Highest-paying jobs in Albuquerque that don't require a college degree
Highest-paying jobs in Albuquerque 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 Albuquerque 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 Albuquerque 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. Cargo and freight agents
- Median annual wage: $49,320
- Median hourly wage: $23.71
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 70 people (0.17 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Short-term on-the-job training
#49. Private detectives and investigators
- Median annual wage: $49,460
- Median hourly wage: $23.78
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 60 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. Eligibility interviewers, government programs
- Median annual wage: $49,940
- Median hourly wage: $24.01
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 600 people (1.58 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#47. Electrical power-line installers and repairers
- Median annual wage: $50,040
- Median hourly wage: $24.06
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 170 people (0.46 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
#46. Drywall and ceiling tile installers
- Median annual wage: $50,790
- Median hourly wage: $24.42
- Education required: No formal educational credential
- Total employment: 330 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
#45. Postal service mail carriers
- Median annual wage: $51,710
- Median hourly wage: $24.86
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 890 people (2.34 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Short-term on-the-job training
#44. Industrial machinery mechanics
- Median annual wage: $51,850
- Median hourly wage: $24.93
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 820 people (2.16 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
#43. Telecommunications equipment installers and repairers, except line installers
- Median annual wage: $52,730
- Median hourly wage: $25.35
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 540 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
#42. Control and valve installers and repairers, except mechanical door
- Median annual wage: $52,920
- Median hourly wage: $25.44
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 50 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
#41. First-line supervisors of gambling services workers
- Median annual wage: $53,020
- Median hourly wage: $25.49
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 70 people (0.18 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#40. Media and communication workers, all other
- Median annual wage: $53,080
- Median hourly wage: $25.52
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 30 people (0.09 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Short-term on-the-job training
#39. Mobile heavy equipment mechanics, except engines
- Median annual wage: $53,610
- Median hourly wage: $25.78
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 450 people (1.18 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
#38. First-line supervisors of correctional officers
- Median annual wage: $54,040
- Median hourly wage: $25.98
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 160 people (0.41 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#37. Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products
- Median annual wage: $54,200
- Median hourly wage: $26.06
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 2,220 people (5.82 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 transportation and material moving workers, except aircraft cargo handling supervisors
- Median annual wage: $54,720
- Median hourly wage: $26.31
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 1,250 people (3.27 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#35. First-line supervisors of office and administrative support workers
- Median annual wage: $55,330
- Median hourly wage: $26.60
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 4,200 people (11.01 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#34. Hazardous materials removal workers
- Median annual wage: $55,490
- Median hourly wage: $26.68
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 220 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
#33. Insurance sales agents
- Median annual wage: $55,720
- Median hourly wage: $26.79
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 890 people (2.34 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#32. Sales representatives of services, except advertising, insurance, financial services, and travel
- Median annual wage: $56,020
- Median hourly wage: $26.93
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 1,540 people (4.05 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#31. Property, real estate, and community association managers
- Median annual wage: $56,420
- Median hourly wage: $27.13
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 710 people (1.86 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#30. Chefs and head cooks
- Median annual wage: $56,460
- Median hourly wage: $27.15
- 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: None
#29. Construction and building inspectors
- Median annual wage: $56,750
- Median hourly wage: $27.28
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 270 people (0.71 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#28. Reinforcing iron and rebar workers
- Median annual wage: $57,620
- Median hourly wage: $27.70
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 90 people (0.24 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Apprenticeship
#27. Real estate brokers
- Median annual wage: $58,100
- Median hourly wage: $27.93
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 170 people (0.44 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#26. Postal service clerks
- Median annual wage: $58,220
- Median hourly wage: $27.99
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 170 people (0.45 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Short-term on-the-job training
#25. First-line supervisors of firefighting and prevention workers
- Median annual wage: $58,330
- Median hourly wage: $28.04
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 280 people (0.75 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#24. Food service managers
- Median annual wage: $58,370
- Median hourly wage: $28.06
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 640 people (1.68 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Short-term on-the-job training
#23. Electricians
- Median annual wage: $58,920
- Median hourly wage: $28.33
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 2,510 people (6.57 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Apprenticeship
#22. First-line supervisors of non-retail sales workers
- Median annual wage: $60,000
- Median hourly wage: $28.85
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 290 people (0.77 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#21. First-line supervisors of production and operating workers
- Median annual wage: $60,030
- Median hourly wage: $28.86
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 1,010 people (2.64 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#20. Health technologists and technicians, all other
- Median annual wage: $60,360
- Median hourly wage: $29.02
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 290 people (0.76 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#19. Lodging managers
- Median annual wage: $60,660
- Median hourly wage: $29.16
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 110 people (0.29 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#18. Claims adjusters, examiners, and investigators
- Median annual wage: $61,130
- Median hourly wage: $29.39
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 850 people (2.23 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
#17. Community health workers
- Median annual wage: $62,200
- Median hourly wage: $29.90
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 640 people (1.69 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Short-term on-the-job training
#16. Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses
- Median annual wage: $62,280
- Median hourly wage: $29.94
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 640 people (1.68 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#15. Police and sheriff's patrol officers
- Median annual wage: $62,620
- Median hourly wage: $30.11
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 1,840 people (4.83 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#14. First-line supervisors of mechanics, installers, and repairers
- Median annual wage: $63,280
- Median hourly wage: $30.42
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 1,370 people (3.6 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#13. Executive secretaries and executive administrative assistants
- Median annual wage: $64,380
- Median hourly wage: $30.95
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 740 people (1.93 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#12. First-line supervisors of construction trades and extraction workers
- Median annual wage: $65,000
- Median hourly wage: $31.25
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 2,390 people (6.28 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#11. Structural iron and steel workers
- Median annual wage: $65,650
- Median hourly wage: $31.56
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 60 people (0.14 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Apprenticeship
#10. Electrical and electronics repairers, commercial and industrial equipment
- Median annual wage: $66,220
- Median hourly wage: $31.84
- 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: Long-term on-the-job training
#9. Healthcare practitioners and technical workers, all other
- Median annual wage: $66,290
- Median hourly wage: $31.87
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 70 people (0.18 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#8. Insurance appraisers, auto damage
- Median annual wage: $70,770
- Median hourly wage: $34.03
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: Not available
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#7. First-line supervisors of police and detectives
- Median annual wage: $75,950
- Median hourly wage: $36.51
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 500 people (1.31 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#6. Gambling managers
- Median annual wage: $78,560
- Median hourly wage: $37.77
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 30 people (0.09 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: $86,360
- Median hourly wage: $41.52
- 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: None
#4. Commercial pilots
- Median annual wage: $88,430
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- 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: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#3. Transportation inspectors
- Median annual wage: $91,540
- Median hourly wage: $44.01
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- 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
#2. Elevator and escalator installers and repairers
- Median annual wage: $93,550
- Median hourly wage: $44.98
- 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: Apprenticeship
#1. Occupational health and safety technicians
- Median annual wage: $103,790
- Median hourly wage: $49.90
- 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
