
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 3,430 people (10.57 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#6. First-line supervisors of police and detectives
- Median annual wage: $98,800
- Median hourly wage: $47.50
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 210 people (0.66 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#5. Electrical power-line installers and repairers
- Median annual wage: $103,320
- Median hourly wage: $49.67
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 240 people (0.75 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
#4. Farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural managers
- Median annual wage: $103,450
- Median hourly wage: $49.73
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 120 people (0.38 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#3. Court reporters and simultaneous captioners
- Median annual wage: $112,410
- Median hourly wage: $54.04
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 40 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
#2. Power plant operators
- Median annual wage: $112,570
- Median hourly wage: $54.12
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 90 people (0.29 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
#1. First-line supervisors of correctional officers
- Median annual wage: $113,110
- Median hourly wage: $54.38
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 520 people (1.6 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
