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 Denver 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 Denver 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.
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Pressmaster // Shutterstock
1 / 50- Median annual wage: $65,010
- Median hourly wage: $31.25
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 1,030 people (0.66 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
2 / 50- Median annual wage: $65,070
- Median hourly wage: $31.29
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 110 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
SatawatK // Shutterstock
3 / 50- Median annual wage: $65,580
- Median hourly wage: $31.53
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 2,510 people (1.62 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
Canva
4 / 50- Median annual wage: $65,740
- Median hourly wage: $31.61
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 340 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
Wipas Rojjanakard // Shutterstock
5 / 50- Median annual wage: $66,060
- Median hourly wage: $31.76
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 140 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
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wavebreakmedia // Shutterstock
6 / 50- Median annual wage: $66,320
- Median hourly wage: $31.88
- 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
Canva
7 / 50- Median annual wage: $66,740
- Median hourly wage: $32.09
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 2,610 people (1.68 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
Canva
8 / 50- Median annual wage: $67,110
- Median hourly wage: $32.27
- Education required: No formal educational credential
- Total employment: Not available
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Short-term on-the-job training
Oleg Golovnev // Shutterstock
9 / 50- Median annual wage: $67,510
- Median hourly wage: $32.46
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 4,430 people (2.85 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
Olena Yakobchuk // Shutterstock
10 / 50- Median annual wage: $67,560
- Median hourly wage: $32.48
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: Not available
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
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GaudiLab // Shutterstock
11 / 50- Median annual wage: $67,600
- Median hourly wage: $32.50
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 14,930 people (9.63 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
Canva
12 / 50- Median annual wage: $70,100
- Median hourly wage: $33.70
- Education required: No formal educational credential
- Total employment: 220 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
Nicola Forenza // Shutterstock
13 / 50- Median annual wage: $71,000
- Median hourly wage: $34.13
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 1,060 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
Stock Rocket // Shutterstock
14 / 50- Median annual wage: $71,960
- Median hourly wage: $34.59
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 18,720 people (12.07 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
kittirat roekburi // Shutterstock
15 / 50- Median annual wage: $72,220
- Median hourly wage: $34.72
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 380 people (0.24 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
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Canva
16 / 50- Median annual wage: $72,800
- Median hourly wage: $35.00
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 210 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
Paolo Bona // Shutterstock
17 / 50- Median annual wage: $73,230
- Median hourly wage: $35.21
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 600 people (0.39 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Short-term on-the-job training
Canva
18 / 50- Median annual wage: $74,060
- Median hourly wage: $35.61
- 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: Short-term on-the-job training
rawpixel.com // Shutterstock
19 / 50- Median annual wage: $74,630
- Median hourly wage: $35.88
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: Not available
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
Guiderom // Shutterstock
20 / 50- Median annual wage: $74,630
- Median hourly wage: $35.88
- 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
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21 / 50- Median annual wage: $74,630
- Median hourly wage: $35.88
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 1,060 people (0.68 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
santi lumubol // Shutterstock
22 / 50- Median annual wage: $75,660
- Median hourly wage: $36.37
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 1,770 people (1.14 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
23 / 50- Median annual wage: $76,550
- Median hourly wage: $36.80
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 3,150 people (2.03 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
sculpies // Shutterstock
24 / 50- Median annual wage: $77,370
- Median hourly wage: $37.20
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 11,480 people (7.4 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
4 PM production // Shutterstock
25 / 50- Median annual wage: $77,670
- Median hourly wage: $37.34
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 6,550 people (4.22 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
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Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
26 / 50- Median annual wage: $78,030
- Median hourly wage: $37.52
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 320 people (0.21 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
Lovely Bird // Shutterstock
27 / 50- Median annual wage: $78,300
- Median hourly wage: $37.65
- 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: Long-term on-the-job training
Canva
28 / 50- Median annual wage: $80,000
- Median hourly wage: $38.46
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 950 people (0.61 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
Canva
29 / 50- Median annual wage: $80,020
- Median hourly wage: $38.47
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 350 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
Canva
30 / 50- Median annual wage: $80,220
- Median hourly wage: $38.57
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 2,380 people (1.53 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
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Christian Lagerek // Shutterstock
31 / 50- Median annual wage: $82,270
- Median hourly wage: $39.55
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 180 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
Canva
32 / 50- Median annual wage: $82,450
- Median hourly wage: $39.64
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 27,230 people (17.56 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
Rebekah Zemansky // Shutterstock
33 / 50- Median annual wage: $82,720
- Median hourly wage: $39.77
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 240 people (0.15 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
Luisa Leal Photography // Shutterstock
34 / 50- Median annual wage: $82,750
- Median hourly wage: $39.79
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 1,320 people (0.85 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
Ken Wolter // Shutterstock
35 / 50- Median annual wage: $82,760
- Median hourly wage: $39.79
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 40 people (0.02 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
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goodluz // Shutterstock
36 / 50- Median annual wage: $83,990
- Median hourly wage: $40.38
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 3,920 people (2.53 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
Canva
37 / 50- Median annual wage: $84,960
- Median hourly wage: $40.85
- 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
g-stockstudio // Shutterstock
38 / 50- Median annual wage: $91,010
- Median hourly wage: $43.76
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 4,930 people (3.18 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
pio3 // Shutterstock
39 / 50- Median annual wage: $93,160
- Median hourly wage: $44.79
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 5,220 people (3.36 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
Prath // Shutterstock
40 / 50- Median annual wage: $103,000
- Median hourly wage: $49.52
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 1,140 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
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Canva
41 / 50- Median annual wage: $103,160
- Median hourly wage: $49.60
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 560 people (0.36 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
Oil and Gas Photographer // Shutterstock
42 / 50- Median annual wage: $103,520
- Median hourly wage: $49.77
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 360 people (0.23 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
Canva
43 / 50- Median annual wage: $104,640
- Median hourly wage: $50.31
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 470 people (0.3 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Apprenticeship
michaeljung // Shutterstock
44 / 50- Median annual wage: $105,640
- Median hourly wage: $50.79
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 120 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
Leszek Glasner // Shutterstock
45 / 50- Median annual wage: $107,620
- Median hourly wage: $51.74
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 1,560 people (1.01 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
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Suwin // Shutterstock
46 / 50- Median annual wage: $108,610
- Median hourly wage: $52.22
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 120 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
Skycolors // Shutterstock
47 / 50- Median annual wage: $109,200
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 920 people (0.59 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
Canva
48 / 50- Median annual wage: $117,660
- Median hourly wage: $56.57
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 1,040 people (0.67 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
goodluz // Shutterstock
49 / 50- Median annual wage: $121,110
- Median hourly wage: $58.23
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 950 people (0.61 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
Canva
50 / 50- Median annual wage: $215,530
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Education required: No formal educational credential
- Total employment: 260 people (0.17 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
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