When you graduate high school and are handed that diploma, there are a number of different paths you can take. Some choose to enter the workforce immediately, while others opt to pursue higher education or training. In many cases, continuing education isn’t a financially viable option. And while U.S. workers with only a high school diploma face an unemployment rate nearly twice that of college educated workers (4.5 to 2.4) and earn significantly less on average*, this doesn’t mean workers without college degrees can’t still land lucrative careers.

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, 74 percent typically require moderate to long-term on-the-job training or apprenticeships; 26 percent typically require short-term or no on-the-job training. 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.**

A successful career path will always require the worker to pursue additional skills and training in order to obtain better pay and positions. That being said, check out these 10 high-paying positions with short-term or no training, followed by 10 jobs with moderate or long-term training.

The 10 highest paying jobs for high school graduates: 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. The following are the 10 highest-paying, non-farm jobs that require a high school diploma for minimum entry and require short-term or no on-the-job training:

The 10 highest paying jobs for high school graduates: moderate or long-term training

The following table shows the 10 highest paying, non-farm jobs that require a high school diploma for minimum entry and require an apprenticeship or 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. However, three of the 10 highest paying occupations for high school graduates in these categories have lost jobs since 2012. Elevator installers and repairers, commercial pilots and electrical power-line installers and repairers have all seen healthy growth.

*Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Situation, workers 25 and older.

**Minimum entry-level education retirements are defined by the BLS.

Hoping to earn more by making your way up the ladder? Be sure to brush up on these 4 skills to take you from overtime to 9 to 5.



