Highest-paying jobs in Chattanooga that don't require a college degree
Highest-paying jobs in Chattanooga 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 Chattanooga 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 Chattanooga 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. First-line supervisors of correctional officers
- Median annual wage: $47,780
- Median hourly wage: $22.97
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 50 people (0.19 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#49. Dental laboratory technicians
- Median annual wage: $47,970
- Median hourly wage: $23.06
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 40 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
#48. Heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers
- Median annual wage: $48,150
- Median hourly wage: $23.15
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 5,570 people (22.32 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Short-term on-the-job training
#47. Home appliance repairers
- Median annual wage: $48,350
- Median hourly wage: $23.24
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 30 people (0.14 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#46. Food service managers
- Median annual wage: $48,490
- Median hourly wage: $23.31
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 670 people (2.7 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Short-term on-the-job training
#45. Metal-refining furnace operators and tenders
- Median annual wage: $48,510
- Median hourly wage: $23.32
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 50 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
#44. Massage therapists
- Median annual wage: $48,680
- Median hourly wage: $23.40
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 170 people (0.69 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#43. Surgical technologists
- Median annual wage: $48,760
- Median hourly wage: $23.44
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 260 people (1.05 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#42. Postal service mail sorters, processors, and processing machine operators
- Median annual wage: $49,130
- Median hourly wage: $23.62
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 220 people (0.88 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Short-term on-the-job training
#41. Bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists
- Median annual wage: $49,290
- Median hourly wage: $23.70
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 480 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
#40. Mobile heavy equipment mechanics, except engines
- Median annual wage: $49,440
- Median hourly wage: $23.77
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 330 people (1.31 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
#39. Construction and building inspectors
- Median annual wage: $49,700
- Median hourly wage: $23.89
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 150 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
#38. Postal service mail carriers
- Median annual wage: $49,750
- Median hourly wage: $23.92
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 560 people (2.22 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Short-term on-the-job training
#37. Community health workers
- Median annual wage: $49,900
- Median hourly wage: $23.99
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 40 people (0.16 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Short-term on-the-job training
#36. Lodging managers
- Median annual wage: $50,170
- Median hourly wage: $24.12
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 110 people (0.45 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#35. Insurance sales agents
- Median annual wage: $50,190
- Median hourly wage: $24.13
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 800 people (3.22 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#34. Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters
- Median annual wage: $50,230
- Median hourly wage: $24.15
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 490 people (1.95 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Apprenticeship
#33. Surgical assistants
- Median annual wage: $50,340
- Median hourly wage: $24.20
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 90 people (0.38 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#32. Traffic technicians
- Median annual wage: $51,020
- Median hourly wage: $24.53
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 70 people (0.27 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#31. Property, real estate, and community association managers
- Median annual wage: $51,150
- Median hourly wage: $24.59
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 280 people (1.1 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#30. Computer numerically controlled tool programmers
- Median annual wage: $51,200
- Median hourly wage: $24.61
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 40 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
#29. Transportation inspectors
- Median annual wage: $51,330
- Median hourly wage: $24.68
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 30 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
#28. Telecommunications line installers and repairers
- Median annual wage: $51,470
- Median hourly wage: $24.74
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 150 people (0.59 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
#27. Floor layers, except carpet, wood, and hard tiles
- Median annual wage: $51,940
- Median hourly wage: $24.97
- Education required: No formal educational credential
- Total employment: 30 people (0.14 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#26. Industrial machinery mechanics
- Median annual wage: $52,000
- Median hourly wage: $25.00
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 870 people (3.47 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
#25. Electricians
- Median annual wage: $52,080
- Median hourly wage: $25.04
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 1,410 people (5.66 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Apprenticeship
#24. Telecommunications equipment installers and repairers, except line installers
- Median annual wage: $52,520
- Median hourly wage: $25.25
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 110 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
#23. Chefs and head cooks
- Median annual wage: $52,870
- Median hourly wage: $25.42
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 190 people (0.76 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#22. Maintenance workers, machinery
- Median annual wage: $53,000
- Median hourly wage: $25.48
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 360 people (1.43 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
#21. Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products
- Median annual wage: $53,740
- Median hourly wage: $25.84
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 1,240 people (4.96 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#20. Chemical plant and system operators
- Median annual wage: $53,810
- Median hourly wage: $25.87
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 100 people (0.39 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#19. First-line supervisors of transportation and material moving workers, except aircraft cargo handling supervisors
- Median annual wage: $55,690
- Median hourly wage: $26.77
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 1,340 people (5.36 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#18. Executive secretaries and executive administrative assistants
- Median annual wage: $57,180
- Median hourly wage: $27.49
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 360 people (1.44 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#17. First-line supervisors of office and administrative support workers
- Median annual wage: $58,890
- Median hourly wage: $28.31
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 3,680 people (14.73 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#16. Claims adjusters, examiners, and investigators
- Median annual wage: $60,350
- Median hourly wage: $29.02
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 690 people (2.76 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
#15. Postal service clerks
- Median annual wage: $60,800
- Median hourly wage: $29.23
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 120 people (0.47 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Short-term on-the-job training
#14. Brickmasons and blockmasons
- Median annual wage: $61,210
- Median hourly wage: $29.43
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 130 people (0.53 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Apprenticeship
#13. Detectives and criminal investigators
- Median annual wage: $61,680
- Median hourly wage: $29.65
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 150 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
#12. First-line supervisors of construction trades and extraction workers
- Median annual wage: $62,020
- Median hourly wage: $29.82
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 1,160 people (4.66 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#11. First-line supervisors of firefighting and prevention workers
- Median annual wage: $62,390
- Median hourly wage: $29.99
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 240 people (0.95 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#10. First-line supervisors of production and operating workers
- Median annual wage: $62,620
- Median hourly wage: $30.11
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 1,860 people (7.43 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#9. Crane and tower operators
- Median annual wage: $62,670
- Median hourly wage: $30.13
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 60 people (0.26 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#8. First-line supervisors of mechanics, installers, and repairers
- Median annual wage: $62,850
- Median hourly wage: $30.22
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 960 people (3.83 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#7. First-line supervisors of police and detectives
- Median annual wage: $64,030
- Median hourly wage: $30.78
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 360 people (1.45 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#6. Electrical and electronics repairers, commercial and industrial equipment
- Median annual wage: $66,250
- Median hourly wage: $31.85
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 120 people (0.46 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
#5. Aircraft mechanics and service technicians
- Median annual wage: $81,120
- Median hourly wage: $39.00
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 180 people (0.73 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#4. First-line supervisors of non-retail sales workers
- Median annual wage: $82,090
- Median hourly wage: $39.47
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 520 people (2.09 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#3. Transportation, storage, and distribution managers
- Median annual wage: $94,160
- Median hourly wage: $45.27
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 290 people (1.14 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#2. Power plant operators
- Median annual wage: $100,530
- Median hourly wage: $48.33
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 50 people (0.2 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
#1. Nuclear power reactor operators
- Median annual wage: $103,190
- Median hourly wage: $49.61
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 150 people (0.6 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
