Highest-paying jobs in Kansas City that don't require a college degree
Highest-paying jobs in Kansas City 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 Kansas City 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 Kansas City 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. Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators
- Median annual wage: $60,180
- Median hourly wage: $28.93
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 3,220 people (3.06 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#49. Insulation workers, mechanical
- Median annual wage: $60,340
- Median hourly wage: $29.01
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 300 people (0.28 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Apprenticeship
#48. Glaziers
- Median annual wage: $60,350
- Median hourly wage: $29.02
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 230 people (0.22 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Apprenticeship
#47. First-line supervisors of transportation and material moving workers, except aircraft cargo handling supervisors
- Median annual wage: $60,460
- Median hourly wage: $29.07
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 4,650 people (4.42 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#46. Structural iron and steel workers
- Median annual wage: $61,090
- Median hourly wage: $29.37
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 330 people (0.31 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Apprenticeship
#45. Court reporters and simultaneous captioners
- Median annual wage: $61,260
- Median hourly wage: $29.45
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 60 people (0.06 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Short-term on-the-job training
#44. First-line supervisors of office and administrative support workers
- Median annual wage: $61,300
- Median hourly wage: $29.47
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 10,290 people (9.78 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#43. Mobile heavy equipment mechanics, except engines
- Median annual wage: $61,330
- Median hourly wage: $29.49
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 1,330 people (1.27 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
#42. Machine feeders and offbearers
- Median annual wage: $61,380
- Median hourly wage: $29.51
- Education required: No formal educational credential
- Total employment: 540 people (0.51 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Short-term on-the-job training
#41. Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters
- Median annual wage: $61,550
- Median hourly wage: $29.59
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 3,510 people (3.34 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Apprenticeship
#40. Telecommunications equipment installers and repairers, except line installers
- Median annual wage: $61,740
- Median hourly wage: $29.69
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 1,130 people (1.07 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#39. Executive secretaries and executive administrative assistants
- Median annual wage: $62,400
- Median hourly wage: $30.00
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 5,250 people (4.99 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#38. Millwrights
- Median annual wage: $63,010
- Median hourly wage: $30.30
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 860 people (0.82 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Apprenticeship
#37. Electricians
- Median annual wage: $63,240
- Median hourly wage: $30.41
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 4,710 people (4.47 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Apprenticeship
#36. Floor layers, except carpet, wood, and hard tiles
- Median annual wage: $63,610
- Median hourly wage: $30.58
- Education required: No formal educational credential
- Total employment: 320 people (0.31 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#35. Sales representatives of services, except advertising, insurance, financial services, and travel
- Median annual wage: $63,750
- Median hourly wage: $30.65
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 9,860 people (9.37 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#34. Occupational health and safety technicians
- Median annual wage: $64,010
- Median hourly wage: $30.77
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 170 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
#33. Control and valve installers and repairers, except mechanical door
- Median annual wage: $64,030
- Median hourly wage: $30.78
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 290 people (0.28 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#32. Tool and die makers
- Median annual wage: $64,150
- Median hourly wage: $30.84
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 540 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
#31. First-line supervisors of production and operating workers
- Median annual wage: $64,600
- Median hourly wage: $31.06
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 4,400 people (4.18 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#30. Brickmasons and blockmasons
- Median annual wage: $64,790
- Median hourly wage: $31.15
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 590 people (0.56 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Apprenticeship
#29. Media and communication workers, all other
- Median annual wage: $65,310
- Median hourly wage: $31.40
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 60 people (0.06 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Short-term on-the-job training
#28. Plasterers and stucco masons
- Median annual wage: $65,570
- Median hourly wage: $31.53
- Education required: No formal educational credential
- Total employment: 160 people (0.15 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
#27. First-line supervisors of protective service workers, all other
- Median annual wage: $65,760
- Median hourly wage: $31.62
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 60 people (0.06 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#26. Crane and tower operators
- Median annual wage: $66,180
- Median hourly wage: $31.82
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 350 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
#25. First-line supervisors of mechanics, installers, and repairers
- Median annual wage: $68,030
- Median hourly wage: $32.71
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 3,740 people (3.55 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#24. Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products
- Median annual wage: $69,370
- Median hourly wage: $33.35
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 10,870 people (10.32 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#23. Food service managers
- Median annual wage: $70,660
- Median hourly wage: $33.97
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 1,020 people (0.97 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Short-term on-the-job training
#22. First-line supervisors of firefighting and prevention workers
- Median annual wage: $71,480
- Median hourly wage: $34.37
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 940 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
#21. Aircraft cargo handling supervisors
- Median annual wage: $73,270
- Median hourly wage: $35.23
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 50 people (0.05 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#20. Claims adjusters, examiners, and investigators
- Median annual wage: $74,300
- Median hourly wage: $35.72
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 2,770 people (2.63 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
#19. Aircraft mechanics and service technicians
- Median annual wage: $75,210
- Median hourly wage: $36.16
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 330 people (0.31 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#18. Gas plant operators
- Median annual wage: $75,560
- Median hourly wage: $36.33
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 80 people (0.08 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
#17. Stationary engineers and boiler operators
- Median annual wage: $75,690
- Median hourly wage: $36.39
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 40 people (0.04 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
#16. Gambling managers
- Median annual wage: $76,710
- Median hourly wage: $36.88
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 30 people (0.03 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#15. First-line supervisors of construction trades and extraction workers
- Median annual wage: $77,170
- Median hourly wage: $37.10
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 4,420 people (4.19 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#14. Fire inspectors and investigators
- Median annual wage: $79,550
- Median hourly wage: $38.25
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 80 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
#13. First-line supervisors of police and detectives
- Median annual wage: $80,550
- Median hourly wage: $38.73
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 1,230 people (1.17 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#12. Postmasters and mail superintendents
- Median annual wage: $80,750
- Median hourly wage: $38.82
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 60 people (0.05 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 non-retail sales workers
- Median annual wage: $81,240
- Median hourly wage: $39.06
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 1,110 people (1.06 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#10. Petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers
- Median annual wage: $81,530
- Median hourly wage: $39.20
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 70 people (0.07 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#9. Detectives and criminal investigators
- Median annual wage: $83,560
- Median hourly wage: $40.17
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 720 people (0.68 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#8. Transportation, storage, and distribution managers
- Median annual wage: $94,840
- Median hourly wage: $45.60
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 1,000 people (0.95 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#7. Electrical power-line installers and repairers
- Median annual wage: $95,980
- Median hourly wage: $46.14
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 1,140 people (1.08 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
#6. Power distributors and dispatchers
- Median annual wage: $101,800
- Median hourly wage: $48.94
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 80 people (0.08 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
#5. Electrical and electronics repairers, powerhouse, substation, and relay
- Median annual wage: $103,670
- Median hourly wage: $49.84
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 140 people (0.13 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#4. Power plant operators
- Median annual wage: $106,120
- Median hourly wage: $51.02
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 280 people (0.27 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
#3. Commercial pilots
- Median annual wage: $109,710
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 330 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
#2. Elevator and escalator installers and repairers
- Median annual wage: $110,640
- Median hourly wage: $53.19
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 140 people (0.14 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Apprenticeship
#1. Athletes and sports competitors
- Median annual wage: $186,170
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Education required: No formal educational credential
- Total employment: 170 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
