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Highest-paying jobs in Owensboro that don’t require a college degree

From the moment they first set foot on campus, 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, coaches—the list goes on and on. 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.

To find the highest-paying jobs that don’t require a college degree, Stacker consulted the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook to compile a list of all jobs that don’t require higher education. All professions that listed a high-school diploma, some college education (without a degree conferred), postsecondary non-degree award, or no formal education requirements for entry-level positions were considered. Jobs that didn’t list any entry-level education requirement were excluded, as were job titles that grouped several positions together. Jobs are ranked by 2020 annual mean wage. Job descriptions are from O*NET.

Keep reading to discover the highest-paying jobs in Owensboro that don’t require a college degree.

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#50. First-line supervisors of retail sales workers

Owensboro, KY
– Annual mean salary: $37,540
– #377 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 410

National
– Annual mean salary: $47,300
– Employment: 1,063,110
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($62,180)
— Yakima, WA ($61,710)
— Sheboygan, WI ($61,610)
– Job description: Directly supervise and coordinate activities of retail sales workers in an establishment or department. Duties may include management functions, such as purchasing, budgeting, accounting, and personnel work, in addition to supervisory duties.

Fusionstudio // Shutterstock

#49. Shipping, receiving, and inventory clerks

Owensboro, KY
– Annual mean salary: $37,990
– #130 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 210

National
– Annual mean salary: $37,210
– Employment: 727,640
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Fairbanks, AK ($52,310)
— California-Lexington Park, MD ($50,180)
— Bremerton-Silverdale, WA ($49,530)
– Job description: Verify and maintain records on incoming and outgoing shipments involving inventory. Duties include verifying and recording incoming merchandise or material and arranging for the transportation of products. May prepare items for shipment.

Canva

#48. Refuse and recyclable material collectors

Owensboro, KY
– Annual mean salary: $38,380
– #110 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 40

National
– Annual mean salary: $42,620
– Employment: 120,850
– Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI ($63,870)
— New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($61,640)
— Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA ($60,550)
– Job description: Collect and dump refuse or recyclable materials from containers into truck. May drive truck.

Efired // Shutterstock

#47. Bill and account collectors

Owensboro, KY
– Annual mean salary: $38,440
– #157 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 110

National
– Annual mean salary: $40,630
– Employment: 222,030
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with highest average pay:
— San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($63,320)
— Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($58,950)
— San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles-Arroyo Grande, CA ($58,950)
– Job description: Locate and notify customers of delinquent accounts by mail, telephone, or personal visit to solicit payment. Duties include receiving payment and posting amount to customer’s account, preparing statements to credit department if customer fails to respond, initiating repossession proceedings or service disconnection, and keeping records of collection and status of accounts.

Unsplash

#46. Tax preparers

Owensboro, KY
– Annual mean salary: $38,500
– #140 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 40

National
– Annual mean salary: $52,710
– Employment: 62,600
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with highest average pay:
— San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($99,160)
— College Station-Bryan, TX ($80,580)
— Anchorage, AK ($78,470)
– Job description: Prepare tax returns for individuals or small businesses.

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Rawpixel.com // Shutterstock

#45. Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks

Owensboro, KY
– Annual mean salary: $39,330
– #251 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 560

National
– Annual mean salary: $44,100
– Employment: 1,443,940
– Entry level education requirements: Some college, no degree
– Metros with highest average pay:
— San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($56,700)
— Santa Rosa, CA ($55,720)
— Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($55,720)
– Job description: Compute, classify, and record numerical data to keep financial records complete. Perform any combination of routine calculating, posting, and verifying duties to obtain primary financial data for use in maintaining accounting records. May also check the accuracy of figures, calculations, and postings pertaining to business transactions recorded by other workers.

Needpix

#44. Crushing, grinding, and polishing machine setters, operators, and tenders

Owensboro, KY
– Annual mean salary: $39,640
– #74 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: data not available

National
– Annual mean salary: $41,290
– Employment: 32,460
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH ($73,950)
— Farmington, NM ($56,560)
— Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($55,180)
– Job description: Set up, operate, or tend machines to crush, grind, or polish materials, such as coal, glass, grain, stone, food, or rubber.

Pixabay

#43. Welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers

Owensboro, KY
– Annual mean salary: $40,680
– #307 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 370

National
– Annual mean salary: $46,690
– Employment: 397,550
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Fairbanks, AK ($75,080)
— Wheeling, WV-OH ($74,970)
— Anchorage, AK ($73,790)
– Job description: Use hand-welding, flame-cutting, hand-soldering, or brazing equipment to weld or join metal components or to fill holes, indentations, or seams of fabricated metal products.

