Highest-paying jobs in Des Moines that don't require a college degree
Highest-paying jobs in Des Moines 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 Des Moines 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 Des Moines 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. Postal service mail carriers
- Median annual wage: $57,620
- Median hourly wage: $27.70
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 640 people (1.73 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Short-term on-the-job training
#49. First-line supervisors of security workers
- Median annual wage: $57,740
- Median hourly wage: $27.76
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 80 people (0.21 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#48. Food service managers
- Median annual wage: $58,830
- Median hourly wage: $28.28
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 230 people (0.61 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Short-term on-the-job training
#47. Tax preparers
- Median annual wage: $58,960
- Median hourly wage: $28.35
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 100 people (0.26 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#46. First-line supervisors of transportation and material moving workers, except aircraft cargo handling supervisors
- Median annual wage: $59,040
- Median hourly wage: $28.39
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 1,280 people (3.46 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#45. Executive secretaries and executive administrative assistants
- Median annual wage: $59,250
- Median hourly wage: $28.49
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 1,540 people (4.14 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#44. Cutting and slicing machine setters, operators, and tenders
- Median annual wage: $59,270
- Median hourly wage: $28.49
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 240 people (0.65 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#42. Real estate brokers (tie)
- Median annual wage: $60,410
- Median hourly wage: $29.05
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: Not available
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#42. First-line supervisors of production and operating workers (tie)
- Median annual wage: $60,410
- Median hourly wage: $29.04
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 1,310 people (3.52 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#41. Maintenance workers, machinery
- Median annual wage: $60,650
- Median hourly wage: $29.16
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 120 people (0.32 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
#40. Computer numerically controlled tool programmers
- Median annual wage: $60,890
- Median hourly wage: $29.27
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 60 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
#39. Water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators
- Median annual wage: $60,970
- Median hourly wage: $29.31
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 190 people (0.52 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
#38. Tool and die makers
- Median annual wage: $61,240
- Median hourly wage: $29.44
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 60 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
#37. Electricians
- Median annual wage: $61,400
- Median hourly wage: $29.52
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 2,230 people (6.0 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Apprenticeship
#36. Industrial machinery mechanics
- Median annual wage: $61,480
- Median hourly wage: $29.56
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 930 people (2.5 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
#34. Private detectives and investigators (tie)
- Median annual wage: $61,700
- Median hourly wage: $29.67
- 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: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#34. Insurance appraisers, auto damage (tie)
- Median annual wage: $61,700
- Median hourly wage: $29.66
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 40 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
#33. Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators
- Median annual wage: $61,740
- Median hourly wage: $29.68
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 1,430 people (3.85 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#32. Telecommunications line installers and repairers
- Median annual wage: $61,860
- Median hourly wage: $29.74
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 260 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
#31. Mobile heavy equipment mechanics, except engines
- Median annual wage: $61,980
- Median hourly wage: $29.80
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 600 people (1.61 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
#30. Electrical and electronics repairers, commercial and industrial equipment
- Median annual wage: $62,230
- Median hourly wage: $29.92
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 110 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
#29. Eligibility interviewers, government programs
- Median annual wage: $62,250
- Median hourly wage: $29.93
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 390 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
#28. Sheet metal workers
- Median annual wage: $63,010
- Median hourly wage: $30.29
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 440 people (1.19 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Apprenticeship
#27. First-line supervisors of office and administrative support workers
- Median annual wage: $63,210
- Median hourly wage: $30.39
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 3,180 people (8.57 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#26. Aircraft mechanics and service technicians
- Median annual wage: $64,460
- Median hourly wage: $30.99
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 150 people (0.41 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#25. Claims adjusters, examiners, and investigators
- Median annual wage: $64,620
- Median hourly wage: $31.07
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 1,730 people (4.65 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
#24. Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters
- Median annual wage: $64,870
- Median hourly wage: $31.19
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 1,640 people (4.43 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Apprenticeship
#23. Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products
- Median annual wage: $65,830
- Median hourly wage: $31.65
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 4,390 people (11.82 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#22. Brickmasons and blockmasons
- Median annual wage: $65,970
- Median hourly wage: $31.72
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 130 people (0.34 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Apprenticeship
#21. Construction and building inspectors
- Median annual wage: $68,370
- Median hourly wage: $32.87
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 330 people (0.89 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#20. Real estate sales agents
- Median annual wage: $68,630
- Median hourly wage: $33.00
- 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
#19. Structural iron and steel workers
- Median annual wage: $72,030
- Median hourly wage: $34.63
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 360 people (0.98 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Apprenticeship
#18. Hearing aid specialists
- Median annual wage: $72,280
- Median hourly wage: $34.75
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- 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
#17. First-line supervisors of mechanics, installers, and repairers
- Median annual wage: $72,780
- Median hourly wage: $34.99
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 1,170 people (3.16 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#16. Police and sheriff's patrol officers
- Median annual wage: $73,150
- Median hourly wage: $35.17
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 1,090 people (2.95 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#15. First-line supervisors of construction trades and extraction workers
- Median annual wage: $75,810
- Median hourly wage: $36.45
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 2,430 people (6.54 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#14. Detectives and criminal investigators
- Median annual wage: $77,790
- Median hourly wage: $37.40
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 200 people (0.55 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 correctional officers
- Median annual wage: $78,190
- Median hourly wage: $37.59
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 40 people (0.1 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#12. Control and valve installers and repairers, except mechanical door
- Median annual wage: $80,390
- Median hourly wage: $38.65
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 60 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
#11. First-line supervisors of firefighting and prevention workers
- Median annual wage: $80,700
- Median hourly wage: $38.80
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 130 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
#10. Court reporters and simultaneous captioners
- Median annual wage: $82,020
- Median hourly wage: $39.43
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 60 people (0.15 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Short-term on-the-job training
#9. Transportation, storage, and distribution managers
- Median annual wage: $83,780
- Median hourly wage: $40.28
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 390 people (1.06 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#8. Gas plant operators
- Median annual wage: $84,800
- Median hourly wage: $40.77
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 40 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
#7. First-line supervisors of non-retail sales workers
- Median annual wage: $86,900
- Median hourly wage: $41.78
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 840 people (2.25 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#6. Healthcare practitioners and technical workers, all other
- Median annual wage: $90,190
- Median hourly wage: $43.36
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 40 people (0.1 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#5. Transportation inspectors
- Median annual wage: $94,620
- Median hourly wage: $45.49
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 40 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
#4. Commercial pilots
- Median annual wage: $96,670
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 120 people (0.32 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: $97,010
- Median hourly wage: $46.64
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 200 people (0.55 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
#2. Fire inspectors and investigators
- Median annual wage: $101,880
- Median hourly wage: $48.98
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 30 people (0.09 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 police and detectives
- Median annual wage: $104,370
- Median hourly wage: $50.18
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 310 people (0.83 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
