Highest paying jobs in Honolulu that don't require a college degree
Highest paying jobs in Honolulu 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 Honolulu 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 Honolulu 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. Insulation workers, mechanical
- Median annual wage: $74,360
- Median hourly wage: $35.75
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 60 people (0.14 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Apprenticeship
#49. Executive secretaries and executive administrative assistants
- Median annual wage: $75,210
- Median hourly wage: $36.16
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 700 people (1.65 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#48. Farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural managers
- Median annual wage: $75,460
- Median hourly wage: $36.28
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 30 people (0.08 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#47. Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters
- Median annual wage: $75,930
- Median hourly wage: $36.51
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 1,540 people (3.63 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Apprenticeship
#46. Aircraft mechanics and service technicians
- Median annual wage: $76,000
- Median hourly wage: $36.54
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 910 people (2.16 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#45. Boilermakers
- Median annual wage: $77,850
- Median hourly wage: $37.43
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: Not available
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Apprenticeship
#44. Captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels
- Median annual wage: $78,950
- Median hourly wage: $37.96
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 180 people (0.43 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#43. Electrical and electronics repairers, commercial and industrial equipment
- Median annual wage: $79,040
- Median hourly wage: $38.00
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 310 people (0.74 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
#42. Carpenters
- Median annual wage: $79,210
- Median hourly wage: $38.08
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 3,400 people (8.03 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Apprenticeship
#41. Construction and building inspectors
- Median annual wage: $79,540
- Median hourly wage: $38.24
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 560 people (1.32 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#40. Mobile heavy equipment mechanics, except engines
- Median annual wage: $80,390
- Median hourly wage: $38.65
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 430 people (1.01 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
#39. Telecommunications line installers and repairers
- Median annual wage: $80,400
- Median hourly wage: $38.66
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 650 people (1.53 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
#38. Industrial machinery mechanics
- Median annual wage: $81,000
- Median hourly wage: $38.94
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 430 people (1.02 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
#37. Cement masons and concrete finishers
- Median annual wage: $81,030
- Median hourly wage: $38.96
- Education required: No formal educational credential
- Total employment: 630 people (1.5 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#36. Title examiners, abstractors, and searchers
- Median annual wage: $81,060
- Median hourly wage: $38.97
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 240 people (0.57 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#35. Floor layers, except carpet, wood, and hard tiles
- Median annual wage: $81,550
- Median hourly wage: $39.21
- Education required: No formal educational credential
- Total employment: 180 people (0.43 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#34. Sheet metal workers
- Median annual wage: $81,710
- Median hourly wage: $39.28
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 460 people (1.08 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Apprenticeship
#33. Tile and stone setters
- Median annual wage: $82,040
- Median hourly wage: $39.44
- Education required: No formal educational credential
- Total employment: 300 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
#32. Insurance appraisers, auto damage
- Median annual wage: $83,460
- Median hourly wage: $40.12
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 50 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
#31. Commercial divers
- Median annual wage: $85,490
- Median hourly wage: $41.10
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 40 people (0.08 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#30. Police and sheriff's patrol officers
- Median annual wage: $86,080
- Median hourly wage: $41.39
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 1,620 people (3.82 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#29. Glaziers
- Median annual wage: $86,320
- Median hourly wage: $41.50
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 260 people (0.62 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Apprenticeship
#28. Real estate brokers
- Median annual wage: $87,070
- Median hourly wage: $41.86
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 210 people (0.49 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#27. Transportation inspectors
- Median annual wage: $87,710
- Median hourly wage: $42.17
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 140 people (0.33 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#26. Chefs and head cooks
- Median annual wage: $87,730
- Median hourly wage: $42.18
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 660 people (1.56 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#25. Surgical assistants
- Median annual wage: $88,040
- Median hourly wage: $42.33
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 60 people (0.14 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#24. Lodging managers
- Median annual wage: $90,000
- Median hourly wage: $43.27
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: Not available
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#23. Media and communication equipment workers, all other
- Median annual wage: $90,420
- Median hourly wage: $43.47
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 310 people (0.73 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Short-term on-the-job training
#22. Plasterers and stucco masons
- Median annual wage: $91,160
- Median hourly wage: $43.83
- Education required: No formal educational credential
- Total employment: 60 people (0.14 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
#21. Petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers
- Median annual wage: $92,000
- Median hourly wage: $44.23
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 200 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
#20. First-line supervisors of mechanics, installers, and repairers
- Median annual wage: $92,020
- Median hourly wage: $44.24
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 2,040 people (4.83 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#19. Structural iron and steel workers
- Median annual wage: $93,780
- Median hourly wage: $45.09
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 130 people (0.32 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Apprenticeship
#18. First-line supervisors of construction trades and extraction workers
- Median annual wage: $94,550
- Median hourly wage: $45.46
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 2,220 people (5.23 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#17. Tapers
- Median annual wage: $96,260
- Median hourly wage: $46.28
- Education required: No formal educational credential
- Total employment: 180 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
#16. Electrical and electronics repairers, powerhouse, substation, and relay
- Median annual wage: $96,970
- Median hourly wage: $46.62
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 70 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
#15. Hoist and winch operators
- Median annual wage: $97,860
- Median hourly wage: $47.05
- Education required: No formal educational credential
- Total employment: 120 people (0.28 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Short-term on-the-job training
#14. Control and valve installers and repairers, except mechanical door
- Median annual wage: $97,960
- Median hourly wage: $47.10
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 90 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
#13. Electricians
- Median annual wage: $98,730
- Median hourly wage: $47.47
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 2,740 people (6.48 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Apprenticeship
#12. Commercial pilots
- Median annual wage: $99,670
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 190 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
#11. Drywall and ceiling tile installers
- Median annual wage: $99,980
- Median hourly wage: $48.07
- Education required: No formal educational credential
- Total employment: 490 people (1.15 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#10. Ship engineers
- Median annual wage: $100,180
- Median hourly wage: $48.16
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 60 people (0.14 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#9. Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators
- Median annual wage: $102,750
- Median hourly wage: $49.40
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 1,040 people (2.45 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#8. Transportation, storage, and distribution managers
- Median annual wage: $103,280
- Median hourly wage: $49.65
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 300 people (0.72 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#7. Power plant operators
- Median annual wage: $104,740
- Median hourly wage: $50.36
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 340 people (0.81 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
#6. Detectives and criminal investigators
- Median annual wage: $107,740
- Median hourly wage: $51.80
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 350 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
#5. First-line supervisors of firefighting and prevention workers
- Median annual wage: $111,980
- Median hourly wage: $53.84
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 270 people (0.63 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#4. Crane and tower operators
- Median annual wage: $113,040
- Median hourly wage: $54.34
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 200 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
#3. Electrical power-line installers and repairers
- Median annual wage: $117,180
- Median hourly wage: $56.34
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 350 people (0.82 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
#2. Elevator and escalator installers and repairers
- Median annual wage: $137,810
- Median hourly wage: $66.25
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 250 people (0.58 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Apprenticeship
#1. First-line supervisors of police and detectives
- Median annual wage: $142,010
- Median hourly wage: $68.27
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 440 people (1.05 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
