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Highest-paying jobs in Clarksville 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 Clarksville 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 Clarksville 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.
Africa Studio // Shutterstock
#50. Installation, maintenance, and repair workers, all other
- Median annual wage: $45,570
- Median hourly wage: $21.91
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 130 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
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#49. Carpenters
- Median annual wage: $45,780
- Median hourly wage: $22.01
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 240 people (2.63 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Apprenticeship
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#48. Welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers
- Median annual wage: $46,170
- Median hourly wage: $22.20
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 500 people (5.4 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
Gorodenkoff // Shutterstock
#47. Multiple machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic
- Median annual wage: $46,560
- Median hourly wage: $22.38
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 90 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
giocalde // Shutterstock
#46. Printing press operators
- Median annual wage: $46,590
- Median hourly wage: $22.40
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 170 people (1.86 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
#45. Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses
- Median annual wage: $46,730
- Median hourly wage: $22.47
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 600 people (6.51 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
Stokkete // Shutterstock
#44. Information and record clerks, all other
- Median annual wage: $46,970
- Median hourly wage: $22.58
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 210 people (2.27 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Short-term on-the-job training
Leszek Glasner // Shutterstock
#43. Property, real estate, and community association managers
- Median annual wage: $47,110
- Median hourly wage: $22.65
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 120 people (1.31 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
Vitpho // Shutterstock
#42. Heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers
- Median annual wage: $47,150
- Median hourly wage: $22.67
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 1,130 people (12.18 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Short-term on-the-job training
Glenn Highcove // Shutterstock
#41. Industrial truck and tractor operators
- Median annual wage: $47,180
- Median hourly wage: $22.68
- Education required: No formal educational credential
- Total employment: 820 people (8.83 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Short-term on-the-job training
Gerain0812 // Shutterstock
#40. Surgical technologists
- Median annual wage: $47,550
- Median hourly wage: $22.86
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 40 people (0.48 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
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#39. Machinists
- Median annual wage: $47,560
- Median hourly wage: $22.87
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 130 people (1.41 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
pio3 // Shutterstock
#38. Police and sheriff's patrol officers
- Median annual wage: $47,740
- Median hourly wage: $22.95
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 560 people (6.05 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
NDAB Creativity // Shutterstock
#36. Massage therapists (tie)
- Median annual wage: $47,750
- Median hourly wage: $22.96
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 130 people (1.42 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
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#36. Weighers, measurers, checkers, and samplers, recordkeeping (tie)
- Median annual wage: $47,750
- Median hourly wage: $22.96
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 70 people (0.74 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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#35. Electricians
- Median annual wage: $47,990
- Median hourly wage: $23.07
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 290 people (3.12 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Apprenticeship
Andrey_Popov // Shutterstock
#34. Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters
- Median annual wage: $48,060
- Median hourly wage: $23.11
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 150 people (1.66 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Apprenticeship
Dragon Images // Shutterstock
#33. Procurement clerks
- Median annual wage: $48,120
- Median hourly wage: $23.14
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 70 people (0.72 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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#32. Automotive body and related repairers
- Median annual wage: $48,340
- Median hourly wage: $23.24
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 110 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
Erin Deleon // Shutterstock
#31. Postal service mail carriers
- Median annual wage: $48,460
- Median hourly wage: $23.30
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 300 people (3.26 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Short-term on-the-job training
ALPA PROD // Shutterstock
#30. First-line supervisors of transportation and material moving workers, except aircraft cargo handling supervisors
- Median annual wage: $48,650
- Median hourly wage: $23.39
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 340 people (3.71 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
Kitawit Jitaton // Shutterstock
#29. Telecommunications line installers and repairers
- Median annual wage: $49,030
- Median hourly wage: $23.57
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 50 people (0.49 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
#28. Insurance sales agents
- Median annual wage: $49,090
- Median hourly wage: $23.60
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 170 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
Gorgev // Shutterstock
#26. First-line supervisors of security workers (tie)
- Median annual wage: $49,550
- Median hourly wage: $23.82
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 40 people (0.39 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
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#26. Cement masons and concrete finishers (tie)
- Median annual wage: $49,550
- Median hourly wage: $23.82
