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Careers Requiring a High School Diploma

Careers where a high school diploma or equivalent is the typical entry-level requirement. Includes many trades, retail management, customer service, transportation, and entry-level office and production roles. Employer-provided training and on-the-job experience are common.

Repit catalogs 250 occupations at this education level, accounting for approximately 47,263,098 jobs in the U.S. workforce and roughly 4,744,600 annual openings. Median salaries range up to $122,610 for the highest-paying roles in this tier.
250
Careers
$52,080
Median Salary
4,744,600
Annual Openings

Nuclear power reactor operators

$122,610 -15.3% growth 400 annual openings

Power distributors and dispatchers

$107,240 -3.2% growth 800 annual openings

Elevator and escalator installers and repairers

$106,580 +5.0% growth 2,000 annual openings

First-line supervisors of police and detectives

$105,980 +2.9% growth 10,900 annual openings

Transportation, storage, and distribution managers

$102,010 +6.1% growth 18,500 annual openings

Power plant operators

$99,670 -11.2% growth 2,500 annual openings

Detectives and criminal investigators

$93,580 -0.7% growth 7,800 annual openings

Postmasters and mail superintendents

$92,730 -3.5% growth 900 annual openings

Electrical power-line installers and repairers

$92,560 +6.6% growth 10,700 annual openings

Farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural managers

$87,980 -1.3% growth 85,500 annual openings

Transportation inspectors

$85,750 +1.7% growth 2,500 annual openings

Gambling managers

$85,580 +1.2% growth 600 annual openings

Subway and streetcar operators

$84,830 +3.4% growth 900 annual openings

First-line supervisors of non-retail sales workers

$84,130 +0.0% growth 24,800 annual openings

Signal and track switch repairers

$83,600 +1.7% growth 800 annual openings

Gas plant operators

$83,400 -8.8% growth 1,300 annual openings

Transit and railroad police

$82,320 +3.0% growth 200 annual openings

First-line supervisors of mechanics, installers, and repairers

$78,300 +3.1% growth 52,400 annual openings

Locomotive engineers

$77,400 +0.7% growth 2,200 annual openings

Claims adjusters, examiners, and investigators

$76,790 -5.1% growth 21,100 annual openings

Roof bolters, mining

$76,640 -34.2% growth 100 annual openings

First-line supervisors of correctional officers

$76,310 -2.8% growth 4,300 annual openings

Police and sheriff's patrol officers

$76,290 +3.1% growth 53,700 annual openings

Stationary engineers and boiler operators

$75,190 +2.2% growth 3,800 annual openings

Executive secretaries and executive administrative assistants

$74,260 -1.6% growth 50,000 annual openings

Railroad conductors and yardmasters

$74,080 +1.1% growth 3,100 annual openings

Chemical plant and system operators

$73,540 -6.1% growth 1,600 annual openings

Boilermakers

$73,340 -2.4% growth 800 annual openings

Real estate brokers

$72,280 +3.3% growth 9,700 annual openings

Construction and building inspectors

$72,120 -0.8% growth 14,800 annual openings

Media and communication workers, all other

$71,770 +2.7% growth 3,000 annual openings

Gas compressor and gas pumping station operators

$71,510 -1.3% growth 600 annual openings

First-line supervisors of production and operating workers

$71,190 +1.2% growth 67,700 annual openings

Pile driver operators

$70,510 +4.3% growth 300 annual openings

Telecommunications line installers and repairers

$70,500 -3.1% growth 8,900 annual openings

Wellhead pumpers

$70,010 -4.7% growth 2,000 annual openings

Lodging managers

$68,130 +3.4% growth 5,400 annual openings

Fabric and apparel patternmakers

$67,670 -10.2% growth 300 annual openings

Rail-track laying and maintenance equipment operators

$67,370 +1.6% growth 1,100 annual openings

Media and communication equipment workers, all other

$67,190 +0.6% growth 1,100 annual openings

Flight attendants

$67,130 +9.2% growth 19,800 annual openings

Precision instrument and equipment repairers, all other

$67,080 +2.0% growth 1,000 annual openings

Property, real estate, and community association managers

$66,700 +3.6% growth 39,000 annual openings

Crane and tower operators

$66,370 +3.0% growth 3,800 annual openings

Rail car repairers

$65,680 +2.8% growth 1,500 annual openings

Food service managers

$65,310 +6.4% growth 42,000 annual openings

Millwrights

$65,170 +0.0% growth 3,600 annual openings

Mobile heavy equipment mechanics, except engines

