
Highest-paying jobs in San Diego that don't require a college degree
Highest-paying jobs in San Diego that don't require a college degree
From the moment they arrive on campus, 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.
To find the highest paying jobs that don’t require a college degree, Stacker consulted the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook to compile a list of all jobs that don’t require higher education. All 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 that didn’t list any entry-level education requirement were excluded, as were job titles that grouped several positions together. Jobs are ranked by 2021 annual mean wage.
Keep reading to discover the highest paying jobs in San Diego-Carlsbad, CA that don’t require a college degree.
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#50. First-line supervisors of office and administrative support workers
- Annual mean salary: $68,330
- #28 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 12,560
National
- Annual mean salary: $63,380
- Employment: 1,443,630
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($82,050)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($79,520)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($78,430)
#49. Tool and die makers
- Annual mean salary: $68,430
- #7 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 170
National
- Annual mean salary: $56,150
- Employment: 63,630
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($75,920)
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($72,510)
--- Santa Rosa, CA ($71,910)

#48. Transportation inspectors
- Annual mean salary: $68,490
- #68 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 190
National
- Annual mean salary: $77,620
- Employment: 25,070
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Portland-South Portland, ME ($112,260)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($111,930)
--- Anchorage, AK ($108,140)

#46 (tie). Electricians
- Annual mean salary: $68,590
- #82 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 6,990
National
- Annual mean salary: $63,310
- Employment: 650,580
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($93,900)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($91,090)
--- Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI ($86,600)

#46 (tie). Telecommunications line installers and repairers
- Annual mean salary: $68,590
- #57 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 850
National
- Annual mean salary: $62,250
- Employment: 101,530
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($90,680)
--- Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH ($90,370)
--- Salinas, CA ($88,050)
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#45. Brickmasons and blockmasons
- Annual mean salary: $68,600
- #35 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 200
National
- Annual mean salary: $61,430
- Employment: 55,950
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH ($95,980)
--- Decatur, IL ($92,670)
--- Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ ($89,340)

#44. Electrical and electronics repairers, commercial and industrial equipment
- Annual mean salary: $68,620
- #66 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 350
National
- Annual mean salary: $64,230
- Employment: 50,780
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Vallejo-Fairfield, CA ($87,890)
--- Fresno, CA ($86,230)
--- Fairbanks, AK ($85,640)
#43. Surveying and mapping technicians
- Annual mean salary: $69,150
- #10 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 450
National
- Annual mean salary: $49,810
- Employment: 56,070
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($84,710)
--- Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA ($77,840)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($76,960)
#42. Drywall and ceiling tile installers
- Annual mean salary: $70,370
- #8 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 3,150
National
- Annual mean salary: $54,810
- Employment: 97,070
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($86,380)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($82,560)
--- Kahului-Wailuku-Lahaina, HI ($81,460)

#41. First-line supervisors of production and operating workers
- Annual mean salary: $70,770
- #100 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 4,290
National
- Annual mean salary: $67,330
- Employment: 629,420
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Baton Rouge, LA ($98,170)
--- Lake Charles, LA ($97,910)
--- Norwich-New London-Westerly, CT-RI ($90,410)
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#40. Advertising sales agents
- Annual mean salary: $70,990
- #14 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 700
National
- Annual mean salary: $66,540
- Employment: 96,660
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($97,840)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($97,720)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($83,050)

#39. Sales representatives of services, except advertising, insurance, financial services, and travel
- Annual mean salary: $71,390
- #61 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 9,730
National
- Annual mean salary: $71,110
- Employment: 1,026,390
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($103,810)
--- Boulder, CO ($101,630)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($97,360)
#38. Executive secretaries and executive administrative assistants
- Annual mean salary: $71,780
- #18 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 4,420
National
- Annual mean salary: $66,870
- Employment: 466,910
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($94,590)
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($87,760)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($87,420)

#37. Captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels
- Annual mean salary: $71,920
- #52 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 240
National
- Annual mean salary: $98,330
- Employment: 33,490
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($126,420)
--- Anchorage, AK ($118,620)
--- New Orleans-Metairie, LA ($110,750)

#36. Structural iron and steel workers
- Annual mean salary: $72,500
- #24 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 730
National
- Annual mean salary: $61,270
- Employment: 68,620
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($95,020)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($88,250)
--- Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH ($83,340)
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#35. Insurance sales agents
- Annual mean salary: $72,710
- #80 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 3,950
National
- Annual mean salary: $69,340
- Employment: 422,600
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($104,230)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($103,470)
--- Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA ($95,620)

