Highest Paying Jobs With a High School Diploma

The highest paying job you can get with a high school diploma is elevator and escalator installer and repairer, with a median salary of $109,910 a year, followed by transportation, storage, and distribution manager ($107,230) and first-line supervisor of police and detectives ($106,040). All 270 jobs you can get with a high school diploma below are ranked by median pay from the latest BLS wage survey (May 2025).

These jobs typically need a high school diploma or less to start, with no college at all. Training happens on the job, often through an apprenticeship, and pay rises with experience and licences.

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#1 Elevator and escalator installer and repairer $109,910 median a year #2 Transportation, storage, and distribution manager $107,230 median a year #3 First-line supervisor of police and detectives $106,040 median a year

Highest Paying Jobs With a High School Diploma, ranked

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#	Job	Median	Hourly	Top 10%	Education	Workers
1	Elevator and escalator installer and repairer Construction and Extraction	$109,910	$52.84	$158,890	High school diploma	23,790
2	Transportation, storage, and distribution manager Management	$107,230	$51.55	$194,900	High school diploma	221,180
3	First-line supervisor of police and detectives Protective Service	$106,040	$50.98	$165,110	High school diploma	154,610
4	Power plant operator Production	$102,040	$49.06	$131,940	High school diploma	29,320
5	Petroleum pump system operator, refinery operator, and gauger Production	$96,710	$46.50	$115,880	High school diploma	33,160
6	Electrical power-line installer and repairer Installation, Maintenance and Repair	$95,320	$45.83	$128,690	High school diploma	131,070
7	Detective Protective Service	$93,790	$45.09	$160,540	High school diploma	114,430
8	Transportation inspector Transportation and Material Moving	$92,100	$44.28	$138,670	High school diploma	24,500
9	First-line supervisor of non-retail sales workers Sales	$87,520	$42.08	$164,070	High school diploma	214,390
10	Locomotive engineer Transportation and Material Moving	$81,410	$39.14	$109,220	High school diploma	33,470
11	First-line supervisor of construction trades and extraction workers Construction and Extraction	$79,920	$38.42	$128,260	High school diploma	812,210
12	First-line supervisor of mechanics, installers, and repairers Installation, Maintenance and Repair	$79,860	$38.39	$126,790	High school diploma	617,500
13	Stationary engineer and boiler operator Production	$78,620	$37.80	$125,390	High school diploma	28,250
14	Claims adjuster, examiner, and investigator Business and Financial	$78,000	$37.50	$117,040	High school diploma	324,230
15	Railroad conductor and yardmaster Transportation and Material Moving	$78,000	$37.50	$109,770	High school diploma	46,440
16	First-line supervisor of correctional officers Protective Service	$77,970	$37.49	$127,780	High school diploma	53,380
17	Executive assistant Office and Administrative Support	$76,590	$36.82	$109,850	High school diploma	459,910
18	Police officer Protective Service	$76,210	$36.64	$115,120	High school diploma	670,520
19	Construction and building inspector Construction and Extraction	$74,690	$35.91	$114,200	High school diploma	146,720
20	First-line supervisor of production and operating workers Production	$74,450	$35.79	$108,750	High school diploma	673,430
21	Control and valve installer and repairer Installation, Maintenance and Repair	$74,340	$35.74	$112,500	High school diploma	48,240
22	Telecommunications line installer and repairer Installation, Maintenance and Repair	$74,330	$35.73	$103,680	High school diploma	97,720
23	Real estate broker Sales	$73,220	$35.20	$143,300	High school diploma	46,100
24	Sales representative, wholesale and manufacturing Sales	$72,080	$34.65	$137,550	High school diploma	1,238,190
25	Property, real estate, and community association manager Management	$69,990	$33.65	$139,680	High school diploma	311,180
26	Sales representative of services Sales	$69,990	$33.65	$148,840	High school diploma	1,256,010
27	First-line supervisor of office and administrative support workers Office and Administrative Support	$69,500	$33.41	$104,710	High school diploma	1,436,680
28	Food service manager Management	$69,390	$33.36	$107,640	High school diploma	238,430
29	Lodging manager Management	$69,250	$33.29	$128,880	High school diploma	42,620
30	Crane and tower operator Transportation and Material Moving	$68,080	$32.73	$103,570	High school diploma	42,890
