Highest-paying jobs in Philadelphia that don't require a college degree
Highest-paying jobs in Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia 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. Media and communication equipment workers, all other
- Median annual wage: $67,750
- Median hourly wage: $32.57
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 120 people (0.04 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Short-term on-the-job training
#49. Insulation workers, mechanical
- Median annual wage: $67,760
- Median hourly wage: $32.58
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 520 people (0.19 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Apprenticeship
#48. Firefighters
- Median annual wage: $67,790
- Median hourly wage: $32.59
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 3,460 people (1.25 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
#47. Court reporters and simultaneous captioners
- Median annual wage: $68,080
- Median hourly wage: $32.73
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 280 people (0.1 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Short-term on-the-job training
#46. Personal service managers, all other
- Median annual wage: $68,660
- Median hourly wage: $33.01
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 50 people (0.02 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#45. Lodging managers
- Median annual wage: $70,110
- Median hourly wage: $33.71
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 330 people (0.12 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#44. Pipelayers
- Median annual wage: $70,620
- Median hourly wage: $33.95
- Education required: No formal educational credential
- Total employment: 300 people (0.11 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Short-term on-the-job training
#43. Explosives workers, ordnance handling experts, and blasters
- Median annual wage: $71,870
- Median hourly wage: $34.55
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 30 people (0.01 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
#42. Stationary engineers and boiler operators
- Median annual wage: $71,880
- Median hourly wage: $34.56
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 770 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
#41. Hearing aid specialists
- Median annual wage: $72,130
- Median hourly wage: $34.68
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 190 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
#40. Electricians
- Median annual wage: $72,220
- Median hourly wage: $34.72
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 10,070 people (3.63 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Apprenticeship
#39. Pump operators, except wellhead pumpers
- Median annual wage: $73,010
- Median hourly wage: $35.10
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 100 people (0.04 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#38. First-line supervisors of production and operating workers
- Median annual wage: $73,440
- Median hourly wage: $35.31
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 9,330 people (3.37 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#37. Aircraft mechanics and service technicians
- Median annual wage: $73,780
- Median hourly wage: $35.47
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 1,600 people (0.58 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#36. Sheet metal workers
- Median annual wage: $73,980
- Median hourly wage: $35.57
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 1,720 people (0.62 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Apprenticeship
#35. Flight attendants
- Median annual wage: $74,030
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: Not available
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#34. Media and communication workers, all other
- Median annual wage: $74,700
- Median hourly wage: $35.91
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 90 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
#33. Transit and railroad police
- Median annual wage: $75,150
- Median hourly wage: $36.13
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 100 people (0.04 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#32. Insurance appraisers, auto damage
- Median annual wage: $75,930
- Median hourly wage: $36.51
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 310 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
#31. Claims adjusters, examiners, and investigators
- Median annual wage: $76,850
- Median hourly wage: $36.95
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 7,150 people (2.58 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
#30. Electrical and electronics installers and repairers, transportation equipment
- Median annual wage: $77,170
- Median hourly wage: $37.10
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: Not available
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
#29. First-line supervisors of mechanics, installers, and repairers
- Median annual wage: $78,120
- Median hourly wage: $37.56
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 9,300 people (3.36 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#28. Police and sheriff's patrol officers
- Median annual wage: $78,390
- Median hourly wage: $37.69
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 13,020 people (4.7 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#27. Structural iron and steel workers
- Median annual wage: $79,310
- Median hourly wage: $38.13
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 710 people (0.26 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Apprenticeship
#26. First-line supervisors of construction trades and extraction workers
- Median annual wage: $81,260
- Median hourly wage: $39.07
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 10,030 people (3.62 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#25. Control and valve installers and repairers, except mechanical door
- Median annual wage: $81,940
- Median hourly wage: $39.40
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 610 people (0.22 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#24. Gas plant operators
- Median annual wage: $82,860
- Median hourly wage: $39.84
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 200 people (0.07 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
#23. Captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels
- Median annual wage: $83,980
- Median hourly wage: $40.37
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 300 people (0.11 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#22. Elevator and escalator installers and repairers
- Median annual wage: $84,050
- Median hourly wage: $40.41
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 380 people (0.14 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: $84,690
- Median hourly wage: $40.72
- Education required: No formal educational credential
- Total employment: 270 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
#20. Postmasters and mail superintendents
- Median annual wage: $85,030
- Median hourly wage: $40.88
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 240 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
#19. First-line supervisors of correctional officers
- Median annual wage: $85,390
- Median hourly wage: $41.05
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 690 people (0.25 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#18. First-line supervisors of non-retail sales workers
- Median annual wage: $85,990
- Median hourly wage: $41.34
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 4,300 people (1.55 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#17. Detectives and criminal investigators
- Median annual wage: $86,280
- Median hourly wage: $41.48
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 2,060 people (0.74 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#16. Chemical plant and system operators
- Median annual wage: $86,800
- Median hourly wage: $41.73
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 110 people (0.04 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#15. Telecommunications line installers and repairers
- Median annual wage: $89,090
- Median hourly wage: $42.83
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 1,870 people (0.67 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
#14. Ship engineers
- Median annual wage: $91,230
- Median hourly wage: $43.86
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 70 people (0.02 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#13. Electrical and electronics repairers, powerhouse, substation, and relay
- Median annual wage: $92,890
- Median hourly wage: $44.66
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 450 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
#12. First-line supervisors of firefighting and prevention workers
- Median annual wage: $93,230
- Median hourly wage: $44.82
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 710 people (0.26 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#11. Boilermakers
- Median annual wage: $97,330
- Median hourly wage: $46.80
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 120 people (0.04 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Apprenticeship
#10. Power plant operators
- Median annual wage: $99,220
- Median hourly wage: $47.70
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 360 people (0.13 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
#9. Power distributors and dispatchers
- Median annual wage: $100,590
- Median hourly wage: $48.36
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 150 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
#8. Electrical power-line installers and repairers
- Median annual wage: $104,740
- Median hourly wage: $50.36
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 1,340 people (0.48 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
#7. First-line supervisors of police and detectives
- Median annual wage: $105,710
- Median hourly wage: $50.82
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 2,630 people (0.95 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#6. Petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers
- Median annual wage: $107,860
- Median hourly wage: $51.86
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 550 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
#5. Gambling managers
- Median annual wage: $107,910
- Median hourly wage: $51.88
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 30 people (0.01 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#4. Athletes and sports competitors
- Median annual wage: $108,530
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Education required: No formal educational credential
- Total employment: 190 people (0.07 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
#3. Transportation, storage, and distribution managers
- Median annual wage: $114,120
- Median hourly wage: $54.87
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 2,570 people (0.93 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#2. Commercial pilots
- Median annual wage: $114,660
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 340 people (0.12 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#1. Nuclear power reactor operators
- Median annual wage: $114,830
- Median hourly wage: $55.21
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 260 people (0.09 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
