Highest-paying jobs in Baton Rouge that don't require a college degree
Highest-paying jobs in Baton Rouge 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 Baton Rouge 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 Baton Rouge 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. Inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers
- Median annual wage: $54,180
- Median hourly wage: $26.05
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 1,580 people (4.1 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#49. Real estate brokers
- Median annual wage: $55,090
- Median hourly wage: $26.49
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 250 people (0.65 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#48. Occupational health and safety technicians
- Median annual wage: $55,650
- Median hourly wage: $26.75
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 210 people (0.56 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#47. First-line supervisors of transportation and material moving workers, except aircraft cargo handling supervisors
- Median annual wage: $56,320
- Median hourly wage: $27.08
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 1,400 people (3.64 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#46. Mobile heavy equipment mechanics, except engines
- Median annual wage: $57,100
- Median hourly wage: $27.45
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 530 people (1.37 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
#45. First-line supervisors of protective service workers, all other
- Median annual wage: $58,090
- Median hourly wage: $27.93
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 40 people (0.09 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#44. Food service managers
- Median annual wage: $58,660
- Median hourly wage: $28.20
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 320 people (0.84 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Short-term on-the-job training
#43. First-line supervisors of correctional officers
- Median annual wage: $58,670
- Median hourly wage: $28.21
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 1,820 people (4.72 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#42. Service unit operators, oil and gas
- Median annual wage: $59,270
- Median hourly wage: $28.49
- Education required: No formal educational credential
- Total employment: 40 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
#41. Structural metal fabricators and fitters
- Median annual wage: $59,380
- Median hourly wage: $28.55
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 240 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
#40. Postal service clerks
- Median annual wage: $60,800
- Median hourly wage: $29.23
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 180 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
#39. Electricians
- Median annual wage: $61,110
- Median hourly wage: $29.38
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 3,710 people (9.64 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Apprenticeship
#38. Choreographers
- Median annual wage: $61,120
- Median hourly wage: $29.38
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 80 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
#37. Production, planning, and expediting clerks
- Median annual wage: $61,180
- Median hourly wage: $29.41
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 500 people (1.29 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#36. Bailiffs
- Median annual wage: $61,270
- Median hourly wage: $29.46
- 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. Fire inspectors and investigators
- Median annual wage: $61,410
- Median hourly wage: $29.52
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- 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. Millwrights
- Median annual wage: $61,910
- Median hourly wage: $29.77
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 510 people (1.32 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Apprenticeship
#33. Construction and building inspectors
- Median annual wage: $62,140
- Median hourly wage: $29.87
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 370 people (0.95 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#32. Media and communication equipment workers, all other
- Median annual wage: $62,340
- Median hourly wage: $29.97
- 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: Short-term on-the-job training
#31. Claims adjusters, examiners, and investigators
- Median annual wage: $62,570
- Median hourly wage: $30.08
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 510 people (1.34 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
#30. Machinists
- Median annual wage: $62,590
- Median hourly wage: $30.09
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 810 people (2.11 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
#29. Industrial machinery mechanics
- Median annual wage: $62,850
- Median hourly wage: $30.22
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 1,450 people (3.76 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
#28. Detectives and criminal investigators
- Median annual wage: $63,770
- Median hourly wage: $30.66
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 220 people (0.58 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#27. Tank car, truck, and ship loaders
- Median annual wage: $64,330
- Median hourly wage: $30.93
- Education required: No formal educational credential
- Total employment: 70 people (0.19 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Short-term on-the-job training
#26. Structural iron and steel workers
- Median annual wage: $64,640
- Median hourly wage: $31.08
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 490 people (1.28 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Apprenticeship
#25. Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters
- Median annual wage: $65,030
- Median hourly wage: $31.26
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 3,130 people (8.12 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Apprenticeship
#24. Insurance sales agents
- Median annual wage: $65,090
- Median hourly wage: $31.29
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 1,270 people (3.29 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#23. Audio and video technicians
- Median annual wage: $65,250
- Median hourly wage: $31.37
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 140 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
#22. Plant and system operators, all other
- Median annual wage: $65,340
- Median hourly wage: $31.41
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 730 people (1.89 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#21. Welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers
- Median annual wage: $66,130
- Median hourly wage: $31.80
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 3,040 people (7.91 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#20. Riggers
- Median annual wage: $67,550
- Median hourly wage: $32.48
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 290 people (0.76 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#19. Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products
- Median annual wage: $67,810
- Median hourly wage: $32.60
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 3,610 people (9.38 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: $67,960
- Median hourly wage: $32.67
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 640 people (1.66 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: $69,490
- Median hourly wage: $33.41
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 2,060 people (5.35 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#16. Electrical power-line installers and repairers
- Median annual wage: $72,710
- Median hourly wage: $34.96
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 260 people (0.67 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
#14. First-line supervisors of construction trades and extraction workers (tie)
- Median annual wage: $73,010
- Median hourly wage: $35.10
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 3,700 people (9.61 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#14. Maintenance workers, machinery (tie)
- Median annual wage: $73,010
- Median hourly wage: $35.10
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 450 people (1.16 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
#13. Electrical and electronics repairers, commercial and industrial equipment
- Median annual wage: $73,510
- Median hourly wage: $35.34
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 130 people (0.35 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
#12. Crane and tower operators
- Median annual wage: $74,110
- Median hourly wage: $35.63
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 510 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
#11. Insurance appraisers, auto damage
- Median annual wage: $75,810
- Median hourly wage: $36.45
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: Not available
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#10. Boilermakers
- Median annual wage: $77,790
- Median hourly wage: $37.40
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 1,380 people (3.59 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Apprenticeship
#9. Postmasters and mail superintendents
- Median annual wage: $79,420
- Median hourly wage: $38.19
- 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
#8. Chemical equipment operators and tenders
- Median annual wage: $80,230
- Median hourly wage: $38.57
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 1,260 people (3.26 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#7. First-line supervisors of non-retail sales workers
- Median annual wage: $81,870
- Median hourly wage: $39.36
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 340 people (0.88 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#6. First-line supervisors of production and operating workers
- Median annual wage: $82,400
- Median hourly wage: $39.62
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 1,990 people (5.16 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#5. Transportation, storage, and distribution managers
- Median annual wage: $85,090
- Median hourly wage: $40.91
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 260 people (0.67 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#4. Petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers
- Median annual wage: $90,440
- Median hourly wage: $43.48
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 880 people (2.28 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#3. Transportation inspectors
- Median annual wage: $95,940
- Median hourly wage: $46.13
- 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
#2. Chemical plant and system operators
- Median annual wage: $96,150
- Median hourly wage: $46.23
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 1,550 people (4.02 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#1. Ship engineers
- Median annual wage: $98,330
- Median hourly wage: $47.27
- 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
