Jobs that typically need a high school diploma or equivalent
223 occupations sit at this level, with a typical median wage of $53,710. This is the education the Bureau of Labor Statistics says most workers need to enter the job, not a hard requirement, and pay varies widely inside the level.
223 occupations
Most jobs firstCustomer Service Representatives
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Office Clerks, General
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Secretaries and Administrative Assistants
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Maintenance and Repair Workers, General
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Security Guards
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Sales Representatives of Services
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Light Truck Drivers
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Receptionists and Information Clerks
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Electricians
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Carpenters
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Childcare Workers
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Insurance Sales Agents
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Pharmacy Technicians
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Industrial Machinery Mechanics
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Social and Human Service Assistants
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Bus Drivers, School
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Correctional Officers and Jailers
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Self-Enrichment Teachers
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Recreation Workers
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Tellers
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Machinists
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Animal Caretakers
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Food Service Managers
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Insurance Claims and Policy Processing Clerks
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Dispatchers
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Chefs and Head Cooks
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Real Estate Sales Agents
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
First-Line Supervisors of Housekeeping and Janitorial Workers
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers, All Other
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Food Batchmakers
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Loan Interviewers and Clerks
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Bill and Account Collectors
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Highway Maintenance Workers
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Eligibility Interviewers, Government Programs
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Automotive Body and Related Repairers
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Construction and Building Inspectors
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Printing Press Operators
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Flight Attendants
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
First-Line Supervisors of Landscaping, Lawn Service, and Groundskeeping Workers
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Data Entry Keyers
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Sheet Metal Workers
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Detectives and Criminal Investigators
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Healthcare Support Workers, All Other
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Telecommunications Line Installers and Repairers
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Cargo and Freight Agents
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Sales and Related Workers, All Other
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Advertising Sales Agents
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Security and Fire Alarm Systems Installers
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Residential Advisors
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Gambling Dealers
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Medical Equipment Preparers
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Tax Preparers
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Opticians, Dispensing
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
File Clerks
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Structural Iron and Steel Workers
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Community Health Workers
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Extruding and Drawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Maintenance Workers, Machinery
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Glaziers
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Surveying and Mapping Technicians
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Procurement Clerks
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Travel Agents
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Brickmasons and Blockmasons
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Photographers
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Hazardous Materials Removal Workers
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Concierges
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Title Examiners, Abstractors, and Searchers
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Control and Valve Installers and Repairers
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Physical Therapist Aides
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Real Estate Brokers
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Crane and Tower Operators
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Lodging Managers
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Sawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Wood
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Millwrights
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Farm Equipment Mechanics and Service Technicians
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
New Accounts Clerks
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanics
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Brokerage Clerks
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Private Detectives and Investigators
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Psychiatric Aides
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Word Processors and Typists
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Dental Laboratory Technicians
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Engine and Other Machine Assemblers
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Locomotive Engineers
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Home Appliance Repairers
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Semiconductor Processing Technicians
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Solar Photovoltaic Installers
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Occupational Health and Safety Technicians
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Power Plant Operators
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
First-Line Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Pesticide Handlers, Sprayers, and Applicators, Vegetation
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
First-Line Supervisors of Gambling Services Workers
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Insulation Workers, Mechanical
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Rolling Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Elevator and Escalator Installers and Repairers
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Motorboat Mechanics and Service Technicians
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Jewelers and Precious Stone and Metal Workers
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Rail Car Repairers
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Logging Equipment Operators
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
First-Line Supervisors of Protective Service Workers, All Other
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Automotive Glass Installers and Repairers
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Upholsterers
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Media and Communication Workers, All Other
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Earth Drillers
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Animal Trainers
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Gas Plant Operators
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Recreational Vehicle Service Technicians
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Bailiffs
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Chemical Plant and System Operators
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Metal Workers and Plastic Workers, All Other
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Airfield Operations Specialists
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Locksmiths and Safe Repairers
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Furniture Finishers
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Electric Motor, Power Tool, and Related Repairers
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Heat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Postmasters and Mail Superintendents
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Foundry Mold and Coremakers
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Ambulance Drivers and Attendants
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Bicycle Repairers
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Credit Authorizers, Checkers, and Clerks
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Medical Appliance Technicians
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Hearing Aid Specialists
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Personal Service Managers, All Other
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Subway and Streetcar Operators
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Boilermakers
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Gambling Surveillance Officers and Gambling Investigators
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Precision Instrument and Equipment Repairers, All Other
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Signal and Track Switch Repairers
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Electronic Equipment Installers and Repairers, Motor Vehicles
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Disc Jockeys
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Traffic Technicians
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Stonemasons
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Etchers and Engravers
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Costume Attendants
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Forest and Conservation Workers
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Layout Workers, Metal and Plastic
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Extraction Workers, All Other
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Woodworkers, All Other
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Musical Instrument Repairers and Tuners
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Nuclear Power Reactor Operators
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Gambling Managers
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Transit and Railroad Police
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Occupational Therapy Aides
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Correspondence Clerks
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Manufactured Building and Mobile Home Installers
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Crematory Operators
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Choreographers
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Forest Fire Inspectors and Prevention Specialists
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Model Makers, Metal and Plastic
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Pile Driver Operators
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Camera and Photographic Equipment Repairers
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Patternmakers, Metal and Plastic
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Animal Breeders
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Watch and Clock Repairers
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Communications Equipment Operators, All Other
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Terrazzo Workers and Finishers
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Rail Transportation Workers, All Other
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Refractory Materials Repairers
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Dredge Operators
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Model Makers, Wood
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Timing Device Assemblers and Adjusters
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Patternmakers, Wood
Typically needs: High school diploma or equivalent
Data: BLS OEWS May 2025 · IPEDS Fall 2025–26 provisional · College Scorecard (June 2026 release). Education levels are the BLS Employment Projections typical entry-level education assignment. All sources & release dates →
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