Highest-paying jobs in Memphis that don't require a college degree
Highest-paying jobs in Memphis 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 Memphis 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 Memphis 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. Electric motor, power tool, and related repairers
- Median annual wage: $53,890
- Median hourly wage: $25.91
- 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
#49. First-line supervisors of gambling services workers
- Median annual wage: $54,130
- Median hourly wage: $26.02
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 190 people (0.31 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#48. Bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists
- Median annual wage: $54,260
- Median hourly wage: $26.09
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 1,250 people (2.02 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
#47. Surgical assistants
- Median annual wage: $54,690
- Median hourly wage: $26.29
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 200 people (0.32 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#46. Airfield operations specialists
- Median annual wage: $54,860
- Median hourly wage: $26.37
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 490 people (0.78 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
#45. Property, real estate, and community association managers
- Median annual wage: $55,210
- Median hourly wage: $26.55
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 860 people (1.39 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#44. Crane and tower operators
- Median annual wage: $55,560
- Median hourly wage: $26.71
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 190 people (0.3 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#43. Postal service mail carriers
- Median annual wage: $55,630
- Median hourly wage: $26.75
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 1,250 people (2.02 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Short-term on-the-job training
#42. Postal service clerks
- Median annual wage: $56,200
- Median hourly wage: $27.02
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 220 people (0.36 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Short-term on-the-job training
#41. Earth drillers, except oil and gas
- Median annual wage: $56,700
- Median hourly wage: $27.26
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 120 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
#40. Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products
- Median annual wage: $56,740
- Median hourly wage: $27.28
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 3,050 people (4.91 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#39. Firefighters
- Median annual wage: $57,270
- Median hourly wage: $27.54
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 1,260 people (2.02 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
#38. Telecommunications equipment installers and repairers, except line installers
- Median annual wage: $57,470
- Median hourly wage: $27.63
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 520 people (0.83 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#37. Telecommunications line installers and repairers
- Median annual wage: $57,570
- Median hourly wage: $27.68
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 230 people (0.37 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
#36. Heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers
- Median annual wage: $57,690
- Median hourly wage: $27.74
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 16,990 people (27.34 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Short-term on-the-job training
#35. Occupational health and safety technicians
- Median annual wage: $58,070
- Median hourly wage: $27.92
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 90 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
#34. Police and sheriff's patrol officers
- Median annual wage: $59,090
- Median hourly wage: $28.41
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 3,400 people (5.47 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#33. Mobile heavy equipment mechanics, except engines
- Median annual wage: $59,330
- Median hourly wage: $28.53
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 480 people (0.76 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
#32. Paramedics
- Median annual wage: $59,420
- Median hourly wage: $28.57
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 910 people (1.47 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#31. Industrial machinery mechanics
- Median annual wage: $59,520
- Median hourly wage: $28.62
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 1,870 people (3.01 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
#30. Brokerage clerks
- Median annual wage: $59,610
- Median hourly wage: $28.66
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 150 people (0.24 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#29. Plant and system operators, all other
- Median annual wage: $60,070
- Median hourly wage: $28.88
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 50 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
#28. First-line supervisors of office and administrative support workers
- Median annual wage: $60,290
- Median hourly wage: $28.98
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 9,260 people (14.91 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#27. Executive secretaries and executive administrative assistants
- Median annual wage: $60,740
- Median hourly wage: $29.20
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 930 people (1.5 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#26. Electrical and electronics repairers, commercial and industrial equipment
- Median annual wage: $60,770
- Median hourly wage: $29.21
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 120 people (0.19 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
#25. Control and valve installers and repairers, except mechanical door
- Median annual wage: $61,000
- Median hourly wage: $29.33
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 160 people (0.25 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#24. Stationary engineers and boiler operators
- Median annual wage: $61,260
- Median hourly wage: $29.45
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 80 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
#23. First-line supervisors of transportation and material moving workers, except aircraft cargo handling supervisors
- Median annual wage: $61,760
- Median hourly wage: $29.69
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 5,380 people (8.67 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#22. First-line supervisors of correctional officers
- Median annual wage: $61,900
- Median hourly wage: $29.76
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 150 people (0.25 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#21. First-line supervisors of production and operating workers
- Median annual wage: $61,980
- Median hourly wage: $29.80
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 2,990 people (4.82 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#20. First-line supervisors of construction trades and extraction workers
- Median annual wage: $62,790
- Median hourly wage: $30.19
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 2,370 people (3.81 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#19. First-line supervisors of police and detectives
- Median annual wage: $66,110
- Median hourly wage: $31.79
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 850 people (1.38 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#18. Aircraft cargo handling supervisors
- Median annual wage: $67,000
- Median hourly wage: $32.21
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 40 people (0.07 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#17. First-line supervisors of mechanics, installers, and repairers
- Median annual wage: $67,750
- Median hourly wage: $32.57
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 2,150 people (3.46 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#16. Fire inspectors and investigators
- Median annual wage: $68,080
- Median hourly wage: $32.73
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 60 people (0.1 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#15. Claims adjusters, examiners, and investigators
- Median annual wage: $68,410
- Median hourly wage: $32.89
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 520 people (0.84 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
#14. First-line supervisors of firefighting and prevention workers
- Median annual wage: $69,400
- Median hourly wage: $33.37
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 580 people (0.93 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#13. Electrical power-line installers and repairers
- Median annual wage: $72,640
- Median hourly wage: $34.92
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 360 people (0.58 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
#12. Detectives and criminal investigators
- Median annual wage: $72,970
- Median hourly wage: $35.08
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 270 people (0.43 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#11. Elevator and escalator installers and repairers
- Median annual wage: $76,920
- Median hourly wage: $36.98
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 140 people (0.22 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Apprenticeship
#10. Computer numerically controlled tool programmers
- Median annual wage: $77,750
- Median hourly wage: $37.38
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 80 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
#9. Gas plant operators
- Median annual wage: $78,280
- Median hourly wage: $37.64
- 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
#8. First-line supervisors of non-retail sales workers
- Median annual wage: $79,240
- Median hourly wage: $38.10
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 1,140 people (1.84 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#7. Electrical and electronics repairers, powerhouse, substation, and relay
- Median annual wage: $79,880
- Median hourly wage: $38.41
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 40 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
#6. Postmasters and mail superintendents
- Median annual wage: $82,220
- Median hourly wage: $39.53
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 30 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
#5. Aircraft mechanics and service technicians
- Median annual wage: $83,660
- Median hourly wage: $40.22
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 3,270 people (5.27 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#4. Transportation inspectors
- Median annual wage: $89,940
- Median hourly wage: $43.24
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 100 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
#3. Commercial pilots
- Median annual wage: $98,870
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 220 people (0.35 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#2. Transportation, storage, and distribution managers
- Median annual wage: $98,930
- Median hourly wage: $47.56
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 1,270 people (2.04 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#1. Power plant operators
- Median annual wage: $108,990
- Median hourly wage: $52.40
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 70 people (0.11 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