Andrey_Popov // Shutterstock

#42. Billing and posting clerks

Owensboro, KY
– Annual mean salary: $40,900
– #104 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 190

National
– Annual mean salary: $41,610
– Employment: 445,160
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with highest average pay:
— San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($57,240)
— San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($53,200)
— Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV ($51,800)
– Job description: Compile, compute, and record billing, accounting, statistical, and other numerical data for billing purposes. Prepare billing invoices for services rendered or for delivery or shipment of goods.

Canva

#41. Excavating and loading machine and dragline operators, surface mining

Owensboro, KY
– Annual mean salary: $40,980
– #108 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 40

National
– Annual mean salary: $48,500
– Employment: 40,240
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with highest average pay:
— San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($106,100)
— Las Vegas-Henderson-Paradise, NV ($84,840)
— San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($78,360)
– Job description: Operate or tend machinery at surface mining site, equipped with scoops, shovels, or buckets to excavate and load loose materials.

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welcomia // Shutterstock

#40. Mobile heavy equipment mechanics, except engines

Owensboro, KY
– Annual mean salary: $41,990
– #320 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 30

National
– Annual mean salary: $57,000
– Employment: 147,680
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Urban Honolulu, HI ($84,460)
— Fairbanks, AK ($81,920)
— Bismarck, ND ($78,350)
– Job description: Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul mobile mechanical, hydraulic, and pneumatic equipment, such as cranes, bulldozers, graders, and conveyors, used in construction, logging, and mining.

Pixabay

#39. Maintenance and repair workers, general

Owensboro, KY
– Annual mean salary: $42,020
– #179 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 500

National
– Annual mean salary: $43,790
– Employment: 1,357,630
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with highest average pay:
— San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($58,140)
— Yuba City, CA ($57,930)
— San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($54,820)
– Job description: Perform work involving the skills of two or more maintenance or craft occupations to keep machines, mechanical equipment, or the structure of a building in repair. Duties may involve pipe fitting; HVAC maintenance; insulating; welding; machining; carpentry; repairing electrical or mechanical equipment; installing, aligning, and balancing new equipment; and repairing buildings, floors, or stairs.

Kot500 // Shutterstock

#38. Bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists

Owensboro, KY
– Annual mean salary: $43,260
– #319 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 80

National
– Annual mean salary: $52,090
– Employment: 253,010
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with highest average pay:
— San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($75,320)
— New Bedford, MA ($75,110)
— San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($72,460)
– Job description: Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul buses and trucks, or maintain and repair any type of diesel engines. Includes mechanics working primarily with automobile or marine diesel engines.

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#37. Carpenters

Owensboro, KY
– Annual mean salary: $43,500
– #248 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 150

National
– Annual mean salary: $54,200
– Employment: 699,300
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Urban Honolulu, HI ($82,950)
— Vallejo-Fairfield, CA ($82,300)
— Hanford-Corcoran, CA ($79,870)
– Job description: Construct, erect, install, or repair structures and fixtures made of wood and comparable materials, such as concrete forms; building frameworks, including partitions, joists, studding, and rafters; and wood stairways, window and door frames, and hardwood floors. May also install cabinets, siding, drywall, and batt or roll insulation. Includes brattice builders who build doors or brattices (ventilation walls or partitions) in underground passageways.

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#36. Automotive service technicians and mechanics

Owensboro, KY
– Annual mean salary: $43,710
– #214 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 250

National
– Annual mean salary: $46,760
– Employment: 620,110
– Entry level education requirements: Postsecondary nondegree award
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Fairbanks, AK ($66,060)
— San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($64,630)
— California-Lexington Park, MD ($64,420)
– Job description: Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul automotive vehicles.

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#35. Dispatchers, except police, fire, and ambulance

Owensboro, KY
– Annual mean salary: $43,800
– #136 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 30

National
– Annual mean salary: $44,860
– Employment: 188,450
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with highest average pay:
— San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($64,710)
— Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($60,510)
— Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($58,920)
– Job description: Schedule and dispatch workers, work crews, equipment, or service vehicles for conveyance of materials, freight, or passengers, or for normal installation, service, or emergency repairs rendered outside the place of business. Duties may include using radio, telephone, or computer to transmit assignments and compiling statistics and reports on work progress.

