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 Cleveland 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 Cleveland 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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Canva
1 / 50- Median annual wage: $59,140
- Median hourly wage: $28.44
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 6,880 people (6.97 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
2 / 50- Median annual wage: $59,260
- Median hourly wage: $28.49
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 1,920 people (1.94 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Short-term on-the-job training
Leszek Glasner // Shutterstock
3 / 50- Median annual wage: $59,470
- Median hourly wage: $28.59
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 1,790 people (1.82 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
Canva
4 / 50- Median annual wage: $59,980
- Median hourly wage: $28.84
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 60 people (0.06 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
SritanaN // Shutterstock
5 / 50- Median annual wage: $59,990
- Median hourly wage: $28.84
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 2,710 people (2.74 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
6 / 50- Median annual wage: $60,240
- Median hourly wage: $28.96
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 2,150 people (2.17 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: $60,430
- Median hourly wage: $29.05
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 3,940 people (3.99 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Apprenticeship
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
8 / 50- Median annual wage: $60,710
- Median hourly wage: $29.19
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 2,970 people (3.0 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
rlat // Shutterstock
9 / 50- Median annual wage: $60,800
- Median hourly wage: $29.23
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 330 people (0.33 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Short-term on-the-job training
Canva
10 / 50- Median annual wage: $60,980
- Median hourly wage: $29.32
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 3,700 people (3.75 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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Nagy-Bagoly Arpad // Shutterstock
11 / 50- Median annual wage: $61,190
- Median hourly wage: $29.42
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 130 people (0.14 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Apprenticeship
Syda Productions // Shutterstock
12 / 50- Median annual wage: $61,270
- Median hourly wage: $29.46
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 2,560 people (2.59 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
Canva
13 / 50- Median annual wage: $61,480
- Median hourly wage: $29.56
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 530 people (0.54 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
GaudiLab // Shutterstock
14 / 50- Median annual wage: $61,620
- Median hourly wage: $29.63
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 8,350 people (8.45 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
Canva
15 / 50- Median annual wage: $61,740
- Median hourly wage: $29.68
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 70 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
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Canva
16 / 50- Median annual wage: $62,160
- Median hourly wage: $29.88
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 90 people (0.09 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Short-term on-the-job training
BearFotos // Shutterstock
17 / 50- Median annual wage: $62,500
- Median hourly wage: $30.05
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 100 people (0.1 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
Oleg Golovnev // Shutterstock
18 / 50- Median annual wage: $62,830
- Median hourly wage: $30.21
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 5,630 people (5.7 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
19 / 50- Median annual wage: $63,980
- Median hourly wage: $30.76
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 1,910 people (1.94 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
rawpixel.com // Shutterstock
20 / 50- Median annual wage: $64,240
- Median hourly wage: $30.88
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 260 people (0.26 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
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Andrey_Popov // Shutterstock
21 / 50- Median annual wage: $65,140
- Median hourly wage: $31.32
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 1,990 people (2.01 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Apprenticeship
michaeljung // Shutterstock
22 / 50- Median annual wage: $65,800
- Median hourly wage: $31.64
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 50 people (0.05 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
John Leung // Shutterstock
23 / 50- Median annual wage: $65,980
- Median hourly wage: $31.72
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 600 people (0.61 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Apprenticeship
Canva
24 / 50- Median annual wage: $66,510
- Median hourly wage: $31.98
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 80 people (0.08 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Apprenticeship
Susan Law Cain // Shutterstock
25 / 50- Median annual wage: $66,560
- Median hourly wage: $32.00
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: Not available
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Short-term on-the-job training
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Vera Larina // Shutterstock
26 / 50- Median annual wage: $67,860
- Median hourly wage: $32.62
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 580 people (0.59 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Apprenticeship
Stock Rocket // Shutterstock
27 / 50- Median annual wage: $68,380
- Median hourly wage: $32.88
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 12,720 people (12.88 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
28 / 50- Median annual wage: $68,850
- Median hourly wage: $33.10
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 3,280 people (3.32 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
N_Sakarin // Shutterstock
29 / 50- Median annual wage: $70,160
- Median hourly wage: $33.73
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 400 people (0.4 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Apprenticeship
Jat306 // Shutterstock
30 / 50- Median annual wage: $70,560
- Median hourly wage: $33.92
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 270 people (0.28 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Apprenticeship
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kittirat roekburi // Shutterstock
31 / 50- Median annual wage: $70,620
- Median hourly wage: $33.95
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 130 people (0.13 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
SatawatK // Shutterstock
32 / 50- Median annual wage: $71,150
- Median hourly wage: $34.21
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 670 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
sculpies // Shutterstock
33 / 50- Median annual wage: $74,190
- Median hourly wage: $35.67
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 3,120 people (3.16 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
pio3 // Shutterstock
34 / 50- Median annual wage: $74,380
- Median hourly wage: $35.76
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 5,040 people (5.1 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
35 / 50- Median annual wage: $75,810
- Median hourly wage: $36.45
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 200 people (0.2 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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Prath // Shutterstock
36 / 50- Median annual wage: $76,850
- Median hourly wage: $36.95
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 510 people (0.52 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
37 / 50- Median annual wage: $77,690
- Median hourly wage: $37.35
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 100 people (0.1 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
Lovely Bird // Shutterstock
38 / 50- Median annual wage: $79,480
- Median hourly wage: $38.21
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 160 people (0.16 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
santi lumubol // Shutterstock
39 / 50- Median annual wage: $79,660
- Median hourly wage: $38.30
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 560 people (0.57 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
Canva
40 / 50- Median annual wage: $81,500
- Median hourly wage: $39.18
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 580 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
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ALPA PROD // Shutterstock
41 / 50- Median annual wage: $83,230
- Median hourly wage: $40.01
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 80 people (0.08 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Short-term on-the-job training
Luisa Leal Photography // Shutterstock
42 / 50- Median annual wage: $83,920
- Median hourly wage: $40.35
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 400 people (0.4 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
Canva
43 / 50- Median annual wage: $84,040
- Median hourly wage: $40.41
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 50 people (0.05 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
Ken Wolter // Shutterstock
44 / 50- Median annual wage: $86,960
- Median hourly wage: $41.81
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 40 people (0.04 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
goodluz // Shutterstock
45 / 50- Median annual wage: $90,570
- Median hourly wage: $43.54
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 1,080 people (1.09 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
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g-stockstudio // Shutterstock
46 / 50- Median annual wage: $92,630
- Median hourly wage: $44.54
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 1,520 people (1.54 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
Suwin // Shutterstock
47 / 50- Median annual wage: $95,630
- Median hourly wage: $45.98
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 120 people (0.12 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: $96,620
- Median hourly wage: $46.45
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 80 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
Canva
49 / 50- Median annual wage: $99,890
- Median hourly wage: $48.02
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 750 people (0.76 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
Skycolors // Shutterstock
50 / 50- Median annual wage: $100,000
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 450 people (0.46 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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