Highest paying jobs in Durham for high school graduates
A high school diploma gives graduates a leg up in the workforce, even if they don't pursue any further education.
The latest Bureau of Labor Statistics data shows that workers over age of 25 with a high school diploma or equivalent earned about 25% more than those without one—$853 a week compared to $682. Diploma holders also faced lower unemployment rates, at 4% in 2022, compared to 5.5% for those who never completed high school.
There are many reasons high-school graduates may choose to not continue on to college—for instance, the cost. Average tuition costs continue to rise, increasing by 1% to 4% last year, depending on the institution type. While higher degrees of education typically pave the way for higher earnings, a college degree isn't necessary for many high-paying jobs. And for many careers, it doesn't make sense to pay to study for years when there are paid apprenticeship or learn-on-the-job programs.
Stacker used Bureau of Labor Statistics data to find the highest-paying jobs in Durham for those with a high school diploma or equivalent. Jobs are ranked by their annual median salaries as of May 2022. Jobs without available data for annual pay were excluded from this analysis.
Keep reading to see which jobs in your city pay high school graduates the most.
This story features data reporting and writing by Paxtyn Merten and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 366 metros.
#50. First-line supervisors of protective service workers, all other
- Median annual wage: $49,520
- Median hourly wage: $23.81
- Total employment: 60 people (0.18 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#49. Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters
- Median annual wage: $49,610
- Median hourly wage: $23.85
- Total employment: 550 people (1.68 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Apprenticeship
#48. Security and fire alarm systems installers
- Median annual wage: $49,730
- Median hourly wage: $23.91
- Total employment: 70 people (0.21 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#47. Miscellaneous construction and related workers
- Median annual wage: $49,790
- Median hourly wage: $23.94
- Total employment: 80 people (0.25 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#46. Loan interviewers and clerks
- Median annual wage: $49,870
- Median hourly wage: $23.98
- Total employment: 190 people (0.56 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Short-term on-the-job training
#45. Insurance sales agents
- Median annual wage: $50,490
- Median hourly wage: $24.27
- Total employment: 710 people (2.17 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#44. Police and sheriff's patrol officers
- Median annual wage: $50,660
- Median hourly wage: $24.36
- Total employment: 1,040 people (3.18 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#43. Water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators
- Median annual wage: $50,740
- Median hourly wage: $24.39
- Total employment: 140 people (0.42 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
#42. Bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists
- Median annual wage: $51,110
- Median hourly wage: $24.57
- Total employment: 360 people (1.11 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
#41. First-line supervisors of landscaping, lawn service, and groundskeeping workers
- Median annual wage: $51,300
- Median hourly wage: $24.67
- Total employment: 210 people (0.64 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#40. Opticians, dispensing
- Median annual wage: $52,240
- Median hourly wage: $25.11
- Total employment: 90 people (0.28 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
#39. Media and communication workers, all other
- Median annual wage: $52,820
- Median hourly wage: $25.39
- Total employment: 40 people (0.14 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Short-term on-the-job training
#38. Payroll and timekeeping clerks
- Median annual wage: $55,210
- Median hourly wage: $26.55
- Total employment: 290 people (0.87 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#37. First-line supervisors of transportation and material moving workers, except aircraft cargo handling supervisors
- Median annual wage: $55,690
- Median hourly wage: $26.77
- Total employment: 1,050 people (3.2 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#36. Electricians
- Median annual wage: $55,710
- Median hourly wage: $26.78
- Total employment: 1,090 people (3.32 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Apprenticeship
#35. Telecommunications line installers and repairers
- Median annual wage: $55,780
- Median hourly wage: $26.82
- Total employment: Not available
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
#34. Exercise trainers and group fitness instructors
- Median annual wage: $56,190
- Median hourly wage: $27.01
- Total employment: 500 people (1.53 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Short-term on-the-job training
#33. Jewelers and precious stone and metal workers
- Median annual wage: $57,530
- Median hourly wage: $27.66
- Total employment: 40 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
#32. Postal service mail carriers
- Median annual wage: $57,620
- Median hourly wage: $27.70
- Total employment: 560 people (1.71 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Short-term on-the-job training
#31. First-line supervisors of security workers
- Median annual wage: $57,710
- Median hourly wage: $27.75
- Total employment: 150 people (0.47 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#30. Postal service clerks
- Median annual wage: $58,220
- Median hourly wage: $27.99