$63,980 +5.8% growth 16,500 annual openings

Aircraft cargo handling supervisors

$63,940 +5.2% growth 1,100 annual openings

Industrial machinery mechanics

$63,760 +16.1% growth 45,700 annual openings

Transportation security screeners

$63,360 -6.0% growth 4,700 annual openings

Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters

$62,970 +4.5% growth 44,000 annual openings

Brokerage clerks

$62,940 -9.5% growth 4,100 annual openings

Model makers, metal and plastic

$62,700 -18.2% growth 300 annual openings

Structural iron and steel workers

$62,700 +4.4% growth 5,500 annual openings

Electricians

$62,350 +9.5% growth 81,000 annual openings

Riggers

$62,060 +3.2% growth 2,500 annual openings

Layout workers, metal and plastic

$61,870 -5.4% growth 500 annual openings

Plant and system operators, all other

$61,710 +1.6% growth 1,600 annual openings

Aircraft structure, surfaces, rigging, and systems assemblers

$61,680 -14.5% growth 2,800 annual openings

First-line supervisors of gambling services workers

$61,590 +2.0% growth 3,300 annual openings

Hearing aid specialists

$61,560 +18.4% growth 1,000 annual openings

Advertising sales agents

$61,460 -6.4% growth 9,300 annual openings

Personal service managers, all other

$61,340 +6.5% growth 2,100 annual openings

Chefs and head cooks

$60,990 +7.1% growth 24,400 annual openings

Sheet metal workers

$60,850 +2.4% growth 10,600 annual openings

Brickmasons and blockmasons

$60,800 +3.2% growth 5,600 annual openings

Watch and clock repairers

$60,690 -1.1% growth 100 annual openings

Bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists

$60,640 +2.4% growth 26,500 annual openings

Maintenance workers, machinery

$60,500 -2.8% growth 4,800 annual openings

Insurance sales agents

$60,370 +3.7% growth 47,000 annual openings

Pump operators, except wellhead pumpers

$60,020 +2.6% growth 1,500 annual openings

Earth drillers, except oil and gas

$59,600 +2.9% growth 1,700 annual openings

Carpenters

$59,310 +4.5% growth 74,100 annual openings

Security and fire alarm systems installers

$59,300 +10.4% growth 9,400 annual openings

Reinforcing iron and rebar workers

$59,280 +4.6% growth 1,500 annual openings

Explosives workers, ordnance handling experts, and blasters

$59,110 -0.9% growth 500 annual openings

Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators

$58,710 +3.6% growth 41,900 annual openings

First-line supervisors of security workers

$58,610 +2.7% growth 7,000 annual openings

Refractory materials repairers, except brickmasons

$58,540 -16.9% growth 100 annual openings

Bridge and lock tenders

$58,490 -3.3% growth 300 annual openings

Traffic technicians

$58,480 +3.7% growth 800 annual openings

Occupational health and safety technicians

$58,440 +8.5% growth 3,400 annual openings

Water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators

$58,260 -6.5% growth 10,700 annual openings

Rail yard engineers, dinkey operators, and hostlers

$58,030 +0.3% growth 200 annual openings

Correctional officers and jailers

$57,970 -7.8% growth 30,100 annual openings

Production, planning, and expediting clerks

$57,770 -1.8% growth 34,100 annual openings

Bus drivers, transit and intercity

$57,440 +4.3% growth 20,900 annual openings

Terrazzo workers and finishers

$57,260 -11.1% growth 100 annual openings

Insulation workers, mechanical

$57,250 +4.7% growth 2,300 annual openings

Chemical equipment operators and tenders

$57,090 +3.3% growth 14,400 annual openings

Bailiffs

$57,050 -2.2% growth 1,800 annual openings

Airfield operations specialists

$56,750 +4.2% growth 1,600 annual openings

Real estate sales agents

$56,320 +3.1% growth 36,600 annual openings

Machinists

$56,150 +0.0% growth 29,500 annual openings

Metal-refining furnace operators and tenders

$55,770 -2.3% growth 2,000 annual openings

Choreographers

$55,600 +6.1% growth 700 annual openings

Tire builders

$55,580 +2.3% growth 2,500 annual openings

Glaziers

$55,440 +3.3% growth 5,100 annual openings

Payroll and timekeeping clerks

$55,290 -16.7% growth 13,000 annual openings

Title examiners, abstractors, and searchers

$54,980 +2.0% growth 5,400 annual openings

Motorboat mechanics and service technicians

$54,950 +6.0% growth 2,600 annual openings

Costume attendants

$54,810 +5.9% growth 1,800 annual openings

Patternmakers, metal and plastic

$54,540 -24.4% growth 100 annual openings

Legal secretaries and administrative assistants

$54,140 -5.8% growth 19,600 annual openings

Electric motor, power tool, and related repairers

