Highest-paying jobs in San Jose that don't require a college degree
Highest-paying jobs in San Jose 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 San Jose 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 San Jose 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. Industrial machinery mechanics
- Median annual wage: $79,550
- Median hourly wage: $38.25
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 1,110 people (0.99 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
#49. Drywall and ceiling tile installers
- Median annual wage: $80,120
- Median hourly wage: $38.52
- Education required: No formal educational credential
- Total employment: 2,390 people (2.13 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#48. Audiovisual equipment installers and repairers
- Median annual wage: $80,430
- Median hourly wage: $38.67
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 140 people (0.12 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Short-term on-the-job training
#47. First-line supervisors of protective service workers, all other
- Median annual wage: $80,520
- Median hourly wage: $38.71
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 150 people (0.13 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#46. Brickmasons and blockmasons
- Median annual wage: $80,640
- Median hourly wage: $38.77
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 100 people (0.09 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Apprenticeship
#45. Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters
- Median annual wage: $82,060
- Median hourly wage: $39.45
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 2,330 people (2.08 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Apprenticeship
#44. Excavating and loading machine and dragline operators, surface mining
- Median annual wage: $82,250
- Median hourly wage: $39.54
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 40 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
#43. Telecommunications line installers and repairers
- Median annual wage: $82,470
- Median hourly wage: $39.65
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 840 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
#42. Eligibility interviewers, government programs
- Median annual wage: $82,760
- Median hourly wage: $39.79
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 1,210 people (1.07 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#41. Healthcare practitioners and technical workers, all other
- Median annual wage: $83,420
- Median hourly wage: $40.10
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 210 people (0.18 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#40. Bus drivers, transit and intercity
- Median annual wage: $83,530
- Median hourly wage: $40.16
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 1,250 people (1.11 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#39. Meter readers, utilities
- Median annual wage: $84,300
- Median hourly wage: $40.53
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 40 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
#38. First-line supervisors of production and operating workers
- Median annual wage: $84,880
- Median hourly wage: $40.81
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 3,550 people (3.16 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#37. Airfield operations specialists
- Median annual wage: $85,380
- Median hourly wage: $41.05
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 120 people (0.11 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
#36. Tapers
- Median annual wage: $85,490
- Median hourly wage: $41.10
- Education required: No formal educational credential
- Total employment: 380 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
#35. Legal secretaries and administrative assistants
- Median annual wage: $85,790
- Median hourly wage: $41.24
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 1,510 people (1.34 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#34. Computer numerically controlled tool programmers
- Median annual wage: $87,190
- Median hourly wage: $41.92
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 260 people (0.23 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#33. Stationary engineers and boiler operators
- Median annual wage: $88,620
- Median hourly wage: $42.61
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 340 people (0.3 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
#32. Electricians
- Median annual wage: $93,300
- Median hourly wage: $44.86
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 4,700 people (4.19 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Apprenticeship
#31. Commercial pilots
- Median annual wage: $93,600
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 120 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
#30. First-line supervisors of non-retail sales workers
- Median annual wage: $94,330
- Median hourly wage: $45.35
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 1,140 people (1.02 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#29. Sales and related workers, all other
- Median annual wage: $94,600
- Median hourly wage: $45.48
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 3,010 people (2.68 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#28. Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products
- Median annual wage: $95,310
- Median hourly wage: $45.82
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 7,040 people (6.27 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#27. Power plant operators
- Median annual wage: $95,390
- Median hourly wage: $45.86
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 50 people (0.05 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
#26. Media and communication workers, all other
- Median annual wage: $95,450
- Median hourly wage: $45.89
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 340 people (0.3 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: $95,990
- Median hourly wage: $46.15
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 40 people (0.04 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 mechanics, installers, and repairers
- Median annual wage: $99,640
- Median hourly wage: $47.90
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 2,460 people (2.19 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: $99,670
- Median hourly wage: $47.92
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 5,220 people (4.65 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#22. Control and valve installers and repairers, except mechanical door
- Median annual wage: $99,920
- Median hourly wage: $48.04
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 260 people (0.23 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#21. Sales representatives of services, except advertising, insurance, financial services, and travel
- Median annual wage: $100,270
- Median hourly wage: $48.21
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 12,770 people (11.37 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#20. Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators
- Median annual wage: $101,970
- Median hourly wage: $49.02
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 1,180 people (1.06 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#18. Firefighters (tie)
- Median annual wage: $103,460
- Median hourly wage: $49.74
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 1,330 people (1.19 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
#18. Sheet metal workers (tie)
- Median annual wage: $103,460
- Median hourly wage: $49.74
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 1,120 people (1.0 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Apprenticeship
#17. Insurance sales agents
- Median annual wage: $103,840
- Median hourly wage: $49.92
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 1,670 people (1.49 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#16. Water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators
- Median annual wage: $104,440
- Median hourly wage: $50.21
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 430 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
#15. Electrical and electronics installers and repairers, transportation equipment
- Median annual wage: $104,550
- Median hourly wage: $50.26
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 70 people (0.06 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
#14. Public safety telecommunicators
- Median annual wage: $105,160
- Median hourly wage: $50.56
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 470 people (0.42 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#13. Millwrights
- Median annual wage: $105,200
- Median hourly wage: $50.58
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 70 people (0.06 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Apprenticeship
#12. Electrical and electronics repairers, powerhouse, substation, and relay
- Median annual wage: $105,210
- Median hourly wage: $50.58
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 60 people (0.06 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: $106,150
- Median hourly wage: $51.03
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 3,620 people (3.22 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#10. Correctional officers and jailers
- Median annual wage: $107,860
- Median hourly wage: $51.86
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 890 people (0.79 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#9. Construction and building inspectors
- Median annual wage: $109,580
- Median hourly wage: $52.69
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 820 people (0.73 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#8. Court reporters and simultaneous captioners
- Median annual wage: $122,870
- Median hourly wage: $59.07
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 70 people (0.06 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Short-term on-the-job training
#7. Police and sheriff's patrol officers
- Median annual wage: $132,930
- Median hourly wage: $63.91
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 2,880 people (2.56 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#6. Electrical power-line installers and repairers
- Median annual wage: $135,610
- Median hourly wage: $65.20
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 210 people (0.18 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
#5. Detectives and criminal investigators
- Median annual wage: $139,050
- Median hourly wage: $66.85
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 230 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
#4. Elevator and escalator installers and repairers
- Median annual wage: $141,440
- Median hourly wage: $68.00
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 40 people (0.03 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Apprenticeship
#3. Transportation, storage, and distribution managers
- Median annual wage: $154,200
- Median hourly wage: $74.13
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 1,480 people (1.32 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#2. First-line supervisors of police and detectives
- Median annual wage: $186,890
- Median hourly wage: $89.85
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 200 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
#1. First-line supervisors of firefighting and prevention workers
- Median annual wage: $199,700
- Median hourly wage: $96.01
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 170 people (0.15 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
