Highest-paying jobs in St. Louis that don't require a college degree
Highest-paying jobs in St. Louis 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 St. Louis 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 St. Louis 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. First-line supervisors of office and administrative support workers
- Median annual wage: $59,990
- Median hourly wage: $28.84
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 12,640 people (9.66 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#49. Carpet installers
- Median annual wage: $60,020
- Median hourly wage: $28.86
- Education required: No formal educational credential
- Total employment: 150 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
#48. Executive secretaries and executive administrative assistants
- Median annual wage: $60,190
- Median hourly wage: $28.94
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 5,180 people (3.96 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#47. First-line supervisors of protective service workers, all other
- Median annual wage: $60,310
- Median hourly wage: $28.99
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 120 people (0.09 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#46. Police and sheriff's patrol officers
- Median annual wage: $61,120
- Median hourly wage: $29.38
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 5,790 people (4.42 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#45. Helpers--installation, maintenance, and repair workers
- Median annual wage: $61,230
- Median hourly wage: $29.44
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 210 people (0.16 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Short-term on-the-job training
#44. Court reporters and simultaneous captioners
- Median annual wage: $61,260
- Median hourly wage: $29.45
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 120 people (0.09 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Short-term on-the-job training
#43. Helpers--brickmasons, blockmasons, stonemasons, and tile and marble setters
- Median annual wage: $61,320
- Median hourly wage: $29.48
- Education required: No formal educational credential
- Total employment: 190 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
#42. Healthcare practitioners and technical workers, all other
- Median annual wage: $61,460
- Median hourly wage: $29.55
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 280 people (0.22 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#41. Industrial machinery mechanics
- Median annual wage: $62,210
- Median hourly wage: $29.91
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 2,190 people (1.67 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
#40. Mobile heavy equipment mechanics, except engines
- Median annual wage: $62,440
- Median hourly wage: $30.02
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 1,330 people (1.02 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
#39. Glaziers
- Median annual wage: $62,590
- Median hourly wage: $30.09
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 270 people (0.2 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Apprenticeship
#38. Claims adjusters, examiners, and investigators
- Median annual wage: $63,170
- Median hourly wage: $30.37
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 2,610 people (1.99 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
#37. Firefighters
- Median annual wage: $63,530
- Median hourly wage: $30.54
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 3,530 people (2.7 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
#36. First-line supervisors of production and operating workers
- Median annual wage: $63,630
- Median hourly wage: $30.59
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 6,010 people (4.59 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#35. First-line supervisors of correctional officers
- Median annual wage: $64,670
- Median hourly wage: $31.09
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 270 people (0.2 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#34. Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products
- Median annual wage: $65,010
- Median hourly wage: $31.25
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 11,410 people (8.71 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#33. Bridge and lock tenders
- Median annual wage: $65,480
- Median hourly wage: $31.48
- 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: Short-term on-the-job training
#32. Craft artists
- Median annual wage: $68,180
- Median hourly wage: $32.78
- Education required: No formal educational credential
- Total employment: 70 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
#31. Electricians
- Median annual wage: $69,010
- Median hourly wage: $33.18
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 5,450 people (4.17 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Apprenticeship
#30. First-line supervisors of mechanics, installers, and repairers
- Median annual wage: $69,230
- Median hourly wage: $33.29
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 4,760 people (3.64 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#29. Stationary engineers and boiler operators
- Median annual wage: $72,590
- Median hourly wage: $34.90
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 200 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
#28. Fire inspectors and investigators
- Median annual wage: $72,680
- Median hourly wage: $34.94
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 80 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
#27. Plasterers and stucco masons
- Median annual wage: $73,950
- Median hourly wage: $35.55
- Education required: No formal educational credential
- Total employment: 240 people (0.18 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
#26. Tapers
- Median annual wage: $74,830
- Median hourly wage: $35.98
- Education required: No formal educational credential
- Total employment: 190 people (0.14 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#25. Brickmasons and blockmasons
- Median annual wage: $75,300
- Median hourly wage: $36.20
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 880 people (0.67 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Apprenticeship
#24. Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters
- Median annual wage: $75,390
- Median hourly wage: $36.25
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 4,040 people (3.08 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Apprenticeship
#23. Aircraft cargo handling supervisors
- Median annual wage: $76,340
- Median hourly wage: $36.70
- 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
#22. Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators
- Median annual wage: $76,480
- Median hourly wage: $36.77
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 3,500 people (2.67 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#21. Floor layers, except carpet, wood, and hard tiles
- Median annual wage: $76,930
- Median hourly wage: $36.99
- Education required: No formal educational credential
- Total employment: 530 people (0.4 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#20. Structural iron and steel workers
- Median annual wage: $77,950
- Median hourly wage: $37.48
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 510 people (0.39 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Apprenticeship
#19. Detectives and criminal investigators
- Median annual wage: $78,050
- Median hourly wage: $37.52
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 560 people (0.42 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#18. Gas plant operators
- Median annual wage: $78,800
- Median hourly wage: $37.89
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 100 people (0.08 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
#17. Crane and tower operators
- Median annual wage: $79,780
- Median hourly wage: $38.36
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 430 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
#16. Sheet metal workers
- Median annual wage: $82,490
- Median hourly wage: $39.66
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 1,860 people (1.42 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Apprenticeship
#15. Captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels
- Median annual wage: $82,530
- Median hourly wage: $39.68
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 290 people (0.22 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#14. First-line supervisors of construction trades and extraction workers
- Median annual wage: $82,930
- Median hourly wage: $39.87
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 4,810 people (3.68 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#13. Aircraft mechanics and service technicians
- Median annual wage: $83,520
- Median hourly wage: $40.15
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 1,220 people (0.93 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#12. Postmasters and mail superintendents
- Median annual wage: $84,940
- Median hourly wage: $40.84
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 90 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
#11. Media and communication workers, all other
- Median annual wage: $85,160
- Median hourly wage: $40.94
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 210 people (0.16 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Short-term on-the-job training
#10. First-line supervisors of non-retail sales workers
- Median annual wage: $85,380
- Median hourly wage: $41.05
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 2,110 people (1.61 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#9. First-line supervisors of firefighting and prevention workers
- Median annual wage: $85,400
- Median hourly wage: $41.06
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 1,170 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
#8. Electrical power-line installers and repairers
- Median annual wage: $86,110
- Median hourly wage: $41.40
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 2,190 people (1.67 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
#7. Transportation inspectors
- Median annual wage: $87,060
- Median hourly wage: $41.86
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 150 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
#6. Control and valve installers and repairers, except mechanical door
- Median annual wage: $91,370
- Median hourly wage: $43.93
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 200 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
#5. Media and communication equipment workers, all other
- Median annual wage: $91,600
- Median hourly wage: $44.04
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 50 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
#4. First-line supervisors of police and detectives
- Median annual wage: $92,270
- Median hourly wage: $44.36
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 1,510 people (1.15 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: $94,150
- Median hourly wage: $45.26
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 60 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
#2. Transportation, storage, and distribution managers
- Median annual wage: $98,310
- Median hourly wage: $47.27
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 1,410 people (1.08 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#1. Commercial pilots
- Median annual wage: $101,880
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 520 people (0.4 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
