Highest-paying jobs in Modesto that don't require a college degree
Highest-paying jobs in Modesto 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 Modesto 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 Modesto 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. Computer numerically controlled tool programmers
- Median annual wage: $60,990
- Median hourly wage: $29.32
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 30 people (0.17 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#49. Roofers
- Median annual wage: $61,340
- Median hourly wage: $29.49
- Education required: No formal educational credential
- Total employment: 230 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
#48. Farm equipment mechanics and service technicians
- Median annual wage: $61,420
- Median hourly wage: $29.53
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 180 people (0.97 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
#47. Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers
- Median annual wage: $61,440
- Median hourly wage: $29.54
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 450 people (2.38 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
#46. Structural iron and steel workers
- Median annual wage: $61,460
- Median hourly wage: $29.55
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 90 people (0.47 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Apprenticeship
#45. Postal service mail carriers
- Median annual wage: $61,530
- Median hourly wage: $29.58
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 400 people (2.08 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Short-term on-the-job training
#44. Massage therapists
- Median annual wage: $61,560
- Median hourly wage: $29.60
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 40 people (0.22 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#43. First-line supervisors of office and administrative support workers
- Median annual wage: $62,020
- Median hourly wage: $29.82
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 1,490 people (7.84 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#42. Insurance sales agents
- Median annual wage: $62,050
- Median hourly wage: $29.83
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: Not available
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#41. Mobile heavy equipment mechanics, except engines
- Median annual wage: $62,180
- Median hourly wage: $29.90
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 170 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
#40. Bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists
- Median annual wage: $62,190
- Median hourly wage: $29.90
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 430 people (2.24 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
#39. Occupational health and safety technicians
- Median annual wage: $62,330
- Median hourly wage: $29.97
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 30 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
#38. Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses
- Median annual wage: $62,370
- Median hourly wage: $29.99
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 950 people (5.02 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#37. Carpenters
- Median annual wage: $62,850
- Median hourly wage: $30.22
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 1,560 people (8.23 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Apprenticeship
#36. Electricians
- Median annual wage: $63,440
- Median hourly wage: $30.50
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 830 people (4.36 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Apprenticeship
#35. Cement masons and concrete finishers
- Median annual wage: $63,490
- Median hourly wage: $30.52
- Education required: No formal educational credential
- Total employment: 310 people (1.63 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#34. Healthcare practitioners and technical workers, all other
- Median annual wage: $63,560
- Median hourly wage: $30.56
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 90 people (0.45 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#33. Maintenance workers, machinery
- Median annual wage: $63,950
- Median hourly wage: $30.75
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 90 people (0.45 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
#32. First-line supervisors of landscaping, lawn service, and groundskeeping workers
- Median annual wage: $64,210
- Median hourly wage: $30.87
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 80 people (0.44 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#31. Sheet metal workers
- Median annual wage: $64,620
- Median hourly wage: $31.07
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 140 people (0.73 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Apprenticeship
#30. Miscellaneous construction and related workers
- Median annual wage: $66,780
- Median hourly wage: $32.11
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 50 people (0.24 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#29. Industrial machinery mechanics
- Median annual wage: $66,990
- Median hourly wage: $32.21
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 890 people (4.7 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
#28. Telecommunications equipment installers and repairers, except line installers
- Median annual wage: $67,360
- Median hourly wage: $32.39
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 120 people (0.64 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#27. First-line supervisors of production and operating workers
- Median annual wage: $68,330
- Median hourly wage: $32.85
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 860 people (4.5 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#26. Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products
- Median annual wage: $71,870
- Median hourly wage: $34.55
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 1,340 people (7.08 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#25. Plant and system operators, all other
- Median annual wage: $72,440
- Median hourly wage: $34.83
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 40 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
#24. First-line supervisors of non-retail sales workers
- Median annual wage: $72,880
- Median hourly wage: $35.04
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 170 people (0.89 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#23. Executive secretaries and executive administrative assistants
- Median annual wage: $74,000
- Median hourly wage: $35.58
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 390 people (2.04 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#22. Surgical technologists
- Median annual wage: $76,590
- Median hourly wage: $36.82
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 190 people (0.99 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#21. Water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators
- Median annual wage: $76,720
- Median hourly wage: $36.89
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 240 people (1.26 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
#20. Telecommunications line installers and repairers
- Median annual wage: $77,660
- Median hourly wage: $37.34
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 90 people (0.48 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
#19. Construction and building inspectors
- Median annual wage: $78,430
- Median hourly wage: $37.71
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 150 people (0.81 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#18. Title examiners, abstractors, and searchers
- Median annual wage: $78,630
- Median hourly wage: $37.80
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 40 people (0.22 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#17. Surveying and mapping technicians
- Median annual wage: $78,670
- Median hourly wage: $37.82
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 30 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
#16. Firefighters
- Median annual wage: $78,830
- Median hourly wage: $37.90
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 420 people (2.2 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
#15. Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators
- Median annual wage: $79,250
- Median hourly wage: $38.10
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 460 people (2.4 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#14. Electrical and electronics repairers, commercial and industrial equipment
- Median annual wage: $79,910
- Median hourly wage: $38.42
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 60 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
#13. Claims adjusters, examiners, and investigators
- Median annual wage: $80,670
- Median hourly wage: $38.78
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 70 people (0.38 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
#12. Detectives and criminal investigators
- Median annual wage: $80,930
- Median hourly wage: $38.91
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 30 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
#11. First-line supervisors of construction trades and extraction workers
- Median annual wage: $81,070
- Median hourly wage: $38.98
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 720 people (3.77 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#10. First-line supervisors of mechanics, installers, and repairers
- Median annual wage: $82,650
- Median hourly wage: $39.73
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 730 people (3.85 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#9. Police and sheriff's patrol officers
- Median annual wage: $92,000
- Median hourly wage: $44.23
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 800 people (4.21 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#8. Commercial pilots
- Median annual wage: $95,870
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 40 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
#7. First-line supervisors of firefighting and prevention workers
- Median annual wage: $96,000
- Median hourly wage: $46.15
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 140 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
#6. Transportation, storage, and distribution managers
- Median annual wage: $96,280
- Median hourly wage: $46.29
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 350 people (1.87 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#5. Farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural managers
- Median annual wage: $97,130
- Median hourly wage: $46.70
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 50 people (0.24 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#4. Control and valve installers and repairers, except mechanical door
- Median annual wage: $100,910
- Median hourly wage: $48.52
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 80 people (0.41 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#3. Millwrights
- Median annual wage: $105,130
- Median hourly wage: $50.54
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 50 people (0.26 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Apprenticeship
#2. Electrical power-line installers and repairers
- Median annual wage: $127,670
- Median hourly wage: $61.38
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 90 people (0.49 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 police and detectives
- Median annual wage: $130,370
- Median hourly wage: $62.68
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 70 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
