Not getting a college degree has been a topic here for some time. Here are the salaries for these jobs in Chicago.

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 Chicago 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 Chicago 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.

#50. Carpet installers
– Median annual wage: $70,910
– Median hourly wage: $34.09
– Education required: No formal educational credential
– Total employment: 350 people (0.08 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Short-term on-the-job training

#49. Roofers
– Median annual wage: $71,190
– Median hourly wage: $34.23
– Education required: No formal educational credential
– Total employment: 4,450 people (1.01 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training

#48. Carpenters
– Median annual wage: $71,770
– Median hourly wage: $34.51
– Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
– Total employment: 17,880 people (4.05 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Apprenticeship

#47. Earth drillers, except oil and gas
– Median annual wage: $72,290
– Median hourly wage: $34.76
– Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
– Total employment: Not available
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training

#46. Occupational health and safety technicians
– Median annual wage: $72,700
– Median hourly wage: $34.95
– Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
– Total employment: 890 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

#45. Firefighters
– Median annual wage: $74,400
– Median hourly wage: $35.77
– Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
– Total employment: 13,150 people (2.98 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training

#44. Construction and building inspectors
– Median annual wage: $76,230
– Median hourly wage: $36.65
– Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
– Total employment: 2,160 people (0.49 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training

#43. Industrial machinery mechanics
– Median annual wage: $76,710
– Median hourly wage: $36.88
– Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
– Total employment: 9,540 people (2.16 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training

#42. Telecommunications line installers and repairers
– Median annual wage: $77,380
– Median hourly wage: $37.20
– Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
– Total employment: 1,960 people (0.44 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training

#41. Fire inspectors and investigators
– Median annual wage: $77,860
– Median hourly wage: $37.43
– Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
– Total employment: 420 people (0.1 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training

#40. Metal-refining furnace operators and tenders
– Median annual wage: $78,090
– Median hourly wage: $37.54
– Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
– Total employment: 2,760 people (0.62 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training

#39. First-line supervisors of mechanics, installers, and repairers
– Median annual wage: $79,790
– Median hourly wage: $38.36
– Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
– Total employment: 11,590 people (2.62 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None

#38. Aircraft mechanics and service technicians
– Median annual wage: $80,080
– Median hourly wage: $38.50
– Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
– Total employment: 2,390 people (0.54 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None

#37. Plasterers and stucco masons
– Median annual wage: $80,220
– Median hourly wage: $38.57
– Education required: No formal educational credential
– Total employment: 560 people (0.13 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training

#36. Floor layers, except carpet, wood, and hard tiles
– Median annual wage: $80,450
– Median hourly wage: $38.68
– Education required: No formal educational credential
– Total employment: 1,030 people (0.23 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training

#35. First-line supervisors of non-retail sales workers
– Median annual wage: $80,800
– Median hourly wage: $38.84
– Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
– Total employment: 3,730 people (0.84 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None

#34. Gas plant operators
– Median annual wage: $81,870
– Median hourly wage: $39.36
– Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
– Total employment: 500 people (0.11 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training

#33. First-line supervisors of correctional officers
– Median annual wage: $82,430
– Median hourly wage: $39.63
– Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
– Total employment: 750 people (0.17 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None

#32. Farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural managers
– Median annual wage: $83,210
– Median hourly wage: $40.01
– Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
– Total employment: Not available
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None

#31. Postmasters and mail superintendents
– Median annual wage: $84,280
– Median hourly wage: $40.52
– Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
– Total employment: 200 people (0.05 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training

#30. Cement masons and concrete finishers
– Median annual wage: $84,300
– Median hourly wage: $40.53
– Education required: No formal educational credential
– Total employment: 5,020 people (1.14 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training

#29. Brickmasons and blockmasons
– Median annual wage: $84,500
– Median hourly wage: $40.63
– Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
– Total employment: 2,900 people (0.66 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Apprenticeship

#28. Police and sheriff’s patrol officers
– Median annual wage: $86,130
– Median hourly wage: $41.41
– Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
– Total employment: 23,530 people (5.33 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training

#27. Sheet metal workers
– Median annual wage: $87,950
– Median hourly wage: $42.28
– Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
– Total employment: 3,520 people (0.8 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Apprenticeship