31	Rail car repairer Installation, Maintenance and Repair	$67,530	$32.46	$95,100	High school diploma	21,350
32	Transportation security screener Protective Service	$66,770	$32.10	$78,350	High school diploma	50,290
33	Brokerage clerk Office and Administrative Support	$65,750	$31.61	$102,010	High school diploma	35,940
34	Millwright Installation, Maintenance and Repair	$65,700	$31.59	$93,600	High school diploma	40,330
35	Mobile heavy equipment mechanic Installation, Maintenance and Repair	$65,510	$31.50	$94,460	High school diploma	176,600
36	Aircraft structure, surface, rigging, and systems assembler Production	$65,380	$31.43	$107,500	High school diploma	34,020
37	Advertising sales agent Sales	$64,820	$31.16	$146,010	High school diploma	91,700
38	Industrial machinery mechanic Installation, Maintenance and Repair	$64,520	$31.02	$95,170	High school diploma	439,640
39	First-line supervisor of gambling services workers Personal Care and Service	$63,820	$30.68	$84,750	High school diploma	26,010
40	Plumber Construction and Extraction	$63,800	$30.67	$108,420	High school diploma	465,840
41	Flight attendant Transportation and Material Moving	$63,580	–	$136,430	High school diploma	131,650
42	Electrician Construction and Extraction	$63,190	$30.38	$108,510	High school diploma	757,220
43	First-line supervisor of transportation and material moving workers Transportation and Material Moving	$62,890	$30.23	$96,150	High school diploma	623,640
44	Structural iron and steel worker Construction and Extraction	$62,780	$30.18	$108,260	High school diploma	68,380
45	Rigger Installation, Maintenance and Repair	$62,640	$30.12	$97,850	High school diploma	22,530
46	Chef and head cook Food Preparation and Serving	$62,470	$30.03	$98,560	High school diploma	200,040
47	Insurance sales agent Sales	$62,280	$29.94	$138,140	High school diploma	479,100
48	Postal service clerk Office and Administrative Support	$62,130	$29.87	$75,030	No formal education	73,720
49	Brickmason and blockmason Construction and Extraction	$62,120	$29.87	$100,010	High school diploma	52,550
50	Sheet metal worker Construction and Extraction	$61,800	$29.71	$105,650	High school diploma	119,770
51	Diesel mechanic Installation, Maintenance and Repair	$61,770	$29.70	$88,740	High school diploma	289,960
52	Occupational health and safety technician Science	$61,560	$29.59	$100,160	High school diploma	30,590
53	Maintenance worker, machinery Installation, Maintenance and Repair	$60,850	$29.25	$88,550	High school diploma	60,020
54	Carpenter Construction and Extraction	$60,580	$29.12	$99,910	High school diploma	670,090
55	Mail carrier Office and Administrative Support	$60,550	$29.11	$81,040	No formal education	328,820
56	Security and fire alarm systems installer Installation, Maintenance and Repair	$60,070	$28.88	$81,150	High school diploma	86,340
57	Water and wastewater treatment plant and system operator Production	$60,020	$28.86	$91,060	High school diploma	128,490
58	Heavy equipment operator Construction and Extraction	$59,850	$28.78	$101,090	High school diploma	478,090
59	Production, planning, and expediting clerk Office and Administrative Support	$59,650	$28.68	$86,000	High school diploma	390,160
60	First-line supervisor of farming, fishing, and forestry workers Farming, Fishing and Forestry	$59,320	$28.52	$91,770	High school diploma	27,960
61	Bus driver Transportation and Material Moving	$59,050	$28.39	$84,700	High school diploma	159,240
62	Correctional officer Protective Service	$58,940	$28.34	$93,220	High school diploma	380,500
63	Drywall and ceiling tile installer Construction and Extraction	$58,930	$28.33	$102,010	No formal education	83,080
64	Machinist Production	$58,750	$28.24	$80,010	High school diploma	287,050
65	Title examiner, abstractor, and searcher Legal	$58,650	$28.20	$90,830	High school diploma	48,580
66	Postal service mail sorter, processor, and processing machine operator Office and Administrative Support	$58,470	$28.11	$75,280	No formal education	105,200
67	First-line supervisor of landscaping, lawn service, and groundskeeping workers Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance	$58,430	$28.09	$85,650	High school diploma	130,760
68	Insulation worker, mechanical Construction and Extraction	$58,340	$28.05	$100,220	High school diploma	25,660
69	Payroll and timekeeping clerk Office and Administrative Support	$58,260	$28.01	$81,350	High school diploma	153,140
70	Service unit operator, oil and gas Construction and Extraction	$58,160	$27.96	$97,560	No formal education	43,140
71	Chemical equipment operator and tender Production	$58,040	$27.90	$92,250	High school diploma	139,630