Hunter Bliss Images // Shutterstock

#33 (tie). Mixing and blending machine setters, operators, and tenders

Owensboro, KY
– Annual mean salary: $43,890
– #76 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 60

National
– Annual mean salary: $40,960
– Employment: 116,190
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Shreveport-Bossier City, LA ($64,900)
— Rockford, IL ($55,380)
— Pine Bluff, AR ($55,330)
– Job description: Set up, operate, or tend machines to mix or blend materials, such as chemicals, tobacco, liquids, color pigments, or explosive ingredients.

London Metropolitan Archives/Heritage Images // Getty Images

#33 (tie). Machinists

Owensboro, KY
– Annual mean salary: $43,890
– #253 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 120

National
– Annual mean salary: $47,800
– Employment: 360,340
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Urban Honolulu, HI ($68,950)
— Anchorage, AK ($64,610)
— Farmington, NM ($64,190)
– Job description: Set up and operate a variety of machine tools to produce precision parts and instruments out of metal. Includes precision instrument makers who fabricate, modify, or repair mechanical instruments. May also fabricate and modify parts to make or repair machine tools or maintain industrial machines, applying knowledge of mechanics, mathematics, metal properties, layout, and machining procedures.

Pixabay

#32. Heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers

Owensboro, KY
– Annual mean salary: $44,920
– #256 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 830

National
– Annual mean salary: $48,710
– Employment: 1,797,710
– Entry level education requirements: Postsecondary nondegree award
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Barnstable Town, MA ($65,170)
— Danville, IL ($63,230)
— Lewiston, ID-WA ($62,250)
– Job description: Drive a tractor-trailer combination or a truck with a capacity of at least 26,001 pounds Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW). May be required to unload truck. Requires commercial drivers’ license. Includes tow truck drivers.

Jacob Lund // Shutterstock

#31. Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses

Owensboro, KY
– Annual mean salary: $45,820
– #236 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 180

National
– Annual mean salary: $50,090
– Employment: 676,440
– Entry level education requirements: Postsecondary nondegree award
– Metros with highest average pay:
— San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($75,950)
— Santa Rosa, CA ($74,820)
— San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($74,520)
– Job description: Care for ill, injured, or convalescing patients or persons with disabilities in hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, private homes, group homes, and similar institutions. May work under the supervision of a registered nurse. Licensing required.

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Gerain0812 // Shutterstock

#30. Surgical technologists

Owensboro, KY
– Annual mean salary: $45,920
– #176 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: data not available

National
– Annual mean salary: $51,510
– Employment: 107,400
– Entry level education requirements: Postsecondary nondegree award
– Metros with highest average pay:
— San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($79,230)
— San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($74,080)
— Vallejo-Fairfield, CA ($73,460)
– Job description: Assist in operations, under the supervision of surgeons, registered nurses, or other surgical personnel. May help set up operating room, prepare and transport patients for surgery, adjust lights and equipment, pass instruments and other supplies to surgeons and surgeons’ assistants, hold retractors, cut sutures, and help count sponges, needles, supplies, and instruments.

John Leung // Shutterstock

#29. Brickmasons and blockmasons

Owensboro, KY
– Annual mean salary: $46,050
– #138 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 40

National
– Annual mean salary: $58,420
– Employment: 59,940
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Duluth, MN-WI ($90,610)
— Providence-Warwick, RI-MA ($90,290)
— Pittsfield, MA ($90,070)
– Job description: Lay and bind building materials, such as brick, structural tile, concrete block, cinder block, glass block, and terra-cotta block, with mortar and other substances, to construct or repair walls, partitions, arches, sewers, and other structures.

Tim Goode/PA Images // Getty Images

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

Owensboro, KY
– Annual mean salary: $46,610
– #348 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 150

National
– Annual mean salary: $70,490
– Employment: 977,070
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with highest average pay:
— San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($115,620)
— Lawrence, KS ($97,910)
— Boulder, CO ($94,870)
– Job description: Sell services to individuals or businesses. May describe options or resolve client problems.

Paolo Bona // Shutterstock

#27. Food service managers

Owensboro, KY
– Annual mean salary: $47,170
– #337 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 110

National
– Annual mean salary: $61,000
– Employment: 197,010
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($97,610)
— Trenton, NJ ($95,640)
— Waterbury, CT ($88,100)
– Job description: Plan, direct, or coordinate activities of an organization or department that serves food and beverages.

