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 Bern 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 Bern 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.
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Andrey_Popov // Shutterstock
1 / 50- Median annual wage: $41,500
- Median hourly wage: $19.95
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 40 people (0.88 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
Syda Productions // Shutterstock
2 / 50- Median annual wage: $41,870
- Median hourly wage: $20.13
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 140 people (3.24 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
PHILIPIMAGE // Shutterstock
3 / 50- Median annual wage: $42,240
- Median hourly wage: $20.31
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 40 people (0.92 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
Prath // Shutterstock
4 / 50- Median annual wage: $43,920
- Median hourly wage: $21.11
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 50 people (1.05 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
Canva
5 / 50- Median annual wage: $43,990
- Median hourly wage: $21.15
- Education required: No formal educational credential
- Total employment: 40 people (0.88 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Short-term on-the-job training
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Philip Lange // Shutterstock
6 / 50- Median annual wage: $44,080
- Median hourly wage: $21.19
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 40 people (0.91 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
Canva
7 / 50- Median annual wage: $44,400
- Median hourly wage: $21.35
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 40 people (0.94 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
Stokkete // Shutterstock
8 / 50- Median annual wage: $44,530
- Median hourly wage: $21.41
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 70 people (1.55 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Short-term on-the-job training
David Spates // Shutterstock
9 / 50- Median annual wage: $44,930
- Median hourly wage: $21.60
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 140 people (3.14 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
Andrey_Popov // Shutterstock
10 / 50- Median annual wage: $45,220
- Median hourly wage: $21.74
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 110 people (2.55 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Apprenticeship
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Loveischiangrai // Shutterstock
11 / 50- Median annual wage: $45,440
- Median hourly wage: $21.85
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 40 people (0.86 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
pio3 // Shutterstock
12 / 50- Median annual wage: $46,710
- Median hourly wage: $22.46
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 340 people (7.52 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
Leszek Glasner // Shutterstock
13 / 50- Median annual wage: $46,920
- Median hourly wage: $22.56
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 80 people (1.9 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
Canva
14 / 50- Median annual wage: $47,060
- Median hourly wage: $22.63
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 110 people (2.41 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Apprenticeship
Jacob Lund // Shutterstock
15 / 50- Median annual wage: $47,360
- Median hourly wage: $22.77
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 250 people (5.68 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
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Canva
16 / 50- Median annual wage: $48,780
- Median hourly wage: $23.45
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 90 people (1.97 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
GaudiLab // Shutterstock
17 / 50- Median annual wage: $49,000
- Median hourly wage: $23.56
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 360 people (8.18 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
Rebekah Zemansky // Shutterstock
18 / 50- Median annual wage: $49,190
- Median hourly wage: $23.65
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 30 people (0.77 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
Erin Deleon // Shutterstock
19 / 50- Median annual wage: $49,980
- Median hourly wage: $24.03
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 140 people (3.23 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Short-term on-the-job training
Kot500 // Shutterstock
20 / 50- Median annual wage: $50,180
- Median hourly wage: $24.13
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 60 people (1.29 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
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G-Stock Studio // Shutterstock
21 / 50- Median annual wage: $50,240
- Median hourly wage: $24.15
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 220 people (4.98 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
Dmitry Kalinovsky // Shutterstock
22 / 50- Median annual wage: $52,080
- Median hourly wage: $25.04
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 200 people (4.43 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
ALPA PROD // Shutterstock
23 / 50- Median annual wage: $52,200
- Median hourly wage: $25.10
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 190 people (4.22 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
Alba_alioth // Shutterstock
24 / 50- Median annual wage: $53,350
- Median hourly wage: $25.65
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 110 people (2.38 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
SatawatK // Shutterstock
25 / 50- Median annual wage: $53,380
- Median hourly wage: $25.66
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 30 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
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Avatar_023 // Shutterstock
26 / 50- Median annual wage: $54,830
- Median hourly wage: $26.36
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 110 people (2.5 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
rlat // Shutterstock
27 / 50- Median annual wage: $56,200
- Median hourly wage: $27.02
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 30 people (0.74 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Short-term on-the-job training
welcomia // Shutterstock
28 / 50- Median annual wage: $57,000
- Median hourly wage: $27.40
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 40 people (0.97 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
Paolo Bona // Shutterstock
29 / 50- Median annual wage: $57,080
- Median hourly wage: $27.44
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 80 people (1.7 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Short-term on-the-job training
Stock Rocket // Shutterstock
30 / 50- Median annual wage: $57,550
- Median hourly wage: $27.67
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 290 people (6.55 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
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sculpies // Shutterstock
31 / 50- Median annual wage: $57,790
- Median hourly wage: $27.79
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 210 people (4.66 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
Canva
32 / 50- Median annual wage: $58,450
- Median hourly wage: $28.10
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 180 people (4.07 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
33 / 50- Median annual wage: $59,560
- Median hourly wage: $28.64
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 120 people (2.76 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
Canva
34 / 50- Median annual wage: $60,100
- Median hourly wage: $28.90
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 60 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
Luisa Leal Photography // Shutterstock
35 / 50- Median annual wage: $60,670
- Median hourly wage: $29.17
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 50 people (1.07 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
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Syda Productions // Shutterstock
36 / 50- Median annual wage: $60,960
- Median hourly wage: $29.31
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 30 people (0.71 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
Oleg Golovnev // Shutterstock
37 / 50- Median annual wage: $61,420
- Median hourly wage: $29.53
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 200 people (4.47 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
Canva
38 / 50- Median annual wage: $61,650
- Median hourly wage: $29.64
- Education required: No formal educational credential
- Total employment: 60 people (1.3 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
Canva
39 / 50- Median annual wage: $61,650
- Median hourly wage: $29.64
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 150 people (3.3 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
SritanaN // Shutterstock
40 / 50- Median annual wage: $62,670
- Median hourly wage: $30.13
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 130 people (2.9 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
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santi lumubol // Shutterstock
41 / 50- Median annual wage: $62,670
- Median hourly wage: $30.13
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 370 people (8.23 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
Canva
42 / 50- Median annual wage: $62,920
- Median hourly wage: $30.25
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 40 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
Oil and Gas Photographer // Shutterstock
43 / 50- Median annual wage: $65,190
- Median hourly wage: $31.34
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 150 people (3.39 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
44 / 50- Median annual wage: $66,790
- Median hourly wage: $32.11
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 40 people (0.92 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
4 PM production // Shutterstock
45 / 50- Median annual wage: $67,860
- Median hourly wage: $32.63
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 190 people (4.32 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
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Canva
46 / 50- Median annual wage: $68,290
- Median hourly wage: $32.83
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 70 people (1.61 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
Canva
47 / 50- Median annual wage: $70,160
- Median hourly wage: $33.73
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 110 people (2.55 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
Africa Studio // Shutterstock
48 / 50- Median annual wage: $72,740
- Median hourly wage: $34.97
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 70 people (1.48 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
g-stockstudio // Shutterstock
49 / 50- Median annual wage: $75,370
- Median hourly wage: $36.24
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 50 people (1.08 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
goodluz // Shutterstock
50 / 50- Median annual wage: $93,890
- Median hourly wage: $45.14
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 40 people (0.89 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
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