#34. Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products
- Annual mean salary: $74,210
- #76 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 9,260
National
- Annual mean salary: $72,390
- Employment: 1,242,490
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($102,280)
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($92,660)
--- Napa, CA ($92,620)

#33. Aircraft mechanics and service technicians
- Annual mean salary: $74,530
- #38 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,610
National
- Annual mean salary: $69,470
- Employment: 125,440
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($86,470)
--- Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD ($86,370)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($85,860)

#32. Lodging managers
- Annual mean salary: $74,770
- #37 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 400
National
- Annual mean salary: $67,770
- Employment: 35,920
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Kahului-Wailuku-Lahaina, HI ($121,090)
--- Urban Honolulu, HI ($111,410)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($99,600)
#31. Computer numerically controlled tool programmers
- Annual mean salary: $75,340
- #8 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 250
National
- Annual mean salary: $62,360
- Employment: 25,800
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($93,600)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($92,910)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($86,660)
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#30. Stationary engineers and boiler operators
- Annual mean salary: $76,140
- #27 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 340
National
- Annual mean salary: $70,510
- Employment: 29,820
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($106,300)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($103,930)
--- Vallejo-Fairfield, CA ($99,740)

#29. Traffic technicians
- Annual mean salary: $76,460
- #3 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 30
National
- Annual mean salary: $53,210
- Employment: 7,770
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($85,160)
--- Las Vegas-Henderson-Paradise, NV ($77,500)
--- San Diego-Carlsbad, CA ($76,460)
#28. Sound engineering technicians
- Annual mean salary: $76,970
- #6 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 70
National
- Annual mean salary: $67,360
- Employment: 10,800
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($96,070)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($84,930)
--- Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA ($84,620)

#27. Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators
- Annual mean salary: $76,990
- #19 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,350
National
- Annual mean salary: $56,280
- Employment: 404,820
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($92,910)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($91,860)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($91,120)

#26. Claims adjusters, examiners, and investigators
- Annual mean salary: $77,600
- #41 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,760
National
- Annual mean salary: $70,960
- Employment: 278,140
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Kennewick-Richland, WA ($104,350)
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($95,200)
--- Salinas, CA ($90,800)
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#25. First-line supervisors of mechanics, installers, and repairers
- Annual mean salary: $77,980
- #71 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 3,810
National
- Annual mean salary: $73,590
- Employment: 526,240
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Bremerton-Silverdale, WA ($93,830)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($93,030)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($92,870)

#24. Insulation workers, mechanical
- Annual mean salary: $78,030
- #7 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 100
National
- Annual mean salary: $56,260
- Employment: 28,010
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($109,380)
--- Syracuse, NY ($97,670)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($93,740)

#23. Crane and tower operators
- Annual mean salary: $78,500
- #17 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 340
National
- Annual mean salary: $65,270
- Employment: 43,400
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($131,160)
--- Syracuse, NY ($103,350)
--- Las Vegas-Henderson-Paradise, NV ($99,990)

#22. Control and valve installers and repairers, except mechanical door
- Annual mean salary: $78,630
- #44 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 590
National
- Annual mean salary: $67,310
- Employment: 44,870
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA ($98,380)
--- Salt Lake City, UT ($94,070)
--- Santa Rosa, CA ($92,800)

#21. First-line supervisors of non-retail sales workers
- Annual mean salary: $79,370
- #232 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,660
National
- Annual mean salary: $92,320
- Employment: 243,920
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Portland-South Portland, ME ($129,860)
--- Durham-Chapel Hill, NC ($121,360)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($121,250)
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#20. Construction and building inspectors
- Annual mean salary: $79,810
- #32 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 990
National
- Annual mean salary: $68,480
- Employment: 117,830
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- New Haven, CT ($121,510)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($107,330)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($106,190)

#19. Correctional officers and jailers
- Annual mean salary: $80,560
- #10 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 3,040
National
- Annual mean salary: $53,420
- Employment: 392,600
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($96,580)
--- Salinas, CA ($89,100)
--- Vallejo-Fairfield, CA ($86,260)