- Education required: No formal educational credential
- Total employment: 60 people (0.61 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
DenisProduction.com // Shutterstock
#25. Chefs and head cooks
- Median annual wage: $49,900
- Median hourly wage: $23.99
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 80 people (0.83 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
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#24. Tool and die makers
- Median annual wage: $50,070
- Median hourly wage: $24.07
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 100 people (1.07 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
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#23. First-line supervisors of firefighting and prevention workers
- Median annual wage: $50,230
- Median hourly wage: $24.15
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 130 people (1.35 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
Loveischiangrai // Shutterstock
#22. First-line supervisors of landscaping, lawn service, and groundskeeping workers
- Median annual wage: $51,090
- Median hourly wage: $24.56
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 50 people (0.57 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
manine99 // Shutterstock
#21. Maintenance workers, machinery
- Median annual wage: $51,190
- Median hourly wage: $24.61
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 80 people (0.9 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
welcomia // Shutterstock
#20. Mobile heavy equipment mechanics, except engines
- Median annual wage: $51,290
- Median hourly wage: $24.66
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 90 people (0.95 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
Kot500 // Shutterstock
#19. Bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists
- Median annual wage: $52,310
- Median hourly wage: $25.15
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 200 people (2.11 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
#18. Lodging managers
- Median annual wage: $53,330
- Median hourly wage: $25.64
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 30 people (0.36 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
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#17. Construction and building inspectors
- Median annual wage: $53,720
- Median hourly wage: $25.83
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 70 people (0.76 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
Stock Rocket // Shutterstock
#16. Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products
- Median annual wage: $53,810
- Median hourly wage: $25.87
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 400 people (4.31 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
Syda Productions // Shutterstock
#15. Executive secretaries and executive administrative assistants
- Median annual wage: $54,400
- Median hourly wage: $26.15
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 80 people (0.91 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
SatawatK // Shutterstock
#14. Telecommunications equipment installers and repairers, except line installers
- Median annual wage: $55,250
- Median hourly wage: $26.56
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 110 people (1.23 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
rlat // Shutterstock
#13. Postal service clerks
- Median annual wage: $55,870
- Median hourly wage: $26.86
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 40 people (0.48 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Short-term on-the-job training
Prath // Shutterstock
#12. Detectives and criminal investigators
- Median annual wage: $56,320
- Median hourly wage: $27.08
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 40 people (0.47 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
GaudiLab // Shutterstock
#11. First-line supervisors of office and administrative support workers
- Median annual wage: $56,430
- Median hourly wage: $27.13
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 1,180 people (12.71 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
SritanaN // Shutterstock
#10. Industrial machinery mechanics
- Median annual wage: $59,420
- Median hourly wage: $28.57
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 270 people (2.9 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
sculpies // Shutterstock
#9. First-line supervisors of construction trades and extraction workers
- Median annual wage: $62,500
- Median hourly wage: $30.05
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 330 people (3.59 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
4 PM production // Shutterstock
#8. First-line supervisors of mechanics, installers, and repairers
- Median annual wage: $63,430
- Median hourly wage: $30.50
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 390 people (4.16 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
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#7. Electrical and electronics repairers, commercial and industrial equipment
- Median annual wage: $63,920
- Median hourly wage: $30.73
- Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Total employment: 70 people (0.73 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
Oleg Golovnev // Shutterstock
#6. First-line supervisors of production and operating workers
- Median annual wage: $64,500
- Median hourly wage: $31.01
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 600 people (6.43 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
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#5. First-line supervisors of police and detectives
- Median annual wage: $64,830
- Median hourly wage: $31.17
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 180 people (1.9 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
g-stockstudio // Shutterstock
#4. First-line supervisors of non-retail sales workers
- Median annual wage: $67,060
- Median hourly wage: $32.24
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 140 people (1.5 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
#3. Claims adjusters, examiners, and investigators
- Median annual wage: $75,030
- Median hourly wage: $36.07
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 70 people (0.73 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
goodluz // Shutterstock
#2. Transportation, storage, and distribution managers
- Median annual wage: $81,040
- Median hourly wage: $38.96
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 60 people (0.66 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
Luisa Leal Photography // Shutterstock
#1. Electrical power-line installers and repairers
- Median annual wage: $83,140
- Median hourly wage: $39.97
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Total employment: 120 people (1.35 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training