Highest-paying jobs in Salt Lake City that don't require a college degree
Highest-paying jobs in Salt Lake City that don't require a college degree
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 Salt Lake City 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 Salt Lake City 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.
#50. Precision instrument and equipment repairers, all other
- Median annual wage: $58,430
- Median hourly wage: $28.09
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 50 people (0.06 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
#49. Electricians
- Median annual wage: $59,300
- Median hourly wage: $28.51
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 5,290 people (6.77 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Apprenticeship
#48. Structural iron and steel workers
- Median annual wage: $59,880
- Median hourly wage: $28.79
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 300 people (0.39 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Apprenticeship
#47. Mobile heavy equipment mechanics, except engines
- Median annual wage: $60,680
- Median hourly wage: $29.17
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 1,030 people (1.32 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
#46. Sales representatives of services, except advertising, insurance, financial services, and travel
- Median annual wage: $61,220
- Median hourly wage: $29.44
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 7,940 people (10.16 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#45. Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses
- Median annual wage: $61,450
- Median hourly wage: $29.54
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 480 people (0.62 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#44. Farm equipment mechanics and service technicians
- Median annual wage: $61,520
- Median hourly wage: $29.58
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 60 people (0.07 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
#43. Paramedics
- Median annual wage: $61,560
- Median hourly wage: $29.60
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 520 people (0.67 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#42. Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products
- Median annual wage: $61,650
- Median hourly wage: $29.64
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 8,040 people (10.3 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#41. Millwrights
- Median annual wage: $61,810
- Median hourly wage: $29.72
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 100 people (0.13 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Apprenticeship
#40. First-line supervisors of production and operating workers
- Median annual wage: $61,910
- Median hourly wage: $29.77
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 3,600 people (4.61 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#39. Elevator and escalator installers and repairers
- Median annual wage: $62,170
- Median hourly wage: $29.89
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 210 people (0.27 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Apprenticeship
#38. Executive secretaries and executive administrative assistants
- Median annual wage: $62,340
- Median hourly wage: $29.97
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 2,180 people (2.79 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#37. Industrial machinery mechanics
- Median annual wage: $62,370
- Median hourly wage: $29.99
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 1,620 people (2.08 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
#36. Motorboat mechanics and service technicians
- Median annual wage: $62,400
- Median hourly wage: $30.00
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 50 people (0.06 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
#35. Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters
- Median annual wage: $62,470
- Median hourly wage: $30.03
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 2,510 people (3.21 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Apprenticeship
#34. Maintenance workers, machinery
- Median annual wage: $63,230
- Median hourly wage: $30.40
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 970 people (1.25 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
#33. Lighting technicians
- Median annual wage: $63,370
- Median hourly wage: $30.46
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 140 people (0.17 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Short-term on-the-job training
#32. Construction and building inspectors
- Median annual wage: $63,890
- Median hourly wage: $30.72
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 570 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
#31. Earth drillers, except oil and gas
- Median annual wage: $64,150
- Median hourly wage: $30.84
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 130 people (0.17 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
#30. Crane and tower operators
- Median annual wage: $64,180
- Median hourly wage: $30.85
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 100 people (0.13 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#29. Claims adjusters, examiners, and investigators
- Median annual wage: $64,430
- Median hourly wage: $30.98
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 1,400 people (1.79 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
#28. First-line supervisors of protective service workers, all other
- Median annual wage: $66,000
- Median hourly wage: $31.73
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 70 people (0.09 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#27. Transportation inspectors
- Median annual wage: $66,350
- Median hourly wage: $31.90
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 130 people (0.17 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#26. Police and sheriff's patrol officers
- Median annual wage: $66,940
- Median hourly wage: $32.19
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 2,440 people (3.13 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#25. Aircraft mechanics and service technicians
- Median annual wage: $67,580
- Median hourly wage: $32.49
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 730 people (0.93 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#24. Fire inspectors and investigators
- Median annual wage: $67,890
- Median hourly wage: $32.64
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 50 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
#23. Railroad brake, signal, and switch operators and locomotive firers
- Median annual wage: $68,620
- Median hourly wage: $32.99
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 50 people (0.07 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#22. Aircraft structure, surfaces, rigging, and systems assemblers
- Median annual wage: $69,050
- Median hourly wage: $33.20
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 40 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
#21. Telecommunications equipment installers and repairers, except line installers
- Median annual wage: $69,990
- Median hourly wage: $33.65
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 790 people (1.01 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#20. First-line supervisors of mechanics, installers, and repairers
- Median annual wage: $71,810
- Median hourly wage: $34.52
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 2,520 people (3.22 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#19. First-line supervisors of construction trades and extraction workers
- Median annual wage: $75,050
- Median hourly wage: $36.08
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 5,260 people (6.74 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#18. Boilermakers
- Median annual wage: $75,190
- Median hourly wage: $36.15
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: Not available
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Apprenticeship
#17. Lodging managers
- Median annual wage: $76,430
- Median hourly wage: $36.75
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 140 people (0.18 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#16. Tax preparers
- Median annual wage: $78,010
- Median hourly wage: $37.51
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 850 people (1.1 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#15. Detectives and criminal investigators
- Median annual wage: $79,060
- Median hourly wage: $38.01
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 260 people (0.33 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#14. Electrical power-line installers and repairers
- Median annual wage: $79,870
- Median hourly wage: $38.40
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 180 people (0.23 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
#13. First-line supervisors of non-retail sales workers
- Median annual wage: $82,980
- Median hourly wage: $39.89
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 1,430 people (1.83 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#12. Petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers
- Median annual wage: $85,180
- Median hourly wage: $40.95
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 120 people (0.16 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#11. Transportation, storage, and distribution managers
- Median annual wage: $85,680
- Median hourly wage: $41.19
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 1,300 people (1.67 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#10. First-line supervisors of correctional officers
- Median annual wage: $86,110
- Median hourly wage: $41.40
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 100 people (0.12 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#9. Computer numerically controlled tool programmers
- Median annual wage: $86,440
- Median hourly wage: $41.56
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 120 people (0.15 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#8. Athletes and sports competitors
- Median annual wage: $87,000
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Education required: No formal educational credential
- Total employment: 220 people (0.28 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
#7. Control and valve installers and repairers, except mechanical door
- Median annual wage: $91,450
- Median hourly wage: $43.96
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 120 people (0.15 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#6. First-line supervisors of police and detectives
- Median annual wage: $91,570
- Median hourly wage: $44.02
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 500 people (0.64 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#5. Gas plant operators
- Median annual wage: $94,620
- Median hourly wage: $45.49
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 50 people (0.07 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
#4. First-line supervisors of firefighting and prevention workers
- Median annual wage: $97,320
- Median hourly wage: $46.79
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 350 people (0.44 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#3. Power plant operators
- Median annual wage: $98,750
- Median hourly wage: $47.48
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 60 people (0.07 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
#2. Electrical and electronics repairers, powerhouse, substation, and relay
- Median annual wage: $103,700
- Median hourly wage: $49.85
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 30 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
#1. Commercial pilots
- Median annual wage: $106,180
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 250 people (0.32 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
