Unlocking Opportunities: High-Paying Jobs You Can Obtain with a High School Diploma

Earning a high school diploma is an essential first step in preparing to reach your goals. Whether you want to advance in your current job, are planning on furthering your education after graduation, or want to start a new career, getting your diploma can open doors! In many cases, continuing education isn’t a financially viable option. This article explores lucrative career paths accessible with just a high school diploma, highlighting options with short-term or no training, as well as those requiring moderate to long-term on-the-job training.

The Value of a High School Diploma

A high school diploma is more than just a piece of paper; it's a key that unlocks numerous opportunities. While workers with only a high school diploma face a higher unemployment rate compared to college-educated workers, it doesn’t mean workers without college degrees can’t still land lucrative careers. There are numerous paths to success that don't require a four-year college degree.

Penn Foster High School: A Flexible Path to Success

With Penn Foster High School, you don’t have to wait until you graduate to explore career options or build new job-relevant skills; you can take the first steps while working on your online classes through our career pathways elective options. After you enroll in high school, you’ll have an opportunity later on to choose from a variety of pathways elective options to customize your Penn Foster experience! Penn Foster gave me the opportunity to work on my own time while still holding down a job and being a single mother. I needed to graduate, and I was struggling to make it out of the public school setting. At Acceleration Academies, we specialize in helping students earn their diplomas at their own pace, with personalized support and flexible scheduling.

The Importance of Soft Skills and Work Ethic

Regardless of your credentials (high school or college, etc..) it is how you treat people and your work effort that speaks volumes. The secret ingredient is excelling in your entry role through hard work and strong work ethic. This will open the door for your manager and colleagues to recommend you for the next job, etc.. It can turn in to a very positive wheel of new doors that open for you. Remember, create a positive brand for yourself, stay curious, creative and humble. These are the ingredients to upward mobility.

High-Paying Jobs with Short-Term or No Training

High-paying occupations for high school graduates aren't necessarily entry-level jobs. For instance, first-line supervisors, regardless of discipline, typically require one to five years of prior work experience. As of this year, there are 125 occupations that require a high school diploma and pay $20 per hour or more on average. Of those, 26 percent typically require short-term or no on-the-job training.

Read also: Promising Careers at 19

Here are some examples of well-paying jobs that generally require minimal training beyond a high school diploma:

1. Truck Driver

Average Salary: $50,000-$80,000+
Primary Duties: Truck drivers keep our economy moving.
Requirements: You must be at least 18 years old to drive within a state and 21 years old to drive across state lines. You need a valid driver’s license and must obtain a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL), which requires passing written knowledge and skills/road tests. Drivers must pass a Department of Transportation (DOT) physical exam to ensure they are physically fit to operate a commercial vehicle and have a good driving history.

2. Real Estate Agent

Average Salary: $40,000-$100,000+
Primary Duties: Real estate agents help clients buy and sell homes and properties.
Requirements: You must be at least 18 or 19 years old (varies by state) with a high school diploma or GED. Many states also require completion of pre-licensing courses, which cover real estate principles, contracts, property management and laws. After completing pre-licensing education, you must pass your state’s real estate licensing exam, which tests your knowledge of real estate laws and practices.

3. Insurance Agent

Average Salary: $57,000
Primary Duties: An insurance agent helps individuals, families and businesses choose and purchase insurance policies.
Requirements: At a minimum, a high school diploma or GED is required. Insurance agents must be licensed in the state where they plan to sell insurance. Most states require insurance agents to complete continuing education periodically to maintain their license and stay current on industry regulations.

High-Paying Jobs with Moderate to Long-Term Training

Occupations that require longer periods of on-the-job training typically pay more than jobs with shorter ramp-up times. 74 percent of jobs that require a high school diploma and pay $20 per hour or more on average typically require moderate to long-term on-the-job training or apprenticeships. In several of these jobs, workers may need to attend vocational school or other non-college-level training programs to achieve licensure or certification. Additionally, entry-level requirements will vary by state, locality and employer.

1. Electrician

Average Salary: $45,000-$90,000
Primary Duties: Electricians install and repair electrical systems in homes, schools and businesses.
Requirements: To become an electrician, you need a combination of education, hands-on training and licensing. A high school diploma or GED is usually required. Most electricians start through an apprenticeship program, which typically lasts four to five years. Apprenticeships combine paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction, and most states require electricians to be licensed.

2. HVAC Technician

Average Salary: $45,000-$75,000
Primary Duties: HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) technicians are essential in keeping buildings comfortable.
Requirements: A high school diploma or GED is usually required. Many HVAC technicians attend a vocational or technical school program to learn about heating and cooling systems, refrigeration, electrical systems and safety practices. Some technicians gain experience through apprenticeships or entry-level positions, working under experienced HVAC professionals.

