DENVER (Stacker) — The average college graduate in 2020 earned $1,305 a week, while the average high school graduate takes home just $781, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Of course, college isn’t for everyone. There are many reasons high-school graduates may choose to not continue on to college, not the least of which being cost. Average tuition costs continue to rise each year, the exception being the 2020-2021 school year, due to the coronavirus pandemic. Average tuition at a public, in-state university coming in at $9,687; tuition for out-of-state students at public schools, and for everyone at private universities, is significantly higher at $21,874 and $35,087, respectively.
Stacker compiled a list of the highest paying jobs for high school graduates in Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO using data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Jobs are ranked by 2021 annual mean wage.
Keep reading to see which jobs in your city pay the most for high school graduates.
#50. Telecommunications line installers and repairers
Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO
– Annual mean salary: $60,710
– #95 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 760
National
– Annual mean salary: $61,860
– Employment: 122,480
– Metros with highest average pay:
— San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($90,680)
— Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH ($90,370)
— Salinas, CA ($88,050)
#49. Aircraft cargo handling supervisors
Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO
– Annual mean salary: $60,970
– #25 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 210
National
– Annual mean salary: $59,620
– Employment: 10,020
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN ($79,660)
— Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($72,800)
— Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA ($71,910)
#48. Brickmasons and blockmasons
Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO
– Annual mean salary: $61,060
– #70 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 330
National
– Annual mean salary: $58,420
– Employment: 59,940
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH ($95,980)
— Decatur, IL ($92,670)
— Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ ($89,340)
#47. Industrial machinery mechanics
Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO
– Annual mean salary: $62,710
– #96 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 1,920
National
– Annual mean salary: $57,350
– Employment: 385,980
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Fairbanks, AK ($85,900)
— Lake Charles, LA ($85,360)
— Anchorage, AK ($82,890)
#46. Reinforcing iron and rebar workers
Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO
– Annual mean salary: $63,000
– #12 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: data not available
National
– Annual mean salary: $54,700
– Employment: 18,680
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI ($97,000)
— Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH ($88,350)
— Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI ($75,440)
#45. Executive secretaries and executive administrative assistants
Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO
– Annual mean salary: $63,680
– #97 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 5,070
National
– Annual mean salary: $65,230
– Employment: 503,390
– Metros with highest average pay:
— San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($94,590)
— Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($87,760)
— San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($87,420)
#44. Bailiffs
Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO
– Annual mean salary: $64,060
– #9 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 80
National
– Annual mean salary: $51,730
– Employment: 18,120
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Nashville-Davidson–Murfreesboro–Franklin, TN ($69,600)
— New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($69,050)
— Glens Falls, NY ($66,980)
#43. Meter readers, utilities
Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO
– Annual mean salary: $64,160
– #6 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 70
National
– Annual mean salary: $46,160
– Employment: 26,490
– Metros with highest average pay:
— San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($74,040)
— San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($69,530)
— Springfield, MA-CT ($67,510)
#42. Millwrights
Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO
– Annual mean salary: $64,210
– #46 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 230
National
– Annual mean salary: $59,080
– Employment: 44,400
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Kennewick-Richland, WA ($91,590)
— San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($90,580)
— Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI ($80,780)
#41. Automotive body and related repairers
Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO
– Annual mean salary: $64,950
– #4 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 1,430
National
– Annual mean salary: $49,430
– Employment: 137,120
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Ann Arbor, MI ($71,350)
— Ames, IA ($68,340)
— San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($68,060)
#40. Legal secretaries and administrative assistants
Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO
– Annual mean salary: $65,430
– #5 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 1,110
National
– Annual mean salary: $52,750
– Employment: 160,950
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Northwest Colorado nonmetropolitan area ($84,640)
— San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($78,320)
— San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($77,210)
#39. Advertising sales agents
Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO
– Annual mean salary: $66,320
– #31 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 690
National
– Annual mean salary: $68,040
– Employment: 110,040
– Metros with highest average pay:
— New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($97,840)
— Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($97,720)
— San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($83,050)
#38. Motorboat mechanics and service technicians
Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO
– Annual mean salary: $66,390
– #1 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 50
National
– Annual mean salary: $45,490
– Employment: 20,440
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO ($66,390)
— Alaska nonmetropolitan area ($59,690)
— Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($57,930)
#37. Insurance sales agents
Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO
– Annual mean salary: $68,410
– #126 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 6,910
National
– Annual mean salary: $69,100
– Employment: 409,950
– Metros with highest average pay:
— San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($104,230)
— San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($103,470)
— Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA ($95,620)
#36. First-line supervisors of office and administrative support workers
Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO
– Annual mean salary: $69,730
– #15 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 13,620
National
– Annual mean salary: $62,010
– Employment: 1,427,260
– Metros with highest average pay:
— San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($82,050)
— Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($79,520)
— San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($78,430)
