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 Pueblo 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 Pueblo 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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1 / 50- Median annual wage: $46,590
- Median hourly wage: $22.40
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 290 people (4.7 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
Vitpho // Shutterstock
2 / 50- Median annual wage: $47,370
- Median hourly wage: $22.77
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 500 people (8.1 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Short-term on-the-job training
Freedomz // Shutterstock
3 / 50- Median annual wage: $47,690
- Median hourly wage: $22.93
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 120 people (1.96 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
XiXinXing // Shutterstock
4 / 50- Median annual wage: $47,950
- Median hourly wage: $23.05
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 80 people (1.29 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
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5 / 50- Median annual wage: $47,970
- Median hourly wage: $23.06
- Education required: No formal educational credential
- Total employment: 30 people (0.53 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Short-term on-the-job training
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Syda Productions // Shutterstock
6 / 50- Median annual wage: $49,040
- Median hourly wage: $23.58
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 280 people (4.55 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
Andrey_Popov // Shutterstock
7 / 50- Median annual wage: $49,080
- Median hourly wage: $23.60
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 30 people (0.55 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
G-Stock Studio // Shutterstock
8 / 50- Median annual wage: $49,080
- Median hourly wage: $23.60
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 80 people (1.27 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
BearFotos // Shutterstock
9 / 50- Median annual wage: $49,210
- Median hourly wage: $23.66
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 40 people (0.69 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
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10 / 50- Median annual wage: $50,040
- Median hourly wage: $24.06
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 280 people (4.57 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Apprenticeship
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David Spates // Shutterstock
11 / 50- Median annual wage: $50,630
- Median hourly wage: $24.34
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 160 people (2.55 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
Canva
12 / 50- Median annual wage: $50,970
- Median hourly wage: $24.50
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 110 people (1.84 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
DenisProduction.com // Shutterstock
13 / 50- Median annual wage: $50,980
- Median hourly wage: $24.51
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 80 people (1.33 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
welcomia // Shutterstock
14 / 50- Median annual wage: $51,370
- Median hourly wage: $24.70
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 80 people (1.22 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
Loveischiangrai // Shutterstock
15 / 50- Median annual wage: $51,530
- Median hourly wage: $24.78
- 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
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Erin Deleon // Shutterstock
16 / 50- Median annual wage: $51,710
- Median hourly wage: $24.86
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 160 people (2.64 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Short-term on-the-job training
fizkes // Shutterstock
17 / 50- Median annual wage: $52,330
- Median hourly wage: $25.16
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 70 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
Gorgev // Shutterstock
18 / 50- Median annual wage: $52,430
- Median hourly wage: $25.21
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 40 people (0.6 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
Andrey_Popov // Shutterstock
19 / 50- Median annual wage: $52,800
- Median hourly wage: $25.39
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 240 people (3.85 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Apprenticeship
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20 / 50- Median annual wage: $52,990
- Median hourly wage: $25.48
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 240 people (3.85 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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Bigflick // Shutterstock
21 / 50- Median annual wage: $53,210
- Median hourly wage: $25.58
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 570 people (9.12 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
Akimov Igor // Shutterstock
22 / 50- Median annual wage: $53,390
- Median hourly wage: $25.67
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 40 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
Dmitry Kalinovsky // Shutterstock
23 / 50- Median annual wage: $53,530
- Median hourly wage: $25.74
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 150 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
ALPA PROD // Shutterstock
24 / 50- Median annual wage: $54,990
- Median hourly wage: $26.44
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 210 people (3.44 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
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25 / 50- Median annual wage: $55,880
- Median hourly wage: $26.86
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 70 people (1.19 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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GaudiLab // Shutterstock
26 / 50- Median annual wage: $56,400
- Median hourly wage: $27.11
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 470 people (7.54 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
Stock Rocket // Shutterstock
27 / 50- Median annual wage: $56,450
- Median hourly wage: $27.14
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 370 people (5.96 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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28 / 50- Median annual wage: $56,530
- Median hourly wage: $27.18
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 490 people (7.93 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Apprenticeship
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29 / 50- Median annual wage: $57,010
- Median hourly wage: $27.41
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 50 people (0.8 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Apprenticeship
Kitawit Jitaton // Shutterstock
30 / 50- Median annual wage: $57,260
- Median hourly wage: $27.53
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 40 people (0.57 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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31 / 50- Median annual wage: $58,090
- Median hourly wage: $27.93
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 330 people (5.38 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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32 / 50- Median annual wage: $58,690
- Median hourly wage: $28.22
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 60 people (0.91 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
Kot500 // Shutterstock
33 / 50- Median annual wage: $58,760
- Median hourly wage: $28.25
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 80 people (1.23 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
Jacob Lund // Shutterstock
34 / 50- Median annual wage: $59,160
- Median hourly wage: $28.44
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 210 people (3.32 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
SatawatK // Shutterstock
35 / 50- Median annual wage: $59,950
- Median hourly wage: $28.82
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 100 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
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Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
36 / 50- Median annual wage: $61,150
- Median hourly wage: $29.40
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 230 people (3.66 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: $62,000
- Median hourly wage: $29.81
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 210 people (3.34 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
Canva
38 / 50- Median annual wage: $64,230
- Median hourly wage: $30.88
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: Not available
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
sculpies // Shutterstock
39 / 50- Median annual wage: $64,340
- Median hourly wage: $30.94
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 470 people (7.55 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
Gorodenkoff // Shutterstock
40 / 50- Median annual wage: $66,290
- Median hourly wage: $31.87
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 70 people (1.11 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
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SritanaN // Shutterstock
41 / 50- Median annual wage: $66,350
- Median hourly wage: $31.90
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 370 people (5.93 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
pio3 // Shutterstock
42 / 50- Median annual wage: $66,930
- Median hourly wage: $32.18
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 310 people (5.0 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
43 / 50- Median annual wage: $69,620
- Median hourly wage: $33.47
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 90 people (1.41 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
4 PM production // Shutterstock
44 / 50- Median annual wage: $69,740
- Median hourly wage: $33.53
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 290 people (4.69 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
goodluz // Shutterstock
45 / 50- Median annual wage: $75,050
- Median hourly wage: $36.08
- 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: Moderate-term on-the-job training
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Oleg Golovnev // Shutterstock
46 / 50- Median annual wage: $77,440
- Median hourly wage: $37.23
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 310 people (4.99 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
Prath // Shutterstock
47 / 50- Median annual wage: $79,040
- Median hourly wage: $38.00
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 40 people (0.6 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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48 / 50- Median annual wage: $84,600
- Median hourly wage: $40.67
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 60 people (0.94 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: $86,800
- Median hourly wage: $41.73
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 80 people (1.22 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
Luisa Leal Photography // Shutterstock
50 / 50- Median annual wage: $102,100
- Median hourly wage: $49.09
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 110 people (1.72 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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