Not everyone has the patience or resources to attend a 4-year university, in pursuit of a career. If you are one of those people, or you have a degree but are looking for a different career path, these jobs might be of interest to you.
This list of the 50 highest paying jobs in San Diego (that don't require a degree) was compiled by Stacker, who consulted the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook. These jobs do not require higher education, but do require a high school diploma. In some cases the positions require some level of college education (without degree), trade school classes or previous experience.
Even if you're not looking for a new career, it's interesting to see what people in other professions make.
50. Sales representatives of services (except advertising, insurance, financial services, and travel)
- San Diego - Annual mean salary: $67,440
- National - Annual mean salary: $70,490
49. Executive secretaries and executive administrative assistants
- San Diego – Annual mean salary: $67,510
- National – Annual mean salary: $65,230
48. Electrical and electronics repairers, commercial and industrial equipment
- San Diego - Annual mean salary: $68,160
- National - Annual mean salary: $63,350
47. Tool and die makers
- San Diego - Annual mean salary: $68,510
- National – Annual mean salary: $55,520
46. Water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators
- San Diego - Annual mean salary: $68,630
- National - Annual mean salary: $51,890
45. Airfield operations specialists
- San Diego - Annual mean salary: $68,750
- National – Annual mean salary: $58,360
44. Brickmasons and blockmasons
- San Diego - Annual mean salary: $68,950
- National – Annual mean salary: $58,420
43. Telecommunications line installers and repairers
- San Diego - Annual mean salary: $70,340
- National – Annual mean salary: $61,860
42. Aircraft mechanics and service technicians
- San Diego - Annual mean salary: $70,430
- National - Annual mean salary: $69,040
41. Telecommunications equipment installers and repairers, except line installers
- San Diego - Annual mean salary: $71,290
- National - Annual mean salary: $61,980
40. Firefighters
- San Diego - Annual mean salary: $72,020
- National - Annual mean salary: $56,360
39. Structural iron and steel workers
- San Diego - Annual mean salary: $72,580
- National - Annual mean salary: $58,650
38. Computer numerically controlled tool programmers
- San Diego - Annual mean salary: $72,670
- National - Annual mean salary: $61,010
37. Advertising sales agents
- San Diego– Annual mean salary: $72,870
- National - Annual mean salary: $68,040
36. Insurance sales agents
- San Diego - Annual mean salary: $73,030
- National -Annual mean salary: $69,100
35. First-line supervisors of production and operating workers
- San Diego - Annual mean salary: $73,330
- National - Annual mean salary: $66,800
34. First-line supervisors of non-retail sales workers
- San Diego - Annual mean salary: $73,750
- National - Annual mean salary: $90,120
33. Millwrights
- San Diego - Annual mean salary: $74,400
- National – Annual mean salary: $59,080
32. Claims adjusters, examiners, and investigators
- San Diego - Annual mean salary: $74,480
- National - Annual mean salary: $70,650
31. Construction and building inspectors
- San Diego - Annual mean salary: $74,510
- National – Annual mean salary: $66,470
30. First-line supervisors of mechanics, installers, and repairers
- San Diego - Annual mean salary: $74,770
- National - Annual mean salary: $73,100
29. Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products
- San Diego - Annual mean salary: $75,450
- National – Annual mean salary: $73,500
28. Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators
- San Diego - Annual mean salary: $75,740
- National - Annual mean salary: $55,280
27. Control and valve installers and repairers, except mechanical door
- San Diego - Annual mean salary: $75,920
- National - Annual mean salary: $62,400
26. Property, real estate, and community association managers
- San Diego - Annual mean salary: $75,960
- National - Annual mean salary: $73,210
25. Correctional officers and jailers
- San Diego - Annual mean salary: $77,070
- National - Annual mean salary: $52,340
24. Forest fire inspectors and prevention specialists
- San Diego - Annual mean salary: $77,170
- National - Annual mean salary: $52,130
23. Captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels
- San Diego - Annual mean salary: $77,310
- National - Annual mean salary: $89,740
22. Real estate brokers
- San Diego - Annual mean salary: $77,360
- National – Annual mean salary: $81,630
21. Commercial pilots
- San Diego– Annual mean salary: $78,320
- National - Annual mean salary: $110,830
20. Court reporters and simultaneous captioners
- San Diego - Annual mean salary: $79,690
- National - Annual mean salary: $66,710
19. Glaziers
- San Diego - Annual mean salary: $80,720
- National – Annual mean salary: $50,970
18. Power plant operators
- San Diego - Annual mean salary: $81,870
- National – Annual mean salary: $81,890
17. Stationary engineers and boiler operators
- San Diego– Annual mean salary: $82,320
- National – Annual mean salary: $68,170
16. Fire inspectors and investigators
- San Diego, CA – Annual mean salary: $83,050
- National – Annual mean salary: $67,680
15. First-line supervisors of construction trades and extraction workers
- San Diego – Annual mean salary: $83,430
- National – Annual mean salary: $72,990
14. Elevator and escalator installers and repairers
- San Diego – Annual mean salary: $83,830
- National – Annual mean salary: $86,200
13. Transportation inspectors
- San Diego – Annual mean salary: $85,090
- National – Annual mean salary: $81,320
12. Gambling managers
- San Diego - Annual mean salary: $87,400
- National – Annual mean salary: $85,440
11. Crane and tower operators
- San Diego – Annual mean salary: $89,250
- National – Annual mean salary: $64,010
10. Postmasters and mail superintendents
- San Diego – Annual mean salary: $92,630
- National – Annual mean salary: $79,660
9. Chefs and head cooks
- San Diego – Annual mean salary: $98,210
- National - Annual mean salary: $58,740
8. Gas plant operators
- San Diego – Annual mean salary: $98,230
- National – Annual mean salary: $73,290
7. Transportation, storage, and distribution managers
- San Diego - Annual mean salary: $100,790
- National – Annual mean salary: $105,100
6. Detectives and criminal investigators
- San Diego – Annual mean salary: $103,900
- National – Annual mean salary: $89,300
5. First-line supervisors of correctional officers
- San Diego – Annual mean salary: $104,900
- National – Annual mean salary: $67,600
4. Electrical power-line installers and repairers
- San Diego – Annual mean salary: $108,870
- National – Annual mean salary: $74,410
3. Electrical and electronics repairers, powerhouse, substation, and relay
- San Diego - Annual mean salary: $111,660
- National - Annual mean salary: $83,150
2. First-line supervisors of firefighting and prevention workers
- San Diego - Annual mean salary: $116,470
- National - Annual mean salary: $83,170
1. First-line supervisors of police and detectives
- San Diego - Annual mean salary: $143,580
- National - Annual mean salary: $97,180
Jobs were ranked by 2020 annual mean wage. Job descriptions are from O*NET.