#26. Reinforcing iron and rebar workers
– Median annual wage: $89,940
– Median hourly wage: $43.24
– Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
– Total employment: 330 people (0.08 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Apprenticeship

#25. Power distributors and dispatchers
– Median annual wage: $92,450
– Median hourly wage: $44.45
– Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
– Total employment: 150 people (0.04 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training

#24. Electrical and electronics repairers, powerhouse, substation, and relay
– Median annual wage: $93,130
– Median hourly wage: $44.78
– Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
– Total employment: 110 people (0.02 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training

#23. Structural iron and steel workers
– Median annual wage: $93,890
– Median hourly wage: $45.14
– Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
– Total employment: 2,560 people (0.58 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Apprenticeship

#22. Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators
– Median annual wage: $94,350
– Median hourly wage: $45.36
– Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
– Total employment: 7,950 people (1.8 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training

#21. Captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels
– Median annual wage: $96,260
– Median hourly wage: $46.28
– Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
– Total employment: 590 people (0.14 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None

#20. Ship engineers
– Median annual wage: $96,310
– Median hourly wage: $46.30
– Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
– Total employment: 170 people (0.04 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None

#19. Transportation inspectors
– Median annual wage: $97,050
– Median hourly wage: $46.66
– Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
– Total employment: 330 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

#18. Electricians
– Median annual wage: $97,950
– Median hourly wage: $47.09
– Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
– Total employment: 14,960 people (3.39 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Apprenticeship

#17. First-line supervisors of construction trades and extraction workers
– Median annual wage: $98,810
– Median hourly wage: $47.51
– Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
– Total employment: 10,490 people (2.38 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None

#16. Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters
– Median annual wage: $100,560
– Median hourly wage: $48.34
– Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
– Total employment: 11,190 people (2.53 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Apprenticeship

#15. Commercial pilots
– Median annual wage: $100,730
– Median hourly wage: Not available
– Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
– Total employment: 510 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

#14. Transportation, storage, and distribution managers
– Median annual wage: $101,710
– Median hourly wage: $48.90
– Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
– Total employment: 7,410 people (1.68 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None

#13. Detectives and criminal investigators
– Median annual wage: $102,650
– Median hourly wage: $49.35
– Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
– Total employment: 1,860 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

#12. Insulation workers, mechanical
– Median annual wage: $102,840
– Median hourly wage: $49.44
– Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
– Total employment: 520 people (0.12 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Apprenticeship

#11. Stationary engineers and boiler operators
– Median annual wage: $105,990
– Median hourly wage: $50.96
– Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
– Total employment: 980 people (0.22 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training

#10. Tapers
– Median annual wage: $106,020
– Median hourly wage: $50.97
– Education required: No formal educational credential
– Total employment: 350 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

#9. Power plant operators
– Median annual wage: $106,090
– Median hourly wage: $51.00
– Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
– Total employment: 680 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

#8. Boilermakers
– Median annual wage: $107,940
– Median hourly wage: $51.89
– Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
– Total employment: 80 people (0.02 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Apprenticeship

#7. Electrical power-line installers and repairers
– Median annual wage: $108,540
– Median hourly wage: $52.18
– Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
– Total employment: 2,640 people (0.6 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training

#6. Pile driver operators
– Median annual wage: $109,010
– Median hourly wage: $52.41
– Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
– Total employment: 30 people (0.01 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training

#5. First-line supervisors of firefighting and prevention workers
– Median annual wage: $109,230
– Median hourly wage: $52.51
– Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
– Total employment: 2,570 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

#4. Electric motor, power tool, and related repairers
– Median annual wage: $112,260
– Median hourly wage: $53.97
– Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
– Total employment: 510 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

#3. Petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers
– Median annual wage: $113,030
– Median hourly wage: $54.34
– Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
– Total employment: 320 people (0.07 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training

#2. Elevator and escalator installers and repairers
– Median annual wage: $124,860
– Median hourly wage: $60.03
– Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
– Total employment: 470 people (0.11 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Apprenticeship

#1. First-line supervisors of police and detectives
– Median annual wage: $130,860
– Median hourly wage: $62.91
– Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
– Total employment: 4,790 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

link; https://wgntv.com/news/chicago...re-a-college-degree/

Technicians can make a lot of money as long as they stay healthy

Unfortunately, there were quite a few predatory schools (e.g. ITT Tech, Lincoln Tech) that defrauded students. Ended up with debt but didn't end up with a good paying technician job.

