When you graduate high school and cross the stage to get that diploma, you’re taking the first steps toward your career. They could lead you to a college or university, where you’ll pursue a degree that will jumpstart your professional life. They might take you to a trade school, where you can learn job-specific skills that prepare you to practice a craft. Or they might usher you directly into the wide world of work.
It must be noted that pursuing an education can have a massive impact on your earning potential. But college isn’t for everyone. So if your academic career ends with high school, what jobs will put you on track to make a good living?
10 high-paying jobs for high school graduates: short-term or no training
High-paying occupations for high school graduates are not necessarily entry-level jobs. For instance, first-line supervisors, regardless of discipline, typically require one to five years of prior work experience. With that in mind, let’s take a look at 10 jobs that don’t require a formal education beyond high school.
Drivers and driver helpers
The enormity of online shopping puts delivery drivers and the workers who assist them in high demand, particularly during the holiday season. If you’re looking to work on the open road, you’ll need a valid driver’s license. Depending on the job you’re after, you may also have to pursue a commercial driver’s license. This requirement will probably be listed in the job posting, so be sure to read it carefully. In addition to drivers, some companies hire driver helpers to make deliveries more efficient.
Driver helpers in particular make an average of $53,500 per year in the U.S. Use our Salary Search tool to see average pay for this position in your location.
Find your next driver position today.
First-line supervisors of office and administrative support workers
If you can picture yourself working in an office, this could be the right line of work for you. Office supervisors oversee the activities of clerical and administrative support workers to keep operations running smoothly. Some companies hire supervisors with relatively little experience, but professionals in this role often gain at least a year of experience at the company or in a related field before moving up. Be ready to put in your time at a lower-level office job where you can learn the ropes.
First-line supervisors of office and administrative support workers make an average of $62,500 per year, but this varies widely by location, so make sure to use our Salary Search tool to find data specific to your area.
If this job sounds like a good fit, browse office supervisor jobs now.
Medical assistants
Medical assistants complete administrative tasks in healthcare facilities, sometimes taking on clinical responsibilities. While most medical assistants pursue postsecondary education to earn a certificate, others start the job with only a high school diploma, receiving on-the-job training. If you’re interested in this job, you’ll need to be great with paperwork and comfortable in healthcare settings.
The national average salary for medical assistants is $57,000 a year. Use our Salary Search tool to find the average salary for this position in your area.
If you’d like to pursue a career in this field, browse medical assistant jobs now.
Claims adjusters, examiners and investigators
These workers investigate insurance claims. Inspecting buildings, vehicles and other properties related to insurance often keeps these workers out of the office and in the field. Entry-level jobs in this industry typically require a high school diploma or the equivalent, but select positions may necessitate more education, so be sure to read the job listing you’re applying for to see if you meet the minimum requirements. Auto investigators will need skills or experience related to automotive repair.
The average salary for claims adjusters is $58,500 a year. Use our Salary Search tool to find the average pay for this position in your location.
If you like the sound of getting out from behind a desk to investigate claims, browse claims adjuster jobs today.
Food service managers
Food service managers oversee daily operations at restaurants, cafeterias and other establishments that serve food and drink. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, this field is expected to grow by 15% over the next decade, faster than average for other occupations.
The average salary for food service managers in the U.S. is $60,500. Use our Salary Search tool to see salaries for this position in your area.
If you have strong leadership skills and a passion for hospitality, browse food service manager jobs now.
Postal service workers
Postal service workers like clerks and mail carriers sort, process and deliver mail. Sorters and processors typically work indoors, whereas mail carriers usually work outside, delivering mail door to door.
The average annual salary for postal workers is about $56,000 per year. Use our Salary Search tool to see how much money you could make as a postal worker in your area.
Find your next job in mail today.
Executive assistants
Working in just about every industry, these professionals handle the routine clerical and organizational tasks that keep any business running. They’re proficient with or quick to learn typing, spreadsheets and various commonplace programs such as Microsoft Office.
The average salary for executive assistants in the U.S. is $61,500, but this varies widely by location and industry. Use our Salary Search tool to compare average salaries for executive assistants where you live.
If you can juggle multiple email requests and balance a spreadsheet in record time, we can help find your next executive assistant job today.
Hotel managers
Hotel managers ensure that business operations flow like water and that guests receive satisfactory accommodations. Because hotels are typically open 24 hours a day, hotel managers sometimes work nights and weekends and are often on call. Unless you have a bachelor’s degree, an associate's degree or a certificate in hotel management, you’ll need to work a lower level position in a hotel to gain the necessary experience for doing this job.
Hotel managers in the U.S. make an average of $66,000 per year. With our Salary Search tool, you can compare average salaries for this job in your location.
If you’re interested in the hospitality industry, browse hotel manager jobs today.
Real estate broker
You won’t need a college degree to become a real estate broker, but you will need to get a real estate license. Each state has different requirements for licensure, but you’ll likely need to be at least 18, take a few real estate courses and pass an exam. After that, you can look forward to a lucrative career connecting prospective buyers with the homes, workplaces and properties of their dreams.
In the U.S., real estate brokers make an average salary of $79,000 per year. Use our Salary Search tool to find the average pay for real estate brokers in your area.
If you’d like to see your name on a for-sale sign, browse real estate broker jobs now.
Human resources assistants
Human resources is all about supporting the people who make work happen. HR specialists recruit workers and support them with information about compensation, benefits and workplace expectations. They address concerns, mediate disputes and work to ensure all team members feel empowered to shine. HR assistants are the helpers who make all this possible. They work closely with HR managers to keep HR operations organized and efficient.