$53,990 +3.4% growth 1,700 annual openings

Fallers

$53,900 -7.3% growth 700 annual openings

Engine and other machine assemblers

$52,540 -21.1% growth 2,800 annual openings

Patternmakers, wood

$52,520 -5.0% growth

Forest fire inspectors and prevention specialists

$52,380 +14.6% growth 300 annual openings

Private detectives and investigators

$52,370 +6.0% growth 3,900 annual openings

Financial clerks, all other

$52,150 +1.4% growth 4,000 annual openings

Farm equipment mechanics and service technicians

$52,080 +11.0% growth 3,700 annual openings

Logging workers, all other

$52,000 -4.7% growth 400 annual openings

Animal breeders

$52,000 +2.4% growth 1,200 annual openings

Stonemasons

$51,990 -3.0% growth 800 annual openings

Surveying and mapping technicians

$51,940 +4.5% growth 7,600 annual openings

Solar photovoltaic installers

$51,860 +42.1% growth 4,100 annual openings

Model makers, wood

$51,850 -4.5% growth 100 annual openings

Automotive body and related repairers

$51,680 +1.6% growth 14,600 annual openings

Paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators

$51,650 +3.2% growth 4,000 annual openings

Eligibility interviewers, government programs

$51,500 +1.0% growth 14,000 annual openings

Semiconductor processing technicians

$51,180 +10.9% growth 3,900 annual openings

Mechanical door repairers

$51,050 +11.4% growth 2,700 annual openings

Community health workers

$51,030 +11.3% growth 7,800 annual openings

Welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers

$51,000 +2.2% growth 45,600 annual openings

Public safety telecommunicators

$50,730 +3.5% growth 10,700 annual openings

Tax preparers

$50,560 +4.5% growth 10,400 annual openings

Recreational vehicle service technicians

$50,540 +11.5% growth 2,800 annual openings

Locksmiths and safe repairers

$50,490 -8.3% growth 1,700 annual openings

Tree trimmers and pruners

$50,430 +3.3% growth 7,400 annual openings

Extraction workers, all other

$50,110 +1.4% growth 700 annual openings

Computer numerically controlled tool operators

$49,970 -10.7% growth 13,500 annual openings

Communications equipment operators, all other

$49,910 +2.5% growth 100 annual openings

Structural metal fabricators and fitters

$49,900 -16.3% growth 4,100 annual openings

Cargo and freight agents

$49,900 +8.5% growth 8,800 annual openings

Home appliance repairers

$49,410 +2.6% growth 3,100 annual openings

Paper goods machine setters, operators, and tenders

$49,390 -6.3% growth 8,100 annual openings

Rail transportation workers, all other

$49,330 +3.9% growth 200 annual openings

Camera and photographic equipment repairers

$49,300 -15.1% growth 200 annual openings

Logging equipment operators

$49,210 -1.4% growth 4,200 annual openings

Meter readers, utilities

$49,180 -12.0% growth 1,300 annual openings

Jewelers and precious stone and metal workers

$49,140 -5.5% growth 4,000 annual openings

Septic tank servicers and sewer pipe cleaners

$49,140 +7.6% growth 2,900 annual openings

Credit authorizers, checkers, and clerks

$49,130 -6.2% growth 1,000 annual openings

Highway maintenance workers

$49,070 +3.0% growth 12,300 annual openings

Tool grinders, filers, and sharpeners

$48,970 -7.8% growth 500 annual openings

Loan interviewers and clerks

$48,950 -2.3% growth 13,300 annual openings

Pourers and casters, metal

$48,940 -4.7% growth 600 annual openings

Dispatchers, except police, fire, and ambulance

$48,880 -0.9% growth 18,500 annual openings

Installation, maintenance, and repair workers, all other

$48,640 +2.4% growth 21,500 annual openings

Maintenance and repair workers, general

$48,620 +3.8% growth 159,800 annual openings

Procurement clerks

$48,510 -8.7% growth 4,600 annual openings

Hazardous materials removal workers

$48,490 +1.0% growth 5,000 annual openings

Insurance claims and policy processing clerks

$48,450 -3.7% growth 20,300 annual openings

Travel agents

$48,450 +2.2% growth 7,100 annual openings

Dredge operators

$48,430 +1.2% growth 100 annual openings

Helpers--extraction workers

$48,400 -1.7% growth 700 annual openings

Information and record clerks, all other

$48,360 -0.2% growth 17,800 annual openings

Dental laboratory technicians

$48,310 -4.7% growth 3,900 annual openings

Miscellaneous construction and related workers

$48,120 +3.5% growth 3,100 annual openings

Electronic equipment installers and repairers, motor vehicles

$47,940 -13.6% growth 600 annual openings

Word processors and typists

$47,850 -36.1% growth 2,200 annual openings

Court, municipal, and license clerks

