Highest-paying jobs in Gadsden 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 Gadsden 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 Gadsden 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.

Glenn Highcove // Shutterstock

#50. Industrial truck and tractor operators

– Median annual wage: $30,990
– Median hourly wage: $14.90
– Education required: No formal educational credential
– Total employment: 200 people (6.1 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Short-term on-the-job training

fizkes // Shutterstock

#49. Public safety telecommunicators

– Median annual wage: $31,740
– Median hourly wage: $15.26
– Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
– Total employment: 70 people (2.07 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training

Zivica Kerkez // Shutterstock

#48. Loan interviewers and clerks

– Median annual wage: $31,790
– Median hourly wage: $15.28
– Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
– Total employment: 40 people (1.36 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Short-term on-the-job training

Syda Productions // Shutterstock

#47. Tellers

– Median annual wage: $32,140
– Median hourly wage: $15.45
– Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
– Total employment: 130 people (4.01 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Short-term on-the-job training

Fusionstudio // Shutterstock

#46. Shipping, receiving, and inventory clerks

– Median annual wage: $32,270
– Median hourly wage: $15.52
– Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
– Total employment: 110 people (3.3 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Short-term on-the-job training

ESB Basic // Shutterstock

#45. Customer service representatives

– Median annual wage: $32,610
– Median hourly wage: $15.68
– Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
– Total employment: 310 people (9.76 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Short-term on-the-job training

Philip Lange // Shutterstock

#44. Highway maintenance workers

– Median annual wage: $32,970
– Median hourly wage: $15.85
– Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
– Total employment: 80 people (2.39 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

#43. Billing and posting clerks

– Median annual wage: $33,370
– Median hourly wage: $16.04
– Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
– Total employment: 80 people (2.35 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training

Canva

#42. Maintenance and repair workers, general

– Median annual wage: $34,110
– Median hourly wage: $16.40
– Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
– Total employment: 260 people (7.96 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training

Dragana Gordic // Shutterstock

#41. Pharmacy technicians

– Median annual wage: $34,140
– Median hourly wage: $16.42
– Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
– Total employment: 190 people (5.77 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training

New Africa // Shutterstock

#40. First-line supervisors of housekeeping and janitorial workers

– Median annual wage: $34,370
– Median hourly wage: $16.52
– Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
– Total employment: 40 people (1.27 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None

ALPA PROD // Shutterstock

#39. Medical secretaries and administrative assistants

– Median annual wage: $35,280
– Median hourly wage: $16.96
– Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
– Total employment: 130 people (4.07 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training

G-Stock Studio // Shutterstock

#38. Secretaries and administrative assistants, except legal, medical, and executive

– Median annual wage: $35,350
– Median hourly wage: $17.00
– Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
– Total employment: 700 people (21.68 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Short-term on-the-job training

Canva

#37. Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators

– Median annual wage: $36,040
– Median hourly wage: $17.33
– Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
– Total employment: 80 people (2.35 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training

Gorodenkoff // Shutterstock

#36. First-line supervisors of retail sales workers

– Median annual wage: $36,210
– Median hourly wage: $17.41
– Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
– Total employment: 410 people (12.85 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None

Canva

#35. Carpenters

– Median annual wage: $36,240
– Median hourly wage: $17.42
– Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
– Total employment: 50 people (1.67 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Apprenticeship

David Spates // Shutterstock

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

– Median annual wage: $37,640
– Median hourly wage: $18.10
– Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
– Total employment: 70 people (2.08 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training

Nicola Forenza // Shutterstock

#33. Legal secretaries and administrative assistants

– Median annual wage: $37,920
– Median hourly wage: $18.23
– Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
– Total employment: 40 people (1.09 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

#32. Insurance sales agents

– Median annual wage: $38,020
– Median hourly wage: $18.28
– Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
– Total employment: 120 people (3.75 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training

nullplus // Shutterstock

#31. Light truck drivers

– Median annual wage: $38,080
– Median hourly wage: $18.31
– Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
– Total employment: 270 people (8.38 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

#30. Coating, painting, and spraying machine setters, operators, and tenders

– Median annual wage: $38,210
– Median hourly wage: $18.37
– Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
– Total employment: 30 people (0.95 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training

Canva

#29. Computer numerically controlled tool operators

– Median annual wage: $38,420
– Median hourly wage: $18.47
– Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
– Total employment: 80 people (2.63 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

#28. Sheet metal workers

– Median annual wage: $38,480
– Median hourly wage: $18.50
– Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
– Total employment: 40 people (1.27 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Apprenticeship

pio3 // Shutterstock

#27. Police and sheriff’s patrol officers

– Median annual wage: $38,790
– Median hourly wage: $18.65
– Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
– Total employment: 330 people (10.35 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training

