Highest-paying jobs in Kingsport 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 Kingsport 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.

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Irene Miller // Shutterstock

1 / 50

#50. Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators

- Median annual wage: $46,130
- Median hourly wage: $22.18
- Total employment: 460 people (3.9 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

Andrey_Popov // Shutterstock

2 / 50

#49. Payroll and timekeeping clerks

- Median annual wage: $46,200
- Median hourly wage: $22.21
- Total employment: 100 people (0.83 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

GolF2532 // Shutterstock

3 / 50

#48. Security and fire alarm systems installers

- Median annual wage: $46,250
- Median hourly wage: $22.24
- Total employment: 30 people (0.26 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

Loveischiangrai // Shutterstock

4 / 50

#47. First-line supervisors of landscaping, lawn service, and groundskeeping workers

- Median annual wage: $46,360
- Median hourly wage: $22.29
- Total employment: 50 people (0.46 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

Gorodenkoff // Shutterstock

5 / 50

#46. Surveying and mapping technicians

- Median annual wage: $46,390
- Median hourly wage: $22.30
- Total employment: 40 people (0.35 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

Philip Lange // Shutterstock

6 / 50

#44. Highway maintenance workers (tie)

- Median annual wage: $46,490
- Median hourly wage: $22.35
- Total employment: 160 people (1.34 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

Gorodenkoff // Shutterstock

7 / 50

#44. Computer numerically controlled tool operators (tie)

- Median annual wage: $46,490
- Median hourly wage: $22.35
- Total employment: 90 people (0.79 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

LightField Studios // Shutterstock

8 / 50

#43. Bus drivers, school

- Median annual wage: $47,120
- Median hourly wage: $22.66
- Total employment: 450 people (3.82 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

FabrikaSimf // Shutterstock

9 / 50

#42. Carpenters

- Median annual wage: $47,700
- Median hourly wage: $22.93
- Total employment: 290 people (2.48 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

4 PM production // Shutterstock

10 / 50

#41. Automotive body and related repairers

- Median annual wage: $48,040
- Median hourly wage: $23.10
- Total employment: 130 people (1.09 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

DenisProduction.com // Shutterstock

11 / 50

#40. Chefs and head cooks

- Median annual wage: $48,130
- Median hourly wage: $23.14
- Total employment: 100 people (0.83 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

Avatar_023 // Shutterstock

12 / 50

#39. Water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators

- Median annual wage: $48,340
- Median hourly wage: $23.24
- Total employment: 160 people (1.34 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

Kzenon // Shutterstock

13 / 50

#38. Excavating and loading machine and dragline operators, surface mining

- Median annual wage: $48,550
- Median hourly wage: $23.34
- Total employment: 40 people (0.38 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

Jacob Lund // Shutterstock

14 / 50

#37. Advertising sales agents

- Median annual wage: $49,340
- Median hourly wage: $23.72
- Total employment: 70 people (0.56 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

Zahovaev K // Shutterstock

15 / 50

#36. Welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers

- Median annual wage: $49,400
- Median hourly wage: $23.75
- Total employment: 360 people (3.03 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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manine99 // Shutterstock

16 / 50

#35. Maintenance workers, machinery

- Median annual wage: $49,950
- Median hourly wage: $24.02
- Total employment: 40 people (0.34 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

Vera Larina // Shutterstock

17 / 50

#34. Sheet metal workers

- Median annual wage: $50,380
- Median hourly wage: $24.22
- Total employment: 50 people (0.46 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

pio3 // Shutterstock

18 / 50

#33. Police and sheriff's patrol officers

- Median annual wage: $50,560
- Median hourly wage: $24.31
- Total employment: 640 people (5.41 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

Kot500 // Shutterstock

19 / 50

#32. Bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists

- Median annual wage: $51,700
- Median hourly wage: $24.86
- Total employment: 250 people (2.16 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

Paolo Bona // Shutterstock

20 / 50

#31. Food service managers

- Median annual wage: $53,160
- Median hourly wage: $25.56
- Total employment: 210 people (1.77 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

Kmpzzz // Shutterstock

21 / 50

#30. Construction and building inspectors

- Median annual wage: $53,410
- Median hourly wage: $25.68
- Total employment: 90 people (0.75 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

Joey Chung // Shutterstock

22 / 50

#29. Sales representatives of services, except advertising, insurance, financial services, and travel

- Median annual wage: $54,990
- Median hourly wage: $26.44
- Total employment: 470 people (4.02 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

Erin Deleon // Shutterstock

23 / 50

#28. Postal service mail carriers

- Median annual wage: $55,540
- Median hourly wage: $26.70
- Total employment: 380 people (3.23 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

G-Stock Studio // Shutterstock

24 / 50

#27. Production, planning, and expediting clerks

- Median annual wage: $55,590
- Median hourly wage: $26.72
- Total employment: 600 people (5.14 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

Jat306 // Shutterstock

25 / 50

#26. Millwrights

- Median annual wage: $55,600
- Median hourly wage: $26.73
- Total employment: 30 people (0.29 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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BigPixel Photo // Shutterstock