#35. Stationary engineers and boiler operators
Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO
– Annual mean salary: $69,790
– #40 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 340
National
– Annual mean salary: $68,170
– Employment: 29,550
– Metros with highest average pay:
— San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($106,300)
— San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($103,930)
— South Illinois nonmetropolitan area ($101,630)
#34. First-line supervisors of production and operating workers
Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO
– Annual mean salary: $71,650
– #87 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 4,060
National
– Annual mean salary: $66,800
– Employment: 599,900
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Baton Rouge, LA ($98,170)
— Lake Charles, LA ($97,910)
— West North Dakota nonmetropolitan area ($96,900)
#33. Construction and building inspectors
Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO
– Annual mean salary: $72,590
– #63 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 2,030
National
– Annual mean salary: $66,470
– Employment: 113,770
– Metros with highest average pay:
— New Haven, CT ($121,510)
— San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($107,330)
— San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($106,190)
#32. Tax preparers
Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO
– Annual mean salary: $73,170
– #3 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 1,110
National
– Annual mean salary: $52,710
– Employment: 62,600
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Anchorage, AK ($81,880)
— San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($79,470)
— Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO ($73,170)
#31. Airfield operations specialists
Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO
– Annual mean salary: $74,830
– #5 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 50
National
– Annual mean salary: $58,360
– Employment: 10,590
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Austin-Round Rock, TX ($88,510)
— Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA ($80,230)
— Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($79,230)
#30. Real estate sales agents
Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO
– Annual mean salary: $75,090
– #27 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 4,180
National
– Annual mean salary: $62,990
– Employment: 168,740
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Midland, TX ($100,060)
— Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($99,880)
— Worcester, MA-CT ($93,400)
#29. Occupational health and safety technicians
Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO
– Annual mean salary: $75,800
– #8 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 300
National
– Annual mean salary: $57,870
– Employment: 20,950
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Evansville, IN-KY ($77,880)
— Anchorage, AK ($77,690)
— Oklahoma City, OK ($77,100)
#28. Rail car repairers
Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO
– Annual mean salary: $76,530
– #2 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 180
National
– Annual mean salary: $58,250
– Employment: 22,310
– Metros with highest average pay:
— New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($86,690)
— Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO ($76,530)
— Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV ($74,740)
#27. Crane and tower operators
Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO
– Annual mean salary: $76,700
– #20 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 480
National
– Annual mean salary: $64,010
– Employment: 44,060
– Metros with highest average pay:
— New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($131,160)
— Syracuse, NY ($103,350)
— Las Vegas-Henderson-Paradise, NV ($99,990)
#26. First-line supervisors of construction trades and extraction workers
Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO
– Annual mean salary: $77,080
– #102 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 10,320
National
– Annual mean salary: $72,990
– Employment: 614,080
– Metros with highest average pay:
— San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($112,020)
— San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($103,820)
— Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($101,210)
#25. Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products
Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO
– Annual mean salary: $77,900
– #38 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 19,090
National
– Annual mean salary: $73,500
– Employment: 1,278,670
– Metros with highest average pay:
— San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($102,280)
— Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($92,660)
— Napa, CA ($92,620)
#24. Claims adjusters, examiners, and investigators
Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO
– Annual mean salary: $79,230
– #25 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 3,920
National
– Annual mean salary: $70,650
– Employment: 287,150
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Kennewick-Richland, WA ($104,350)
— Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($95,200)
— Eastern Washington nonmetropolitan area ($92,500)
#23. First-line supervisors of mechanics, installers, and repairers
Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO
– Annual mean salary: $79,960
– #48 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 5,290
National
– Annual mean salary: $73,100
– Employment: 475,000
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Bremerton-Silverdale, WA ($93,830)
— San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($93,030)
— San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($92,870)
#22. Real estate brokers
Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO
– Annual mean salary: $80,020
– #44 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 2,010
National
– Annual mean salary: $81,630
– Employment: 44,610
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT ($152,460)
— Kahului-Wailuku-Lahaina, HI ($133,810)
— Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA ($132,320)
#21. Postmasters and mail superintendents
Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO
– Annual mean salary: $80,200
– #82 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 40
National
– Annual mean salary: $79,660
– Employment: 13,880
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL ($97,930)
— Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ ($96,450)
— San Diego-Carlsbad, CA ($94,460)
#20. Electrical power-line installers and repairers
Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO
– Annual mean salary: $80,240
– #163 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 1,430
National
– Annual mean salary: $74,410
– Employment: 114,930
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA ($117,700)
— Salinas, CA ($110,180)
— North Valley-Northern Mountains Region of California nonmetropolitan area ($109,740)
#19. Gas plant operators
Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO
– Annual mean salary: $80,250
– #20 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 100
National
– Annual mean salary: $73,290
– Employment: 14,990
– Metros with highest average pay:
— New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($99,600)
— Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA ($98,750)
— Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX ($97,080)
#18. Food service managers
Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO
– Annual mean salary: $81,430
– #11 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 610
National
