A high school diploma gives graduates a leg up in the workforce, even if they don't pursue any further education.
The latest Bureau of Labor Statistics data shows that workers over age of 25 with a high school diploma or equivalent earned about 25% more than those without one—$853 a week compared to $682. Diploma holders also faced lower unemployment rates, at 4% in 2022, compared to 5.5% for those who never completed high school.
There are many reasons high-school graduates may choose to not continue on to college—for instance, the cost. Average tuition costs continue to rise, increasing by 1% to 4% last year, depending on the institution type. While higher degrees of education typically pave the way for higher earnings, a college degree isn't necessary for many high-paying jobs. And for many careers, it doesn't make sense to pay to study for years when there are paid apprenticeship or learn-on-the-job programs.
Stacker used Bureau of Labor Statistics data to find the highest-paying jobs in Pueblo for those with a high school diploma or equivalent. Jobs are ranked by their annual median salaries as of May 2022. Jobs without available data for annual pay were excluded from this analysis.
Keep reading to see which jobs in your city pay high school graduates the most.
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 cheap eats in Pueblo by diners
Canva
1 / 50- Median annual wage: $41,300
- Median hourly wage: $19.85
- Total employment: 70 people (1.08 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Short-term on-the-job training
Ruslan Galiullin // Shutterstock
2 / 50- Median annual wage: $41,600
- Median hourly wage: $20.00
- Total employment: 830 people (13.39 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Short-term on-the-job training
Canva
3 / 50- Median annual wage: $41,790
- Median hourly wage: $20.09
- Total employment: 100 people (1.58 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
4 / 50- Median annual wage: $41,940
- Median hourly wage: $20.16
- Total employment: 50 people (0.78 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
Philip Lange // Shutterstock
5 / 50- Median annual wage: $43,080
- Median hourly wage: $20.71
- Total employment: 70 people (1.11 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: Most expensive homes for sale in Pueblo
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
6 / 50- Median annual wage: $44,930
- Median hourly wage: $21.60
- Total employment: 140 people (2.22 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Short-term on-the-job training
Canva
7 / 50- Median annual wage: $45,360
- Median hourly wage: $21.81
- Total employment: 530 people (8.46 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
Stokkete // Shutterstock
8 / 50- Median annual wage: $45,590
- Median hourly wage: $21.92
- Total employment: 330 people (5.25 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Short-term on-the-job training
Canva
9 / 50- Median annual wage: $45,620
- Median hourly wage: $21.93
- Total employment: 50 people (0.73 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
Gorodenkoff // Shutterstock
10 / 50- Median annual wage: $46,340
- Median hourly wage: $22.28
- Total employment: 730 people (11.74 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
You may also like: Coat drives near Pueblo
Canva
11 / 50- Median annual wage: $46,590
- Median hourly wage: $22.40
- 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
Syda Productions // Shutterstock
12 / 50- Median annual wage: $49,040
- Median hourly wage: $23.58
- Total employment: 280 people (4.55 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
G-Stock Studio // Shutterstock
13 / 50- Median annual wage: $49,080
- Median hourly wage: $23.60
- 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
Andrey_Popov // Shutterstock
14 / 50- Median annual wage: $49,080
- Median hourly wage: $23.60
- 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
BearFotos // Shutterstock
15 / 50- Median annual wage: $49,210
- Median hourly wage: $23.66
- Total employment: 40 people (0.69 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
You may also like: Pueblo's 2025 housing market year in review
Canva
16 / 50- Median annual wage: $50,040
- Median hourly wage: $24.06
- Total employment: 280 people (4.57 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Apprenticeship
Canva
17 / 50- Median annual wage: $50,970
- Median hourly wage: $24.50
- 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
18 / 50- Median annual wage: $50,980
- Median hourly wage: $24.51
- 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
19 / 50- Median annual wage: $51,370
- Median hourly wage: $24.70
- 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
20 / 50- Median annual wage: $51,530
- Median hourly wage: $24.78
- Total employment: 40 people (0.7 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
You may also like: Highest-rated Asian restaurants in Pueblo by diners
Erin Deleon // Shutterstock
21 / 50- Median annual wage: $51,710
- Median hourly wage: $24.86
- 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
22 / 50- Median annual wage: $52,330
- Median hourly wage: $25.16
- 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
23 / 50- Median annual wage: $52,430
- Median hourly wage: $25.21
- 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
24 / 50- Median annual wage: $52,800
- Median hourly wage: $25.39
- Total employment: 240 people (3.85 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Apprenticeship
Canva
25 / 50- Median annual wage: $52,990
- Median hourly wage: $25.48
- 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
You may also like: Highest-rated delis in Pueblo by diners
Bigflick // Shutterstock
26 / 50- Median annual wage: $53,210
- Median hourly wage: $25.58
- 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
27 / 50- Median annual wage: $53,390
- Median hourly wage: $25.67
- 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
28 / 50- Median annual wage: $53,530
- Median hourly wage: $25.74
- 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
29 / 50- Median annual wage: $54,990
- Median hourly wage: $26.44
- Total employment: 210 people (3.44 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
Canva
30 / 50- Median annual wage: $55,880
- Median hourly wage: $26.86
- 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
You may also like: Cities with the fastest-growing home prices in the Pueblo metro area
GaudiLab // Shutterstock
31 / 50- Median annual wage: $56,400
- Median hourly wage: $27.11
- 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
32 / 50- Median annual wage: $56,450
- Median hourly wage: $27.14
- 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
Canva
33 / 50- Median annual wage: $56,530
- Median hourly wage: $27.18
- Total employment: 490 people (7.93 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Apprenticeship
Canva
34 / 50- Median annual wage: $57,010
- Median hourly wage: $27.41
- 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
35 / 50- Median annual wage: $57,260
- Median hourly wage: $27.53
- 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
You may also like: Biggest sources of immigrants to Pueblo
Canva
36 / 50- Median annual wage: $58,090
- Median hourly wage: $27.93
- 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
Canva
37 / 50- Median annual wage: $58,690
- Median hourly wage: $28.22
- 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
38 / 50- Median annual wage: $58,760
- Median hourly wage: $28.25
- 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
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
39 / 50- Median annual wage: $61,150
- Median hourly wage: $29.40
- 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
sculpies // Shutterstock
40 / 50- Median annual wage: $64,340
- Median hourly wage: $30.94
- Total employment: 470 people (7.55 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 Pueblo October 2025
SritanaN // Shutterstock
41 / 50- Median annual wage: $66,350
- Median hourly wage: $31.90
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
You may also like: Closest national parks to Pueblo
Oleg Golovnev // Shutterstock
46 / 50- Median annual wage: $77,440
- Median hourly wage: $37.23
- 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
- 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
Canva
48 / 50- Median annual wage: $84,600
- Median hourly wage: $40.67
- 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
- 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
- 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
You may also like: Highest-rated campgrounds in the Pueblo area by visitors
