Highest-paying jobs in San Diego that don't require a college degree
Highest-paying jobs in San Diego 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 San Diego 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 San Diego 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 workers, all other
- Median annual wage: $66,350
- Median hourly wage: $31.90
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 670 people (0.45 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Short-term on-the-job training
#49. Crane and tower operators
- Median annual wage: $67,150
- Median hourly wage: $32.28
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 260 people (0.17 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#48. Water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators
- Median annual wage: $67,180
- Median hourly wage: $32.30
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 840 people (0.56 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
#47. First-line supervisors of production and operating workers
- Median annual wage: $67,780
- Median hourly wage: $32.59
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 4,230 people (2.84 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#46. Petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers
- Median annual wage: $68,060
- Median hourly wage: $32.72
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 60 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
#45. Artists and related workers, all other
- Median annual wage: $69,840
- Median hourly wage: $33.58
- Education required: No formal educational credential
- Total employment: 80 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
#44. Sheet metal workers
- Median annual wage: $70,030
- Median hourly wage: $33.67
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 1,770 people (1.19 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Apprenticeship
#43. Lodging managers
- Median annual wage: $70,610
- Median hourly wage: $33.95
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 520 people (0.35 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#42. Transportation inspectors
- Median annual wage: $70,780
- Median hourly wage: $34.03
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 160 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
#41. Structural iron and steel workers
- Median annual wage: $71,380
- Median hourly wage: $34.32
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 1,230 people (0.82 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Apprenticeship
#40. Plant and system operators, all other
- Median annual wage: $71,960
- Median hourly wage: $34.59
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 110 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
#39. Electrical and electronics repairers, commercial and industrial equipment
- Median annual wage: $72,780
- Median hourly wage: $34.99
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 470 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
#38. Ship engineers
- Median annual wage: $74,790
- Median hourly wage: $35.96
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 50 people (0.03 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#37. Power plant operators
- Median annual wage: $75,250
- Median hourly wage: $36.18
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 150 people (0.1 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
#36. Tool and die makers
- Median annual wage: $75,430
- Median hourly wage: $36.27
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 150 people (0.1 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
#35. Surgical technologists
- Median annual wage: $76,040
- Median hourly wage: $36.56
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 800 people (0.54 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#34. Captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels
- Median annual wage: $76,070
- Median hourly wage: $36.57
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 240 people (0.16 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#33. Aircraft mechanics and service technicians
- Median annual wage: $76,680
- Median hourly wage: $36.87
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 1,870 people (1.25 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#32. Computer numerically controlled tool programmers
- Median annual wage: $76,920
- Median hourly wage: $36.98
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 230 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
#31. First-line supervisors of mechanics, installers, and repairers
- Median annual wage: $76,970
- Median hourly wage: $37.01
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 3,980 people (2.67 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#30. Boilermakers
- Median annual wage: $77,330
- Median hourly wage: $37.18
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 70 people (0.04 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Apprenticeship
#29. Claims adjusters, examiners, and investigators
- Median annual wage: $77,350
- Median hourly wage: $37.19
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 2,450 people (1.65 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
#28. Executive secretaries and executive administrative assistants
- Median annual wage: $78,000
- Median hourly wage: $37.50
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 5,260 people (3.53 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#27. Precision instrument and equipment repairers, all other
- Median annual wage: $78,240
- Median hourly wage: $37.62
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 210 people (0.14 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
#26. Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators
- Median annual wage: $79,480
- Median hourly wage: $38.21
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 2,800 people (1.88 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#25. Construction and building inspectors
- Median annual wage: $79,730
- Median hourly wage: $38.33
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 1,200 people (0.8 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#24. First-line supervisors of non-retail sales workers
- Median annual wage: $79,870
- Median hourly wage: $38.40
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 1,430 people (0.96 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#23. Forest fire inspectors and prevention specialists
- Median annual wage: $82,020
- Median hourly wage: $39.43
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 60 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
#22. Control and valve installers and repairers, except mechanical door
- Median annual wage: $82,540
- Median hourly wage: $39.68
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 610 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
#21. Electrical and electronics repairers, powerhouse, substation, and relay
- Median annual wage: $83,280
- Median hourly wage: $40.04
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 60 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
#20. Insulation workers, mechanical
- Median annual wage: $83,400
- Median hourly wage: $40.10
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 70 people (0.05 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Apprenticeship
#19. Telecommunications line installers and repairers
- Median annual wage: $84,070
- Median hourly wage: $40.42
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 820 people (0.55 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
#18. First-line supervisors of construction trades and extraction workers
- Median annual wage: $86,070
- Median hourly wage: $41.38
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 6,610 people (4.44 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#17. Media and communication equipment workers, all other
- Median annual wage: $91,960
- Median hourly wage: $44.21
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 180 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
#16. Gas plant operators
- Median annual wage: $92,680
- Median hourly wage: $44.56
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 180 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
#15. Postmasters and mail superintendents
- Median annual wage: $92,890
- Median hourly wage: $44.66
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 40 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
#14. First-line supervisors of firefighting and prevention workers
- Median annual wage: $96,390
- Median hourly wage: $46.34
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 290 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
#13. Gambling managers
- Median annual wage: $96,750
- Median hourly wage: $46.51
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 100 people (0.07 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#12. Transportation, storage, and distribution managers
- Median annual wage: $98,990
- Median hourly wage: $47.59
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 1,890 people (1.27 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#11. Electrical power-line installers and repairers
- Median annual wage: $99,480
- Median hourly wage: $47.83
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 820 people (0.55 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
#10. Real estate brokers
- Median annual wage: $100,160
- Median hourly wage: $48.15
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: Not available
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#9. Police and sheriff's patrol officers
- Median annual wage: $100,590
- Median hourly wage: $48.36
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 5,200 people (3.49 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#8. Elevator and escalator installers and repairers
- Median annual wage: $105,800
- Median hourly wage: $50.86
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 130 people (0.09 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Apprenticeship
#7. Farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural managers
- Median annual wage: $106,250
- Median hourly wage: $51.08
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 60 people (0.04 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#6. Court reporters and simultaneous captioners
- Median annual wage: $106,270
- Median hourly wage: $51.09
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 100 people (0.07 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Short-term on-the-job training
#5. Detectives and criminal investigators
- Median annual wage: $107,240
- Median hourly wage: $51.56
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 2,800 people (1.88 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#4. Commercial pilots
- Median annual wage: $130,040
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 490 people (0.33 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#3. Power distributors and dispatchers
- Median annual wage: $139,290
- Median hourly wage: $66.97
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 160 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
#2. First-line supervisors of police and detectives
- Median annual wage: $154,980
- Median hourly wage: $74.51
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 400 people (0.27 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#1. Commercial divers
- Median annual wage: $182,000
- Median hourly wage: $87.50
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 50 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