72	Motorboat mechanic and service technician Installation, Maintenance and Repair	$57,550	$27.67	$79,330	High school diploma	23,220
73	Excavating and loading machine and dragline operator, surface mining Construction and Extraction	$57,430	$27.61	$82,400	High school diploma	34,480
74	Tire builder Production	$57,390	$27.59	$74,680	High school diploma	20,770
75	Glazier Construction and Extraction	$57,080	$27.44	$89,790	High school diploma	58,480
76	Cement mason and concrete finisher Construction and Extraction	$57,020	$27.41	$85,480	No formal education	206,170
77	Farm equipment mechanic and service technician Installation, Maintenance and Repair	$56,550	$27.19	$78,740	High school diploma	37,870
78	Floor layer Construction and Extraction	$56,460	$27.15	$96,700	No formal education	23,640
79	First-line supervisor of security workers Protective Service	$55,940	$26.90	$92,260	High school diploma	81,480
80	Mechanical door repairer Installation, Maintenance and Repair	$55,720	$26.79	$78,260	High school diploma	27,120
81	Tile and stone setter Construction and Extraction	$55,690	$26.77	$86,110	No formal education	35,850
82	Legal secretary and administrative assistant Office and Administrative Support	$55,570	$26.72	$91,730	High school diploma	156,280
83	Roofer Construction and Extraction	$55,440	$26.65	$81,720	No formal education	135,490
84	Tax preparer Business and Financial	$54,920	$26.40	$99,270	High school diploma	76,480
85	Automotive body and related repairer Installation, Maintenance and Repair	$54,890	$26.39	$87,940	High school diploma	149,310
86	Surveying and mapping technician Architecture and Engineering	$54,240	$26.08	$81,630	High school diploma	58,010
87	Eligibility interviewer, government program Office and Administrative Support	$54,210	$26.06	$74,690	High school diploma	154,800
88	Welder Production	$53,750	$25.84	$77,530	High school diploma	416,210
89	Engine and other machine assembler Production	$53,710	$25.82	$77,750	High school diploma	34,000
90	Paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operator Construction and Extraction	$53,340	$25.64	$92,230	High school diploma	41,820
91	Solar photovoltaic installer Construction and Extraction	$53,140	$25.55	$79,970	High school diploma	31,350
92	Public safety telecommunicator Office and Administrative Support	$53,040	$25.50	$79,830	High school diploma	102,500
93	Real estate agent Sales	$52,830	$25.40	$123,590	High school diploma	193,370
94	Jeweler and precious stone and metal worker Production	$52,540	$25.26	$87,540	High school diploma	22,440
95	Cargo and freight agent Office and Administrative Support	$52,260	$25.13	$79,810	High school diploma	97,670
96	Community health worker Community and Social Service	$51,850	$24.93	$77,180	High school diploma	61,660
97	Separating, filtering, clarifying, precipitating, and still machine setter, operator, and tender Production	$51,610	$24.81	$79,750	High school diploma	60,100
98	Sailor and marine oiler Transportation and Material Moving	$51,520	$24.77	$83,620	No formal education	31,670
99	Semiconductor processing technician Production	$51,430	$24.73	$82,540	High school diploma	31,460
100	Structural metal fabricator and fitter Production	$51,330	$24.68	$72,280	High school diploma	52,360
101	Private detective and investigator Protective Service	$51,220	$24.62	$97,630	High school diploma	35,580
102	Home appliance repairer Installation, Maintenance and Repair	$50,990	$24.51	$80,660	High school diploma	32,150
103	Tree trimmer and pruner Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance	$50,960	$24.50	$80,310	High school diploma	55,160
104	Computer numerically controlled tool operator Production	$50,690	$24.37	$73,890	High school diploma	169,450
105	Procurement clerk Office and Administrative Support	$50,580	$24.32	$68,620	High school diploma	55,810
106	Dispatcher Office and Administrative Support	$50,340	$24.20	$78,140	High school diploma	202,810
107	Paper goods machine setter, operator, and tender Production	$50,270	$24.17	$70,320	High school diploma	96,130
108	Highway maintenance worker Construction and Extraction	$50,260	$24.16	$71,970	High school diploma	154,960
109	Travel agent Sales	$50,160	$24.11	$76,660	High school diploma	55,110
110	Rolling machine setter, operator, and tender, metal and plastic Production	$50,140	$24.10	$70,310	High school diploma	25,250
111	Loan interviewer and clerk Office and Administrative Support	$50,020	$24.05	$69,770	High school diploma	164,790
