Nejron Photo // Shutterstock
1 / 50#50. First-line supervisors of gambling services workers
- Median annual wage: $62,060
- Median hourly wage: $29.84
- Total employment: 1,080 people (6.48 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Highest-paying jobs in Atlantic City for high school graduates
For decades, common wisdom held that earning a bachelor's degree would guarantee a high-paying career. Higher education does still seem to be an advantage: A college graduate's average annual salary of $60,000 in 2024 is roughly $20,000 more than that of a high school graduate, and those with bachelor's degrees can typically expect to earn between $630,000 and $900,000 more over the course of a lifetime. However, recent shifts in higher education and the job market have people wondering—with good reason—whether or not a bachelor's degree will really pay off.
According to a 2024 study from the Pew Research Center, 29% of Americans believe obtaining a college degree isn't worthwhile, a trend reflected in shrinking attendance at universities across the nation. Meanwhile, annual college costs have skyrocketed to an average of $38,270 per student in 2025, often necessitating student loans with steep interest rates.
With these factors in mind, it's natural for recent high school graduates to consider vocational opportunities outside of college. Those who do may be pleasantly surprised—many companies have stopped requiring bachelor's degrees for entry-, mid-, and even senior-level positions. And while college graduates' average earnings may be higher, a 2024 report from Launchpad Jobs found that around 1 in 5 nondegree holders out-earn the $70,000 median wages of someone with a bachelor's degree.
Of course, salaries for high school grads vary widely based on job, industry, and location. Stacker used Bureau of Labor Statistics data to find the highest-paying jobs in Atlantic City for high school graduates. The analysis included jobs that listed a high school diploma or had no formal education requirement. Jobs are ranked by their median annual pay as of May 2024, so any jobs without annual compensation figures available were excluded from this analysis.
You may also like: Highest-rated Mexican restaurants in the Atlantic City area by diners
SeventyFour // Shutterstock
2 / 50#49. Cabinetmakers and bench carpenters
- Median annual wage: $62,090
- Median hourly wage: $29.85
- Total employment: 40 people (0.26 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Virrage Images // Shutterstock
3 / 50#48. Motor vehicle operators, all other
- Median annual wage: $62,180
- Median hourly wage: $29.89
- Total employment: 30 people (0.21 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
SritanaN // Shutterstock
4 / 50#47. Industrial machinery mechanics
- Median annual wage: $62,200
- Median hourly wage: $29.91
- Total employment: 190 people (1.12 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
4 PM production // Shutterstock
5 / 50#46. Automotive body and related repairers
- Median annual wage: $62,410
- Median hourly wage: $30.00
- Total employment: 130 people (0.79 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
You may also like: The most expensive homes sold in Atlantic City this year
Zahovaev K // Shutterstock
6 / 50#45. Welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers
- Median annual wage: $62,900
- Median hourly wage: $30.24
- Total employment: 90 people (0.57 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Etaphop photo // Shutterstock
7 / 50#44. Electricians
- Median annual wage: $62,930
- Median hourly wage: $30.26
- Total employment: 690 people (4.14 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Andrey_Popov // Shutterstock
8 / 50#43. Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters
- Median annual wage: $63,190
- Median hourly wage: $30.38
- Total employment: 560 people (3.38 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
GaudiLab // Shutterstock
9 / 50#42. First-line supervisors of office and administrative support workers
- Median annual wage: $63,440
- Median hourly wage: $30.50
- Total employment: 1,960 people (11.78 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Loveischiangrai // Shutterstock
10 / 50#41. First-line supervisors of landscaping, lawn service, and groundskeeping workers
- Median annual wage: $63,570
- Median hourly wage: $30.56
- Total employment: 110 people (0.65 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
You may also like: Lowest-paying jobs in Atlantic City
Bigflick // Shutterstock
11 / 50#40. Correctional officers and jailers
- Median annual wage: $64,460
- Median hourly wage: $30.99
- Total employment: 230 people (1.37 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Rido // Shutterstock