#18. Ship engineers
- Annual mean salary: $80,610
- #18 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 40
National
- Annual mean salary: $96,910
- Employment: 7,650
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Lafayette, LA ($108,770)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($100,970)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($99,670)

#17. Forest fire inspectors and prevention specialists
- Annual mean salary: $83,070
- #4 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 70
National
- Annual mean salary: $54,340
- Employment: 2,770
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($134,990)
--- Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA ($104,060)
--- Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA ($84,900)

#16. First-line supervisors of construction trades and extraction workers
- Annual mean salary: $87,420
- #23 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 6,470
National
- Annual mean salary: $75,060
- Employment: 665,870
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($112,020)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($103,820)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($101,210)
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#15. Power plant operators
- Annual mean salary: $88,480
- #44 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 150
National
- Annual mean salary: $83,740
- Employment: 28,960
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Fresno, CA ($129,650)
--- Wenatchee, WA ($123,180)
--- Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA ($114,660)

#14. Electrical and electronics repairers, powerhouse, substation, and relay
- Annual mean salary: $94,140
- #34 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 70
National
- Annual mean salary: $87,640
- Employment: 22,490
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA ($120,210)
--- Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA ($118,510)
--- Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA ($114,280)

#13. Postmasters and mail superintendents
- Annual mean salary: $94,460
- #3 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 40
National
- Annual mean salary: $81,820
- Employment: 12,750
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL ($97,930)
--- Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ ($96,450)
--- San Diego-Carlsbad, CA ($94,460)

#12. Gas plant operators
- Annual mean salary: $95,170
- #5 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 60
National
- Annual mean salary: $76,970
- Employment: 15,110
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($99,600)
--- Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA ($98,750)
--- Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX ($97,080)

#11. Electrical power-line installers and repairers
- Annual mean salary: $103,960
- #14 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,110
National
- Annual mean salary: $79,060
- Employment: 123,940
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA ($117,700)
--- Salinas, CA ($110,180)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($109,490)
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#10. Transportation, storage, and distribution managers
- Annual mean salary: $105,240
- #88 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,310
National
- Annual mean salary: $105,580
- Employment: 144,640
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($159,890)
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($154,170)
--- Trenton, NJ ($144,620)

#9. Elevator and escalator installers and repairers
- Annual mean salary: $106,150
- #10 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 120
National
- Annual mean salary: $91,320
- Employment: 22,510
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($130,290)
--- Kansas City, MO-KS ($113,590)
--- Urban Honolulu, HI ($113,480)

#8. First-line supervisors of correctional officers
- Annual mean salary: $106,350
- #9 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 170
National
- Annual mean salary: $69,750
- Employment: 54,470
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($114,400)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($113,220)
--- Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA ($112,950)

#7. Detectives and criminal investigators
- Annual mean salary: $106,620
- #20 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,950
National
- Annual mean salary: $90,370
- Employment: 107,890
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($132,210)
--- Anchorage, AK ($127,070)
--- Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV ($123,460)

#6. Gambling managers
- Annual mean salary: $106,830
- #1 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 80
National
- Annual mean salary: $89,190
- Employment: 3,660
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Diego-Carlsbad, CA ($106,830)
--- Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ ($104,140)
--- Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA ($103,210)
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#5. Power distributors and dispatchers
- Annual mean salary: $109,750
- #8 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 80
National
- Annual mean salary: $95,520
- Employment: 9,660
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($131,560)
--- Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA ($129,570)
--- Birmingham-Hoover, AL ($123,540)

#4. First-line supervisors of firefighting and prevention workers
- Annual mean salary: $115,830
- #10 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 230
National
- Annual mean salary: $83,270
- Employment: 80,890
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($171,060)
--- Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA ($145,740)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($135,860)

#3. Commercial pilots
- Annual mean salary: $116,440
- #45 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 340
National
- Annual mean salary: $115,080
- Employment: 42,770
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($185,920)
--- Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA ($184,260)
--- Savannah, GA ($177,450)
#2. First-line supervisors of police and detectives
- Annual mean salary: $143,690
- #13 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 380
National
- Annual mean salary: $98,760
- Employment: 128,230
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($182,700)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($170,740)
--- Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA ($164,600)

#1. Commercial divers
- Annual mean salary: $155,470
- #1 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: data not available
National
- Annual mean salary: $82,010
- Employment: 2,670
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Diego-Carlsbad, CA ($155,470)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($110,130)
--- Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV ($92,100)
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