Highest paying jobs in Honolulu for high school graduates
A high school diploma gives graduates a leg up in the workforce, even if they don't pursue any further education.
The latest Bureau of Labor Statistics data shows that workers over age of 25 with a high school diploma or equivalent earned about 25% more than those without one—$853 a week compared to $682. Diploma holders also faced lower unemployment rates, at 4% in 2022, compared to 5.5% for those who never completed high school.
There are many reasons high-school graduates may choose to not continue on to college—for instance, the cost. Average tuition costs continue to rise, increasing by 1% to 4% last year, depending on the institution type. While higher degrees of education typically pave the way for higher earnings, a college degree isn't necessary for many high-paying jobs. And for many careers, it doesn't make sense to pay to study for years when there are paid apprenticeship or learn-on-the-job programs.
Stacker used Bureau of Labor Statistics data to find the highest-paying jobs in Honolulu for those with a high school diploma or equivalent. Jobs are ranked by their annual median salaries as of May 2022. Jobs without available data for annual pay were excluded from this analysis.
Keep reading to see which jobs in your city pay high school graduates the most.
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: $64,760
- Median hourly wage: $31.14
- Total employment: 50 people (0.12 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#49. Production workers, all other
- Median annual wage: $65,760
- Median hourly wage: $31.62
- 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
#48. Bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists
- Median annual wage: $66,310
- Median hourly wage: $31.88
- Total employment: 750 people (1.76 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
#47. Water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators
- Median annual wage: $66,410
- Median hourly wage: $31.93
- Total employment: 280 people (0.65 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
#46. Meter readers, utilities
- Median annual wage: $66,430
- Median hourly wage: $31.94
- Total employment: 60 people (0.14 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Short-term on-the-job training
#45. Maintenance workers, machinery
- Median annual wage: $68,050
- Median hourly wage: $32.72
- Total employment: 40 people (0.09 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
#44. Bus drivers, transit and intercity
- Median annual wage: $68,290
- Median hourly wage: $32.83
- Total employment: 1,440 people (3.39 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#43. Postal service clerks
- Median annual wage: $68,310
- Median hourly wage: $32.84
- Total employment: 200 people (0.47 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Short-term on-the-job training
#42. Personal service managers, all other
- Median annual wage: $69,990
- Median hourly wage: $33.65
- Total employment: 40 people (0.1 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#41. Brickmasons and blockmasons
- Median annual wage: $70,240
- Median hourly wage: $33.77
- Total employment: 40 people (0.1 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Apprenticeship
#40. Claims adjusters, examiners, and investigators
- Median annual wage: $70,890
- Median hourly wage: $34.08
- Total employment: 710 people (1.68 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
#37. Welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers (tie)
- Median annual wage: $71,450
- Median hourly wage: $34.35
- Total employment: 530 people (1.26 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#37. Machinists (tie)
- Median annual wage: $71,450
- Median hourly wage: $34.35
- Total employment: 220 people (0.51 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
#37. Riggers (tie)
- Median annual wage: $71,450
- Median hourly wage: $34.35
- Total employment: 170 people (0.4 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#36. Animal trainers
- Median annual wage: $72,650
- Median hourly wage: $34.93
- Total employment: 150 people (0.36 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#35. First-line supervisors of non-retail sales workers
- Median annual wage: $73,820
- Median hourly wage: $35.49
- Total employment: 740 people (1.74 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#33. Installation, maintenance, and repair workers, all other (tie)
- Median annual wage: $74,360
- Median hourly wage: $35.75
- Total employment: 600 people (1.42 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#33. Insulation workers, mechanical (tie)
- Median annual wage: $74,360
- Median hourly wage: $35.75
- Total employment: 60 people (0.14 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Apprenticeship
#32. Executive secretaries and executive administrative assistants
- Median annual wage: $75,210
- Median hourly wage: $36.16
- Total employment: 700 people (1.65 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#31. Farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural managers
- Median annual wage: $75,460
- Median hourly wage: $36.28
- Total employment: 30 people (0.08 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#30. Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters
- Median annual wage: $75,930
- Median hourly wage: $36.51
- Total employment: 1,540 people (3.63 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Apprenticeship
#29. Boilermakers
- Median annual wage: $77,850
- Median hourly wage: $37.43
- Total employment: Not available
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Apprenticeship
#28. Carpenters
- Median annual wage: $79,210
- Median hourly wage: $38.08
- Total employment: 3,400 people (8.03 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Apprenticeship
#27. Construction and building inspectors
- Median annual wage: $79,540
- Median hourly wage: $38.24
- 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
#26. Mobile heavy equipment mechanics, except engines
- Median annual wage: $80,390
- Median hourly wage: $38.65
- 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
#25. Telecommunications line installers and repairers
- Median annual wage: $80,400
- Median hourly wage: $38.66
- 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
#24. Industrial machinery mechanics
- Median annual wage: $81,000
- Median hourly wage: $38.94
- 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
#23. Title examiners, abstractors, and searchers
- Median annual wage: $81,060
- Median hourly wage: $38.97
- 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
#22. Sheet metal workers
- Median annual wage: $81,710
- Median hourly wage: $39.28
- Total employment: 460 people (1.08 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Apprenticeship
#21. Police and sheriff's patrol officers
- Median annual wage: $86,080
- Median hourly wage: $41.39
- 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
#20. Glaziers
- Median annual wage: $86,320
- Median hourly wage: $41.50
- Total employment: 260 people (0.62 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Apprenticeship
#19. Real estate brokers
- Median annual wage: $87,070
- Median hourly wage: $41.86
- Total employment: 210 people (0.49 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#18. Transportation inspectors
- Median annual wage: $87,710
- Median hourly wage: $42.17
- 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
#17. Chefs and head cooks
- Median annual wage: $87,730
- Median hourly wage: $42.18
- Total employment: 660 people (1.56 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#16. Lodging managers
- Median annual wage: $90,000
- Median hourly wage: $43.27
- Total employment: Not available
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#15. Media and communication equipment workers, all other
- Median annual wage: $90,420
- Median hourly wage: $43.47
- 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
#14. Petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers
- Median annual wage: $92,000
- Median hourly wage: $44.23
- 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
#13. First-line supervisors of mechanics, installers, and repairers
- Median annual wage: $92,020
- Median hourly wage: $44.24
- Total employment: 2,040 people (4.83 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#12. Structural iron and steel workers
- Median annual wage: $93,780
- Median hourly wage: $45.09
- Total employment: 130 people (0.32 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Apprenticeship
#11. First-line supervisors of construction trades and extraction workers
- Median annual wage: $94,550
- Median hourly wage: $45.46
- Total employment: 2,220 people (5.23 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#10. Control and valve installers and repairers, except mechanical door
- Median annual wage: $97,960
- Median hourly wage: $47.10
- 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
#9. Electricians
- Median annual wage: $98,730
- Median hourly wage: $47.47
- Total employment: 2,740 people (6.48 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Apprenticeship
#8. Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators
- Median annual wage: $102,750
- Median hourly wage: $49.40
- 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
#7. Transportation, storage, and distribution managers
- Median annual wage: $103,280
- Median hourly wage: $49.65
- Total employment: 300 people (0.72 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#6. Power plant operators
- Median annual wage: $104,740
- Median hourly wage: $50.36
- 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
#5. Detectives and criminal investigators
- Median annual wage: $107,740
- Median hourly wage: $51.80
- 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
#4. Crane and tower operators
- Median annual wage: $113,040
- Median hourly wage: $54.34
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