- Total employment: 100 people (0.29 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Short-term on-the-job training
#29. Executive secretaries and executive administrative assistants
- Median annual wage: $58,550
- Median hourly wage: $28.15
- Total employment: 1,580 people (4.83 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#28. Chefs and head cooks
- Median annual wage: $58,750
- Median hourly wage: $28.25
- Total employment: 230 people (0.7 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#27. Industrial machinery mechanics
- Median annual wage: $59,240
- Median hourly wage: $28.48
- Total employment: 440 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
#26. Crane and tower operators
- Median annual wage: $59,280
- Median hourly wage: $28.50
- Total employment: 30 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
#25. Tax preparers
- Median annual wage: $59,510
- Median hourly wage: $28.61
- Total employment: 140 people (0.41 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#24. Detectives and criminal investigators
- Median annual wage: $59,910
- Median hourly wage: $28.80
- Total employment: 200 people (0.62 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#23. Control and valve installers and repairers, except mechanical door
- Median annual wage: $60,430
- Median hourly wage: $29.05
- Total employment: 60 people (0.18 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#22. Occupational health and safety technicians
- Median annual wage: $60,450
- Median hourly wage: $29.06
- Total employment: 70 people (0.2 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#21. Chemical equipment operators and tenders
- Median annual wage: $60,580
- Median hourly wage: $29.13
- Total employment: 470 people (1.43 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#20. Food service managers
- Median annual wage: $61,060
- Median hourly wage: $29.36
- Total employment: 450 people (1.37 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Short-term on-the-job training
#19. First-line supervisors of correctional officers
- Median annual wage: $61,120
- Median hourly wage: $29.39
- Total employment: 40 people (0.13 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#18. Stationary engineers and boiler operators
- Median annual wage: $61,740
- Median hourly wage: $29.68
- Total employment: 50 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
#17. Maintenance workers, machinery
- Median annual wage: $62,060
- Median hourly wage: $29.84
- Total employment: 170 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
#16. Real estate brokers
- Median annual wage: $62,210
- Median hourly wage: $29.91
- Total employment: Not available
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#15. First-line supervisors of office and administrative support workers
- Median annual wage: $62,600
- Median hourly wage: $30.10
- Total employment: 2,640 people (8.07 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#14. Construction and building inspectors
- Median annual wage: $62,960
- Median hourly wage: $30.27
- Total employment: 250 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
#13. Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products
- Median annual wage: $63,010
- Median hourly wage: $30.29
- Total employment: 1,850 people (5.65 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 production and operating workers
- Median annual wage: $63,490
- Median hourly wage: $30.52
- Total employment: 920 people (2.8 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#11. First-line supervisors of farming, fishing, and forestry workers
- Median annual wage: $64,290
- Median hourly wage: $30.91
- Total employment: 80 people (0.24 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#10. First-line supervisors of construction trades and extraction workers
- Median annual wage: $64,440
- Median hourly wage: $30.98
- Total employment: 1,200 people (3.68 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#9. Advertising sales agents
- Median annual wage: $65,260
- Median hourly wage: $31.37
- Total employment: 170 people (0.53 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#8. First-line supervisors of mechanics, installers, and repairers
- Median annual wage: $67,380
- Median hourly wage: $32.39
- Total employment: 900 people (2.75 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#7. Property, real estate, and community association managers
- Median annual wage: $72,800
- Median hourly wage: $35.00
- Total employment: 430 people (1.3 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#6. First-line supervisors of police and detectives
- Median annual wage: $76,440
- Median hourly wage: $36.75
- Total employment: 240 people (0.73 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#5. Claims adjusters, examiners, and investigators
- Median annual wage: $77,110
- Median hourly wage: $37.07
- Total employment: 370 people (1.13 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
#4. Sales representatives of services, except advertising, insurance, financial services, and travel
- Median annual wage: $77,370
- Median hourly wage: $37.20
- Total employment: 2,600 people (7.93 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#3. Power plant operators
- Median annual wage: $100,490
- Median hourly wage: $48.31
- Total employment: Not available
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
#2. Transportation, storage, and distribution managers
- Median annual wage: $107,080
- Median hourly wage: $51.48
- Total employment: 300 people (0.9 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#1. First-line supervisors of non-retail sales workers
- Median annual wage: $118,570
- Median hourly wage: $57.01
- Total employment: 760 people (2.31 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
