Highest-paying jobs in Racine for high school graduates

·Stacker

Jacob Lund // Shutterstock
Jacob Lund // Shutterstock

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 Racine 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-paying jobs in Racine that require a bachelor's degree

#50. Cutting and slicing machine setters, operators, and tenders

Sergey Ryzhov // Shutterstock

1 / 50

#50. Cutting and slicing machine setters, operators, and tenders

- Median annual wage: $49,530
- Median hourly wage: $23.81
- Total employment: 40 people (0.58 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#49. Real estate sales agents

goodluz // Shutterstock

2 / 50

#49. Real estate sales agents

- Median annual wage: $49,650
- Median hourly wage: $23.87
- Total employment: 80 people (1.05 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#48. Engine and other machine assemblers

John Gress Media Inc // Shutterstock

3 / 50

#48. Engine and other machine assemblers

- Median annual wage: $49,730
- Median hourly wage: $23.91
- Total employment: 30 people (0.4 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#47. Maintenance and repair workers, general

Evgeny Atamanenko // Shutterstock

4 / 50

#47. Maintenance and repair workers, general

- Median annual wage: $50,080
- Median hourly wage: $24.08
- Total employment: 750 people (9.85 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#46. Machinists

BigPixel Photo // Shutterstock

5 / 50

#46. Machinists

- Median annual wage: $50,260
- Median hourly wage: $24.16
- Total employment: 420 people (5.48 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

You may also like: The most expensive neighborhoods in Racine

#45. Construction laborers

Randy Hergenrether // Shutterstock

6 / 50

#45. Construction laborers

- Median annual wage: $51,080
- Median hourly wage: $24.56
- Total employment: 540 people (7.06 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#44. Production, planning, and expediting clerks

G-Stock Studio // Shutterstock

7 / 50

#44. Production, planning, and expediting clerks

- Median annual wage: $51,600
- Median hourly wage: $24.81
- Total employment: 270 people (3.52 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#43. Umpires, referees, and other sports officials

Joseph Sohm // Shutterstock

8 / 50

#43. Umpires, referees, and other sports officials

- Median annual wage: $51,730
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Total employment: 60 people (0.73 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#42. Eligibility interviewers, government programs

Daniel M Ernst // Shutterstock

9 / 50

#42. Eligibility interviewers, government programs

- Median annual wage: $52,150
- Median hourly wage: $25.07
- Total employment: 50 people (0.69 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#40. Automotive body and related repairers

4 PM production // Shutterstock

11 / 50

#40. Automotive body and related repairers

- Median annual wage: $53,040
- Median hourly wage: $25.50
- Total employment: 80 people (1.1 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#39. Dispatchers, except police, fire, and ambulance

DC Studio // Shutterstock

12 / 50

#39. Dispatchers, except police, fire, and ambulance

- Median annual wage: $53,250
- Median hourly wage: $25.60
- Total employment: 80 people (0.99 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#38. Payroll and timekeeping clerks

Andrey_Popov // Shutterstock

13 / 50

#38. Payroll and timekeeping clerks

- Median annual wage: $53,380
- Median hourly wage: $25.66
- Total employment: 60 people (0.82 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#37. Computer numerically controlled tool operators

Gorodenkoff // Shutterstock

14 / 50

#37. Computer numerically controlled tool operators

- Median annual wage: $53,760
- Median hourly wage: $25.85
- Total employment: 420 people (5.54 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#36. Structural metal fabricators and fitters

flywish // Shutterstock

15 / 50

#36. Structural metal fabricators and fitters

- Median annual wage: $54,350
- Median hourly wage: $26.13
- Total employment: 70 people (0.9 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

You may also like: Highest-paying computer and engineering jobs in Racine

#35. Food service managers

Paolo Bona // Shutterstock

16 / 50

#35. Food service managers

- Median annual wage: $55,220
- Median hourly wage: $26.55
- Total employment: 150 people (1.98 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#34. Postal service mail carriers

Erin Deleon // Shutterstock

17 / 50

#34. Postal service mail carriers

- Median annual wage: $56,330
- Median hourly wage: $27.08
- Total employment: 230 people (2.94 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#33. Carpenters

FabrikaSimf // Shutterstock

18 / 50

#33. Carpenters

- Median annual wage: $57,590
- Median hourly wage: $27.69
- Total employment: 240 people (3.16 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#32. Postal service clerks

rlat // Shutterstock

19 / 50

#32. Postal service clerks

- Median annual wage: $57,870
- Median hourly wage: $27.82
- Total employment: 30 people (0.43 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#31. Roofers

brizmaker // Shutterstock

20 / 50

#31. Roofers

- Median annual wage: $58,400
- Median hourly wage: $28.08
- Total employment: 70 people (0.92 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

You may also like: Coat drives near Racine

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

Loveischiangrai // Shutterstock

21 / 50

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

- Median annual wage: $58,700
- Median hourly wage: $28.22
- Total employment: 70 people (0.88 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#29. Chefs and head cooks

DenisProduction.com // Shutterstock

22 / 50

#29. Chefs and head cooks

- Median annual wage: $59,370
- Median hourly wage: $28.54
- Total employment: 50 people (0.62 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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

Joey Chung // Shutterstock

23 / 50

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

- Median annual wage: $60,160
- Median hourly wage: $28.92
- Total employment: 450 people (5.93 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#27. Bill and account collectors