12 / 50#39. Opticians, dispensing
- Median annual wage: $64,940
- Median hourly wage: $31.22
- Total employment: 70 people (0.45 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
ibnu alias // Shutterstock
13 / 50#38. Coin, vending, and amusement machine servicers and repairers
- Median annual wage: $65,020
- Median hourly wage: $31.26
- Total employment: 170 people (1.02 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
4 PM production // Shutterstock
14 / 50#37. Flight attendants
- Median annual wage: $65,500
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Total employment: Not available
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
15 / 50#36. Lodging managers
- Median annual wage: $65,520
- Median hourly wage: $31.50
- Total employment: 110 people (0.66 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
You may also like: Highest-rated brunch restaurants in Atlantic City
Kawin Ounprasertsuk // Shutterstock
16 / 50#35. Locksmiths and safe repairers
- Median annual wage: $65,660
- Median hourly wage: $31.57
- Total employment: 70 people (0.39 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Avatar_023 // Shutterstock
17 / 50#34. Water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators
- Median annual wage: $65,740
- Median hourly wage: $31.60
- Total employment: 140 people (0.82 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
kittirat roekburi // Shutterstock
18 / 50#33. Stationary engineers and boiler operators
- Median annual wage: $65,910
- Median hourly wage: $31.69
- Total employment: 100 people (0.58 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Jacob Lund // Shutterstock
19 / 50#32. Advertising sales agents
- Median annual wage: $66,760
- Median hourly wage: $32.10
- Total employment: 60 people (0.33 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Kot500 // Shutterstock
20 / 50#31. Bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists
- Median annual wage: $67,860
- Median hourly wage: $32.63
- Total employment: 250 people (1.52 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
You may also like: Biggest sources of immigrants to Atlantic City
GolF2532 // Shutterstock
21 / 50#30. Security and fire alarm systems installers
- Median annual wage: $68,030
- Median hourly wage: $32.71
- Total employment: 50 people (0.28 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Oleg Golovnev // Shutterstock
22 / 50#29. First-line supervisors of production and operating workers
- Median annual wage: $69,020
- Median hourly wage: $33.19
- Total employment: 280 people (1.68 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
DenisProduction.com // Shutterstock
23 / 50#28. Chefs and head cooks
- Median annual wage: $69,630
- Median hourly wage: $33.47
- Total employment: 540 people (3.21 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Drazen Zigic // Shutterstock
24 / 50#27. Bus drivers, transit and intercity
- Median annual wage: $70,700
- Median hourly wage: $33.99
- Total employment: 320 people (1.91 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
THINK A // Shutterstock
25 / 50#26. Building cleaning workers, all other
- Median annual wage: $71,970
- Median hourly wage: $34.60
- Total employment: Not available
You may also like: Highest-rated campgrounds in the Atlantic City area by visitors
John Leung // Shutterstock
26 / 50#25. Brickmasons and blockmasons
- Median annual wage: $72,820
- Median hourly wage: $35.01
- Total employment: 70 people (0.4 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Leszek Glasner // Shutterstock
27 / 50#24. Property, real estate, and community association managers
- Median annual wage: $72,870
- Median hourly wage: $35.04
- Total employment: 220 people (1.3 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Stock Rocket // Shutterstock
28 / 50#23. Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products
- Median annual wage: $73,060
- Median hourly wage: $35.13
- Total employment: 520 people (3.11 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
pio3 // Shutterstock
29 / 50#22. Police and sheriff's patrol officers
- Median annual wage: $75,070
- Median hourly wage: $36.09
- Total employment: 1,090 people (6.53 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Syda Productions // Shutterstock
30 / 50#21. Executive secretaries and executive administrative assistants
- Median annual wage: $75,230
- Median hourly wage: $36.17
- Total employment: 230 people (1.38 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
You may also like: Highest-rated restaurants with outdoor seating in Atlantic City by diners
Kmpzzz // Shutterstock
31 / 50#20. Construction and building inspectors
- Median annual wage: $76,080
