Highest-paying jobs in Atlanta that don't require a college degree
Highest-paying jobs in Atlanta 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 Atlanta 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 Atlanta 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. Hearing aid specialists
- Median annual wage: $60,440
- Median hourly wage: $29.06
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 610 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
#49. Precision instrument and equipment repairers, all other
- Median annual wage: $60,450
- Median hourly wage: $29.06
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 90 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
#48. Photographers
- Median annual wage: $60,600
- Median hourly wage: $29.14
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 1,320 people (0.48 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#47. Insurance sales agents
- Median annual wage: $60,640
- Median hourly wage: $29.15
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 9,770 people (3.58 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#46. Surgical technologists
- Median annual wage: $60,720
- Median hourly wage: $29.19
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 1,990 people (0.73 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#45. Construction and building inspectors
- Median annual wage: $60,810
- Median hourly wage: $29.24
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 1,990 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
#44. Millwrights
- Median annual wage: $61,020
- Median hourly wage: $29.34
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 870 people (0.32 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Apprenticeship
#43. Craft artists
- Median annual wage: $61,410
- Median hourly wage: $29.52
- Education required: No formal educational credential
- Total employment: 200 people (0.07 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
#42. First-line supervisors of office and administrative support workers
- Median annual wage: $61,520
- Median hourly wage: $29.58
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 28,030 people (10.28 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#41. First-line supervisors of firefighting and prevention workers
- Median annual wage: $62,710
- Median hourly wage: $30.15
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 2,190 people (0.8 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#40. Rail car repairers
- Median annual wage: $62,940
- Median hourly wage: $30.26
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 280 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
#39. First-line supervisors of production and operating workers
- Median annual wage: $63,350
- Median hourly wage: $30.46
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 11,640 people (4.27 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#38. Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products
- Median annual wage: $64,230
- Median hourly wage: $30.88
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 27,930 people (10.24 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#37. Fire inspectors and investigators
- Median annual wage: $64,780
- Median hourly wage: $31.15
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 190 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. Flight attendants
- Median annual wage: $65,040
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- 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
#35. Court reporters and simultaneous captioners
- Median annual wage: $66,430
- Median hourly wage: $31.94
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 450 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
#34. Hoist and winch operators
- Median annual wage: $66,970
- Median hourly wage: $32.20
- Education required: No formal educational credential
- Total employment: 60 people (0.02 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Short-term on-the-job training
#33. First-line supervisors of mechanics, installers, and repairers
- Median annual wage: $67,170
- Median hourly wage: $32.29
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 11,720 people (4.3 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#32. Lodging managers
- Median annual wage: $67,250
- Median hourly wage: $32.33
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: Not available
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#31. Stationary engineers and boiler operators
- Median annual wage: $67,830
- Median hourly wage: $32.61
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 180 people (0.07 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
#30. Electrical power-line installers and repairers
- Median annual wage: $68,450
- Median hourly wage: $32.91
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 1,890 people (0.69 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
#29. Executive secretaries and executive administrative assistants
- Median annual wage: $69,060
- Median hourly wage: $33.20
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 7,360 people (2.7 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#28. Electrical and electronics repairers, commercial and industrial equipment
- Median annual wage: $69,100
- Median hourly wage: $33.22
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 440 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
#27. Sound engineering technicians
- Median annual wage: $69,620
- Median hourly wage: $33.47
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 110 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
#26. Occupational health and safety technicians
- Median annual wage: $71,930
- Median hourly wage: $34.58
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 440 people (0.16 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#25. Pile driver operators
- Median annual wage: $72,800
- Median hourly wage: $35.00
- 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
#24. Locker room, coatroom, and dressing room attendants
- Median annual wage: $74,720
- Median hourly wage: $35.92
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 210 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
#23. First-line supervisors of construction trades and extraction workers
- Median annual wage: $75,190
- Median hourly wage: $36.15
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 13,610 people (4.99 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#22. Claims adjusters, examiners, and investigators
- Median annual wage: $76,000
- Median hourly wage: $36.54
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 9,430 people (3.46 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
#21. First-line supervisors of non-retail sales workers
- Median annual wage: $76,270
- Median hourly wage: $36.67
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 5,690 people (2.09 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#20. Riggers
- Median annual wage: $76,660
- Median hourly wage: $36.86
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 420 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
#19. Computer numerically controlled tool programmers
- Median annual wage: $76,700
- Median hourly wage: $36.88
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 290 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
#18. First-line supervisors of police and detectives
- Median annual wage: $77,000
- Median hourly wage: $37.02
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 3,800 people (1.39 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#17. Insurance appraisers, auto damage
- Median annual wage: $78,210
- Median hourly wage: $37.60
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 270 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
#16. Elevator and escalator installers and repairers
- Median annual wage: $78,600
- Median hourly wage: $37.79
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 360 people (0.13 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Apprenticeship
#15. Petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers
- Median annual wage: $79,140
- Median hourly wage: $38.05
- 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
#14. Costume attendants
- Median annual wage: $79,930
- Median hourly wage: $38.43
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 260 people (0.1 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Short-term on-the-job training
#13. Aircraft mechanics and service technicians
- Median annual wage: $83,630
- Median hourly wage: $40.21
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 3,820 people (1.4 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#12. Media and communication equipment workers, all other
- Median annual wage: $84,300
- Median hourly wage: $40.53
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 1,010 people (0.37 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Short-term on-the-job training
#11. Postmasters and mail superintendents
- Median annual wage: $85,450
- Median hourly wage: $41.08
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 110 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
#10. Aircraft cargo handling supervisors
- Median annual wage: $87,170
- Median hourly wage: $41.91
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 110 people (0.04 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#9. Athletes and sports competitors
- Median annual wage: $88,660
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Education required: No formal educational credential
- Total employment: 40 people (0.01 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
#8. Power plant operators
- Median annual wage: $98,280
- Median hourly wage: $47.25
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 330 people (0.12 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
#7. Artists and related workers, all other
- Median annual wage: $99,590
- Median hourly wage: $47.88
- Education required: No formal educational credential
- Total employment: 540 people (0.2 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
#6. Lighting technicians
- Median annual wage: $100,990
- Median hourly wage: $48.55
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 160 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
#5. Transportation inspectors
- Median annual wage: $102,690
- Median hourly wage: $49.37
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 500 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
#4. Electrical and electronics repairers, powerhouse, substation, and relay
- Median annual wage: $104,560
- Median hourly wage: $50.27
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 370 people (0.14 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#3. Transportation, storage, and distribution managers
- Median annual wage: $104,580
- Median hourly wage: $50.28
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 4,370 people (1.6 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#2. Commercial pilots
- Median annual wage: $126,640
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 950 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
#1. Power distributors and dispatchers
- Median annual wage: $131,800
- Median hourly wage: $63.37
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 310 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
