Highest paying jobs in Seattle for high school graduates
A high school diploma gives graduates a leg up in the workforce, even if they don't pursue any further education.
The latest Bureau of Labor Statistics data shows that workers over age of 25 with a high school diploma or equivalent earned about 25% more than those without one—$853 a week compared to $682. Diploma holders also faced lower unemployment rates, at 4% in 2022, compared to 5.5% for those who never completed high school.
There are many reasons high-school graduates may choose to not continue on to college—for instance, the cost. Average tuition costs continue to rise, increasing by 1% to 4% last year, depending on the institution type. While higher degrees of education typically pave the way for higher earnings, a college degree isn't necessary for many high-paying jobs. And for many careers, it doesn't make sense to pay to study for years when there are paid apprenticeship or learn-on-the-job programs.
Stacker used Bureau of Labor Statistics data to find the highest-paying jobs in Seattle for those with a high school diploma or equivalent. Jobs are ranked by their annual median salaries as of May 2022. Jobs without available data for annual pay were excluded from this analysis.
Keep reading to see which jobs in your city pay high school graduates the most.
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 production and operating workers
- Median annual wage: $75,030
- Median hourly wage: $36.07
- Total employment: 6,930 people (3.4 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#49. Rail transportation workers, all other
- Median annual wage: $75,270
- Median hourly wage: $36.19
- Total employment: 40 people (0.02 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#48. Executive secretaries and executive administrative assistants
- Median annual wage: $75,620
- Median hourly wage: $36.36
- Total employment: 6,090 people (2.99 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#47. Plant and system operators, all other
- Median annual wage: $76,590
- Median hourly wage: $36.82
- 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
#46. Media and communication workers, all other
- Median annual wage: $77,770
- Median hourly wage: $37.39
- Total employment: 370 people (0.18 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Short-term on-the-job training
#45. Stationary engineers and boiler operators
- Median annual wage: $78,510
- Median hourly wage: $37.75
- Total employment: 230 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
#44. Real estate brokers
- Median annual wage: $78,520
- Median hourly wage: $37.75
- Total employment: Not available
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#43. Bus drivers, transit and intercity
- Median annual wage: $78,720
- Median hourly wage: $37.85
- Total employment: 4,310 people (2.12 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
#42. Claims adjusters, examiners, and investigators
- Median annual wage: $78,810
- Median hourly wage: $37.89
- Total employment: 3,520 people (1.73 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
#41. Subway and streetcar operators
- Median annual wage: $78,830
- Median hourly wage: $37.90
- Total employment: 160 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
#40. Photographic process workers and processing machine operators
- Median annual wage: $78,930
- Median hourly wage: $37.95
- Total employment: 80 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
#39. Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters
- Median annual wage: $78,970
- Median hourly wage: $37.97
- Total employment: 5,880 people (2.89 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Apprenticeship
#38. Food service managers
- Median annual wage: $79,530
- Median hourly wage: $38.23
- Total employment: 1,400 people (0.68 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Short-term on-the-job training
#37. Glaziers
- Median annual wage: $79,540
- Median hourly wage: $38.24
- Total employment: 1,330 people (0.66 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Apprenticeship
#36. Water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators
- Median annual wage: $79,950
- Median hourly wage: $38.44
- 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
#35. Airfield operations specialists
- Median annual wage: $80,050
- Median hourly wage: $38.49
- 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
#34. First-line supervisors of protective service workers, all other
- Median annual wage: $81,850
- Median hourly wage: $39.35
- Total employment: 490 people (0.24 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#33. Paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators
- Median annual wage: $82,310
- Median hourly wage: $39.57
- 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
#32. Postmasters and mail superintendents
- Median annual wage: $82,780
- Median hourly wage: $39.80
- 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
#31. Lodging managers
- Median annual wage: $84,220
- Median hourly wage: $40.49
- Total employment: 330 people (0.16 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#30. First-line supervisors of mechanics, installers, and repairers
- Median annual wage: $84,310