26 / 50

#25. Machinists

- Median annual wage: $55,610
- Median hourly wage: $26.74
- Total employment: 370 people (3.12 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

ALPA PROD // Shutterstock

27 / 50

#24. First-line supervisors of transportation and material moving workers, except aircraft cargo handling supervisors

- Median annual wage: $55,680
- Median hourly wage: $26.77
- Total employment: 490 people (4.16 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

Leszek Glasner // Shutterstock

28 / 50

#23. Property, real estate, and community association managers

- Median annual wage: $55,970
- Median hourly wage: $26.91
- Total employment: 60 people (0.48 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

Gorgev // Shutterstock

29 / 50

#22. First-line supervisors of security workers

- Median annual wage: $56,140
- Median hourly wage: $26.99
- Total employment: 40 people (0.37 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

Etaphop photo // Shutterstock

30 / 50

#21. Electricians

- Median annual wage: $58,310
- Median hourly wage: $28.03
- Total employment: 710 people (6.02 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

welcomia // Shutterstock

31 / 50

#20. Mobile heavy equipment mechanics, except engines

- Median annual wage: $58,530
- Median hourly wage: $28.14
- Total employment: 100 people (0.84 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

GaudiLab // Shutterstock

32 / 50

#19. First-line supervisors of office and administrative support workers

- Median annual wage: $58,840
- Median hourly wage: $28.29
- Total employment: 1,360 people (11.57 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

Stock Rocket // Shutterstock

33 / 50

#18. Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products

- Median annual wage: $59,070
- Median hourly wage: $28.40
- Total employment: 690 people (5.83 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

rlat // Shutterstock

34 / 50

#17. Postal service clerks

- Median annual wage: $59,550
- Median hourly wage: $28.63
- Total employment: 60 people (0.49 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

Carolina K. Smith MD // Shutterstock

35 / 50

#16. Transportation security screeners

- Median annual wage: $59,950
- Median hourly wage: $28.82
- Total employment: 40 people (0.37 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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Andrey_Popov // Shutterstock

36 / 50

#15. Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters

- Median annual wage: $59,980
- Median hourly wage: $28.84
- Total employment: 370 people (3.12 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

Syda Productions // Shutterstock

37 / 50

#14. Executive secretaries and executive administrative assistants

- Median annual wage: $60,500
- Median hourly wage: $29.09
- Total employment: 150 people (1.27 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

John Leung // Shutterstock

38 / 50

#13. Brickmasons and blockmasons

- Median annual wage: $60,860
- Median hourly wage: $29.26
- Total employment: 50 people (0.43 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

Ground Picture // Shutterstock

39 / 50

#12. First-line supervisors of police and detectives

- Median annual wage: $64,090
- Median hourly wage: $30.81
- Total employment: 200 people (1.7 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

Kitawit Jitaton // Shutterstock

40 / 50

#11. Telecommunications line installers and repairers

- Median annual wage: $67,130
- Median hourly wage: $32.27
- Total employment: 200 people (1.73 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

sculpies // Shutterstock

41 / 50

#10. First-line supervisors of construction trades and extraction workers

- Median annual wage: $67,210
- Median hourly wage: $32.31
- Total employment: 670 people (5.66 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

Oil and Gas Photographer // Shutterstock

42 / 50

#9. Control and valve installers and repairers, except mechanical door

- Median annual wage: $67,750
- Median hourly wage: $32.57
- Total employment: 70 people (0.58 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

SritanaN // Shutterstock

43 / 50

#8. Industrial machinery mechanics

- Median annual wage: $68,580
- Median hourly wage: $32.97
- Total employment: 900 people (7.62 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

4 PM production // Shutterstock

44 / 50

#7. First-line supervisors of mechanics, installers, and repairers

- Median annual wage: $68,830
- Median hourly wage: $33.09
- Total employment: 510 people (4.3 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

Prath // Shutterstock

45 / 50

#6. Detectives and criminal investigators

- Median annual wage: $70,520
- Median hourly wage: $33.90
- Total employment: 90 people (0.73 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

46 / 50

#5. Claims adjusters, examiners, and investigators

- Median annual wage: $72,550
- Median hourly wage: $34.88
- Total employment: 60 people (0.54 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

Oleg Golovnev // Shutterstock

47 / 50

#4. First-line supervisors of production and operating workers

- Median annual wage: $75,020
- Median hourly wage: $36.07
- Total employment: 870 people (7.44 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

g-stockstudio // Shutterstock

48 / 50

#3. First-line supervisors of non-retail sales workers

- Median annual wage: $83,680
- Median hourly wage: $40.23
- Total employment: 140 people (1.23 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

Luisa Leal Photography // Shutterstock

49 / 50

#2. Electrical power-line installers and repairers

- Median annual wage: $84,820
- Median hourly wage: $40.78
- Total employment: 110 people (0.93 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

goodluz // Shutterstock

50 / 50

#1. Transportation, storage, and distribution managers

- Median annual wage: $95,310
- Median hourly wage: $45.82
- Total employment: 140 people (1.18 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.