$47,700 +3.0% growth 18,500 annual openings

Mixing and blending machine setters, operators, and tenders

$47,680 -6.8% growth 8,800 annual openings

First-line supervisors of housekeeping and janitorial workers

$47,520 +2.5% growth 33,000 annual openings

Inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers

$47,460 +0.0% growth 69,900 annual openings

Coin, vending, and amusement machine servicers and repairers

$47,350 -2.9% growth 3,500 annual openings

First-line supervisors of retail sales workers

$47,320 -5.0% growth 125,100 annual openings

Coil winders, tapers, and finishers

$47,260 -6.3% growth 1,200 annual openings

Automotive glass installers and repairers

$47,260 +3.6% growth 1,400 annual openings

Billing and posting clerks

$47,170 -0.4% growth 42,200 annual openings

Parking enforcement workers

$47,150 -1.5% growth 700 annual openings

First-line supervisors of personal service workers

$47,080 +6.7% growth 16,300 annual openings

Medical appliance technicians

$47,060 +3.7% growth 1,500 annual openings

Bus drivers, school

$47,040 +0.2% growth 61,000 annual openings

Furnace, kiln, oven, drier, and kettle operators and tenders

$47,010 +3.0% growth 1,900 annual openings

Correspondence clerks

$46,740 -5.6% growth 700 annual openings

Log graders and scalers

$46,710 -0.7% growth 600 annual openings

New accounts clerks

$46,610 -13.2% growth 2,300 annual openings

Outdoor power equipment and other small engine mechanics

$46,560 +2.5% growth 3,500 annual openings

Opticians, dispensing

$46,560 +2.9% growth 6,800 annual openings

Medical equipment preparers

$46,490 +10.0% growth 10,900 annual openings

Sales and related workers, all other

$46,370 +3.7% growth 16,000 annual openings

Upholsterers

$46,190 -1.8% growth 2,200 annual openings

Exercise trainers and group fitness instructors

$46,180 +11.9% growth 74,200 annual openings

Healthcare support workers, all other

$46,050 +3.5% growth 14,400 annual openings

Office and administrative support workers, all other

$46,040 -7.8% growth 21,300 annual openings

Bill and account collectors

$46,040 -10.5% growth 13,700 annual openings

Cabinetmakers and bench carpenters

$46,020 -1.6% growth 8,100 annual openings

Animal control workers

$45,830 +3.9% growth 1,300 annual openings

Fiberglass laminators and fabricators

$45,760 +4.2% growth 2,100 annual openings

Cutting and slicing machine setters, operators, and tenders

$45,700 -2.3% growth 5,300 annual openings

Foundry mold and coremakers

$45,700 -25.9% growth 900 annual openings

Molders, shapers, and casters, except metal and plastic

$45,690 +6.2% growth 5,500 annual openings

Weighers, measurers, checkers, and samplers, recordkeeping

$45,650 -4.8% growth 5,300 annual openings

Self-enrichment teachers

$45,590 +3.7% growth 51,400 annual openings

Musical instrument repairers and tuners

$45,320 +1.4% growth 600 annual openings

Adhesive bonding machine operators and tenders

$45,210 +1.0% growth 1,300 annual openings

Pesticide handlers, sprayers, and applicators, vegetation

$45,200 +3.8% growth 4,100 annual openings

Printing press operators

$45,160 -8.1% growth 13,700 annual openings

Social and human service assistants

$45,120 +6.4% growth 50,600 annual openings

Pest control workers

$44,730 +4.9% growth 13,400 annual openings

Medical secretaries and administrative assistants

$44,640 +4.2% growth 85,900 annual openings

Light truck drivers

$44,140 +7.3% growth 120,200 annual openings

Gambling surveillance officers and gambling investigators

$43,900 +0.3% growth 1,300 annual openings

Interviewers, except eligibility and loan

$43,830 -11.6% growth 15,800 annual openings

Forest and conservation workers

$43,680 -4.7% growth 2,000 annual openings

Office clerks, general

$43,630 -6.7% growth 282,400 annual openings

Pharmacy technicians

$43,460 +6.4% growth 49,000 annual openings

Shipping, receiving, and inventory clerks

$43,190 -7.7% growth 69,300 annual openings

Crematory operators

$42,880 +3.3% growth 600 annual openings

Customer service representatives

$42,830 -5.5% growth 341,700 annual openings

Metal workers and plastic workers, all other

$42,750 -9.5% growth 1,700 annual openings

Furniture finishers

$42,530 -3.3% growth 2,000 annual openings

Photographers

$42,520 +1.8% growth 12,700 annual openings

Miscellaneous assemblers and fabricators

$42,210 -0.1% growth 156,300 annual openings

First-line supervisors of food preparation and serving workers

$42,010 +6.0% growth 183,900 annual openings

Other education levels