Got a lot of farmers and ranchers in Chicago, I take it?

quote:

#32. Farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural managers
– Median annual wage: $83,210
– Median hourly wage: $40.01
– Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
– Total employment: Not available
– Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None

I'm surprised this didn't make the list:

quote:

Got a lot of farmers and ranchers in Chicago, I take it?

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Lots of union jobs. When I lived there you had to know someone and you took it from there. Of course there were the NO Show jobs at city hall.

Random thoughts:

I pushed my kid to go to the JVS down the road and get a welding certificate, as a fallback. The world will always need welders.

I've heard complaints about student debt, but I have never heard someone complain that they had too much education, just that sometimes they didn't utilize it.

Who wants to be some of these things unless they pay well? I've seen the literal shit that's in the bottom of an elevator pit.

I can't imagine being satisfied and actualized as a pile driver. "Yeah, I spent my shift listening to a loud repetitive banging sound, and at the end of the day there was a pole sticking out of the ground. I'll do the same thing tomorrow, and the next day, and the next..."

Farming doesn't require training of any sort? Whoever thinks this has never been on a farm, particularly as high-tech sneaks in. And you are always one bad storm or an off-season away from financial disaster.

I'm 64 and currently studying PhD. programs for potential enrollment. Knowledge rocks.

quote:

Originally posted by arfmel:
Got a lot of farmers and ranchers in Chicago, I take it?

Depends on how they defined "Chicago". There are some fairly large rural/agricultural areas on the outskirts of the southern and western suburbs that are still considered part of "Chicagoland" and/or the "Chicago Metropolitan Area", in counties like Kendall/Kane/Will/McHenry/etc.

Until he retired recently, my dad lived in Yorkville, a primarily farming area that has seen recent growth into a bedroom community suburb, and would commute into downtown Chicago via train a couple days per week.

Kidcop… I did piling work for 32 years, mostly marine work, a lot of residential jobs as we are right on Lake Erie… you’ve obviously never built anything and had the satisfaction of looking at a finished product and saying “ I built that and it looks amazing”

had a customer earlier this year who was a retired welder.. he worked on the Sears Tower... his helper was handing him new rods but they kind of cheated and stacked them beside him on the beam... once day he got a tap on his shoulder and turned and the supervisor was asking him where his assistant was? Seems he had taken the short route down... he said the interesting part about the job was most days you had a great view of nothing but jets coming in... because you were above the cloud cover.

The elevator guy number there are probably quite low for Shitcago. I’m sure union elevator guys make more than that on the hour, they build pension benefits with years of service, company contributions to the 401 are @18%, four weeks vacation, eight holidays, a very good paid health plan, double time overtime, free uniforms, and a good apprenticeship program. You work for big companies with generally small local offices. It’s a good trade to enter as a young man Especially if you retain knowledge and make it useful. Smart guys and exceptional workers are much appreciated with higher pay and respect for ability.

The push to “go to college, get an education” is changing in the high schools.

It used to be that the schools took it as a sign of their effectiveness that a high percentage of their graduates went on to college. That was certainly the case when I graduated in ‘76 (ha!). Schools were proud to say that 80% of their students were going on to higher education.

Our local high school now has about 50% going on to college. Most of the others are going into trades. In addition the school has maybe 6 - 8 local businesses that do cooperative training with the kids while they are in school. These are businesses that have 100+ employees, some with branches all over the world (Esab welding).

Another program in the HS is a welding certification. One of the female graduates finished HS and her first job started at $100k/yr. Exceptional for right out of HS.

There is a way to get trained in trades, apply it, get paid for it and get money for college. Looking back at life, it's what I should have done: Navy Seabee. Worked with them overseas. They are taught a trade and then go around to bases to apply what they have learned. Maybe do a contract and get out and have the GI bill to go to school if they wish.

quote:

Originally posted by ZSMICHAEL:

#1. First-line supervisors of police and detectives
– Median annual wage: $130,860
– Median hourly wage: $62.91
– Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
– Total employment: 4,790 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

How many of the 4,790 first-line supervisors of police and detectives DON'T have a college degree?

While not required, I would think at this point many do have a college degree. I could be wrong. Very curious to know.