Dmitry Kalinovsky // Shutterstock

#26. Chemical equipment operators and tenders

Owensboro, KY
– Annual mean salary: $47,420
– #83 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 80

National
– Annual mean salary: $53,330
– Employment: 93,060
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Billings, MT ($77,010)
— Hattiesburg, MS ($73,780)
— Baton Rouge, LA ($71,630)
– Job description: Operate or tend equipment to control chemical changes or reactions in the processing of industrial or consumer products. Equipment used includes devulcanizers, steam-jacketed kettles, and reactor vessels.

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#25. Separating, filtering, clarifying, precipitating, and still machine setters, operators, and tenders

Owensboro, KY
– Annual mean salary: $47,580
– #51 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 50

National
– Annual mean salary: $46,850
– Employment: 47,930
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Anchorage, AK ($69,860)
— Fort Collins, CO ($67,060)
— Columbus, OH ($66,440)
– Job description: Set up, operate, or tend continuous flow or vat-type equipment; filter presses; shaker screens; centrifuges; condenser tubes; precipitating, fermenting, or evaporating tanks; scrubbing towers; or batch stills. These machines extract, sort, or separate liquids, gases, or solids from other materials to recover a refined product. Includes dairy processing equipment operators.

David Spates // Shutterstock

#24. Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers

Owensboro, KY
– Annual mean salary: $48,350
– #224 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 140

National
– Annual mean salary: $53,410
– Employment: 344,020
– Entry level education requirements: Postsecondary nondegree award
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Fairbanks, AK ($91,840)
— Napa, CA ($82,650)
— Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA ($76,440)
– Job description: Install or repair heating, central air conditioning, HVAC, or refrigeration systems, including oil burners, hot-air furnaces, and heating stoves.

Canva

#23. Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators

Owensboro, KY
– Annual mean salary: $48,490
– #207 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 80

National
– Annual mean salary: $55,280
– Employment: 402,870
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with highest average pay:
— New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($96,440)
— Barnstable Town, MA ($93,620)
— Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA ($93,320)
– Job description: Operate one or several types of power construction equipment, such as motor graders, bulldozers, scrapers, compressors, pumps, derricks, shovels, tractors, or front-end loaders to excavate, move, and grade earth, erect structures, or pour concrete or other hard surface pavement. May repair and maintain equipment in addition to other duties.

Pxhere

#22. Maintenance workers, machinery

Owensboro, KY
– Annual mean salary: $49,180
– #135 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 80

National
– Annual mean salary: $51,960
– Employment: 65,240
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Florence, SC ($80,250)
— Vallejo-Fairfield, CA ($78,290)
— San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles-Arroyo Grande, CA ($69,070)
– Job description: Lubricate machinery, change parts, or perform other routine machinery maintenance.

SritanaN // Shutterstock

#21. Industrial machinery mechanics

Owensboro, KY
– Annual mean salary: $50,210
– #308 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 490

National
– Annual mean salary: $57,350
– Employment: 385,980
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Norwich-New London-Westerly, CT-RI ($84,180)
— San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles-Arroyo Grande, CA ($84,150)
— San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($77,580)
– Job description: Repair, install, adjust, or maintain industrial production and processing machinery or refinery and pipeline distribution systems. May also install, dismantle, or move machinery and heavy equipment according to plans.

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Erin Deleon // Shutterstock

#20. Postal service mail carriers

Owensboro, KY
– Annual mean salary: $50,490
– #373 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 150

National
– Annual mean salary: $53,180
– Employment: 333,570
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Bismarck, ND ($56,520)
— Burlington, NC ($55,750)
— Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA ($55,680)
– Job description: Sort and deliver mail for the United States Postal Service (USPS). Deliver mail on established route by vehicle or on foot. Includes postal service mail carriers employed by USPS contractors.

Andrey_Popov // Shutterstock

#19. Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters

Owensboro, KY
– Annual mean salary: $50,970
– #227 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 230

National
– Annual mean salary: $61,100
– Employment: 417,440
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with highest average pay:
— San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($106,100)
— Fairbanks, AK ($94,280)
— Kankakee, IL ($93,420)
– Job description: Assemble, install, alter, and repair pipelines or pipe systems that carry water, steam, air, or other liquids or gases. May install heating and cooling equipment and mechanical control systems. Includes sprinkler fitters.