112	Miscellaneous construction and related worker Construction and Extraction	$49,910	$24.00	$78,700	High school diploma	28,380
113	Septic tank servicer and sewer pipe cleaner Construction and Extraction	$49,880	$23.98	$73,490	High school diploma	30,650
114	Logging equipment operator Farming, Fishing and Forestry	$49,740	$23.91	$74,300	High school diploma	21,060
115	Refuse and recyclable material collector Transportation and Material Moving	$49,690	$23.89	$75,900	No formal education	147,240
116	Dental laboratory technician Production	$49,610	$23.85	$76,940	High school diploma	34,410
117	Maintenance and repair worker, general Installation, Maintenance and Repair	$49,590	$23.84	$77,180	High school diploma	1,529,700
118	Hazardous materials removal worker Construction and Extraction	$49,450	$23.78	$82,410	High school diploma	51,710
119	Painter, construction and maintenance Construction and Extraction	$49,400	$23.75	$78,810	No formal education	225,190
120	Word processor and typist Office and Administrative Support	$49,280	$23.69	$65,150	High school diploma	35,010
121	Insurance claim and policy processing clerk Office and Administrative Support	$49,230	$23.67	$73,590	High school diploma	214,260
122	Insulation worker, floor, ceiling, and wall Construction and Extraction	$49,120	$23.62	$78,190	No formal education	44,440
123	First-line supervisor of housekeeping and janitorial workers Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance	$49,100	$23.61	$76,430	High school diploma	178,760
124	Pipelayer Construction and Extraction	$49,000	$23.56	$80,170	No formal education	33,050
125	Mixing and blending machine setter, operator, and tender Production	$48,990	$23.55	$70,200	High school diploma	94,920
126	Court, municipal, and license clerk Office and Administrative Support	$48,700	$23.41	$73,820	High school diploma	179,750
127	First-line supervisor of personal service workers Personal Care and Service	$48,590	$23.36	$75,330	High school diploma	114,110
128	Inspector, tester, sorter, sampler, and weigher Production	$48,570	$23.35	$77,860	High school diploma	597,370
129	First-line supervisor of entertainment and recreation workers Personal Care and Service	$48,560	$23.34	$79,060	High school diploma	103,190
130	Crushing, grinding, and polishing machine setter, operator, and tender Production	$48,540	$23.34	$69,240	High school diploma	26,000
131	First-line supervisor of retail sales workers Sales	$48,520	$23.33	$77,080	High school diploma	1,121,800
132	Billing and posting clerk Office and Administrative Support	$48,500	$23.32	$67,710	High school diploma	404,060
133	Coating, painting, and spraying machine setter, operator, and tender Production	$48,250	$23.20	$74,730	High school diploma	158,740
134	Fence erector Construction and Extraction	$47,980	$23.07	$70,010	No formal education	24,480
135	Welding, soldering, and brazing machine setter, operator, and tender Production	$47,920	$23.04	$66,540	High school diploma	31,600
136	School bus driver Transportation and Material Moving	$47,920	$23.04	$65,730	High school diploma	402,930
137	Outdoor power equipment and other small engine mechanic Installation, Maintenance and Repair	$47,880	$23.02	$67,260	High school diploma	36,060
138	Extruding and drawing machine setter, operator, and tender, metal and plastic Production	$47,720	$22.94	$63,710	High school diploma	60,840
139	Medical equipment preparer Healthcare Support	$47,700	$22.93	$69,950	High school diploma	77,420
140	New accounts clerk Office and Administrative Support	$47,670	$22.92	$60,910	High school diploma	36,860
141	Automotive glass installer and repairer Installation, Maintenance and Repair	$47,630	$22.90	$70,650	High school diploma	20,310
142	Administrative assistant Office and Administrative Support	$47,540	$22.86	$66,350	High school diploma	1,706,790
143	Coin, vending, and amusement machine servicer and repairer Installation, Maintenance and Repair	$47,450	$22.81	$66,370	High school diploma	26,410
144	Optician, dispensing Healthcare Practitioners	$47,260	$22.72	$76,750	High school diploma	73,530
145	Multiple machine tool setter, operator, and tender, metal and plastic Production	$47,180	$22.68	$74,450	High school diploma	124,590
146	Exercise trainer and group fitness instructor Personal Care and Service	$47,160	$22.67	$83,100	High school diploma	322,930
147	Construction laborer Construction and Extraction	$47,120	$22.66	$78,090	No formal education	1,096,780
148	Bill and account collector Office and Administrative Support	$47,030	$22.61	$65,580	High school diploma	158,830
149	Roustabout, oil and gas Construction and Extraction	$46,960	$22.58	$64,530	No formal education	44,970
