Highest-paying jobs in Durham that don't require a college degree

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August 23, 2023
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Highest-paying jobs in Durham 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 Durham 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 Durham 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. Skincare specialists

- Median annual wage: $52,000
- Median hourly wage: $25.00
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 100 people (0.3 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None

#49. Opticians, dispensing

- Median annual wage: $52,240
- Median hourly wage: $25.11
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 90 people (0.28 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training

#48. Media and communication workers, all other

- Median annual wage: $52,820
- Median hourly wage: $25.39
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 40 people (0.14 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Short-term on-the-job training

#47. Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses

- Median annual wage: $54,810
- Median hourly wage: $26.35
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 980 people (3.0 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None

#46. Payroll and timekeeping clerks

- Median annual wage: $55,210
- Median hourly wage: $26.55
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 290 people (0.87 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training

#45. 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: 1,050 people (3.2 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None

#44. Electricians

- Median annual wage: $55,710
- Median hourly wage: $26.78
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 1,090 people (3.32 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Apprenticeship

#43. Telecommunications line installers and repairers

- Median annual wage: $55,780
- Median hourly wage: $26.82
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: Not available
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training

#41. Massage therapists (tie)

- Median annual wage: $56,190
- Median hourly wage: $27.01
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 80 people (0.25 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None

#41. Exercise trainers and group fitness instructors (tie)

- Median annual wage: $56,190
- Median hourly wage: $27.01
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 500 people (1.53 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Short-term on-the-job training

#40. Jewelers and precious stone and metal workers

- Median annual wage: $57,530
- Median hourly wage: $27.66
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 40 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

#39. Postal service mail carriers

- Median annual wage: $57,620
- Median hourly wage: $27.70
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 560 people (1.71 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Short-term on-the-job training

#38. First-line supervisors of security workers

- Median annual wage: $57,710
- Median hourly wage: $27.75
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 150 people (0.47 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None

#37. Postal service clerks

- Median annual wage: $58,220
- Median hourly wage: $27.99
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 100 people (0.29 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Short-term on-the-job training

#36. Executive secretaries and executive administrative assistants

- Median annual wage: $58,550
- Median hourly wage: $28.15
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 1,580 people (4.83 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None

#35. Chefs and head cooks

- Median annual wage: $58,750
- Median hourly wage: $28.25
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 230 people (0.7 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None

#34. Industrial machinery mechanics

- Median annual wage: $59,240
- Median hourly wage: $28.48
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 440 people (1.34 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training

#33. Crane and tower operators

- Median annual wage: $59,280
- Median hourly wage: $28.50
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 30 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

#32. Tax preparers

- Median annual wage: $59,510
- Median hourly wage: $28.61
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 140 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

#31. Detectives and criminal investigators

- Median annual wage: $59,910
- Median hourly wage: $28.80
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 200 people (0.62 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training

#30. Control and valve installers and repairers, except mechanical door

- Median annual wage: $60,430
- Median hourly wage: $29.05
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 60 people (0.18 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training

#29. Occupational health and safety technicians

- Median annual wage: $60,450
- Median hourly wage: $29.06
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 70 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

#28. Chemical equipment operators and tenders

- Median annual wage: $60,580
- Median hourly wage: $29.13
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 470 people (1.43 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training

#27. Food service managers

- Median annual wage: $61,060
- Median hourly wage: $29.36
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 450 people (1.37 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Short-term on-the-job training

#26. First-line supervisors of correctional officers

- Median annual wage: $61,120
- Median hourly wage: $29.39
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 40 people (0.13 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None

#25. First-line supervisors of firefighting and prevention workers

- Median annual wage: $61,350
- Median hourly wage: $29.49
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 140 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

#24. Stationary engineers and boiler operators

- Median annual wage: $61,740
- Median hourly wage: $29.68
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 50 people (0.15 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training

#23. Maintenance workers, machinery

- Median annual wage: $62,060
- Median hourly wage: $29.84
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 170 people (0.51 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training

#22. Real estate brokers

- Median annual wage: $62,210
- Median hourly wage: $29.91
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: Not available
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None

#21. First-line supervisors of office and administrative support workers

- Median annual wage: $62,600
- Median hourly wage: $30.10
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 2,640 people (8.07 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None

#20. Electrical and electronics repairers, powerhouse, substation, and relay

- Median annual wage: $62,780
- Median hourly wage: $30.19
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 80 people (0.23 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training

#19. Construction and building inspectors

- Median annual wage: $62,960
- Median hourly wage: $30.27
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 250 people (0.76 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training

#18. Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products

- Median annual wage: $63,010
- Median hourly wage: $30.29
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 1,850 people (5.65 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training

#17. Telecommunications equipment installers and repairers, except line installers

- Median annual wage: $63,470
- Median hourly wage: $30.51
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 220 people (0.68 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training

#16. First-line supervisors of production and operating workers

- Median annual wage: $63,490
- Median hourly wage: $30.52
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 920 people (2.8 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None

#15. First-line supervisors of farming, fishing, and forestry workers

- Median annual wage: $64,290
- Median hourly wage: $30.91
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 80 people (0.24 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None

#14. First-line supervisors of construction trades and extraction workers

- Median annual wage: $64,440
- Median hourly wage: $30.98
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 1,200 people (3.68 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None

#13. Advertising sales agents

- Median annual wage: $65,260
- Median hourly wage: $31.37
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 170 people (0.53 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training

#12. Tool and die makers

- Median annual wage: $65,680
- Median hourly wage: $31.58
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 30 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

#11. First-line supervisors of mechanics, installers, and repairers

- Median annual wage: $67,380
- Median hourly wage: $32.39
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 900 people (2.75 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None

#10. Electrical and electronics repairers, commercial and industrial equipment

- Median annual wage: $71,450
- Median hourly wage: $34.35
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 90 people (0.27 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training

#9. Property, real estate, and community association managers

- Median annual wage: $72,800
- Median hourly wage: $35.00
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 430 people (1.3 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None

#8. First-line supervisors of police and detectives

- Median annual wage: $76,440
- Median hourly wage: $36.75
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 240 people (0.73 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training

#7. Claims adjusters, examiners, and investigators

- Median annual wage: $77,110
- Median hourly wage: $37.07
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 370 people (1.13 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training

#6. Sales representatives of services, except advertising, insurance, financial services, and travel

- Median annual wage: $77,370
- Median hourly wage: $37.20
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 2,600 people (7.93 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: $84,900
- Median hourly wage: $40.82
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 50 people (0.15 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None

#4. Power plant operators

- Median annual wage: $100,490
- Median hourly wage: $48.31
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: Not available
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training

#3. Transportation, storage, and distribution managers

- Median annual wage: $107,080
- Median hourly wage: $51.48
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 300 people (0.9 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None

#2. First-line supervisors of non-retail sales workers

- Median annual wage: $118,570
- Median hourly wage: $57.01
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 760 people (2.31 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None

#1. Commercial pilots

- Median annual wage: $143,760
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 40 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

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