Highest paying jobs in Louisville 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 Louisville 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.

Christian Lagerek // Shutterstock

#50. Gas plant operators

– Median annual wage: $52,810
– Median hourly wage: $25.39
– Total employment: 40 people (0.06 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training

Peter Braakmann // Shutterstock

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

– Median annual wage: $52,830
– Median hourly wage: $25.40
– Total employment: 30 people (0.05 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None

Canva

#48. Bus drivers, transit and intercity

– Median annual wage: $54,350
– Median hourly wage: $26.13
– Total employment: 1,050 people (1.63 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

#47. Chefs and head cooks

– Median annual wage: $54,360
– Median hourly wage: $26.14
– Total employment: 380 people (0.59 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None

Erin Deleon // Shutterstock

#46. Postal service mail carriers

– Median annual wage: $54,810
– Median hourly wage: $26.35
– Total employment: 1,290 people (2.0 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Short-term on-the-job training

ALPA PROD // Shutterstock

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

– Median annual wage: $55,200
– Median hourly wage: $26.54
– Total employment: 3,800 people (5.91 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None

ArtSvetlana // Shutterstock

#44. Forging machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic

– Median annual wage: $55,640
– Median hourly wage: $26.75
– Total employment: 100 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

#43. Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators

– Median annual wage: $55,840
– Median hourly wage: $26.85
– Total employment: 1,580 people (2.46 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training

Guiderom // Shutterstock

#42. Rail car repairers

– Median annual wage: $56,250
– Median hourly wage: $27.04
– Total employment: 110 people (0.16 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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#41. Crane and tower operators

– Median annual wage: $56,270
– Median hourly wage: $27.05
– Total employment: 140 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

kittirat roekburi // Shutterstock

#39. Stationary engineers and boiler operators (tie)

– Median annual wage: $56,730
– Median hourly wage: $27.28
– Total employment: 60 people (0.09 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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#39. Sales representatives of services, except advertising, insurance, financial services, and travel (tie)

– Median annual wage: $56,730
– Median hourly wage: $27.27
– Total employment: 4,690 people (7.3 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training

welcomia // Shutterstock

#38. Mobile heavy equipment mechanics, except engines

– Median annual wage: $57,450
– Median hourly wage: $27.62
– Total employment: 750 people (1.17 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

#37. Occupational health and safety technicians

– Median annual wage: $58,050
– Median hourly wage: $27.91
– Total employment: 110 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

rlat // Shutterstock

#36. Postal service clerks

– Median annual wage: $58,220
– Median hourly wage: $27.99
– Total employment: 240 people (0.38 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Short-term on-the-job training

Dmitry Kalinovsky // Shutterstock

#35. Chemical equipment operators and tenders

– Median annual wage: $58,770
– Median hourly wage: $28.25
– Total employment: 750 people (1.16 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training

Chok Chokchai // Shutterstock

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

– Median annual wage: $58,830
– Median hourly wage: $28.28
– Total employment: 450 people (0.69 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training

manine99 // Shutterstock

#33. Maintenance workers, machinery

– Median annual wage: $58,890
– Median hourly wage: $28.31
– Total employment: 660 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

wavebreakmedia // Shutterstock

#32. Hearing aid specialists

– Median annual wage: $59,300
– Median hourly wage: $28.51
– Total employment: 50 people (0.08 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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#31. Construction and building inspectors

– Median annual wage: $59,370
– Median hourly wage: $28.55
– Total employment: 330 people (0.52 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

#30. Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters

– Median annual wage: $59,470
– Median hourly wage: $28.59
– Total employment: 2,230 people (3.47 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Apprenticeship

Dragana Gordic // Shutterstock

#29. Community health workers

– Median annual wage: $60,270
– Median hourly wage: $28.97
– Total employment: 1,180 people (1.84 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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#28. Electricians

– Median annual wage: $60,390
– Median hourly wage: $29.03
– Total employment: 3,360 people (5.22 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Apprenticeship

N_Sakarin // Shutterstock

#27. Structural iron and steel workers

– Median annual wage: $60,440
– Median hourly wage: $29.06
– Total employment: 300 people (0.46 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Apprenticeship

Nordroden // Shutterstock

#26. Metal-refining furnace operators and tenders

– Median annual wage: $60,720
– Median hourly wage: $29.19
– Total employment: 120 people (0.19 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training

