Highest-paying jobs in Seattle that don't require a college degree
Highest-paying jobs in Seattle 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 Seattle 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 Seattle 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. Water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators
- Median annual wage: $79,950
- Median hourly wage: $38.44
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 650 people (0.32 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
#49. Airfield operations specialists
- Median annual wage: $80,050
- Median hourly wage: $38.49
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 100 people (0.05 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
#48. Pipelayers
- Median annual wage: $80,730
- Median hourly wage: $38.81
- Education required: No formal educational credential
- Total employment: 740 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
#47. First-line supervisors of protective service workers, all other
- Median annual wage: $81,850
- Median hourly wage: $39.35
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 490 people (0.24 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#46. Paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators
- Median annual wage: $82,310
- Median hourly wage: $39.57
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 70 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
#45. Postmasters and mail superintendents
- Median annual wage: $82,780
- Median hourly wage: $39.80
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 60 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
#44. Lodging managers
- Median annual wage: $84,220
- Median hourly wage: $40.49
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 330 people (0.16 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#43. Electrical and electronics repairers, commercial and industrial equipment
- Median annual wage: $84,300
- Median hourly wage: $40.53
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 650 people (0.32 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
#42. First-line supervisors of mechanics, installers, and repairers
- Median annual wage: $84,310
- Median hourly wage: $40.53
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 7,240 people (3.56 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#41. Tool and die makers
- Median annual wage: $84,430
- Median hourly wage: $40.59
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 870 people (0.42 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
#40. Computer numerically controlled tool operators
- Median annual wage: $84,780
- Median hourly wage: $40.76
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 1,120 people (0.55 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#39. Computer numerically controlled tool programmers
- Median annual wage: $85,190
- Median hourly wage: $40.96
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 530 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
#38. Aircraft mechanics and service technicians
- Median annual wage: $85,250
- Median hourly wage: $40.99
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 4,060 people (1.99 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#37. Boilermakers
- Median annual wage: $85,370
- Median hourly wage: $41.05
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 110 people (0.06 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Apprenticeship
#36. Firefighters
- Median annual wage: $85,510
- Median hourly wage: $41.11
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 3,770 people (1.85 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
#35. Electricians
- Median annual wage: $85,790
- Median hourly wage: $41.24
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 10,060 people (4.94 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Apprenticeship
#34. Construction and building inspectors
- Median annual wage: $86,270
- Median hourly wage: $41.47
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 1,680 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
#33. Crane and tower operators
- Median annual wage: $86,430
- Median hourly wage: $41.55
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 710 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
#32. Milling and planing machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic
- Median annual wage: $86,780
- Median hourly wage: $41.72
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 80 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
#31. Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators
- Median annual wage: $87,220
- Median hourly wage: $41.93
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 3,740 people (1.84 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#30. Brickmasons and blockmasons
- Median annual wage: $89,310
- Median hourly wage: $42.94
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 570 people (0.28 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Apprenticeship
#29. Tool grinders, filers, and sharpeners
- Median annual wage: $89,500
- Median hourly wage: $43.03
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 110 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
#28. First-line supervisors of non-retail sales workers
- Median annual wage: $91,970
- Median hourly wage: $44.21
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 4,460 people (2.19 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#27. Sheet metal workers
- Median annual wage: $92,920
- Median hourly wage: $44.67
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 1,940 people (0.95 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Apprenticeship
#26. Sound engineering technicians
- Median annual wage: $94,060
- Median hourly wage: $45.22
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 170 people (0.09 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Short-term on-the-job training
#25. Control and valve installers and repairers, except mechanical door
- Median annual wage: $94,890
- Median hourly wage: $45.62
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 220 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
#24. Signal and track switch repairers
- Median annual wage: $95,470
- Median hourly wage: $45.90
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 110 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
#23. Media and communication equipment workers, all other
- Median annual wage: $96,370
- Median hourly wage: $46.33
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 90 people (0.04 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Short-term on-the-job training
#22. Gambling managers
- Median annual wage: $97,380
- Median hourly wage: $46.82
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 50 people (0.02 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#21. Structural iron and steel workers
- Median annual wage: $98,190
- Median hourly wage: $47.21
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 1,420 people (0.7 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Apprenticeship
#20. Pile driver operators
- Median annual wage: $100,120
- Median hourly wage: $48.14
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 240 people (0.12 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#19. Property, real estate, and community association managers
- Median annual wage: $101,280
- Median hourly wage: $48.69
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 1,960 people (0.96 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#18. Police and sheriff's patrol officers
- Median annual wage: $102,180
- Median hourly wage: $49.12
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 4,500 people (2.21 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#17. First-line supervisors of construction trades and extraction workers
- Median annual wage: $103,420
- Median hourly wage: $49.72
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 11,710 people (5.75 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#16. Gas plant operators
- Median annual wage: $104,300
- Median hourly wage: $50.15
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 90 people (0.04 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
#15. Ship engineers
- Median annual wage: $104,800
- Median hourly wage: $50.38
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 470 people (0.23 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#14. Captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels
- Median annual wage: $105,910
- Median hourly wage: $50.92
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 750 people (0.37 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#13. Paramedics
- Median annual wage: $106,900
- Median hourly wage: $51.39
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 790 people (0.39 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#12. Fire inspectors and investigators
- Median annual wage: $108,590
- Median hourly wage: $52.21
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 140 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
#11. Electrical and electronics repairers, powerhouse, substation, and relay
- Median annual wage: $109,210
- Median hourly wage: $52.50
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 200 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. Power plant operators
- Median annual wage: $112,420
- Median hourly wage: $54.05
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 120 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
#9. Electrical power-line installers and repairers
- Median annual wage: $112,710
- Median hourly wage: $54.19
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 1,070 people (0.52 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
#8. Insulation workers, mechanical
- Median annual wage: $119,250
- Median hourly wage: $57.33
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 190 people (0.09 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Apprenticeship
#7. First-line supervisors of firefighting and prevention workers
- Median annual wage: $121,640
- Median hourly wage: $58.48
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 1,630 people (0.8 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#6. Transportation, storage, and distribution managers
- Median annual wage: $123,820
- Median hourly wage: $59.53
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 1,820 people (0.89 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#5. Elevator and escalator installers and repairers
- Median annual wage: $126,360
- Median hourly wage: $60.75
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 900 people (0.44 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Apprenticeship
#4. Transportation inspectors
- Median annual wage: $131,360
- Median hourly wage: $63.15
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 300 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
#3. First-line supervisors of police and detectives
- Median annual wage: $134,220
- Median hourly wage: $64.53
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 1,240 people (0.61 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#2. Power distributors and dispatchers
- Median annual wage: $142,150
- Median hourly wage: $68.34
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 90 people (0.04 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
#1. Commercial divers
- Median annual wage: $194,810
- Median hourly wage: $93.66
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 190 people (0.09 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
