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.
You may also like: Highest-rated fine dining restaurants in the Honolulu area by diners
Nagy-Bagoly Arpad // Shutterstock
1 / 50- 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
Syda Productions // Shutterstock
2 / 50- 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
Syda Productions // Shutterstock
3 / 50- 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
Andrey_Popov // Shutterstock
4 / 50- 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
santi lumubol // Shutterstock
5 / 50- 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
You may also like: Honolulu's 2025 housing market year in review
Canva
6 / 50- 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
Igor Kardasov // Shutterstock
7 / 50- 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
Canva
8 / 50- 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
Canva
9 / 50- 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
Canva
10 / 50- 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
You may also like: Highest-rated Southern restaurants in Honolulu by diners
welcomia // Shutterstock
11 / 50- 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
Kitawit Jitaton // Shutterstock
12 / 50- 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
SritanaN // Shutterstock
13 / 50- 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
Canva
14 / 50- 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
Pressmaster // Shutterstock
15 / 50- 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
You may also like: Best public high schools in the Honolulu metro area
Canva
16 / 50- 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
Vera Larina // Shutterstock
17 / 50- 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
mahc // Shutterstock
18 / 50- 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
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
19 / 50- 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
Aniwat phromrungsee // Shutterstock
20 / 50- 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
You may also like: Highest-rated restaurants for burgers in the Honolulu area by diners
pio3 // Shutterstock
21 / 50- 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
Canva
22 / 50- 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
rawpixel.com // Shutterstock
23 / 50- 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
Canva
24 / 50- 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
DenisProduction.com // Shutterstock
25 / 50- 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
You may also like: Highest-paying jobs in Honolulu that require a graduate degree
Yulai Studio // Shutterstock
26 / 50- 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
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
27 / 50- 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
socrates471 // Shutterstock
28 / 50- 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
Canva
29 / 50- 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
Oil and Gas Photographer // Shutterstock
30 / 50- 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
You may also like: Cities with the most expensive homes in the Honolulu metro area
4 PM production // Shutterstock
31 / 50- 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
N_Sakarin // Shutterstock
32 / 50- 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
sculpies // Shutterstock
33 / 50- 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
Canva
34 / 50- 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
Suwin // Shutterstock
35 / 50- 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
You may also like: Cheapest gas stations in Honolulu
Canva
36 / 50- 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
Oil and Gas Photographer // Shutterstock
37 / 50- 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
Canva
38 / 50- 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
Skycolors // Shutterstock
39 / 50- 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
Canva
40 / 50- 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
You may also like: Highest-rated barbecue restaurants in the Honolulu area by diners
curraheeshutter // Shutterstock
41 / 50- 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
Canva
42 / 50- 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
goodluz // Shutterstock
43 / 50- 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
michaeljung // Shutterstock
44 / 50- 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
Prath // Shutterstock
45 / 50- 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
You may also like: Best public middle schools in the Honolulu metro area
Canva
46 / 50- 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
Canva
47 / 50- 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
Luisa Leal Photography // Shutterstock
48 / 50- 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
Canva
49 / 50- 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
Canva
50 / 50- 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
You may also like: How gas prices have changed in Honolulu in the last week