Efired // Shutterstock

24 / 50

#27. Bill and account collectors

- Median annual wage: $60,690
- Median hourly wage: $29.18
- Total employment: 60 people (0.73 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#26. Mobile heavy equipment mechanics, except engines

welcomia // Shutterstock

25 / 50

#26. Mobile heavy equipment mechanics, except engines

- Median annual wage: $60,890
- Median hourly wage: $29.27
- Total employment: 50 people (0.62 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

You may also like: How much house $1 million buys you in Racine

#25. Bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists

Kot500 // Shutterstock

26 / 50

#25. Bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists

- Median annual wage: $61,420
- Median hourly wage: $29.53
- Total employment: 280 people (3.66 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#24. Insurance sales agents

Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

27 / 50

#24. Insurance sales agents

- Median annual wage: $61,510
- Median hourly wage: $29.57
- Total employment: 230 people (3.05 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#23. Cement masons and concrete finishers

Bannafarsai_Stock // Shutterstock

28 / 50

#23. Cement masons and concrete finishers

- Median annual wage: $62,630
- Median hourly wage: $30.11
- Total employment: 130 people (1.75 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#22. Construction and building inspectors

Kmpzzz // Shutterstock

29 / 50

#22. Construction and building inspectors

- Median annual wage: $62,690
- Median hourly wage: $30.14
- Total employment: 40 people (0.49 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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

ALPA PROD // Shutterstock

31 / 50

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

- Median annual wage: $63,720
- Median hourly wage: $30.63
- Total employment: 370 people (4.89 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#19. Lodging managers

Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

32 / 50

#19. Lodging managers

- Median annual wage: $63,930
- Median hourly wage: $30.74
- Total employment: 30 people (0.45 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#18. Executive secretaries and executive administrative assistants

Syda Productions // Shutterstock

33 / 50

#18. Executive secretaries and executive administrative assistants

- Median annual wage: $63,990
- Median hourly wage: $30.76
- Total employment: 100 people (1.24 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#17. Refuse and recyclable material collectors

Virrage Images // Shutterstock

34 / 50

#17. Refuse and recyclable material collectors

- Median annual wage: $65,580
- Median hourly wage: $31.53
- Total employment: 70 people (0.86 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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

GaudiLab // Shutterstock

35 / 50

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

- Median annual wage: $66,210
- Median hourly wage: $31.83
- Total employment: 580 people (7.59 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

You may also like: Cheapest gas stations in Racine

#15. Industrial machinery mechanics

SritanaN // Shutterstock

36 / 50

#15. Industrial machinery mechanics

- Median annual wage: $66,420
- Median hourly wage: $31.93
- Total employment: 460 people (6.0 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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

Stock Rocket // Shutterstock

37 / 50

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

- Median annual wage: $66,700
- Median hourly wage: $32.07
- Total employment: 1,070 people (14.0 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#13. Water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators

Avatar_023 // Shutterstock

38 / 50

#13. Water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators

- Median annual wage: $69,730
- Median hourly wage: $33.52
- Total employment: 40 people (0.5 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#12. Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators

Irene Miller // Shutterstock

39 / 50

#12. Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators

- Median annual wage: $70,910
- Median hourly wage: $34.09
- Total employment: 280 people (3.69 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#10. Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters

Andrey_Popov // Shutterstock

41 / 50

#10. Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters

- Median annual wage: $76,850
- Median hourly wage: $36.95
- Total employment: 240 people (3.1 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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

sculpies // Shutterstock

42 / 50

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

- Median annual wage: $77,710
- Median hourly wage: $37.36
- Total employment: 360 people (4.74 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#8. Public safety telecommunicators

fizkes // Shutterstock

43 / 50

#8. Public safety telecommunicators

- Median annual wage: $77,930
- Median hourly wage: $37.47
- Total employment: 60 people (0.72 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#7. Claims adjusters, examiners, and investigators

Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

44 / 50

#7. Claims adjusters, examiners, and investigators

- Median annual wage: $78,200
- Median hourly wage: $37.60
- Total employment: 70 people (0.86 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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

4 PM production // Shutterstock

45 / 50

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

- Median annual wage: $80,310
- Median hourly wage: $38.61
- Total employment: 330 people (4.26 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

You may also like: Highest-rated dessert shops in the Racine area by diners

#5. Electricians

Etaphop photo // Shutterstock

46 / 50

#5. Electricians

- Median annual wage: $81,600
- Median hourly wage: $39.23
- Total employment: 250 people (3.29 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#4. Police and sheriff's patrol officers

pio3 // Shutterstock

47 / 50

#4. Police and sheriff's patrol officers

- Median annual wage: $85,480
- Median hourly wage: $41.09
- Total employment: 300 people (3.94 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#3. Detectives and criminal investigators

Prath // Shutterstock

48 / 50

#3. Detectives and criminal investigators

- Median annual wage: $90,420
- Median hourly wage: $43.47
- Total employment: 60 people (0.83 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#2. Transportation, storage, and distribution managers

goodluz // Shutterstock

49 / 50

#2. Transportation, storage, and distribution managers

- Median annual wage: $99,420
- Median hourly wage: $47.80
- Total employment: 130 people (1.67 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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

g-stockstudio // Shutterstock

50 / 50

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

- Median annual wage: $106,450
- Median hourly wage: $51.18
- Total employment: 150 people (2.01 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: Biggest sources of immigrants to Racine