Highest paying jobs in St. Louis 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 St. Louis 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.

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

– Median annual wage: $55,800
– Median hourly wage: $26.83
– Total employment: 6,810 people (5.2 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training

Jacob Lund // Shutterstock

#49. Advertising sales agents

– Median annual wage: $55,820
– Median hourly wage: $26.84
– Total employment: 860 people (0.65 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training

rlat // Shutterstock

#48. Postal service clerks

– Median annual wage: $56,200
– Median hourly wage: $27.02
– Total employment: 630 people (0.48 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Short-term on-the-job training

Andrey_Popov // Shutterstock

#47. Private detectives and investigators

– Median annual wage: $57,410
– Median hourly wage: $27.60
– Total employment: 220 people (0.17 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training

Avatar_023 // Shutterstock

#46. Water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators

– Median annual wage: $57,770
– Median hourly wage: $27.78
– Total employment: 1,150 people (0.88 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training

Fortish // Shutterstock

#45. Explosives workers, ordnance handling experts, and blasters

– Median annual wage: $57,800
– Median hourly wage: $27.79
– Total employment: 60 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

Wipas Rojjanakard // Shutterstock

#44. Occupational health and safety technicians

– Median annual wage: $57,970
– Median hourly wage: $27.87
– Total employment: 200 people (0.15 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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#43. Construction and building inspectors

– Median annual wage: $58,060
– Median hourly wage: $27.91
– Total employment: 980 people (0.75 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training

GolF2532 // Shutterstock

#42. Security and fire alarm systems installers

– Median annual wage: $58,710
– Median hourly wage: $28.23
– Total employment: 450 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

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#41. Paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators

– Median annual wage: $59,010
– Median hourly wage: $28.37
– Total employment: 580 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

ALPA PROD // Shutterstock

#40. First-line supervisors of transportation and material moving workers, except aircraft cargo handling supervisors

– Median annual wage: $59,250
– Median hourly wage: $28.49
– Total employment: 4,290 people (3.28 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None

Kitawit Jitaton // Shutterstock

#39. Telecommunications line installers and repairers

– Median annual wage: $59,340
– Median hourly wage: $28.53
– Total employment: 1,270 people (0.97 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training

branislavpudar // Shutterstock

#38. Hazardous materials removal workers

– Median annual wage: $59,450
– Median hourly wage: $28.58
– Total employment: 270 people (0.21 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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#37. Carpenters

– Median annual wage: $59,660
– Median hourly wage: $28.68
– Total employment: 9,120 people (6.96 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Apprenticeship

GaudiLab // Shutterstock

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

– Median annual wage: $59,990
– Median hourly wage: $28.84
– Total employment: 12,640 people (9.66 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None

Syda Productions // Shutterstock

#35. Executive secretaries and executive administrative assistants

– Median annual wage: $60,190
– Median hourly wage: $28.94
– Total employment: 5,180 people (3.96 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None

BearFotos // Shutterstock

#34. First-line supervisors of protective service workers, all other

– Median annual wage: $60,310
– Median hourly wage: $28.99
– Total employment: 120 people (0.09 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None

pio3 // Shutterstock

#33. Police and sheriff’s patrol officers

– Median annual wage: $61,120
– Median hourly wage: $29.38
– Total employment: 5,790 people (4.42 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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#32. Helpers–installation, maintenance, and repair workers

– Median annual wage: $61,230
– Median hourly wage: $29.44
– Total employment: 210 people (0.16 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Short-term on-the-job training

SritanaN // Shutterstock

#31. Industrial machinery mechanics

– Median annual wage: $62,210
– Median hourly wage: $29.91
– Total employment: 2,190 people (1.67 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training

welcomia // Shutterstock

#30. Mobile heavy equipment mechanics, except engines

– Median annual wage: $62,440
– Median hourly wage: $30.02
– Total employment: 1,330 people (1.02 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training

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#29. Glaziers

– Median annual wage: $62,590
– Median hourly wage: $30.09
– Total employment: 270 people (0.2 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Apprenticeship

Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

#28. Claims adjusters, examiners, and investigators

– Median annual wage: $63,170
– Median hourly wage: $30.37
– Total employment: 2,610 people (1.99 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training

Oleg Golovnev // Shutterstock

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

– Median annual wage: $63,630
– Median hourly wage: $30.59
– Total employment: 6,010 people (4.59 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None

Rebekah Zemansky // Shutterstock

#26. First-line supervisors of correctional officers

– Median annual wage: $64,670
– Median hourly wage: $31.09
– Total employment: 270 people (0.2 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None

