What are the best high-paying jobs with just a high school diploma?

I'm trying to figure out if I can start working right after high school. Are there any high-paying jobs that only require a high school diploma?

Yes, there are several high-paying jobs that you can get with just a high school diploma. While it's true that on average, individuals with a college degree tend to earn more than those with only a high school diploma, there are many exceptions to this rule.

If you're interested in the medical field, a career as a diagnostic medical sonographer could be a great fit. They use imaging equipment to capture images for doctors to use in diagnosing patients. The median annual wage is around $73,860.

For those who enjoy physical work and have a knack for coordinating tasks, working as a transportation, storage, and distribution manager could be a great choice. They oversee activities that will organize the storage or transport of goods, ensuring everything runs smoothly. The median annual wage for this position is about $92,460.

Sales representatives, particularly for wholesale and manufacturing, technical and scientific products, also have good earning potential. They sell products for wholesalers or manufacturers to businesses, government agencies, and other organizations, and often only require a high school diploma. The median annual wage for this type of sales representative is around $79,680.

A career as an elevator installer and repairer is another lucrative choice with a high school diploma. They have a median annual wage of around $84,990. If you're comfortable with heights, physical labor, and have technical abilities, this might be a good fit.

Finally, nuclear power reactor operators control nuclear reactors, and the median annual wage is about $100,530. They move control rods, start and stop equipment, monitor and adjust controls, and record data in logs.

Keep in mind that while these jobs only require a high school diploma initially, some may require on-the-job training or apprenticeships to gain the necessary skills and knowledge for the position. Additionally, they may demand several years of work experience in a related occupation. You would have to be willing to commit to this training and experience accumulation to be successful in these fields.