3. Plumber

Average Salary: $50,000-$95,000
Primary Duties: Essential workers, plumbers install, repair and maintain the pipes and systems that carry water, gas and waste in homes, businesses and other buildings. Their work includes fixing leaks, unclogging drains, installing sinks, toilets and water heaters and ensuring plumbing systems meet safety codes. Some plumbers specialize in residential work, while others focus on commercial or industrial systems.
Requirements: Plumbers need a high school diploma or equivalent, and they must complete a paid apprenticeship that lasts four to five years. Most states require plumbers to be licensed.

4. Police Officer

Primary Duties: Police officers are responsible for maintaining law and order, responding to emergencies, and protecting the public.
Requirements: Most police departments require at least a high school diploma or GED. Applicants must pass a physical fitness test to ensure they can handle the demands of the job, and they must undergo medical evaluations and psychological assessments to ensure they are fit for duty. Most new officers attend a police academy, where they receive training in law enforcement procedures, firearms, self-defense, emergency response and community policing. Candidates usually must be at least 21 years old, though some departments allow applicants as young as 18 with special programs.

5. Ironworker

Average Salary: $61,940
Primary Duties: An ironworker is a skilled construction professional who installs and reinforces iron and steel in buildings, bridges and other structures.
Requirements: Ironworkers typically need a combination of education, hands-on training and physical skills. A high school diploma or GED is usually required, and most ironworkers learn through a union or non-union apprenticeship program which typically lasts three to four years. Apprenticeships combine on-the-job training with classroom instruction in welding, rigging, blueprint reading and safety procedures.

6. Dispensing Optician

Average Salary: $45,000-$55,000
Primary Duties: These are trained professionals who help patients select, fit and adjust eyeglasses and contact lenses prescribed by an optometrist or ophthalmologist. They focus on the practical side of vision care, ensuring that corrective lenses meet the patient’s prescription and fit comfortably.
Requirements: A high school diploma or GED is required. Many opticians complete a certificate or associate degree program in opticianry at a community college or technical school. These programs teach lens types, fitting techniques, eye anatomy and optical mathematics. Some states allow on-the-job apprenticeships as an alternative path. Most states require dispensing opticians to be licensed or registered. Requirements usually include completing an accredited program or apprenticeship and passing a state or national exam.

Additional Career Options

Here are some additional job titles you can hold with a high school diploma:

1. Dispensing Optician

National average salary: $15.49 per hour
Primary duties: Dispensing opticians work in an optometry office. They take care of administrative tasks like scheduling appointments and answering customers' questions. They also help customers to choose the correct glasses or contact lenses and advise them about factors like price and insurance premiums.
Requirements: Dispensing opticians must complete on-the-job training and may be required to have a license in some states. Apprenticeships are also a popular way to acquire the necessary training.

2. Community Health Care Worker

National average salary: $15.90 per hour
Primary duties: Community health workers educate the general public on subjects related to health and self-care. They may work in connection with a social worker's office to provide healthcare information to those who need medical counseling. They serve their communities by working to improve the physical well-being of each individual they interact with.
Requirements: Depending on the state, some community healthcare workers may be required to complete a standardized training course. Some acquire training through a combination of mentoring and job shadowing.

3. Pharmacy Technician

National average salary: $16.03 per hour
Primary duties: Pharmacy technicians work in pharmacies to dispense prescription drugs, medications and other pharmaceutical products to customers. On a typical day, they might package and label pill bottles, advise customers on how to use certain medications and complete payment transactions. Common work environments include hospitals, drugstores, grocery stores and assisted living facilities.
Requirements: Pharmacy technicians must complete one year of accredited pharmacy technician training. Some states require pharmacy technicians to be certified, which is also preferred by some employers.

4. Gaming Manager

National average salary: $35,630 per year
Primary duties: Gaming managers supervise gaming tables, dealers and customers at casinos. They make sure that both employees and clients follow the establishment's rules and play each game fairly. They manage daily casino activities like overseeing cash transactions, coordinating with security teams and serving customers.
Requirements: Gaming managers often secure entry-level positions in a casino without any training.

5. Postal Service Worker

Requirements: A high school diploma or GED is typically required and you must be at least 18 years old. Many positions require a valid driver’s license, especially for routes that use postal vehicles. Applicants usually take a written exam (such as the USPS Postal Exam) that tests skills in areas like memory, problem-solving and attention to detail.

Read also: High School Diploma Jobs

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