- Median hourly wage: $40.53
- Total employment: 7,240 people (3.56 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#29. Computer numerically controlled tool operators
- Median annual wage: $84,780
- Median hourly wage: $40.76
- 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
#28. Boilermakers
- Median annual wage: $85,370
- Median hourly wage: $41.05
- Total employment: 110 people (0.06 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Apprenticeship
#27. Electricians
- Median annual wage: $85,790
- Median hourly wage: $41.24
- Total employment: 10,060 people (4.94 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Apprenticeship
#26. Construction and building inspectors
- Median annual wage: $86,270
- Median hourly wage: $41.47
- 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
#25. Crane and tower operators
- Median annual wage: $86,430
- Median hourly wage: $41.55
- 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
#24. Milling and planing machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic
- Median annual wage: $86,780
- Median hourly wage: $41.72
- 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
#23. Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators
- Median annual wage: $87,220
- Median hourly wage: $41.93
- 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
#22. Brickmasons and blockmasons
- Median annual wage: $89,310
- Median hourly wage: $42.94
- Total employment: 570 people (0.28 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Apprenticeship
#21. Tool grinders, filers, and sharpeners
- Median annual wage: $89,500
- Median hourly wage: $43.03
- 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
#20. First-line supervisors of non-retail sales workers
- Median annual wage: $91,970
- Median hourly wage: $44.21
- Total employment: 4,460 people (2.19 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#19. Sheet metal workers
- Median annual wage: $92,920
- Median hourly wage: $44.67
- Total employment: 1,940 people (0.95 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Apprenticeship
#18. Control and valve installers and repairers, except mechanical door
- Median annual wage: $94,890
- Median hourly wage: $45.62
- 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
#17. Signal and track switch repairers
- Median annual wage: $95,470
- Median hourly wage: $45.90
- 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
#16. Media and communication equipment workers, all other
- Median annual wage: $96,370
- Median hourly wage: $46.33
- 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
#15. Gambling managers
- Median annual wage: $97,380
- Median hourly wage: $46.82
- Total employment: 50 people (0.02 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#14. Structural iron and steel workers
- Median annual wage: $98,190
- Median hourly wage: $47.21
- Total employment: 1,420 people (0.7 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Apprenticeship
#13. Pile driver operators
- Median annual wage: $100,120
- Median hourly wage: $48.14
- 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
#12. Property, real estate, and community association managers
- Median annual wage: $101,280
- Median hourly wage: $48.69
- Total employment: 1,960 people (0.96 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#11. Police and sheriff's patrol officers
- Median annual wage: $102,180
- Median hourly wage: $49.12
- 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
#10. First-line supervisors of construction trades and extraction workers
- Median annual wage: $103,420
- Median hourly wage: $49.72
- Total employment: 11,710 people (5.75 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#9. Gas plant operators
- Median annual wage: $104,300
- Median hourly wage: $50.15
- 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
#8. Power plant operators
- Median annual wage: $112,420
- Median hourly wage: $54.05
- 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
#7. Electrical power-line installers and repairers
- Median annual wage: $112,710
- Median hourly wage: $54.19
- 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
#6. Insulation workers, mechanical
- Median annual wage: $119,250
- Median hourly wage: $57.33
- Total employment: 190 people (0.09 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Apprenticeship
#5. Transportation, storage, and distribution managers
- Median annual wage: $123,820
- Median hourly wage: $59.53
- Total employment: 1,820 people (0.89 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
#4. Elevator and escalator installers and repairers
- Median annual wage: $126,360
- Median hourly wage: $60.75
- Total employment: 900 people (0.44 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Apprenticeship
#3. Transportation inspectors
- Median annual wage: $131,360
- Median hourly wage: $63.15
- 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
#2. First-line supervisors of police and detectives
- Median annual wage: $134,220
- Median hourly wage: $64.53
- 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
#1. Power distributors and dispatchers
- Median annual wage: $142,150
- Median hourly wage: $68.34
- 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
