More high school grads are skipping college — and landing good-paying jobs. In 2023, nearly 39% opted out of college, up from 34% in 2019. With baby boomers retiring and employers dropping degree requirements, demand for skilled workers is rising.
Some high school grads now earn six figures without student debt. Using the latest BLS data, Stacker ranked the 50 highest-paying jobs in Detroit that don’t require a college degree — from trades to tech and more.
Best-paying jobs in Detroit without a degree
10. First-line supervisors of police and detectives
- Median annual wage: $99,130
- Median hourly wage: $47.66
- Total employment: 1,630 people (0.86 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
9. Transportation, storage, and distribution managers
- Median annual wage: $101,470
- Median hourly wage: $48.78
- Total employment: 3,920 people (2.05 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
8. Media and communication equipment workers, all other
- Median annual wage: $102,270
- Median hourly wage: $49.17
- Total employment: 30 people (0.02 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
7. Gas plant operators
- Median annual wage: $104,590
- Median hourly wage: $50.29
- Total employment: 210 people (0.11 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
6. Electrical power-line installers and repairers
- Median annual wage: $106,360
- Median hourly wage: $51.13
- Total employment: 1,170 people (0.61 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
5. Power plant operators
- Median annual wage: $107,790
- Median hourly wage: $51.82
- Total employment: 360 people (0.19 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
4. Electrical and electronics repairers, powerhouse, substation, and relay
- Median annual wage: $109,030
- Median hourly wage: $52.42
- Total employment: 260 people (0.14 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
3. Transportation inspectors
- Median annual wage: $117,830
- Median hourly wage: $56.65
- Total employment: 150 people (0.08 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
2. Power distributors and dispatchers
- Median annual wage: $120,240
- Median hourly wage: $57.81
- Total employment: 270 people (0.14 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
1. Commercial pilots
- Median annual wage: $149,330
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Total employment: 380 people (0.2 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
This story features data reporting by Wade Zhou, writing by Jill Jaracz, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 364 metros.
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