Highest-paying jobs in Miami that don't require a college degree
Highest-paying jobs in Miami 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 Miami 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 Miami 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. Precision instrument and equipment repairers, all other
- Median annual wage: $58,550
- Median hourly wage: $28.15
- 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
#49. Water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators
- Median annual wage: $59,020
- Median hourly wage: $28.38
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 1,510 people (0.58 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
#48. First-line supervisors of protective service workers, all other
- Median annual wage: $59,890
- Median hourly wage: $28.79
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 660 people (0.25 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#47. Computer numerically controlled tool programmers
- Median annual wage: $59,960
- Median hourly wage: $28.83
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- 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
#46. First-line supervisors of production and operating workers
- Median annual wage: $60,180
- Median hourly wage: $28.94
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 5,930 people (2.26 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#45. Surgical assistants
- Median annual wage: $60,210
- Median hourly wage: $28.95
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 1,150 people (0.44 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#44. First-line supervisors of office and administrative support workers
- Median annual wage: $60,570
- Median hourly wage: $29.12
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 29,840 people (11.37 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#43. Sales representatives of services, except advertising, insurance, financial services, and travel
- Median annual wage: $60,650
- Median hourly wage: $29.16
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 26,100 people (9.95 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#42. Occupational health and safety technicians
- Median annual wage: $61,120
- Median hourly wage: $29.39
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 150 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
#41. Tank car, truck, and ship loaders
- Median annual wage: $61,360
- Median hourly wage: $29.50
- 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: Short-term on-the-job training
#40. Public safety telecommunicators
- Median annual wage: $61,780
- Median hourly wage: $29.70
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 1,510 people (0.58 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#39. Property, real estate, and community association managers
- Median annual wage: $62,490
- Median hourly wage: $30.04
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 8,890 people (3.39 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#38. Sound engineering technicians
- Median annual wage: $62,590
- Median hourly wage: $30.09
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 260 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
#37. Plant and system operators, all other
- Median annual wage: $62,610
- Median hourly wage: $30.10
- 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
#36. First-line supervisors of correctional officers
- Median annual wage: $62,690
- Median hourly wage: $30.14
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 1,120 people (0.43 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#35. Gas plant operators
- Median annual wage: $62,830
- Median hourly wage: $30.21
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 130 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
#34. Executive secretaries and executive administrative assistants
- Median annual wage: $63,150
- Median hourly wage: $30.36
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 6,990 people (2.66 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#33. Claims adjusters, examiners, and investigators
- Median annual wage: $63,620
- Median hourly wage: $30.59
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 6,560 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
#32. First-line supervisors of mechanics, installers, and repairers
- Median annual wage: $63,650
- Median hourly wage: $30.60
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 9,410 people (3.59 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#31. Construction and building inspectors
- Median annual wage: $64,750
- Median hourly wage: $31.13
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 3,630 people (1.38 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#30. Private detectives and investigators
- Median annual wage: $64,960
- Median hourly wage: $31.23
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 1,520 people (0.58 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#29. Flight attendants
- Median annual wage: $65,000
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 8,190 people (3.12 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#28. Stationary engineers and boiler operators
- Median annual wage: $66,160
- Median hourly wage: $31.81
- 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: Long-term on-the-job training
#27. Aircraft mechanics and service technicians
- Median annual wage: $66,260
- Median hourly wage: $31.86
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 4,910 people (1.87 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#26. Healthcare practitioners and technical workers, all other
- Median annual wage: $66,550
- Median hourly wage: $31.99
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 1,600 people (0.61 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#25. Firefighters
- Median annual wage: $67,230
- Median hourly wage: $32.32
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 5,590 people (2.13 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
#24. First-line supervisors of construction trades and extraction workers
- Median annual wage: $67,770
- Median hourly wage: $32.58
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 14,380 people (5.48 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#23. Crane and tower operators
- Median annual wage: $67,870
- Median hourly wage: $32.63
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 550 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
#22. Electrical and electronics repairers, powerhouse, substation, and relay
- Median annual wage: $71,520
- Median hourly wage: $34.38
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 230 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
#21. Personal service managers, all other
- Median annual wage: $71,940
- Median hourly wage: $34.59
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 150 people (0.06 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#20. Food service managers
- Median annual wage: $71,980
- Median hourly wage: $34.60
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 5,160 people (1.97 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Short-term on-the-job training
#19. Bailiffs
- Median annual wage: $72,180
- Median hourly wage: $34.70
- 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
#18. Power plant operators
- Median annual wage: $75,010
- Median hourly wage: $36.06
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 490 people (0.19 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
#17. Media and communication equipment workers, all other
- Median annual wage: $75,230
- Median hourly wage: $36.17
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 120 people (0.05 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Short-term on-the-job training
#16. Electrical power-line installers and repairers
- Median annual wage: $78,870
- Median hourly wage: $37.92
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 1,930 people (0.74 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
#15. First-line supervisors of non-retail sales workers
- Median annual wage: $79,120
- Median hourly wage: $38.04
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 7,410 people (2.82 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#14. Farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural managers
- Median annual wage: $83,930
- Median hourly wage: $40.35
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 90 people (0.04 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#13. Police and sheriff's patrol officers
- Median annual wage: $84,860
- Median hourly wage: $40.80
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 19,340 people (7.37 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#12. Transportation inspectors
- Median annual wage: $85,280
- Median hourly wage: $41.00
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 680 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. Gambling managers
- Median annual wage: $94,120
- Median hourly wage: $45.25
- 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: None
#10. Lodging managers
- Median annual wage: $97,610
- Median hourly wage: $46.93
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 710 people (0.27 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#9. Elevator and escalator installers and repairers
- Median annual wage: $99,670
- Median hourly wage: $47.92
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 750 people (0.29 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Apprenticeship
#8. Detectives and criminal investigators
- Median annual wage: $100,790
- Median hourly wage: $48.46
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 2,140 people (0.82 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#7. First-line supervisors of firefighting and prevention workers
- Median annual wage: $101,710
- Median hourly wage: $48.90
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 2,730 people (1.04 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#6. Transportation, storage, and distribution managers
- Median annual wage: $101,720
- Median hourly wage: $48.90
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 3,180 people (1.21 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#5. Ship engineers
- Median annual wage: $102,660
- Median hourly wage: $49.36
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 470 people (0.18 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#4. First-line supervisors of police and detectives
- Median annual wage: $109,860
- Median hourly wage: $52.82
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 2,550 people (0.97 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#3. Fire inspectors and investigators
- Median annual wage: $125,610
- Median hourly wage: $60.39
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 1,710 people (0.65 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#2. Captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels
- Median annual wage: $126,500
- Median hourly wage: $60.82
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 2,080 people (0.79 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#1. Commercial pilots
- Median annual wage: $138,480
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 3,180 people (1.21 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
