Highest-paying jobs in Dallas that don't require a college degree
Highest-paying jobs in Dallas 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 Dallas 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 Dallas 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. Postal service clerks
- Median annual wage: $60,090
- Median hourly wage: $28.89
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 1,220 people (0.32 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Short-term on-the-job training
#49. Bailiffs
- Median annual wage: $60,350
- Median hourly wage: $29.02
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 220 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
#48. Crane and tower operators
- Median annual wage: $60,650
- Median hourly wage: $29.16
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 1,290 people (0.34 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#47. Surgical technologists
- Median annual wage: $60,860
- Median hourly wage: $29.26
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 2,390 people (0.63 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#46. Healthcare practitioners and technical workers, all other
- Median annual wage: $60,880
- Median hourly wage: $29.27
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 590 people (0.16 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#45. Mobile heavy equipment mechanics, except engines
- Median annual wage: $61,060
- Median hourly wage: $29.36
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 4,480 people (1.18 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
#44. First-line supervisors of office and administrative support workers
- Median annual wage: $61,300
- Median hourly wage: $29.47
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 57,710 people (15.17 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#43. Sales representatives of services, except advertising, insurance, financial services, and travel
- Median annual wage: $61,600
- Median hourly wage: $29.62
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 32,510 people (8.54 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#42. First-line supervisors of protective service workers, all other
- Median annual wage: $61,880
- Median hourly wage: $29.75
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 430 people (0.11 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#41. Computer numerically controlled tool programmers
- Median annual wage: $61,970
- Median hourly wage: $29.79
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 410 people (0.11 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#40. Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products
- Median annual wage: $62,120
- Median hourly wage: $29.87
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 29,520 people (7.76 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#39. Insurance appraisers, auto damage
- Median annual wage: $62,260
- Median hourly wage: $29.93
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 740 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
#38. First-line supervisors of production and operating workers
- Median annual wage: $62,270
- Median hourly wage: $29.94
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 17,120 people (4.5 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#37. Hearing aid specialists
- Median annual wage: $62,540
- Median hourly wage: $30.07
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 150 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
#36. Surgical assistants
- Median annual wage: $62,660
- Median hourly wage: $30.13
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 460 people (0.12 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#35. First-line supervisors of farming, fishing, and forestry workers
- Median annual wage: $62,850
- Median hourly wage: $30.21
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 270 people (0.07 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#34. Construction and building inspectors
- Median annual wage: $62,870
- Median hourly wage: $30.23
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 3,400 people (0.89 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#33. Stationary engineers and boiler operators
- Median annual wage: $62,910
- Median hourly wage: $30.24
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 310 people (0.08 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
#32. Tax preparers
- Median annual wage: $63,000
- Median hourly wage: $30.29
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 3,590 people (0.94 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#31. Flight attendants
- Median annual wage: $63,070
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 7,550 people (1.98 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#30. First-line supervisors of construction trades and extraction workers
- Median annual wage: $64,090
- Median hourly wage: $30.81
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 20,610 people (5.42 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#29. Farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural managers
- Median annual wage: $64,150
- Median hourly wage: $30.84
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 60 people (0.02 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#28. Fire inspectors and investigators
- Median annual wage: $65,180
- Median hourly wage: $31.34
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 210 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
#27. Electrical power-line installers and repairers
- Median annual wage: $65,630
- Median hourly wage: $31.55
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 2,300 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
#26. Food service managers
- Median annual wage: $65,890
- Median hourly wage: $31.68
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: Not available
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Short-term on-the-job training
#25. First-line supervisors of mechanics, installers, and repairers
- Median annual wage: $69,710
- Median hourly wage: $33.51
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 16,760 people (4.4 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#24. Cooling and freezing equipment operators and tenders
- Median annual wage: $70,890
- Median hourly wage: $34.08
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 50 people (0.01 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#23. Executive secretaries and executive administrative assistants
- Median annual wage: $71,030
- Median hourly wage: $34.15
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 8,560 people (2.25 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#22. Aircraft structure, surfaces, rigging, and systems assemblers
- Median annual wage: $71,390
- Median hourly wage: $34.32
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 1,970 people (0.52 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#21. First-line supervisors of correctional officers
- Median annual wage: $71,510
- Median hourly wage: $34.38
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 580 people (0.15 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#20. Detectives and criminal investigators
- Median annual wage: $74,970
- Median hourly wage: $36.04
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 2,110 people (0.56 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#19. Lodging managers
- Median annual wage: $75,990
- Median hourly wage: $36.54
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 590 people (0.16 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#18. Wellhead pumpers
- Median annual wage: $76,510
- Median hourly wage: $36.79
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 950 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
#17. Model makers, metal and plastic
- Median annual wage: $76,620
- Median hourly wage: $36.84
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 40 people (0.01 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#16. Claims adjusters, examiners, and investigators
- Median annual wage: $76,700
- Median hourly wage: $36.88
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 9,460 people (2.48 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
#15. Electrical and electronics repairers, powerhouse, substation, and relay
- Median annual wage: $76,750
- Median hourly wage: $36.90
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 720 people (0.19 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#14. Police and sheriff's patrol officers
- Median annual wage: $77,370
- Median hourly wage: $37.20
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 14,210 people (3.74 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#13. Aircraft mechanics and service technicians
- Median annual wage: $78,250
- Median hourly wage: $37.62
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 6,540 people (1.72 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#12. Power distributors and dispatchers
- Median annual wage: $79,140
- Median hourly wage: $38.05
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 90 people (0.02 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
#11. Petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers
- Median annual wage: $79,170
- Median hourly wage: $38.06
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 390 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
#10. First-line supervisors of non-retail sales workers
- Median annual wage: $79,970
- Median hourly wage: $38.45
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 6,460 people (1.7 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#9. First-line supervisors of firefighting and prevention workers
- Median annual wage: $80,150
- Median hourly wage: $38.53
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 2,130 people (0.56 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#8. Gas plant operators
- Median annual wage: $81,540
- Median hourly wage: $39.20
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 270 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
#7. Postmasters and mail superintendents
- Median annual wage: $90,700
- Median hourly wage: $43.61
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 110 people (0.03 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#6. Transportation inspectors
- Median annual wage: $91,280
- Median hourly wage: $43.88
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 1,090 people (0.29 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#5. Media and communication workers, all other
- Median annual wage: $96,000
- Median hourly wage: $46.15
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 260 people (0.07 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Short-term on-the-job training
#4. Transportation, storage, and distribution managers
- Median annual wage: $100,140
- Median hourly wage: $48.14
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 7,130 people (1.87 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#3. Captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels
- Median annual wage: $104,180
- Median hourly wage: $50.09
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 100 people (0.03 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#2. First-line supervisors of police and detectives
- Median annual wage: $104,190
- Median hourly wage: $50.09
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 1,560 people (0.41 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: $119,810
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 2,060 people (0.54 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