150	Self-enrichment teacher Education and Library	$46,800	$22.50	$92,840	High school diploma	332,110
151	Cabinetmaker and bench carpenter Production	$46,680	$22.44	$63,720	High school diploma	77,170
152	Cutting and slicing machine setter, operator, and tender Production	$46,570	$22.39	$61,120	High school diploma	44,980
153	Grinding, lapping, polishing, and buffing machine tool setter, operator, and tender, metal and plastic Production	$46,550	$22.38	$62,600	High school diploma	67,000
154	Industrial truck and tractor operator Transportation and Material Moving	$46,420	$22.32	$62,520	No formal education	774,420
155	Weigher, measurer, checker, and sampler, recordkeeping Office and Administrative Support	$46,380	$22.30	$60,910	High school diploma	53,300
156	Pesticide handler, sprayer, and applicator, vegetation Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance	$46,340	$22.28	$61,420	High school diploma	27,050
157	Upholsterer Production	$46,340	$22.28	$63,770	High school diploma	20,140
158	Cutting, punching, and press machine setter, operator, and tender, metal and plastic Production	$46,330	$22.27	$65,510	High school diploma	171,200
159	Molder, shaper, and caster Production	$46,170	$22.20	$61,530	High school diploma	33,190
160	Social and human service assistant Community and Social Service	$45,930	$22.08	$63,290	High school diploma	437,860
161	Medical secretary and administrative assistant Office and Administrative Support	$45,930	$22.08	$60,530	High school diploma	961,610
162	Interviewer Office and Administrative Support	$45,920	$22.08	$62,810	High school diploma	148,060
163	Electrical, electronic, and electromechanical assembler Production	$45,850	$22.04	$62,950	High school diploma	246,970
164	Printing press operator Production	$45,780	$22.01	$63,520	High school diploma	144,260
165	Extruding, forming, pressing, and compacting machine setter, operator, and tender Production	$45,760	$22.00	$63,450	High school diploma	58,770
166	Pharmacy technician Healthcare Practitioners	$45,750	$22.00	$61,040	High school diploma	471,680
167	Shipping, receiving, and inventory clerk Office and Administrative Support	$45,260	$21.76	$62,190	High school diploma	816,870
168	Pest control worker Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance	$45,250	$21.75	$61,890	High school diploma	102,620
169	Office clerk, general Office and Administrative Support	$45,010	$21.64	$64,680	High school diploma	2,464,940
170	Psychiatric aide Healthcare Support	$44,910	$21.59	$60,440	High school diploma	35,520
171	Light truck driver Transportation and Material Moving	$44,860	$21.57	$80,310	High school diploma	983,300
172	Food and tobacco roasting, baking, and drying machine operator and tender Production	$44,810	$21.54	$62,680	No formal education	20,370
173	Customer service representative Office and Administrative Support	$44,770	$21.53	$63,590	High school diploma	2,595,750
174	Photographer Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports and Media	$44,660	$21.47	$91,810	High school diploma	51,760
175	Miscellaneous assembler and fabricator Production	$44,650	$21.47	$64,880	High school diploma	1,405,030
176	Reservation and transportation ticket agent and travel clerk Office and Administrative Support	$44,390	$21.34	$78,150	High school diploma	118,710
177	Molding, coremaking, and casting machine setter, operator, and tender, metal and plastic Production	$44,350	$21.32	$61,600	High school diploma	150,470
178	First-line supervisor of food preparation and serving workers Food Preparation and Serving	$44,080	$21.19	$65,570	High school diploma	1,223,240
179	Plating machine setter, operator, and tender, metal and plastic Production	$43,960	$21.14	$60,370	High school diploma	32,410
180	Carpenter helper Construction and Extraction	$43,780	$21.05	$57,670	No formal education	21,680
181	File clerk Office and Administrative Support	$43,600	$20.96	$63,490	High school diploma	73,440
182	Woodworking machine setter, operator, and tender Production	$43,380	$20.86	$56,830	High school diploma	61,420
183	Packaging and filling machine operator and tender Production	$43,220	$20.78	$60,030	High school diploma	379,060
184	Teller Office and Administrative Support	$43,030	$20.69	$49,680	High school diploma	329,480
185	Sawing machine setter, operator, and tender, wood Production	$42,770	$20.56	$58,170	High school diploma	40,850
186	Electrician helper Construction and Extraction	$42,670	$20.51	$58,340	High school diploma	63,630