Stock Rocket // Shutterstock

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

– Median annual wage: $65,010
– Median hourly wage: $31.25
– Total employment: 11,410 people (8.71 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training

Denys Yelmanov // Shutterstock

#24. Bridge and lock tenders

– Median annual wage: $65,480
– Median hourly wage: $31.48
– Total employment: 40 people (0.03 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Short-term on-the-job training

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#23. Electricians

– Median annual wage: $69,010
– Median hourly wage: $33.18
– Total employment: 5,450 people (4.17 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Apprenticeship

4 PM production // Shutterstock

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

– Median annual wage: $69,230
– Median hourly wage: $33.29
– Total employment: 4,760 people (3.64 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None

kittirat roekburi // Shutterstock

#21. Stationary engineers and boiler operators

– Median annual wage: $72,590
– Median hourly wage: $34.90
– Total employment: 200 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

John Leung // Shutterstock

#20. Brickmasons and blockmasons

– Median annual wage: $75,300
– Median hourly wage: $36.20
– Total employment: 880 people (0.67 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Apprenticeship

Andrey_Popov // Shutterstock

#19. Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters

– Median annual wage: $75,390
– Median hourly wage: $36.25
– Total employment: 4,040 people (3.08 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Apprenticeship

DenisKlimov // Shutterstock

#18. Aircraft cargo handling supervisors

– Median annual wage: $76,340
– Median hourly wage: $36.70
– Total employment: 60 people (0.04 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None

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#17. Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators

– Median annual wage: $76,480
– Median hourly wage: $36.77
– Total employment: 3,500 people (2.67 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training

N_Sakarin // Shutterstock

#16. Structural iron and steel workers

– Median annual wage: $77,950
– Median hourly wage: $37.48
– Total employment: 510 people (0.39 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Apprenticeship

Prath // Shutterstock

#15. Detectives and criminal investigators

– Median annual wage: $78,050
– Median hourly wage: $37.52
– Total employment: 560 people (0.42 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training

Christian Lagerek // Shutterstock

#14. Gas plant operators

– Median annual wage: $78,800
– Median hourly wage: $37.89
– Total employment: 100 people (0.08 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training

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#13. Crane and tower operators

– Median annual wage: $79,780
– Median hourly wage: $38.36
– Total employment: 430 people (0.33 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training

Vera Larina // Shutterstock

#12. Sheet metal workers

– Median annual wage: $82,490
– Median hourly wage: $39.66
– Total employment: 1,860 people (1.42 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Apprenticeship

sculpies // Shutterstock

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

– Median annual wage: $82,930
– Median hourly wage: $39.87
– Total employment: 4,810 people (3.68 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None

Ken Wolter // Shutterstock

#10. Postmasters and mail superintendents

– Median annual wage: $84,940
– Median hourly wage: $40.84
– Total employment: 90 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

Quality Stock Arts // Shutterstock

#9. Media and communication workers, all other

– Median annual wage: $85,160
– Median hourly wage: $40.94
– Total employment: 210 people (0.16 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Short-term on-the-job training

g-stockstudio // Shutterstock

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

– Median annual wage: $85,380
– Median hourly wage: $41.05
– Total employment: 2,110 people (1.61 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None

Luisa Leal Photography // Shutterstock

#7. Electrical power-line installers and repairers

– Median annual wage: $86,110
– Median hourly wage: $41.40
– Total employment: 2,190 people (1.67 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training

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#6. Transportation inspectors

– Median annual wage: $87,060
– Median hourly wage: $41.86
– Total employment: 150 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

Oil and Gas Photographer // Shutterstock

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

– Median annual wage: $91,370
– Median hourly wage: $43.93
– Total employment: 200 people (0.16 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training

socrates471 // Shutterstock

#4. Media and communication equipment workers, all other

– Median annual wage: $91,600
– Median hourly wage: $44.04
– Total employment: 50 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

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#3. First-line supervisors of police and detectives

– Median annual wage: $92,270
– Median hourly wage: $44.36
– Total employment: 1,510 people (1.15 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training

Lovely Bird // Shutterstock

#2. Power distributors and dispatchers

– Median annual wage: $94,150
– Median hourly wage: $45.26
– Total employment: 60 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

goodluz // Shutterstock

#1. Transportation, storage, and distribution managers

– Median annual wage: $98,310
– Median hourly wage: $47.27
– Total employment: 1,410 people (1.08 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None