Highest-paying jobs in El Paso that don't require a college degree
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Highest-paying jobs in El Paso 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 El Paso 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 El Paso 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: $45,080
– Median hourly wage: $21.68
– Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
– Total employment: 710 people (2.23 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
SritanaN // Shutterstock
#49. Industrial machinery mechanics
– Median annual wage: $45,170
– Median hourly wage: $21.72
– Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
– Total employment: 650 people (2.05 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
manine99 // Shutterstock
#48. Maintenance workers, machinery
– Median annual wage: $45,960
– Median hourly wage: $22.10
– Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
– Total employment: 170 people (0.55 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
Andrey_Popov // Shutterstock
#47. Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters
– Median annual wage: $46,260
– Median hourly wage: $22.24
– Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
– Total employment: 740 people (2.35 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Apprenticeship
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#46. Electricians
– Median annual wage: $46,400
– Median hourly wage: $22.31
– Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
– Total employment: 1,280 people (4.06 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Apprenticeship
VGstockstudio // Shutterstock
#45. Reservation and transportation ticket agents and travel clerks
– Median annual wage: $46,900
– Median hourly wage: $22.55
– Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
– Total employment: 130 people (0.4 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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#44. Surveying and mapping technicians
– Median annual wage: $47,140
– Median hourly wage: $22.66
– Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
– Total employment: 140 people (0.45 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
#43. Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses
– Median annual wage: $47,290
– Median hourly wage: $22.74
– Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
– Total employment: 1,750 people (5.54 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
SatawatK // Shutterstock
#42. Telecommunications equipment installers and repairers, except line installers
– Median annual wage: $47,400
– Median hourly wage: $22.79
– Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
– Total employment: 330 people (1.05 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
#41. First-line supervisors of transportation and material moving workers, except aircraft cargo handling supervisors
– Median annual wage: $47,670
– Median hourly wage: $22.92
– Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
– Total employment: 1,480 people (4.67 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
Jat306 // Shutterstock
#40. Millwrights
– Median annual wage: $47,840
– Median hourly wage: $23.00
– Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
– Total employment: 150 people (0.46 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Apprenticeship
GaudiLab // Shutterstock
#39. First-line supervisors of office and administrative support workers
– Median annual wage: $47,970
– Median hourly wage: $23.06
– Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
– Total employment: 4,200 people (13.28 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
Stock Rocket // Shutterstock
#38. Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products
– Median annual wage: $48,130
– Median hourly wage: $23.14
– Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
– Total employment: 1,700 people (5.38 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. Crane and tower operators
– Median annual wage: $48,140
– Median hourly wage: $23.15
– Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
– Total employment: 130 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
Rebekah Zemansky // Shutterstock
#36. First-line supervisors of correctional officers
– Median annual wage: $48,160
– Median hourly wage: $23.15
– Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
– Total employment: 100 people (0.31 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
Leszek Glasner // Shutterstock
#35. Property, real estate, and community association managers
– Median annual wage: $48,220
– Median hourly wage: $23.18
– Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
– Total employment: 380 people (1.21 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
welcomia // Shutterstock
#34. Mobile heavy equipment mechanics, except engines
– Median annual wage: $48,670
– Median hourly wage: $23.40
– Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
– Total employment: 540 people (1.7 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
Gerain0812 // Shutterstock
#33. Surgical technologists
– Median annual wage: $49,910
– Median hourly wage: $23.99
– Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
– Total employment: 240 people (0.76 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
Oleg Golovnev // Shutterstock
#32. First-line supervisors of production and operating workers
– Median annual wage: $51,250
– Median hourly wage: $24.64
– Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
– Total employment: 1,060 people (3.36 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
Onk-Q // Shutterstock
#31. Reinforcing iron and rebar workers
– Median annual wage: $51,320
– Median hourly wage: $24.67
– Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
– Total employment: 60 people (0.18 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Apprenticeship
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
#30. Lodging managers
– Median annual wage: $52,890
– Median hourly wage: $25.43
– Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
– Total employment: 40 people (0.14 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
Syda Productions // Shutterstock
#29. Executive secretaries and executive administrative assistants
– Median annual wage: $52,980
– Median hourly wage: $25.47
– Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
– Total employment: 430 people (1.36 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
Gorgev // Shutterstock
#28. First-line supervisors of security workers
– Median annual wage: $53,090
– Median hourly wage: $25.53
– Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
– Total employment: 150 people (0.48 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
Indypendenz // Shutterstock
#27. Postal service mail sorters, processors, and processing machine operators
– Median annual wage: $53,190
– Median hourly wage: $25.57
– Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
– Total employment: 160 people (0.51 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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#26. Tool and die makers
– Median annual wage: $54,290
– Median hourly wage: $26.10
– Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
– Total employment: 50 people (0.17 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
g-stockstudio // Shutterstock
#25. First-line supervisors of non-retail sales workers
– Median annual wage: $54,480
– Median hourly wage: $26.19
– Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
– Total employment: 530 people (1.69 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
Kitawit Jitaton // Shutterstock
#24. Telecommunications line installers and repairers
– Median annual wage: $54,520
– Median hourly wage: $26.21
– Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
– Total employment: 230 people (0.74 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
Paolo Bona // Shutterstock
#23. Food service managers
– Median annual wage: $54,800
– Median hourly wage: $26.35
– Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
– Total employment: 340 people (1.06 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Short-term on-the-job training
Erin Deleon // Shutterstock
#22. Postal service mail carriers
– Median annual wage: $54,810
– Median hourly wage: $26.35
– Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
– Total employment: 660 people (2.09 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Short-term on-the-job training
4 PM production // Shutterstock
#21. First-line supervisors of mechanics, installers, and repairers
– Median annual wage: $56,200
– Median hourly wage: $27.02
– Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
– Total employment: 1,350 people (4.27 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
rlat // Shutterstock
#20. Postal service clerks
– Median annual wage: $56,600
– Median hourly wage: $27.21
– Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
– Total employment: 130 people (0.4 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Short-term on-the-job training
sculpies // Shutterstock
#19. First-line supervisors of construction trades and extraction workers
– Median annual wage: $57,010
– Median hourly wage: $27.41
– Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
– Total employment: 1,550 people (4.91 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
Yulai Studio // Shutterstock
#18. Surgical assistants
– Median annual wage: $57,590
– Median hourly wage: $27.69
– Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
– Total employment: 40 people (0.12 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
pio3 // Shutterstock
#17. Police and sheriff’s patrol officers
– Median annual wage: $59,290
– Median hourly wage: $28.51
– Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
– Total employment: 1,640 people (5.17 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
BearFotos // Shutterstock
#16. First-line supervisors of protective service workers, all other
– Median annual wage: $59,400
– Median hourly wage: $28.56
– Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
– Total employment: 40 people (0.12 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
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#15. Firefighters
– Median annual wage: $59,450
– Median hourly wage: $28.58
– Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
– Total employment: 610 people (1.93 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
rawpixel.com // Shutterstock
#14. Real estate brokers
– Median annual wage: $61,710
– Median hourly wage: $29.67
– Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
– Total employment: 50 people (0.17 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
Oil and Gas Photographer // Shutterstock
#13. Petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers
– Median annual wage: $62,560
– Median hourly wage: $30.08
– Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
– Total employment: 100 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
Luisa Leal Photography // Shutterstock
#12. Electrical power-line installers and repairers
– Median annual wage: $63,080
– Median hourly wage: $30.33
– Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
– Total employment: 230 people (0.71 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
santi lumubol // Shutterstock
#11. Aircraft mechanics and service technicians
– Median annual wage: $63,790
– Median hourly wage: $30.67
– Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
– Total employment: 190 people (0.61 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
GolF2532 // Shutterstock
#10. Security and fire alarm systems installers
– Median annual wage: $64,340
– Median hourly wage: $30.93
– Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
– Total employment: 430 people (1.37 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
Josep Suria // Shutterstock
#9. Healthcare practitioners and technical workers, all other
– Median annual wage: $65,510
– Median hourly wage: $31.50
– Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
– Total employment: 80 people (0.26 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
#8. Claims adjusters, examiners, and investigators
– Median annual wage: $66,210
– Median hourly wage: $31.83
– Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
– Total employment: 160 people (0.5 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
goodluz // Shutterstock
#7. Transportation, storage, and distribution managers
– Median annual wage: $81,850
– Median hourly wage: $39.35
– Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
– Total employment: 370 people (1.18 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
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#6. First-line supervisors of firefighting and prevention workers
– Median annual wage: $82,470
– Median hourly wage: $39.65
– Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
– Total employment: 290 people (0.92 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
michaeljung // Shutterstock
#5. Power plant operators
– Median annual wage: $83,020
– Median hourly wage: $39.91
– Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
– Total employment: 120 people (0.37 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
Skycolors // Shutterstock
#4. Commercial pilots
– Median annual wage: $86,300
– Median hourly wage: Not available
– Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
– Total employment: 120 people (0.38 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
socrates471 // Shutterstock
#3. Media and communication equipment workers, all other
– Median annual wage: $89,940
– Median hourly wage: $43.24
– Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
– Total employment: 40 people (0.12 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Short-term on-the-job training
Prath // Shutterstock
#2. Detectives and criminal investigators
– Median annual wage: $95,220
– Median hourly wage: $45.78
– Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
– Total employment: 1,760 people (5.56 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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#1. First-line supervisors of police and detectives
– Median annual wage: $105,050
– Median hourly wage: $50.51
– Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
– Total employment: 180 people (0.56 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