187	Conveyor operator and tender Transportation and Material Moving	$42,420	$20.39	$59,470	No formal education	22,930
188	Pipelayer, plumber, pipefitter, and steamfitter helper Construction and Extraction	$42,360	$20.36	$57,780	High school diploma	44,330
189	Food batchmaker Production	$42,290	$20.33	$58,940	High school diploma	174,520
190	Print binding and finishing worker Production	$42,290	$20.33	$59,150	High school diploma	33,180
191	Residential advisor Personal Care and Service	$42,240	$20.31	$61,060	High school diploma	84,760
192	Taxi driver Transportation and Material Moving	$42,100	$20.24	$75,800	No formal education	41,050
193	Agricultural equipment operator Farming, Fishing and Forestry	$41,730	$20.06	$58,650	No formal education	28,500
194	Food cooking machine operator and tender Production	$41,590	$20.00	$54,410	High school diploma	31,250
195	Data entry keyer Office and Administrative Support	$41,340	$19.88	$58,790	High school diploma	127,080
196	Counter and rental clerk Sales	$41,300	$19.86	$65,370	No formal education	400,810
197	Machine feeder and offbearer Transportation and Material Moving	$41,220	$19.82	$58,160	No formal education	42,330
198	Office machine operator Office and Administrative Support	$40,960	$19.69	$57,960	High school diploma	25,130
199	Aircraft service attendant Transportation and Material Moving	$40,450	$19.45	$57,610	High school diploma	31,300
200	Warehouse laborer Transportation and Material Moving	$40,240	$19.35	$55,140	No formal education	2,950,280
201	Butcher and meat cutter Production	$40,140	$19.30	$58,110	No formal education	136,430
202	Slaughterer and meat packer Production	$40,130	$19.29	$51,090	No formal education	69,950
203	Installation, maintenance, and repair worker helper Installation, Maintenance and Repair	$39,630	$19.05	$55,890	High school diploma	95,580
204	Merchandise displayer and window trimmer Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports and Media	$39,390	$18.94	$58,370	High school diploma	165,220
205	Demonstrator and product promoter Sales	$39,320	$18.91	$63,850	No formal education	64,520
206	Mail clerk and mail machine operator Office and Administrative Support	$39,280	$18.89	$54,820	High school diploma	55,230
207	Courier and messenger Office and Administrative Support	$39,200	$18.85	$50,330	High school diploma	68,640
208	Landscaping and groundskeeping worker Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance	$39,150	$18.82	$56,730	No formal education	952,640
209	Production worker helper Production	$39,070	$18.78	$53,410	High school diploma	165,700
210	Concierge Personal Care and Service	$38,950	$18.73	$57,570	High school diploma	49,240
211	Driver/sales worker Transportation and Material Moving	$38,770	$18.64	$59,980	High school diploma	409,180
212	Textile winding, twisting, and drawing out machine setter, operator, and tender Production	$38,670	$18.59	$49,420	High school diploma	22,020
213	Parts salesperson Sales	$38,630	$18.57	$62,890	No formal education	270,070
214	Switchboard operator Office and Administrative Support	$38,630	$18.57	$59,470	High school diploma	34,280
215	Meat, poultry, and fish cutter and trimmer Production	$38,300	$18.41	$48,150	No formal education	145,700
216	Orderly Healthcare Support	$38,290	$18.41	$50,600	High school diploma	52,440
217	Veterinary assistant and laboratory animal caretaker Healthcare Support	$38,150	$18.34	$49,150	High school diploma	126,580
218	Tour and travel guide Personal Care and Service	$38,120	$18.33	$60,930	High school diploma	53,500
219	Crossing guard and flagger Protective Service	$38,100	$18.32	$61,690	No formal education	94,360
220	Security guard Protective Service	$38,020	$18.28	$58,840	High school diploma	1,283,470
221	Receptionist and information clerk Office and Administrative Support	$38,010	$18.27	$49,950	High school diploma	910,180
222	Passenger attendant Transportation and Material Moving	$37,720	$18.14	$46,590	High school diploma	27,110
223	Tire repairer and changer Installation, Maintenance and Repair	$37,710	$18.13	$50,230	High school diploma	108,410
224	Pharmacy aide Healthcare Support	$37,680	$18.12	$56,010	High school diploma	39,530
225	Cook, institution and cafeteria Food Preparation and Serving	$37,450	$18.01	$49,670	No formal education	441,050
226	Restaurant cook Food Preparation and Serving	$37,390	$17.98	$47,900	No formal education	1,409,890
227	Floral designer Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports and Media	$37,360	$17.96	$51,000	High school diploma	40,590
228	Stocker and order filler Transportation and Material Moving	$37,330	$17.95	$49,260	No formal education	2,833,810
