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 Madera 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 Madera 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.
You may also like: Highest-rated campgrounds in the Madera area by visitors
Dmitry Kalinovsky // Shutterstock
1 / 50- Median annual wage: $47,300
- Median hourly wage: $22.74
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 30 people (0.69 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
2 / 50- Median annual wage: $47,510
- Median hourly wage: $22.84
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 70 people (1.3 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
Andrey_Popov // Shutterstock
3 / 50- Median annual wage: $47,610
- Median hourly wage: $22.89
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 160 people (3.2 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
Peter Braakmann // Shutterstock
4 / 50- Median annual wage: $47,760
- Median hourly wage: $22.96
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 300 people (5.86 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
5 / 50- Median annual wage: $47,940
- Median hourly wage: $23.05
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 60 people (1.18 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
You may also like: Cities with the most expensive homes in the Madera metro area
Stokkete // Shutterstock
6 / 50- Median annual wage: $48,020
- Median hourly wage: $23.09
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 70 people (1.37 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Short-term on-the-job training
Dragana Gordic // Shutterstock
7 / 50- Median annual wage: $48,420
- Median hourly wage: $23.28
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 130 people (2.59 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
Vitpho // Shutterstock
8 / 50- Median annual wage: $48,500
- Median hourly wage: $23.32
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 570 people (11.31 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Short-term on-the-job training
Paolo Bona // Shutterstock
9 / 50- Median annual wage: $49,180
- Median hourly wage: $23.64
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 90 people (1.83 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Short-term on-the-job training
New Africa // Shutterstock
10 / 50- Median annual wage: $49,340
- Median hourly wage: $23.72
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 60 people (1.15 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
You may also like: Car insurance rates in Madera October 2025
LightField Studios // Shutterstock
11 / 50- Median annual wage: $49,340
- Median hourly wage: $23.72
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 60 people (1.25 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Short-term on-the-job training
Canva
12 / 50- Median annual wage: $49,360
- Median hourly wage: $23.73
- Education required: No formal educational credential
- Total employment: 50 people (1.06 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
13 / 50- Median annual wage: $49,810
- Median hourly wage: $23.95
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 170 people (3.44 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
Chok Chokchai // Shutterstock
14 / 50- Median annual wage: $50,110
- Median hourly wage: $24.09
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 50 people (0.93 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
4 PM production // Shutterstock
15 / 50- Median annual wage: $50,270
- Median hourly wage: $24.17
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 170 people (3.31 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Short-term on-the-job training
You may also like: Highest-paying science jobs in Madera
fizkes // Shutterstock
16 / 50- Median annual wage: $50,490
- Median hourly wage: $24.27
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 50 people (1.01 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
Daniel M Ernst // Shutterstock
17 / 50- Median annual wage: $50,830
- Median hourly wage: $24.44
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 60 people (1.1 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
Canva
18 / 50- Median annual wage: $51,470
- Median hourly wage: $24.75
- Education required: No formal educational credential
- Total employment: 60 people (1.13 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
XiXinXing // Shutterstock
19 / 50- Median annual wage: $52,660
- Median hourly wage: $25.32
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 90 people (1.76 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
Erin Deleon // Shutterstock
20 / 50- Median annual wage: $52,850
- Median hourly wage: $25.41
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 90 people (1.75 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Short-term on-the-job training
You may also like: Highest-rated cheap eats in Madera by diners
Andrey_Popov // Shutterstock
21 / 50- Median annual wage: $56,640
- Median hourly wage: $27.23
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 80 people (1.52 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
Canva
22 / 50- Median annual wage: $57,560
- Median hourly wage: $27.67
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 180 people (3.64 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
rlat // Shutterstock
23 / 50- Median annual wage: $57,960
- Median hourly wage: $27.87
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 30 people (0.59 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Short-term on-the-job training
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
24 / 50- Median annual wage: $58,520
- Median hourly wage: $28.14
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 30 people (0.6 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