– Annual mean salary: $61,000
– Employment: 197,010
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Trenton, NJ ($91,320)
— Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($89,860)
— Kahului-Wailuku-Lahaina, HI ($87,750)
#17. Transportation inspectors
Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO
– Annual mean salary: $81,860
– #37 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 330
National
– Annual mean salary: $81,320
– Employment: 27,360
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Portland-South Portland, ME ($112,260)
— Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($111,930)
— Anchorage, AK ($108,140)
#16. Sales representatives of services, except advertising, insurance, financial services, and travel
Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO
– Annual mean salary: $83,310
– #10 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 22,440
National
– Annual mean salary: $70,490
– Employment: 977,070
– Metros with highest average pay:
— San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($103,810)
— Boulder, CO ($101,630)
— San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($97,360)
#15. First-line supervisors of correctional officers
Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO
– Annual mean salary: $83,830
– #38 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 250
National
– Annual mean salary: $67,600
– Employment: 53,420
– Metros with highest average pay:
— New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($114,400)
— San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($113,220)
— Sacramento–Roseville–Arden-Arcade, CA ($112,950)
#14. Private detectives and investigators
Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO
– Annual mean salary: $87,020
– #4 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 260
National
– Annual mean salary: $60,100
– Employment: 32,200
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Jackson, MI ($93,360)
— Bakersfield, CA ($91,080)
— Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR-MO ($87,760)
#13. Lodging managers
Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO
– Annual mean salary: $90,500
– #10 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 230
National
– Annual mean salary: $65,270
– Employment: 31,790
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Hawaii / Kauai nonmetropolitan area ($122,290)
— Kahului-Wailuku-Lahaina, HI ($121,090)
— Urban Honolulu, HI ($111,410)
#12. Power distributors and dispatchers
Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO
– Annual mean salary: $91,430
– #29 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 60
National
– Annual mean salary: $93,260
– Employment: 9,940
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($131,560)
— Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA ($129,570)
— Birmingham-Hoover, AL ($123,540)
#11. Petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers
Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO
– Annual mean salary: $92,210
– #9 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 380
National
– Annual mean salary: $77,610
– Employment: 40,480
– Metros with highest average pay:
— San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($105,090)
— Alaska nonmetropolitan area ($101,900)
— St. Louis, MO-IL ($97,860)
#10. Gas compressor and gas pumping station operators
Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO
– Annual mean salary: $92,260
– #1 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 30
National
– Annual mean salary: $63,770
– Employment: 3,800
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO ($92,260)
— Eastern New Mexico nonmetropolitan area ($80,820)
— West North Dakota nonmetropolitan area ($79,570)
#9. Gambling managers
Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO
– Annual mean salary: $95,440
– #8 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 50
National
– Annual mean salary: $85,440
– Employment: 3,240
– Metros with highest average pay:
— San Diego-Carlsbad, CA ($106,830)
— Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ ($104,140)
— Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA ($103,210)
#8. Power plant operators
Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO
– Annual mean salary: $96,950
– #16 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 120
National
– Annual mean salary: $81,890
– Employment: 32,960
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Fresno, CA ($129,650)
— Wenatchee, WA ($123,180)
— Sacramento–Roseville–Arden-Arcade, CA ($114,660)
#7. Elevator and escalator installers and repairers
Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO
– Annual mean salary: $97,360
– #18 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 450
National
– Annual mean salary: $86,200
– Employment: 24,730
– Metros with highest average pay:
— San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($130,290)
— Kansas City, MO-KS ($113,590)
— Urban Honolulu, HI ($113,480)
#6. Detectives and criminal investigators
Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO
– Annual mean salary: $101,330
– #30 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 1,120
National
– Annual mean salary: $89,300
– Employment: 105,980
– Metros with highest average pay:
— San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($132,210)
— Anchorage, AK ($127,070)
— Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV ($123,460)
#5. First-line supervisors of non-retail sales workers
Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO
– Annual mean salary: $102,550
– #20 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 4,600
National
– Annual mean salary: $90,120
– Employment: 240,290
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Portland-South Portland, ME ($129,860)
— Durham-Chapel Hill, NC ($121,360)
— New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($121,250)
#4. Property, real estate, and community association managers
Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO
– Annual mean salary: $106,420
– #2 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 1,350
National
– Annual mean salary: $73,210
– Employment: 219,800
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($109,540)
— Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO ($106,420)
— Piedmont North Carolina nonmetropolitan area ($105,220)
#3. Transportation, storage, and distribution managers
Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO
– Annual mean salary: $115,860
– #21 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 810
National
– Annual mean salary: $105,100
– Employment: 132,210
– Metros with highest average pay:
— San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($159,890)
— Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($154,170)
— Trenton, NJ ($144,620)
#2. First-line supervisors of police and detectives
Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO
– Annual mean salary: $120,540
– #37 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 960
National
– Annual mean salary: $97,180
– Employment: 122,310
– Metros with highest average pay:
— San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($182,700)
— San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($170,740)
— Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA ($164,600)
#1. Commercial pilots
Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO
– Annual mean salary: $130,160
– #18 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 710
National
– Annual mean salary: $110,830
– Employment: 37,120
– Metros with highest average pay:
— San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($185,920)
— Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA ($184,260)
— Savannah, GA ($177,450)
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