229	Shuttle driver and chauffeur Transportation and Material Moving	$37,290	$17.93	$55,070	No formal education	248,530
230	Baker Production	$37,160	$17.86	$49,020	No formal education	236,200
231	Baggage porter and bellhop Personal Care and Service	$37,080	$17.83	$51,600	High school diploma	28,510
232	Library assistant, clerical Office and Administrative Support	$36,910	$17.74	$55,310	High school diploma	85,520
233	Janitor Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance	$36,840	$17.71	$50,270	No formal education	2,209,760
234	Farmworker, farm, ranch, and aquacultural animal Farming, Fishing and Forestry	$36,670	$17.63	$54,080	No formal education	32,810
235	Sewing machine operator Production	$36,670	$17.63	$47,840	No formal education	104,880
236	Recreation worker Personal Care and Service	$36,560	$17.58	$50,410	High school diploma	331,490
237	Packer and packager, hand Transportation and Material Moving	$36,280	$17.44	$47,100	No formal education	559,820
238	Gambling change person and booth cashier Sales	$36,220	$17.41	$60,330	No formal education	21,530
239	Cook, short order Food Preparation and Serving	$35,880	$17.25	$46,460	No formal education	138,650
240	Cleaner of vehicles and equipment Transportation and Material Moving	$35,830	$17.23	$47,610	No formal education	380,430
241	Home health and personal care aide Healthcare Support	$35,800	$17.21	$45,040	High school diploma	4,305,810
242	Grader and sorter, agricultural product Farming, Fishing and Forestry	$35,730	$17.18	$44,490	No formal education	25,180
243	Funeral attendant Personal Care and Service	$35,680	$17.16	$48,460	High school diploma	31,090
244	Automotive and watercraft service attendant Transportation and Material Moving	$35,670	$17.15	$46,060	No formal education	102,010
245	Farmworker and laborer, crop, nursery, and greenhouse Farming, Fishing and Forestry	$35,660	$17.15	$45,690	No formal education	265,500
246	Housekeeper Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance	$35,510	$17.07	$48,570	No formal education	860,670
247	Telemarketer Sales	$35,450	$17.04	$50,350	No formal education	58,430
248	Retail salesperson Sales	$35,410	$17.03	$47,890	No formal education	3,897,860
249	Food server, nonrestaurant Food Preparation and Serving	$35,360	$17.00	$46,120	No formal education	293,900
250	Animal caretaker Personal Care and Service	$35,360	$17.00	$50,060	High school diploma	266,910
251	Food preparation worker Food Preparation and Serving	$35,320	$16.98	$45,340	No formal education	893,600
252	Physical therapist aide Healthcare Support	$35,240	$16.94	$47,780	High school diploma	48,150
253	Waiter Food Preparation and Serving	$35,230	$16.94	$64,720	No formal education	2,270,910
254	Parking attendant Transportation and Material Moving	$35,150	$16.90	$44,550	No formal education	137,880
255	School bus monitor Protective Service	$35,100	$16.88	$43,250	High school diploma	78,420
256	Hotel, motel, and resort desk clerk Office and Administrative Support	$35,070	$16.86	$45,470	High school diploma	261,420
257	Presser, textile, garment, and related material Production	$35,060	$16.85	$43,050	No formal education	26,120
258	Childcare worker Personal Care and Service	$34,980	$16.82	$46,010	High school diploma	518,910
259	Laundry and dry-cleaning worker Production	$34,890	$16.78	$43,190	No formal education	198,040
260	Dishwasher Food Preparation and Serving	$34,810	$16.73	$42,860	No formal education	477,450
261	Bartender Food Preparation and Serving	$34,340	$16.51	$73,770	No formal education	756,390
262	Gambling dealer Personal Care and Service	$34,320	$16.50	$77,090	High school diploma	83,910
263	Dining room and cafeteria attendant and bartender helper Food Preparation and Serving	$33,980	$16.34	$46,570	No formal education	542,750
264	Lifeguard, ski patrol, and other recreational protective service worker Protective Service	$33,580	$16.14	$43,970	No formal education	157,550
265	Usher, lobby attendant, and ticket taker Personal Care and Service	$32,910	$15.82	$42,470	No formal education	121,770
266	Cashier Sales	$32,880	$15.81	$40,410	No formal education	3,089,410
267	Amusement and recreation attendant Personal Care and Service	$32,150	$15.46	$42,490	No formal education	397,830
268	Fast food worker Food Preparation and Serving	$31,200	$15.00	$42,650	No formal education	3,854,050
269	Host and hostess, restaurant, lounge, and coffee shop Food Preparation and Serving	$31,200	$15.00	$43,990	No formal education	432,690
270	Fast food cook Food Preparation and Serving	$30,890	$14.85	$42,910	No formal education	641,070

