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

College isn’t for everyone—despite what today’s youth may hear from the adults in their lives.

From the moment they arrive freshman year, today’s high school students are inundated with messages about the importance of receiving a college education. They hear it from their guidance counselors, teachers, parents, family members, neighbors, and coaches.

While graduation from a four-year college can certainly work wonders for students’ future careers, it’s not necessary for all fields—something admissions officers and guidance counselors sometimes fail to mention.

The median wage for high school diploma recipients is about $809 a week—higher than those without a diploma ($626), but well below the median for bachelor’s degree holders ($1,334). But many jobs without college degree requirements still pay decent wages. Some even pay better than jobs reserved for degree earners.

Stacker used Bureau of Labor Statistics data to find the 50 highest-paying jobs in Lexington that don’t require higher education. Professions that listed a high school diploma, some college education (without a degree conferred), postsecondary nondegree award, or no formal education requirements for entry-level positions were considered. Jobs are ranked by their annual median salaries as of May 2022.

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

This story features data reporting and writing by Paxtyn Merten and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 366 metros.

David Spates // Shutterstock

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

– Median annual wage: $50,180
– Median hourly wage: $24.13
– Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
– Total employment: 880 people (3.3 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training

Kot500 // Shutterstock

#49. Bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists

– Median annual wage: $50,420
– Median hourly wage: $24.24
– Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
– Total employment: 480 people (1.8 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training

Gerain0812 // Shutterstock

#48. Surgical technologists

– Median annual wage: $50,500
– Median hourly wage: $24.28
– Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
– Total employment: 330 people (1.24 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None

Canva

#47. Dental laboratory technicians

– Median annual wage: $50,510
– Median hourly wage: $24.28
– Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
– Total employment: 60 people (0.22 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training

DenisProduction.com // Shutterstock

#46. Chefs and head cooks

– Median annual wage: $50,760
– Median hourly wage: $24.40
– Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
– Total employment: 270 people (1.01 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None

Canva

#45. Bus drivers, transit and intercity

– Median annual wage: $50,950
– Median hourly wage: $24.50
– Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
– Total employment: 240 people (0.89 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training

John Leung // Shutterstock

#44. Brickmasons and blockmasons

– Median annual wage: $51,030
– Median hourly wage: $24.53
– Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
– Total employment: 60 people (0.21 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Apprenticeship

Indypendenz // Shutterstock

#43. Postal service mail sorters, processors, and processing machine operators

– Median annual wage: $51,670
– Median hourly wage: $24.84
– Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
– Total employment: 230 people (0.86 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Short-term on-the-job training

Rebekah Zemansky // Shutterstock

#42. First-line supervisors of correctional officers

– Median annual wage: $51,770
– Median hourly wage: $24.89
– Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
– Total employment: 120 people (0.45 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None

Canva

#41. Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators

– Median annual wage: $51,900
– Median hourly wage: $24.95
– Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
– Total employment: 710 people (2.66 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training

Socrates471 // Shutterstock

#40. Audio and video technicians

– Median annual wage: $52,020
– Median hourly wage: $25.01
– Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
– Total employment: 100 people (0.36 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Short-term on-the-job training

Peter Braakmann // Shutterstock

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

– Median annual wage: $52,080
– Median hourly wage: $25.04
– Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
– Total employment: 100 people (0.37 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None

ALPA PROD // Shutterstock

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

– Median annual wage: $52,140
– Median hourly wage: $25.07
– Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
– Total employment: 1,230 people (4.58 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None

Syda Productions // Shutterstock

#37. Executive secretaries and executive administrative assistants

– Median annual wage: $52,200
– Median hourly wage: $25.10
– Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
– Total employment: 680 people (2.53 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None

Sergey Ryzhov // Shutterstock

#36. Cutting and slicing machine setters, operators, and tenders

– Median annual wage: $53,630
– Median hourly wage: $25.78
– Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
– Total employment: 70 people (0.28 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training

BearFotos // Shutterstock

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

– Median annual wage: $55,380
– Median hourly wage: $26.63
– Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
– Total employment: 40 people (0.16 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None

Erin Deleon // Shutterstock

#34. Postal service mail carriers

– Median annual wage: $55,620
– Median hourly wage: $26.74
– Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
– Total employment: 520 people (1.93 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Short-term on-the-job training

Canva

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

– Median annual wage: $55,660
– Median hourly wage: $26.76
– Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
– Total employment: 1,670 people (6.24 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training

Canva

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

– Median annual wage: $56,770
– Median hourly wage: $27.29
– Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
– Total employment: 80 people (0.29 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training

LStockStudio // Shutterstock

#31. Brokerage clerks

– Median annual wage: $57,270
– Median hourly wage: $27.53
– Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
– Total employment: 140 people (0.51 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training

Canva

#30. Construction and building inspectors

– Median annual wage: $57,490
– Median hourly wage: $27.64
– Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
– Total employment: 160 people (0.58 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training

welcomia // Shutterstock

#29. Mobile heavy equipment mechanics, except engines

– Median annual wage: $57,940
– Median hourly wage: $27.86
– Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
– Total employment: 310 people (1.16 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training

rlat // Shutterstock

#28. Postal service clerks

– Median annual wage: $58,220
– Median hourly wage: $27.99
– Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
– Total employment: 80 people (0.3 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Short-term on-the-job training

