Highest-paying jobs in Lake Charles that don't require a college degree

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August 23, 2023
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Highest-paying jobs in Lake Charles 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 Lake Charles 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 Lake Charles 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. Bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists

- Median annual wage: $47,440
- Median hourly wage: $22.81
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 80 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

#49. Miscellaneous construction and related workers

- Median annual wage: $47,540
- Median hourly wage: $22.86
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 370 people (3.92 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training

#48. Maintenance workers, machinery

- Median annual wage: $47,620
- Median hourly wage: $22.90
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 150 people (1.6 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training

#46. Procurement clerks (tie)

- Median annual wage: $47,900
- Median hourly wage: $23.03
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 40 people (0.44 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training

#46. Riggers (tie)

- Median annual wage: $47,900
- Median hourly wage: $23.03
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 50 people (0.54 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training

#45. Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses

- Median annual wage: $47,920
- Median hourly wage: $23.04
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 1,090 people (11.53 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None

#44. First-line supervisors of landscaping, lawn service, and groundskeeping workers

- Median annual wage: $48,150
- Median hourly wage: $23.15
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 40 people (0.43 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None

#43. Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers

- Median annual wage: $48,580
- Median hourly wage: $23.36
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 200 people (2.14 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training

#42. Glaziers

- Median annual wage: $48,780
- Median hourly wage: $23.45
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 70 people (0.72 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Apprenticeship

#41. Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators

- Median annual wage: $48,810
- Median hourly wage: $23.47
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 720 people (7.62 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training

#40. Carpenters

- Median annual wage: $49,130
- Median hourly wage: $23.62
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 650 people (6.93 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Apprenticeship

#39. Automotive body and related repairers

- Median annual wage: $49,370
- Median hourly wage: $23.74
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 60 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

#38. Highway maintenance workers

- Median annual wage: $49,730
- Median hourly wage: $23.91
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 50 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

#37. Coating, painting, and spraying machine setters, operators, and tenders

- Median annual wage: $50,230
- Median hourly wage: $24.15
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 50 people (0.54 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training

#36. First-line supervisors of office and administrative support workers

- Median annual wage: $50,570
- Median hourly wage: $24.31
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 940 people (9.92 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None

#35. Lodging managers

- Median annual wage: $50,780
- Median hourly wage: $24.42
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 40 people (0.41 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None

#34. First-line supervisors of gambling services workers

- Median annual wage: $50,900
- Median hourly wage: $24.47
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 40 people (0.43 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None

#33. Postal service mail carriers

- Median annual wage: $51,130
- Median hourly wage: $24.58
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 280 people (2.98 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Short-term on-the-job training

#32. Gambling managers

- Median annual wage: $51,150
- Median hourly wage: $24.59
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: Not available
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None

#31. Inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers

- Median annual wage: $53,180
- Median hourly wage: $25.57
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 400 people (4.24 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training

#30. Postal service clerks

- Median annual wage: $54,180
- Median hourly wage: $26.05
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 50 people (0.52 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Short-term on-the-job training

#29. First-line supervisors of transportation and material moving workers, except aircraft cargo handling supervisors

- Median annual wage: $54,480
- Median hourly wage: $26.19
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 350 people (3.69 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None

#28. Plant and system operators, all other

- Median annual wage: $56,950
- Median hourly wage: $27.38
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 50 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

#27. First-line supervisors of security workers

- Median annual wage: $57,360
- Median hourly wage: $27.58
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 40 people (0.46 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None

#26. Advertising sales agents

- Median annual wage: $58,760
- Median hourly wage: $28.25
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 30 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

#25. Production, planning, and expediting clerks

- Median annual wage: $59,060
- Median hourly wage: $28.40
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 170 people (1.85 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training

#24. Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products

- Median annual wage: $59,580
- Median hourly wage: $28.64
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 760 people (8.06 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training

#23. Electricians

- Median annual wage: $60,730
- Median hourly wage: $29.20
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 860 people (9.14 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Apprenticeship

#22. Mobile heavy equipment mechanics, except engines

- Median annual wage: $60,840
- Median hourly wage: $29.25
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 360 people (3.84 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training

#21. Machinists

- Median annual wage: $61,300
- Median hourly wage: $29.47
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 260 people (2.81 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training

#20. Electrical power-line installers and repairers

- Median annual wage: $61,630
- Median hourly wage: $29.63
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 80 people (0.89 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training

#19. Food service managers

- Median annual wage: $61,740
- Median hourly wage: $29.69
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 40 people (0.38 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Short-term on-the-job training

#18. Welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers

- Median annual wage: $62,710
- Median hourly wage: $30.15
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 830 people (8.84 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training

#17. Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters

- Median annual wage: $64,000
- Median hourly wage: $30.77
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 950 people (10.07 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Apprenticeship

#16. Chemical equipment operators and tenders

- Median annual wage: $64,860
- Median hourly wage: $31.18
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 570 people (6.07 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: $65,040
- Median hourly wage: $31.27
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 1,150 people (12.21 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None

#14. Aircraft mechanics and service technicians

- Median annual wage: $65,120
- Median hourly wage: $31.31
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 220 people (2.33 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None

#13. Telecommunications equipment installers and repairers, except line installers

- Median annual wage: $66,700
- Median hourly wage: $32.07
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 80 people (0.86 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training

#12. First-line supervisors of mechanics, installers, and repairers

- Median annual wage: $66,880
- Median hourly wage: $32.15
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 590 people (6.25 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None

#11. Crane and tower operators

- Median annual wage: $66,950
- Median hourly wage: $32.19
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 130 people (1.36 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training

#10. Construction and building inspectors

- Median annual wage: $67,840
- Median hourly wage: $32.62
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 80 people (0.85 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training

#9. Electrical and electronics repairers, commercial and industrial equipment

- Median annual wage: $71,130
- Median hourly wage: $34.20
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 70 people (0.7 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training

#8. Boilermakers

- Median annual wage: $73,370
- Median hourly wage: $35.27
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 270 people (2.86 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Apprenticeship

#7. Self-enrichment teachers

- Median annual wage: $75,530
- Median hourly wage: $36.31
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 50 people (0.52 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None

#6. Millwrights

- Median annual wage: $76,250
- Median hourly wage: $36.66
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 550 people (5.85 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Apprenticeship

#5. Industrial machinery mechanics

- Median annual wage: $85,550
- Median hourly wage: $41.13
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 500 people (5.34 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training

#4. First-line supervisors of production and operating workers

- Median annual wage: $88,760
- Median hourly wage: $42.67
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 640 people (6.81 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None

#3. First-line supervisors of non-retail sales workers

- Median annual wage: $94,330
- Median hourly wage: $45.35
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 100 people (1.03 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None

#2. Transportation, storage, and distribution managers

- Median annual wage: $95,450
- Median hourly wage: $45.89
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 60 people (0.66 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None

#1. Captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels

- Median annual wage: $97,130
- Median hourly wage: $46.70
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 350 people (3.72 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None

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