No job matches those filters.

Game Which job pays more? Guess which of two jobs earns more, keep your streak going, and play the daily 10. Game Guess the Salary Drag the slider to guess what a job pays, score up to 100, and play five new jobs a day. After tax Take-home pay calculator See what any of these salaries leaves after federal and state tax.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 (published 2026), and Employment Projections education and training assignments (2025). Salaries are yearly medians before tax for wage and salary workers, not the self-employed. The median for all US jobs is $50,980. Jobs with fewer than 20,000 workers nationally are not listed.

Version 1.0

About the Highest Paying Jobs

Highest Paying Jobs ranks 515 US jobs by what they actually pay, using the latest Bureau of Labor Statistics wage survey (May 2025, published 2026). Filter the list by field, by the education a job needs to start, or by a minimum salary, and sort it by median pay, average pay, what the top 10% earn, hourly wage or the number of people in the job. Ready-made rankings answer the common questions: the highest paying jobs without a degree, with only a high school diploma, with an associate, bachelor’s or master’s degree, entry-level and trade jobs, the best-paid jobs in healthcare, tech, engineering and ten other fields, and the highest paying jobs in each of the 50 states and Washington DC. Every job links to its own salary page with hourly pay, the full pay range and pay by state.

How to use it

1 Start with the full ranking, or pick a ready-made list such as jobs without a degree, a field or your state.
2 Narrow it down with the field, education and minimum pay filters, or search for a job.
3 Sort by median salary, top 10% pay, hourly wage or most workers.
4 Open any job to see its pay range, hourly and monthly pay and salary in every state.

Frequently asked questions

What is the highest paying job you can get with a high school diploma?

Elevator and escalator installer and repairer pays the most, with a median salary of $109,910 a year. The top three are elevator and escalator installer and repairer ($109,910), transportation, storage, and distribution manager ($107,230), first-line supervisor of police and detectives ($106,040).

How many jobs you can get with a high school diploma pay over $100,000?

4 of the 270 jobs you can get with a high school diploma have a median salary of $100,000 or more a year.

Which well-paid job you can get with a high school diploma has the most openings?

First-line supervisor of office and administrative support workers employs the most people among the best-paid jobs you can get with a high school diploma, with about 1,436,680 workers and a median salary of $69,500. More people in a job usually means more openings each year.

Which job you can get with a high school diploma pays the most per hour?

Elevator and escalator installer and repairer has the highest median hourly wage, $52.84 an hour. Some jobs, such as teachers, are paid by the year only and have no hourly figure.

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