Canva

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

– Median annual wage: $58,800
– Median hourly wage: $28.27
– Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
– Total employment: 320 people (1.18 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training

manine99 // Shutterstock

#26. Maintenance workers, machinery

– Median annual wage: $58,980
– Median hourly wage: $28.36
– Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
– Total employment: 360 people (1.34 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training

Stock Rocket // Shutterstock

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

– Median annual wage: $59,000
– Median hourly wage: $28.36
– Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
– Total employment: 1,950 people (7.29 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training

GaudiLab // Shutterstock

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

– Median annual wage: $59,260
– Median hourly wage: $28.49
– Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
– Total employment: 2,480 people (9.27 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None

N_Sakarin // Shutterstock

#23. Structural iron and steel workers

– Median annual wage: $59,320
– Median hourly wage: $28.52
– Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
– Total employment: 60 people (0.24 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Apprenticeship

SatawatK // Shutterstock

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

– Median annual wage: $60,110
– Median hourly wage: $28.90
– Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
– Total employment: 220 people (0.81 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training

Andrey_Popov // Shutterstock

#21. Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters

– Median annual wage: $60,130
– Median hourly wage: $28.91
– Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
– Total employment: 850 people (3.17 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Apprenticeship

Paolo Bona // Shutterstock

#20. Food service managers

– Median annual wage: $61,280
– Median hourly wage: $29.46
– Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
– Total employment: 200 people (0.73 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Short-term on-the-job training

santi lumubol // Shutterstock

#19. Aircraft mechanics and service technicians

– Median annual wage: $61,660
– Median hourly wage: $29.65
– Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
– Total employment: 440 people (1.62 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None

SritanaN // Shutterstock

#18. Industrial machinery mechanics

– Median annual wage: $62,540
– Median hourly wage: $30.07
– Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
– Total employment: 670 people (2.5 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training

Jat306 // Shutterstock

#17. Millwrights

– Median annual wage: $62,640
– Median hourly wage: $30.12
– Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
– Total employment: 80 people (0.29 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Apprenticeship

NDAB Creativity // Shutterstock

#16. Massage therapists

– Median annual wage: $63,140
– Median hourly wage: $30.36
– Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
– Total employment: 140 people (0.52 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None

sculpies // Shutterstock

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

– Median annual wage: $66,240
– Median hourly wage: $31.84
– Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
– Total employment: 1,040 people (3.88 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None

Canva

#14. Tool and die makers

– Median annual wage: $66,560
– Median hourly wage: $32.00
– Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
– Total employment: 310 people (1.15 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training

Canva

#13. Crane and tower operators

– Median annual wage: $66,890
– Median hourly wage: $32.16
– Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
– Total employment: 30 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

Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

#12. Insurance appraisers, auto damage

– Median annual wage: $67,600
– Median hourly wage: $32.50
– Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
– Total employment: 40 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

Canva

#11. First-line supervisors of police and detectives

– Median annual wage: $67,920
– Median hourly wage: $32.65
– Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
– Total employment: 360 people (1.33 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training

Oleg Golovnev // Shutterstock

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

– Median annual wage: $72,660
– Median hourly wage: $34.93
– Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
– Total employment: 1,800 people (6.74 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None

Syda Productions // Shutterstock

#9. Farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural managers

– Median annual wage: $72,820
– Median hourly wage: $35.01
– Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
– Total employment: 80 people (0.29 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None

g-stockstudio // Shutterstock

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

– Median annual wage: $73,850
– Median hourly wage: $35.50
– Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
– Total employment: 210 people (0.8 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None

Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

#7. Claims adjusters, examiners, and investigators

– Median annual wage: $75,240
– Median hourly wage: $36.17
– Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
– Total employment: 470 people (1.76 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training

Yulai Studio // Shutterstock

#6. Surgical assistants

– Median annual wage: $76,120
– Median hourly wage: $36.60
– Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
– Total employment: 70 people (0.24 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None

Luisa Leal Photography // Shutterstock

#5. Electrical power-line installers and repairers

– Median annual wage: $76,840
– Median hourly wage: $36.94
– Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
– Total employment: 450 people (1.69 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training

4 PM production // Shutterstock

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

– Median annual wage: $76,900
– Median hourly wage: $36.97
– Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
– Total employment: 1,110 people (4.14 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None

Skycolors // Shutterstock

#3. Commercial pilots

– Median annual wage: $87,740
– Median hourly wage: Not available
– Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
– Total employment: 50 people (0.2 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training

goodluz // Shutterstock

#2. Transportation, storage, and distribution managers

– Median annual wage: $90,350
– Median hourly wage: $43.44
– Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
– Total employment: 300 people (1.11 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None

Prath // Shutterstock

#1. Detectives and criminal investigators

– Median annual wage: $99,200
– Median hourly wage: $47.69
– Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
– Total employment: 100 people (0.36 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training