The average national salary for HR assistants is $61,500. Use our Salary Search tool to find specific salary information for this job in your area.
If you love supporting people and have strong organizational skills to boot, check out these HR jobs.
10 high-paying jobs for high school graduates: moderate or long-term training
Your high school diploma may check off the educational requirements for certain jobs, but that doesn’t mean you’re qualified for all of them as soon as you step off the graduation stage. While some jobs in the previous section require a few years of work experience or a specific skillset, the following roles take a bit more job training. You can expect moderate to long-term on-the-job training in the following positions.
Distribution managers
Working in warehouses and other facilities in the supply chain, distribution managers direct the transportation, storage and distribution of shipped goods. With five or more years of experience in the field, these managers develop comprehensive distribution strategies to make sure orders arrive safely and on time.
Distribution managers make an average of $82,000 annually. Use our Salary Search tool to find salary information specific to your location.
If you have the time management, organizational and leadership skills to oversee a complex process, check out all our distribution manager jobs.
Lighting technicians and media and communication equipment workers
Leave the “action” to the actors. This job is all about the “lights, camera” part. Working in a variety of settings, from music venues to theatres and radio stations to television studios, these professionals use their technical expertise to operate lights, cameras or other media technology. Educational and work experience requirements vary widely, but all workers in this role will need years of experience to develop a proven, reliable skillset.
Salaries for this job depend on a lot of factors, from industry to location to experience, but the average pay for this position in the U.S. is around $69,000 per year. Use our Salary Search tool to find out how much you could make as a lighting technician in your area.
If you can light up a scene worthy of the stage, browse our lighting technician jobs today.
First-line supervisors of non-retail sales workers
Non-retail sales supervisors, such as sales managers, oversee the work of sales managers who do not work in client-facing retail settings like sales counters. They set goals for their teams, monitor sales performance and pitch in with budgeting, accounting and various supervisory duties. You’ll need a strong background in sales to qualify for this position.
Sales managers make an average of $73,000 a year in the U.S. Our Salary Search tool can show you detailed salary information for this position in your area.
If you have solid sales experience and want to move into a management position, browse our sales manager jobs.
Construction supervisors
Construction supervisors manage construction teams throughout projects, from reviewing blueprints to overseeing work at job sites. They often have a few years of construction experience under their belts and may have completed an apprenticeship program. Many construction supervisor positions do not require a bachelor’s degree, but college graduates with skills related to engineering have increased earning potential.
The national average annual salary for this job is $74,000. Use our Salary Search tool to see how much money you could make in your area.
If you’ve got the skills to build something that will last, check out these construction jobs.
Police and sheriff’s patrol officers
Police officers undergo rigorous training programs to qualify for their positions. Law enforcement is a high pressure job that is not for everyone. Those who want to enter the profession will likely need to pass an entrance exam and attend a police academy. Promotions are available to officers who have gained some experience on the force.
The national average salary for police officers in the U.S. is $70,000 per year. Use our Salary Search tool to find police officer salaries in your area.
If you’re looking for your next position in law enforcement, check out these police officer jobs.
First-line supervisors of firefighting and prevention workers
Coordinating the efforts of firefighters and fire prevention and control workers, these supervisors have years of experience in the field and have likely completed training programs related to fire safety. They work in high intensity situations and must have the ability to spring into action and make serious decisions with confidence.
The average salary for firefighters in the U.S. is $70,000 a year. Use our Salary Search tool to find out how much firefighters make in your location.
If you’re ready for your next position in fire prevention and control, check out these firefighter jobs.
Heavy equipment operators and mechanics
These workers can make heavy equipment move like a ballet dancer or restore vehicles to tip-top shape. They may have completed training programs or apprenticeships, or earned certifications to operate certain equipment, like fork lifts. It takes years to develop the skills necessary to operate heavy machinery or perform high-level mechanic duties safely and efficiently.
Heavy equipment operators typically make about $68,500 per year. Our Salary Search tool can provide you with the average salary for heavy equipment operators in your location.
If you can operate heavy machinery like an expert, browse these heavy equipment operator jobs.
Transportation inspectors
These workers inspect equipment or goods to ensure the safe transportation of passengers or cargo. A variety of industries employ transportation inspectors of one kind or another, such as freight inspectors or rail inspectors. Some positions may require you to complete training or certification programs.
Transportation inspectors make an average of $74,000 a year. Use our Salary Search tool to find the average transportation inspector salary in your area.
If you have a keen eye for inspection and a background in the transportation industry, check out these transportation inspector jobs.
Electrical repair workers
With a strong set of technical skills, these workers install, maintain and repair electrical systems. They have years of on-the-job experience and may have completed training or certification programs.
The average salary for electrical repair workers in the U.S. is $64,000 per year. Use our Salary Search tool to find the average electrical repair worker salary in your area.
If you have the technical know-how, browse these electrical repair jobs.
Advertising sales agent
Working in the exciting world of advertising, these professionals connect clients with the advertising opportunities that meet their marketing goals. They work in a number of settings, from advertising agencies to publishing companies. They need strong communication skills and must keep up with sales quotas. While some companies prefer candidates with bachelor’s degrees, a high school diploma is usually enough for an entry-level position as a sales agent or advertising assistant.
The average salary for an advertising assistant in the U.S. is $57,500. Use our Salary Search tool to find the average advertising assistant salary in your area.
