Highest-paying jobs in New York City that don't require a college degree
Highest-paying jobs in New York 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 New York 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 New York 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. Claims adjusters, examiners, and investigators
- Median annual wage: $84,660
- Median hourly wage: $40.70
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 14,610 people (1.59 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
#49. Electrical and electronics installers and repairers, transportation equipment
- Median annual wage: $85,110
- Median hourly wage: $40.92
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 360 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
#48. Insurance appraisers, auto damage
- Median annual wage: $85,460
- Median hourly wage: $41.09
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 560 people (0.06 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#47. Rail yard engineers, dinkey operators, and hostlers
- Median annual wage: $85,610
- Median hourly wage: $41.16
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 60 people (0.01 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#46. Signal and track switch repairers
- Median annual wage: $86,770
- Median hourly wage: $41.72
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 1,240 people (0.14 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#45. Transportation inspectors
- Median annual wage: $87,360
- Median hourly wage: $42.00
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 4,360 people (0.47 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#44. Postmasters and mail superintendents
- Median annual wage: $87,550
- Median hourly wage: $42.09
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 600 people (0.06 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#43. Tank car, truck, and ship loaders
- Median annual wage: $88,650
- Median hourly wage: $42.62
- Education required: No formal educational credential
- Total employment: 1,140 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
#42. Subway and streetcar operators
- Median annual wage: $89,180
- Median hourly wage: $42.88
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 4,310 people (0.47 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#41. Stationary engineers and boiler operators
- Median annual wage: $90,200
- Median hourly wage: $43.36
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 4,260 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
#40. Sound engineering technicians
- Median annual wage: $91,630
- Median hourly wage: $44.05
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 1,460 people (0.16 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Short-term on-the-job training
#39. Property, real estate, and community association managers
- Median annual wage: $92,870
- Median hourly wage: $44.65
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 10,440 people (1.14 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#38. Fabric and apparel patternmakers
- Median annual wage: $93,160
- Median hourly wage: $44.79
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 850 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
#37. Insulation workers, mechanical
- Median annual wage: $93,700
- Median hourly wage: $45.05
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 820 people (0.09 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Apprenticeship
#36. Excavating and loading machine and dragline operators, surface mining
- Median annual wage: $94,090
- Median hourly wage: $45.23
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 960 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
#35. First-line supervisors of construction trades and extraction workers
- Median annual wage: $95,360
- Median hourly wage: $45.85
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 26,820 people (2.92 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#34. Pile driver operators
- Median annual wage: $95,680
- Median hourly wage: $46.00
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 70 people (0.01 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#33. Lodging managers
- Median annual wage: $95,840
- Median hourly wage: $46.08
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 2,190 people (0.24 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#32. Plasterers and stucco masons
- Median annual wage: $95,890
- Median hourly wage: $46.10
- Education required: No formal educational credential
- Total employment: 1,000 people (0.11 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
#31. Gas plant operators
- Median annual wage: $98,180
- Median hourly wage: $47.20
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 320 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
#30. Advertising sales agents
- Median annual wage: $98,510
- Median hourly wage: $47.36
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 17,970 people (1.96 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#29. Telecommunications line installers and repairers
- Median annual wage: $98,630
- Median hourly wage: $47.42
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 7,500 people (0.82 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
#28. Control and valve installers and repairers, except mechanical door
- Median annual wage: $99,080
- Median hourly wage: $47.63
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 3,100 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
#27. Chemical plant and system operators
- Median annual wage: $100,550
- Median hourly wage: $48.34
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 310 people (0.03 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#26. Tapers
- Median annual wage: $100,820
- Median hourly wage: $48.47
- Education required: No formal educational credential
- Total employment: 720 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
#25. Petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers
- Median annual wage: $100,910
- Median hourly wage: $48.51
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 280 people (0.03 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#24. Captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels
- Median annual wage: $101,750
- Median hourly wage: $48.92
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 2,130 people (0.23 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#23. Court reporters and simultaneous captioners
- Median annual wage: $101,820
- Median hourly wage: $48.95
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 840 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
#22. Structural iron and steel workers
- Median annual wage: $101,920
- Median hourly wage: $49.00
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 3,300 people (0.36 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Apprenticeship
#21. Floor layers, except carpet, wood, and hard tiles
- Median annual wage: $102,120
- Median hourly wage: $49.10
- Education required: No formal educational credential
- Total employment: 430 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
#20. Choreographers
- Median annual wage: $102,510
- Median hourly wage: $49.29
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 280 people (0.03 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
#19. Ship engineers
- Median annual wage: $106,670
- Median hourly wage: $51.28
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 660 people (0.07 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#18. Power distributors and dispatchers
- Median annual wage: $107,410
- Median hourly wage: $51.64
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 400 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
#17. First-line supervisors of non-retail sales workers
- Median annual wage: $107,740
- Median hourly wage: $51.80
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 22,570 people (2.46 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#16. Elevator and escalator installers and repairers
- Median annual wage: $108,470
- Median hourly wage: $52.15
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 4,160 people (0.45 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Apprenticeship
#15. Electrical power-line installers and repairers
- Median annual wage: $112,740
- Median hourly wage: $54.20
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 2,850 people (0.31 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
#14. Railroad brake, signal, and switch operators and locomotive firers
- Median annual wage: $112,970
- Median hourly wage: $54.31
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 90 people (0.01 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#13. Detectives and criminal investigators
- Median annual wage: $113,490
- Median hourly wage: $54.56
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 9,310 people (1.01 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#12. Terrazzo workers and finishers
- Median annual wage: $120,000
- Median hourly wage: $57.69
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 150 people (0.02 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Apprenticeship
#11. Power plant operators
- Median annual wage: $120,630
- Median hourly wage: $58.00
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 1,150 people (0.12 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
#10. First-line supervisors of correctional officers
- Median annual wage: $121,330
- Median hourly wage: $58.33
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 2,440 people (0.27 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#9. Makeup artists, theatrical and performance
- Median annual wage: $126,670
- Median hourly wage: $60.90
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 220 people (0.02 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#7. Crane and tower operators (tie)
- Median annual wage: $128,980
- Median hourly wage: $62.01
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 1,160 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
#7. Hoist and winch operators (tie)
- Median annual wage: $128,980
- Median hourly wage: $62.01
- Education required: No formal educational credential
- Total employment: 310 people (0.03 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Short-term on-the-job training
#6. Transportation, storage, and distribution managers
- Median annual wage: $129,210
- Median hourly wage: $62.12
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 7,100 people (0.77 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#5. First-line supervisors of firefighting and prevention workers
- Median annual wage: $130,440
- Median hourly wage: $62.71
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 3,140 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
#4. First-line supervisors of police and detectives
- Median annual wage: $133,320
- Median hourly wage: $64.10
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 10,980 people (1.2 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#3. Commercial divers
- Median annual wage: $154,760
- Median hourly wage: $74.40
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 140 people (0.02 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#2. Commercial pilots
- Median annual wage: $170,300
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 1,040 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
#1. Athletes and sports competitors
- Median annual wage: $199,990
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Education required: No formal educational credential
- Total employment: 460 people (0.05 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
