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 Carbondale 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 Carbondale 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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Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
1 / 50- Median annual wage: $40,260
- Median hourly wage: $19.36
- 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
G-Stock Studio // Shutterstock
2 / 50- Median annual wage: $41,350
- Median hourly wage: $19.88
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 80 people (1.56 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
Freedomz // Shutterstock
3 / 50- Median annual wage: $41,780
- Median hourly wage: $20.09
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 80 people (1.63 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
ALPA PROD // Shutterstock
4 / 50- Median annual wage: $42,350
- Median hourly wage: $20.36
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 150 people (2.93 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
Canva
5 / 50- Median annual wage: $43,280
- Median hourly wage: $20.81
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 960 people (18.37 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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New Africa // Shutterstock
6 / 50- Median annual wage: $43,750
- Median hourly wage: $21.04
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 50 people (0.96 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
nullplus // Shutterstock
7 / 50- Median annual wage: $43,890
- Median hourly wage: $21.10
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 410 people (7.91 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Short-term on-the-job training
SatawatK // Shutterstock
8 / 50- Median annual wage: $43,890
- Median hourly wage: $21.10
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 70 people (1.31 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
9 / 50- Median annual wage: $44,280
- Median hourly wage: $21.29
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 330 people (6.34 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Short-term on-the-job training
XiXinXing // Shutterstock
10 / 50- Median annual wage: $45,300
- Median hourly wage: $21.78
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 140 people (2.73 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
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Africa Studio // Shutterstock
11 / 50- Median annual wage: $45,630
- Median hourly wage: $21.94
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- 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
Gerain0812 // Shutterstock
12 / 50- Median annual wage: $46,610
- Median hourly wage: $22.41
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 110 people (2.08 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
Canva
13 / 50- Median annual wage: $46,840
- Median hourly wage: $22.52
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 120 people (2.38 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
Stokkete // Shutterstock
14 / 50- Median annual wage: $46,950
- Median hourly wage: $22.57
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 50 people (0.98 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Short-term on-the-job training
Vitpho // Shutterstock
15 / 50- Median annual wage: $47,390
- Median hourly wage: $22.79
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 530 people (10.11 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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Canva
16 / 50- Median annual wage: $48,220
- Median hourly wage: $23.18
- Education required: No formal educational credential
- Total employment: 90 people (1.69 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Short-term on-the-job training
David Spates // Shutterstock
17 / 50- Median annual wage: $48,680
- Median hourly wage: $23.41
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 140 people (2.61 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: $48,890
- Median hourly wage: $23.50
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 60 people (1.17 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
Stock Rocket // Shutterstock
19 / 50- Median annual wage: $50,060
- Median hourly wage: $24.07
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 230 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
Jacob Lund // Shutterstock
20 / 50- Median annual wage: $50,150
- Median hourly wage: $24.11
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 500 people (9.51 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
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Leszek Glasner // Shutterstock
21 / 50- Median annual wage: $50,340
- Median hourly wage: $24.20
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 50 people (0.94 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
DGLimages // Shutterstock
22 / 50- Median annual wage: $51,190
- Median hourly wage: $24.61
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 40 people (0.85 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
GaudiLab // Shutterstock
23 / 50- Median annual wage: $51,480
- Median hourly wage: $24.75
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 380 people (7.18 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
Syda Productions // Shutterstock
24 / 50- Median annual wage: $51,550
- Median hourly wage: $24.79
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 160 people (3.0 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
Erin Deleon // Shutterstock
25 / 50- Median annual wage: $51,710
- Median hourly wage: $24.86
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 160 people (2.99 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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Canva
26 / 50- Median annual wage: $52,130
- Median hourly wage: $25.06
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 70 people (1.38 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
fizkes // Shutterstock
27 / 50- Median annual wage: $52,870
- Median hourly wage: $25.42
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 80 people (1.48 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
Philip Lange // Shutterstock
28 / 50- Median annual wage: $55,460
- Median hourly wage: $26.67
- 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
Kot500 // Shutterstock
29 / 50- Median annual wage: $55,560
- Median hourly wage: $26.71
- 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: Long-term on-the-job training
Bigflick // Shutterstock
30 / 50- Median annual wage: $56,660
- Median hourly wage: $27.24
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 150 people (2.88 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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SritanaN // Shutterstock
31 / 50- Median annual wage: $57,020
- Median hourly wage: $27.41
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 50 people (1.0 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: $57,980
- Median hourly wage: $27.88
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 160 people (3.15 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
rlat // Shutterstock
33 / 50- Median annual wage: $58,220
- Median hourly wage: $27.99
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 40 people (0.8 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Short-term on-the-job training
welcomia // Shutterstock
34 / 50- Median annual wage: $58,460
- Median hourly wage: $28.11
- 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
Paolo Bona // Shutterstock
35 / 50- Median annual wage: $58,630
- Median hourly wage: $28.19
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 100 people (1.85 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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Canva
36 / 50- Median annual wage: $58,680
- Median hourly wage: $28.21
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 40 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
Avatar_023 // Shutterstock
37 / 50- Median annual wage: $58,750
- Median hourly wage: $28.25
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 110 people (2.2 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
Oleg Golovnev // Shutterstock
38 / 50- Median annual wage: $58,870
- Median hourly wage: $28.31
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 220 people (4.31 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
Canva
39 / 50- Median annual wage: $62,880
- Median hourly wage: $30.23
- Education required: No formal educational credential
- Total employment: 40 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
pio3 // Shutterstock
40 / 50- Median annual wage: $63,710
- Median hourly wage: $30.63
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 350 people (6.72 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: $63,760
- Median hourly wage: $30.66
- Education required: No formal educational credential
- Total employment: 340 people (6.48 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Short-term on-the-job training
Canva
42 / 50- Median annual wage: $65,370
- Median hourly wage: $31.43
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 80 people (1.56 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
43 / 50- Median annual wage: $65,970
- Median hourly wage: $31.72
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 190 people (3.66 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
Canva
44 / 50- Median annual wage: $73,760
- Median hourly wage: $35.46
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 180 people (3.44 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Apprenticeship
Canva
45 / 50- Median annual wage: $78,420
- Median hourly wage: $37.70
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 200 people (3.86 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
46 / 50- Median annual wage: $79,110
- Median hourly wage: $38.04
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 160 people (2.98 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Apprenticeship
sculpies // Shutterstock
47 / 50- Median annual wage: $79,390
- Median hourly wage: $38.17
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 130 people (2.51 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
Vera Larina // Shutterstock
48 / 50- Median annual wage: $81,140
- Median hourly wage: $39.01
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 50 people (0.9 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Apprenticeship
Andrey_Popov // Shutterstock
49 / 50- Median annual wage: $87,140
- Median hourly wage: $41.89
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 140 people (2.74 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Apprenticeship
Canva
50 / 50- Median annual wage: $87,200
- Median hourly wage: $41.92
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 60 people (1.23 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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