Avatar_023 // Shutterstock

#18. Water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators

Owensboro, KY
– Annual mean salary: $51,710
– #140 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 70

National
– Annual mean salary: $51,890
– Employment: 119,380
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with highest average pay:
— San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($99,130)
— San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($89,730)
— Vallejo-Fairfield, CA ($86,080)
– Job description: Operate or control an entire process or system of machines, often through the use of control boards, to transfer or treat water or wastewater.

Shift Drive // Shutterstock

#17. Computer user support specialists

Owensboro, KY
– Annual mean salary: $51,820
– #178 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 160

National
– Annual mean salary: $57,000
– Employment: 634,820
– Entry level education requirements: Some college, no degree
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Sacramento–Roseville–Arden-Arcade, CA ($86,350)
— Napa, CA ($78,740)
— San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($78,670)
– Job description: Provide technical assistance to computer users. Answer questions or resolve computer problems for clients in person, via telephone, or electronically. May provide assistance concerning the use of computer hardware and software, including printing, installation, word processing, electronic mail, and operating systems.

Hulton Archive // Getty Images

#16. Electricians

Owensboro, KY
– Annual mean salary: $52,360
– #234 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 290

National
– Annual mean salary: $61,550
– Employment: 656,510
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with highest average pay:
— San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($106,680)
— Trenton, NJ ($90,210)
— Kankakee, IL ($88,530)
– Job description: Install, maintain, and repair electrical wiring, equipment, and fixtures. Ensure that work is in accordance with relevant codes. May install or service street lights, intercom systems, or electrical control systems.

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g-stockstudio // Shutterstock

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

Owensboro, KY
– Annual mean salary: $52,770
– #349 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 60

National
– Annual mean salary: $90,120
– Employment: 240,290
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with highest average pay:
— La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN ($124,150)
— Durham-Chapel Hill, NC ($122,460)
— Leominster-Gardner, MA ($119,130)
– Job description: Directly supervise and coordinate activities of sales workers other than retail sales workers. May perform duties such as budgeting, accounting, and personnel work, in addition to supervisory duties.

Syda Productions // Shutterstock

#14. Executive secretaries and executive administrative assistants

Owensboro, KY
– Annual mean salary: $53,070
– #253 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 90

National
– Annual mean salary: $65,230
– Employment: 503,390
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with highest average pay:
— San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($92,040)
— Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($89,100)
— San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($86,180)
– Job description: Provide high-level administrative support by conducting research, preparing statistical reports, and handling information requests, as well as performing routine administrative functions such as preparing correspondence, receiving visitors, arranging conference calls, and scheduling meetings. May also train and supervise lower-level clerical staff.

Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

#13. Insurance sales agents

Owensboro, KY
– Annual mean salary: $53,500
– #267 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 180

National
– Annual mean salary: $69,100
– Employment: 409,950
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with highest average pay:
— San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($109,540)
— Birmingham-Hoover, AL ($105,840)
— Fond du Lac, WI ($105,190)
– Job description: Sell life, property, casualty, health, automotive, or other types of insurance. May refer clients to independent brokers, work as an independent broker, or be employed by an insurance company.

Canva

#12. Tool and die makers

Owensboro, KY
– Annual mean salary: $54,230
– #89 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 80

National
– Annual mean salary: $55,520
– Employment: 61,190
– Entry level education requirements: Postsecondary nondegree award
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Flint, MI ($74,390)
— New Haven, CT ($73,530)
— San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($72,420)
– Job description: Analyze specifications, lay out metal stock, set up and operate machine tools, and fit and assemble parts to make and repair dies, cutting tools, jigs, fixtures, gauges, and machinists’ hand tools.

GaudiLab // Shutterstock

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

Owensboro, KY
– Annual mean salary: $54,450
– #256 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 450

National
– Annual mean salary: $62,010
– Employment: 1,427,260
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Bremerton-Silverdale, WA ($78,770)
— Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($77,030)
— New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($75,820)
– Job description: Directly supervise and coordinate the activities of clerical and administrative support workers.

goodluz // Shutterstock

#10. Real estate sales agents

Owensboro, KY
– Annual mean salary: $57,480
– #88 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 40

National
– Annual mean salary: $62,990
– Employment: 168,740
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Salinas, CA ($106,280)
— San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($101,300)
— New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($98,580)
– Job description: Rent, buy, or sell property for clients. Perform duties such as study property listings, interview prospective clients, accompany clients to property site, discuss conditions of sale, and draw up real estate contracts. Includes agents who represent buyer.