- Median hourly wage: $36.58
- Total employment: 240 people (1.42 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
4 PM production // Shutterstock
32 / 50#19. First-line supervisors of mechanics, installers, and repairers
- Median annual wage: $76,130
- Median hourly wage: $36.60
- Total employment: 600 people (3.58 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
33 / 50#18. Insurance sales agents
- Median annual wage: $76,830
- Median hourly wage: $36.94
- Total employment: 340 people (2.06 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Irene Miller // Shutterstock
34 / 50#17. Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators
- Median annual wage: $77,020
- Median hourly wage: $37.03
- Total employment: 310 people (1.84 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Paolo Bona // Shutterstock
35 / 50#16. Food service managers
- Median annual wage: $77,160
- Median hourly wage: $37.10
- Total employment: 540 people (3.25 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
You may also like: Closest national parks to Atlantic City
Oil and Gas Photographer // Shutterstock
36 / 50#15. Control and valve installers and repairers, except mechanical door
- Median annual wage: $78,190
- Median hourly wage: $37.59
- Total employment: 40 people (0.22 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
welcomia // Shutterstock
37 / 50#14. Mobile heavy equipment mechanics, except engines
- Median annual wage: $79,560
- Median hourly wage: $38.25
- Total employment: 110 people (0.65 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
g-stockstudio // Shutterstock
38 / 50#13. First-line supervisors of non-retail sales workers
- Median annual wage: $80,860
- Median hourly wage: $38.87
- Total employment: 350 people (2.09 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
39 / 50#12. Claims adjusters, examiners, and investigators
- Median annual wage: $80,940
- Median hourly wage: $38.91
- Total employment: 310 people (1.85 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
brizmaker // Shutterstock
40 / 50#11. Roofers
- Median annual wage: $87,790
- Median hourly wage: $42.21
- Total employment: 100 people (0.62 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
You may also like: Atlantic City's 2025 housing market year in review
rawpixel.com // Shutterstock
41 / 50#10. Real estate brokers
- Median annual wage: $89,990
- Median hourly wage: $43.27
- Total employment: Not available
Ramon Espelt Photography // Shutterstock
42 / 50#9. Home appliance repairers
- Median annual wage: $91,230
- Median hourly wage: $43.86
- Total employment: Not available
HannaTor // Shutterstock
43 / 50#8. Gambling managers
- Median annual wage: $97,550
- Median hourly wage: $46.90
- Total employment: 110 people (0.67 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
mahc // Shutterstock
44 / 50#7. Tile and stone setters
- Median annual wage: $97,830
- Median hourly wage: $47.03
- Total employment: 70 people (0.44 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
sculpies // Shutterstock
45 / 50#6. First-line supervisors of construction trades and extraction workers
- Median annual wage: $98,880
- Median hourly wage: $47.54
- Total employment: 760 people (4.58 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
You may also like: Highest-paying management jobs for people in Atlantic City
Prath // Shutterstock
46 / 50#5. Detectives and criminal investigators
- Median annual wage: $100,470
- Median hourly wage: $48.30
- Total employment: 140 people (0.86 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Kitawit Jitaton // Shutterstock
47 / 50#4. Telecommunications line installers and repairers
- Median annual wage: $103,140
- Median hourly wage: $49.59
- Total employment: 110 people (0.65 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
N_Sakarin // Shutterstock
48 / 50#3. Structural iron and steel workers
- Median annual wage: $111,800
- Median hourly wage: $53.75
- Total employment: 40 people (0.22 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
goodluz // Shutterstock
49 / 50#2. Transportation, storage, and distribution managers
- Median annual wage: $122,550
- Median hourly wage: $58.92
- Total employment: 150 people (0.91 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Ground Picture // Shutterstock
50 / 50#1. First-line supervisors of police and detectives
- Median annual wage: $131,340
- Median hourly wage: $63.15
- Total employment: 290 people (1.76 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
This story features data reporting by Wade Zhou, writing by Cu Fleshman, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 364 metros.
You may also like: Highest-paying jobs in Atlantic City that require a graduate degree