David Spates // Shutterstock
25 / 50- Median annual wage: $58,960
- Median hourly wage: $28.34
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 110 people (2.07 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
You may also like: Highest-rated Chinese restaurants in Madera
GaudiLab // Shutterstock
26 / 50- Median annual wage: $59,700
- Median hourly wage: $28.70
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 350 people (6.84 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
Andrey_Popov // Shutterstock
27 / 50- Median annual wage: $60,240
- Median hourly wage: $28.96
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 110 people (2.16 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Apprenticeship
Kot500 // Shutterstock
28 / 50- Median annual wage: $60,460
- Median hourly wage: $29.07
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 70 people (1.3 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
Canva
29 / 50- Median annual wage: $61,360
- Median hourly wage: $29.50
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 230 people (4.52 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Apprenticeship
SatawatK // Shutterstock
30 / 50- Median annual wage: $62,250
- Median hourly wage: $29.93
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 60 people (1.28 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
You may also like: Highest-rated ice cream shops in Madera by diners
Canva
31 / 50- Median annual wage: $64,150
- Median hourly wage: $30.84
- Education required: No formal educational credential
- Total employment: 120 people (2.37 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
Canva
32 / 50- Median annual wage: $64,540
- Median hourly wage: $31.03
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 130 people (2.48 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
DenisProduction.com // Shutterstock
33 / 50- Median annual wage: $65,120
- Median hourly wage: $31.31
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 40 people (0.7 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
welcomia // Shutterstock
34 / 50- Median annual wage: $65,270
- Median hourly wage: $31.38
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 40 people (0.76 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
g-stockstudio // Shutterstock
35 / 50- Median annual wage: $65,480
- Median hourly wage: $31.48
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 40 people (0.79 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
You may also like: Closest national parks to Madera
Stock Rocket // Shutterstock
36 / 50- Median annual wage: $65,800
- Median hourly wage: $31.64
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 230 people (4.53 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
Oleg Golovnev // Shutterstock
37 / 50- Median annual wage: $65,820
- Median hourly wage: $31.65
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 190 people (3.84 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
Jacob Lund // Shutterstock
38 / 50- Median annual wage: $66,520
- Median hourly wage: $31.98
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 220 people (4.4 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
SritanaN // Shutterstock
39 / 50- Median annual wage: $66,950
- Median hourly wage: $32.19
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 120 people (2.46 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
Avatar_023 // Shutterstock
40 / 50- Median annual wage: $70,130
- Median hourly wage: $33.72
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 60 people (1.21 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
You may also like: The most expensive homes sold in Madera this year
Canva
41 / 50- Median annual wage: $73,840
- Median hourly wage: $35.50
- Education required: No formal educational credential
- Total employment: 50 people (1.08 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
42 / 50- Median annual wage: $73,960
- Median hourly wage: $35.56
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 100 people (1.94 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
Canva
43 / 50- Median annual wage: $75,110
- Median hourly wage: $36.11
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 130 people (2.62 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Apprenticeship
goodluz // Shutterstock
44 / 50- Median annual wage: $79,830
- Median hourly wage: $38.38
- 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: None
Canva
45 / 50- Median annual wage: $80,560
- Median hourly wage: $38.73
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 60 people (1.12 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
You may also like: Highest-rated restaurants for burgers in the Madera area by diners
pio3 // Shutterstock
46 / 50- Median annual wage: $80,630
- Median hourly wage: $38.77
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 260 people (5.14 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
sculpies // Shutterstock
47 / 50- Median annual wage: $80,700
- Median hourly wage: $38.80
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 140 people (2.72 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
4 PM production // Shutterstock
48 / 50- Median annual wage: $82,070
- Median hourly wage: $39.46
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 150 people (2.94 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
Canva
49 / 50- Median annual wage: $89,330
- Median hourly wage: $42.95
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 50 people (0.99 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
50 / 50- Median annual wage: $94,550
- Median hourly wage: $45.46
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 40 people (0.81 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
You may also like: How gas prices have changed in Madera in the last week