Stock Rocket // Shutterstock

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

– Median annual wage: $60,990
– Median hourly wage: $29.32
– Total employment: 5,690 people (8.84 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training

Paolo Bona // Shutterstock

#24. Food service managers

– Median annual wage: $61,410
– Median hourly wage: $29.53
– Total employment: 560 people (0.88 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Short-term on-the-job training

Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

#23. Insurance sales agents

– Median annual wage: $62,040
– Median hourly wage: $29.83
– Total employment: 3,220 people (5.0 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training

SritanaN // Shutterstock

#22. Industrial machinery mechanics

– Median annual wage: $62,470
– Median hourly wage: $30.03
– Total employment: 2,300 people (3.57 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training

Oil and Gas Photographer // Shutterstock

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

– Median annual wage: $63,510
– Median hourly wage: $30.53
– Total employment: 190 people (0.29 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training

GaudiLab // Shutterstock

#19. First-line supervisors of office and administrative support workers (tie)

– Median annual wage: $63,660
– Median hourly wage: $30.60
– Total employment: 6,890 people (10.71 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None

Oil and Gas Photographer // Shutterstock

#19. Petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers (tie)

– Median annual wage: $63,660
– Median hourly wage: $30.61
– Total employment: 60 people (0.09 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

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

– Median annual wage: $64,840
– Median hourly wage: $31.17
– Total employment: 3,930 people (6.1 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None

Syda Productions // Shutterstock

#17. Executive secretaries and executive administrative assistants

– Median annual wage: $66,210
– Median hourly wage: $31.83
– Total employment: 1,740 people (2.7 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None

Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

#16. Claims adjusters, examiners, and investigators

– Median annual wage: $68,290
– Median hourly wage: $32.83
– Total employment: 2,150 people (3.34 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training

Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

#15. Lodging managers

– Median annual wage: $70,020
– Median hourly wage: $33.66
– Total employment: 40 people (0.06 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None

michaeljung // Shutterstock

#14. Power plant operators

– Median annual wage: $70,350
– Median hourly wage: $33.82
– Total employment: 100 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

sculpies // Shutterstock

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

– Median annual wage: $71,390
– Median hourly wage: $34.32
– Total employment: 2,200 people (3.43 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None

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#12. First-line supervisors of police and detectives

– Median annual wage: $75,640
– Median hourly wage: $36.37
– Total employment: 380 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

Luisa Leal Photography // Shutterstock

#11. Electrical power-line installers and repairers

– Median annual wage: $76,620
– Median hourly wage: $36.84
– Total employment: 650 people (1.01 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

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

– Median annual wage: $77,970
– Median hourly wage: $37.49
– Total employment: 2,930 people (4.55 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None

Prath // Shutterstock

#9. Detectives and criminal investigators

– Median annual wage: $80,000
– Median hourly wage: $38.46
– Total employment: 200 people (0.31 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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#8. Elevator and escalator installers and repairers

– Median annual wage: $81,830
– Median hourly wage: $39.34
– Total employment: 170 people (0.27 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Apprenticeship

Ken Wolter // Shutterstock

#7. Postmasters and mail superintendents

– Median annual wage: $83,800
– Median hourly wage: $40.29
– Total employment: 40 people (0.06 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training

g-stockstudio // Shutterstock

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

– Median annual wage: $86,230
– Median hourly wage: $41.46
– Total employment: 1,060 people (1.64 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None

rawpixel.com // Shutterstock

#5. Real estate brokers

– Median annual wage: $91,140
– Median hourly wage: $43.82
– Total employment: 180 people (0.28 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None

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#4. Transportation inspectors

– Median annual wage: $94,370
– Median hourly wage: $45.37
– Total employment: 120 people (0.18 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

#3. Power distributors and dispatchers

– Median annual wage: $96,010
– Median hourly wage: $46.16
– Total employment: 60 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

goodluz // Shutterstock

#2. Transportation, storage, and distribution managers

– Median annual wage: $96,120
– Median hourly wage: $46.21
– Total employment: Not available
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None

Olena Yakobchuk // Shutterstock

#1. Airfield operations specialists

– Median annual wage: $122,940
– Median hourly wage: $59.10
– Total employment: 160 people (0.24 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training