Canva

#26. Firefighters

– Median annual wage: $39,250
– Median hourly wage: $18.87
– Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
– Total employment: 170 people (5.4 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training

Canva

#25. Electricians

– Median annual wage: $39,260
– Median hourly wage: $18.88
– Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
– Total employment: 130 people (3.89 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Apprenticeship

Canva

#24. Welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers

– Median annual wage: $39,450
– Median hourly wage: $18.96
– Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
– Total employment: 130 people (3.89 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training

4 PM production // Shutterstock

#23. Automotive service technicians and mechanics

– Median annual wage: $39,620
– Median hourly wage: $19.05
– Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
– Total employment: 190 people (5.86 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Short-term on-the-job training

Canva

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

– Median annual wage: $41,340
– Median hourly wage: $19.87
– Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
– Total employment: 130 people (3.99 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training

Canva

#21. Machinists

– Median annual wage: $42,170
– Median hourly wage: $20.28
– Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
– Total employment: 90 people (2.67 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training

Kot500 // Shutterstock

#20. Bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists

– Median annual wage: $42,330
– Median hourly wage: $20.35
– Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
– Total employment: 80 people (2.35 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

#19. Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters

– Median annual wage: $43,620
– Median hourly wage: $20.97
– Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
– Total employment: 70 people (2.13 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Apprenticeship

Leszek Glasner // Shutterstock

#18. Property, real estate, and community association managers

– Median annual wage: $43,840
– Median hourly wage: $21.08
– Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
– Total employment: 40 people (1.3 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None

Daniel M Ernst // Shutterstock

#17. Eligibility interviewers, government programs

– Median annual wage: $44,200
– Median hourly wage: $21.25
– Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
– Total employment: 50 people (1.66 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training

Vitpho // Shutterstock

#16. Heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers

– Median annual wage: $44,640
– Median hourly wage: $21.46
– Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
– Total employment: 540 people (16.84 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Short-term on-the-job training

Jacob Lund // Shutterstock

#15. Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses

– Median annual wage: $45,120
– Median hourly wage: $21.69
– Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
– Total employment: 270 people (8.24 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None

SritanaN // Shutterstock

#14. Industrial machinery mechanics

– Median annual wage: $45,250
– Median hourly wage: $21.76
– Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
– Total employment: 310 people (9.69 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training

Canva

#13. Automotive body and related repairers

– Median annual wage: $45,900
– Median hourly wage: $22.07
– Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
– Total employment: 40 people (1.14 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

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

– Median annual wage: $47,250
– Median hourly wage: $22.72
– Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
– Total employment: 230 people (7.21 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training

Canva

#11. Tool and die makers

– Median annual wage: $47,730
– Median hourly wage: $22.95
– Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
– Total employment: 40 people (1.22 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training

GaudiLab // Shutterstock

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

– Median annual wage: $48,640
– Median hourly wage: $23.39
– Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
– Total employment: 250 people (7.69 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None

ALPA PROD // Shutterstock

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

– Median annual wage: $49,730
– Median hourly wage: $23.91
– Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
– Total employment: 150 people (4.63 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None

Erin Deleon // Shutterstock

#8. Postal service mail carriers

– Median annual wage: $49,750
– Median hourly wage: $23.92
– Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
– Total employment: 140 people (4.44 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Short-term on-the-job training

sculpies // Shutterstock

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

– Median annual wage: $54,770
– Median hourly wage: $26.33
– Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
– Total employment: 150 people (4.64 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None

SatawatK // Shutterstock

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

– Median annual wage: $56,120
– Median hourly wage: $26.98
– Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
– Total employment: 40 people (1.34 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

#5. Food service managers

– Median annual wage: $56,380
– Median hourly wage: $27.11
– Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
– Total employment: 70 people (2.32 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Short-term on-the-job training

Oleg Golovnev // Shutterstock

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

– Median annual wage: $56,490
– Median hourly wage: $27.16
– Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
– Total employment: 230 people (7.26 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None

4 PM production // Shutterstock

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

– Median annual wage: $57,340
– Median hourly wage: $27.57
– Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
– Total employment: 160 people (5.0 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None

Syda Productions // Shutterstock

#2. Executive secretaries and executive administrative assistants

– Median annual wage: $59,750
– Median hourly wage: $28.73
– Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
– Total employment: 40 people (1.17 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None

g-stockstudio // Shutterstock

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

– Median annual wage: $60,150
– Median hourly wage: $28.92
– Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
– Total employment: 30 people (0.99 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None