I imagine that these positions are competitive.

quote:

Originally posted by kidcop:
I pushed my kid to go to the JVS down the road and get a welding certificate, as a fallback. The world will always need welders.

I wish I could get my children to understand this. It shouldn't be an either/or question about trade versus profession. It should be how to you learn both.

Learn a profession so you can prosper when times are good. Learn a trade so you can feed your family when times are tough.

quote:

Originally posted by ZSMICHAEL:
#15. Commercial pilots
– Median annual wage: $100,730
– Median hourly wage: Not available
– Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
– Total employment: 510 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

Just one problem and variable that is omitted from this data.....the pilot candidate will have had to spend around $200,000 (or more...MUCH more) in order to secure a job at a Regional Airline making perhaps $40,000-$45,000 their first year. Not sure to which "Commercial Pilot" job Stacker is referring, but a Commercial Airline Pilot will not realize a 6-figure income until WELL into their flying career.

One might...MIGHT...achieve that faster flying Corporate Aviation, flying a larger private jet (Gulfstream G650ER, e.g.), but those jobs are scarce and very difficult to break into...pretty much gotta know someone, be recommended by someone, or come from the Part 121 world where you previously logged THOUSANDS of hours and experience.

As an example, most aviation graduates of Embry Riddle Aeronautical University will leave that place with somewhere around $250,000-$275,000 in debt. Is that the norm?? Not sure, but a fellow pilot's neighbor had a son that graduated Riddle circa 2016 and that was what he walked out of that place with. A debt level almost TWICE the cost of my house...

ETA:
And beware! Because of the shortage of pilots, airlines were pretty much FORCED to eliminate their requirement for a 4-year degree. Things go south and hit the bottom of the shitter again (or the FAA approves single-pilot cockpits... ) , I'd say the HR departments might just reinstate their requirement for a degree of some sort to cull the application herd. Just sayin'...

Also, their numbers coming up with that median salary probably include the rate of a 30+ year wide-body Captain that has topped out on the pay scale down to the low-end rate of an entry level First Officer at a Regional. It's a VERY skewed number. 6-figures is VERY achievable in this industry and it's a VERY lucrative career. You just can't be disillusioned by the numbers they wave in your face. Gotta do the research, as it is in most, if not ALL, industries...

One last note..."Required OJT". Yeah...they say "Moderate-Term OJT", as if you can just show up with ZERO qualifications and say "Here I am! Gimme some of that Moderate-term OJT!!" Nope...doesn't work like that. To get to that level, it takes HOURS and HOURS and HOURS of primary, secondary, tertiary, etc., etc., levels of training JUST TO GET to the Commercial Airline job to receive your "Moderate-term OJT". Not everyone shows up at the door with that B737 or A320 type rating. And even if they did, they would STILL have to go through the FULL training course at their airline with whom they just hired. Hence the large price tag to join the club......

Maryland, I think many other states, have opened up a lot of state jobs to people without a 4-year degree. I think this is very healthy.
I liked what one poster said about knowing a trade for when things are bad. I’ve often wished I had a trade skill set to fall back on. Professionals are often terrified that if they lose one job, they wouldn’t know where to start.

quote:

Originally posted by kidcop:
Random thoughts:

I've heard complaints about student debt, but I have never heard someone complain that they had too much education, just that sometimes they didn't utilize it.

Well, I guess you haven't been around the right people. I know people with masters and doctorate degrees that regret spending the time and money since it never made much difference in their career. Some it hindered. I've been in the petro chemical industry for a few decades and unless in an R&D role, anything past a four year decree doesn't help much. It's experience that matters. You'd think CEO's would be those with the most education but that isn't the case either. It's a four year degree and experience. Graduate degrees aren't always profitable. Simply wanting more knowledge is different than trying to gain education to make more momey. I also realize this doesn't apply to every industry.

FYI I have no degree but probably make more than 75% of degreed people I work with. I have a skill in high demand along with three decades of experience. I have worked with some highly educated and brilliant people so I'm not knocking education either.

quote:

Originally posted by mrvmax:
I know people with masters and doctorate degrees that regret spending the time and money since it never made much difference in their career.

I'd be one of those people.

Gives me some letters after my last name but otherwise hasn't done much.