G-Stock Studio // Shutterstock

#9. Production, planning, and expediting clerks

Owensboro, KY
– Annual mean salary: $58,660
– #28 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 140

National
– Annual mean salary: $52,000
– Employment: 362,090
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Bremerton-Silverdale, WA ($69,410)
— Pine Bluff, AR ($68,850)
— Portsmouth, NH-ME ($66,920)
– Job description: Coordinate and expedite the flow of work and materials within or between departments of an establishment according to production schedule. Duties include reviewing and distributing production, work, and shipment schedules; conferring with department supervisors to determine progress of work and completion dates; and compiling reports on progress of work, inventory levels, costs, and production problems.

Oleg Golovnev // Shutterstock

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

Owensboro, KY
– Annual mean salary: $61,810
– #265 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 460

National
– Annual mean salary: $66,800
– Employment: 599,900
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Baton Rouge, LA ($101,930)
— Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX ($100,590)
— Longview, WA ($99,590)
– Job description: Directly supervise and coordinate the activities of production and operating workers, such as inspectors, precision workers, machine setters and operators, assemblers, fabricators, and plant and system operators. Excludes team or work leaders.

Stock Rocket // Shutterstock

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

Owensboro, KY
– Annual mean salary: $63,130
– #261 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 390

National
– Annual mean salary: $73,500
– Employment: 1,278,670
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Danbury, CT ($112,810)
— Napa, CA ($101,850)
— Santa Fe, NM ($93,680)
– Job description: Sell goods for wholesalers or manufacturers to businesses or groups of individuals. Work requires substantial knowledge of items sold.

sculpies // Shutterstock

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

Owensboro, KY
– Annual mean salary: $67,190
– #196 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 160

National
– Annual mean salary: $72,990
– Employment: 614,080
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with highest average pay:
— San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($107,870)
— Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA ($103,930)
— Santa Rosa, CA ($100,620)
– Job description: Directly supervise and coordinate activities of construction or extraction workers.

4 PM production // Shutterstock

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

Owensboro, KY
– Annual mean salary: $68,690
– #213 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 220

National
– Annual mean salary: $73,100
– Employment: 475,000
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with highest average pay:
— San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($95,680)
— Bremerton-Silverdale, WA ($93,140)
— San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($92,810)
– Job description: Directly supervise and coordinate the activities of mechanics, installers, and repairers. May also advise customers on recommended services. Excludes team or work leaders.

Unsplash

#4. Crane and tower operators

Owensboro, KY
– Annual mean salary: $70,460
– #15 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: data not available

National
– Annual mean salary: $64,010
– Employment: 44,060
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with highest average pay:
— San Diego-Carlsbad, CA ($89,250)
— Urban Honolulu, HI ($84,670)
— Vallejo-Fairfield, CA ($84,410)
– Job description: Operate mechanical boom and cable or tower and cable equipment to lift and move materials, machines, or products in many directions.

Luisa Leal Photography // Shutterstock

#3. Electrical power-line installers and repairers

Owensboro, KY
– Annual mean salary: $71,770
– #126 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 50

National
– Annual mean salary: $74,410
– Employment: 114,930
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with highest average pay:
— San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($114,820)
— Redding, CA ($112,850)
— San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($111,810)
– Job description: Install or repair cables or wires used in electrical power or distribution systems. May erect poles and light or heavy duty transmission towers.

Suwin // Shutterstock

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

Owensboro, KY
– Annual mean salary: $82,150
– #38 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 70

National
– Annual mean salary: $83,150
– Employment: 23,070
– Entry level education requirements: Postsecondary nondegree award
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Vallejo-Fairfield, CA ($113,410)
— San Diego-Carlsbad, CA ($111,660)
— Anchorage, AK ($111,470)
– Job description: Inspect, test, repair, or maintain electrical equipment in generating stations, substations, and in-service relays.

Kelly Ogden // Wikimedia Commons

#1. Transportation, storage, and distribution managers

Owensboro, KY
– Annual mean salary: $94,100
– #182 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 40

National
– Annual mean salary: $105,100
– Employment: 132,210
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with highest average pay:
— San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($163,580)
— Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($137,680)
— Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ ($136,410)
– Job description: Plan, direct, or coordinate transportation, storage, or distribution activities in accordance with organizational policies and applicable government laws or regulations. Includes logistics managers.