California · BLS, May 2025 wages

$30-an-hour jobs without a degree in California

Name: $30-an-hour jobs without a degree in California, 2025
Creator: Degreeless Jobs
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

194 occupations in California pay a median of $30 an hour or more and typically need less than a bachelor’s degree to enter. The highest is radiation therapists at $80.02 an hour.

By the Degreeless Jobs research deskUpdated Sep 7, 2026Sources: BLS

All 194, sorted by hourly median

State medians for employed workers. The 25th to 75th range is annual. Occupations reported on an annual basis only are not included.

Occupations in California with a median of $30 an hour or more that typically require less than a bachelor's degree
Occupation	Hourly median	Annual median	25th to 75th	Employed	Typical entry education
Radiation therapistsAssociate's degree	$80.02	$166,450	$131,570 to $182,140	1,720	Associate's degree
First-line supervisors of police and detectivesHigh school diploma or equivalent	$78.83	$163,960	$135,170 to $190,130	13,200	High school diploma or equivalent
Nuclear medicine technologistsAssociate's degree	$78.07	$162,380	$136,820 to $178,190	1,500	Associate's degree
Air traffic controllersAssociate's degree	$76.96	$160,080	$115,810 to $207,670	2,290	Associate's degree
Elevator and escalator installers and repairersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$67.88	$141,180	$120,900 to $161,230	1,910	High school diploma or equivalent
Makeup artists, theatrical and performancePostsecondary nondegree award	$67.73	$140,870	$124,800 to $143,450	830	Postsecondary nondegree award
Power distributors and dispatchersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$66.14	$137,570	$106,730 to $174,730	670	High school diploma or equivalent
First-line supervisors of correctional officersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$63.08	$131,210	$125,590 to $144,400	4,550	High school diploma or equivalent
Gas plant operatorsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$62.61	$130,220	$104,100 to $134,800	800	High school diploma or equivalent
Electrical power-line installers and repairersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$62.04	$129,040	$98,680 to $156,380	8,930	High school diploma or equivalent
Diagnostic medical sonographersAssociate's degree	$61.79	$128,530	$99,510 to $160,580	10,110	Associate's degree
First-line supervisors of firefighting and prevention workersPostsecondary nondegree award	$61.36	$127,630	$100,450 to $169,380	8,170	Postsecondary nondegree award
Dental hygienistsAssociate's degree	$60.06	$124,930	$109,730 to $132,120	24,500	Associate's degree
Detectives and criminal investigatorsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$60.02	$124,840	$99,270 to $136,020	12,610	High school diploma or equivalent
Magnetic resonance imaging technologistsAssociate's degree	$59.62	$124,000	$92,970 to $151,760	3,570	Associate's degree
Transportation, storage, and distribution managersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$59.51	$123,780	$86,290 to $166,100	30,540	High school diploma or equivalent
Electrical and electronics repairers, powerhouse, substation, and relayPostsecondary nondegree award	$58.42	$121,520	$103,220 to $146,760	1,680	Postsecondary nondegree award
Radiologic technologists and techniciansAssociate's degree	$58.30	$121,260	$95,730 to $137,770	20,900	Associate's degree
Insulation workers, mechanicalHigh school diploma or equivalent	$57.55	$119,690	$63,570 to $151,370	1,310	High school diploma or equivalent
Police and sheriff's patrol officersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$57.15	$118,880	$97,280 to $126,780	65,940	High school diploma or equivalent
BoilermakersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$56.80	$118,150	$107,010 to $129,390	720	High school diploma or equivalent
Court reporters and simultaneous captionersPostsecondary nondegree award	$55.78	$116,020	$86,560 to $133,900	1,400	Postsecondary nondegree award
Pile driver operatorsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$53.05	$110,340	$94,890 to $128,380	480	High school diploma or equivalent
Captains, mates, and pilots of water vesselsPostsecondary nondegree award	$52.93	$110,090	$73,630 to $132,310	2,420	Postsecondary nondegree award
Watch and clock repairersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$52.91	$110,050	$105,130 to $125,000	—	High school diploma or equivalent
Transit and railroad policeHigh school diploma or equivalent	$52.71	$109,650	$95,280 to $109,680	100	High school diploma or equivalent
Farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural managersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$52.47	$109,140	$96,630 to $142,180	1,650	High school diploma or equivalent
Power plant operatorsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$50.58	$105,210	$80,270 to $132,600	2,610	High school diploma or equivalent
Respiratory therapistsAssociate's degree	$50.40	$104,820	$87,750 to $129,010	18,650	Associate's degree
Petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$49.64	$103,250	$96,810 to $119,200	3,360	High school diploma or equivalent
Media and communication workers, all otherHigh school diploma or equivalent	$49.34	$102,630	$63,530 to $105,660	9,940	High school diploma or equivalent
Commercial diversPostsecondary nondegree award	$48.82	$101,540	$39,980 to $131,110	310	Postsecondary nondegree award
Construction and building inspectorsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$48.70	$101,290	$76,160 to $128,530	13,420	High school diploma or equivalent
Postmasters and mail superintendentsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$48.63	$101,150	$94,350 to $111,740	800	High school diploma or equivalent
Craft artistsNo formal educational credential	$48.34	$100,540	$62,500 to $130,360	170	No formal educational credential
Control and valve installers and repairers, except mechanical doorHigh school diploma or equivalent	$48.20	$100,260	$78,860 to $130,800	4,310	High school diploma or equivalent
Nuclear techniciansAssociate's degree	$47.72	$99,270	$94,470 to $112,860	—	Associate's degree
Gambling managersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$47.71	$99,230	$79,810 to $135,480	620	High school diploma or equivalent
Fire inspectors and investigatorsPostsecondary nondegree award	$47.71	$99,230	$79,370 to $122,730	1,350	Postsecondary nondegree award
Aerospace engineering and operations technologists and techniciansAssociate's degree	$47.59	$99,000	$81,560 to $119,980	1,560	Associate's degree
Telecommunications line installers and repairersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$47.11	$97,980	$81,130 to $102,540	8,810	High school diploma or equivalent
First-line supervisors of construction trades and extraction workersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$46.96	$97,680	$76,740 to $128,690	71,750	High school diploma or equivalent
Ship engineersPostsecondary nondegree award	$46.95	$97,660	$84,620 to $157,070	610	Postsecondary nondegree award
Forest fire inspectors and prevention specialistsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$46.81	$97,370	$71,880 to $124,060	480	High school diploma or equivalent
Correctional officers and jailersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$46.33	$96,370	$76,370 to $109,580	37,860	High school diploma or equivalent
Lighting techniciansPostsecondary nondegree award	$45.22	$94,070	$61,040 to $109,560	2,950	Postsecondary nondegree award
First-line supervisors of mechanics, installers, and repairersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$45.03	$93,660	$72,910 to $120,050	51,670	High school diploma or equivalent
Model makers, metal and plasticHigh school diploma or equivalent	$44.69	$92,960	$73,530 to $107,000	260	High school diploma or equivalent
First-line supervisors of protective service workers, all otherHigh school diploma or equivalent	$44.56	$92,690	$72,230 to $103,240	2,330	High school diploma or equivalent
Avionics techniciansPostsecondary nondegree award	$44.46	$92,480	$77,660 to $106,950	1,220	Postsecondary nondegree award
Claims adjusters, examiners, and investigatorsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$44.13	$91,790	$72,280 to $106,400	24,290	High school diploma or equivalent
Musicians and singersNo formal educational credential	$43.83	—	—	6,840	No formal educational credential
Health information technologists and medical registrarsAssociate's degree	$43.63	$90,750	$65,020 to $133,610	2,920	Associate's degree
Stationary engineers and boiler operatorsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$43.58	$90,650	$61,860 to $120,350	5,840	High school diploma or equivalent
Fabric and apparel patternmakersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$42.79	$89,010	$64,690 to $99,740	930	High school diploma or equivalent
Executive secretaries and executive administrative assistantsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$42.79	$89,000	$72,110 to $107,090	59,640	High school diploma or equivalent
Chemical plant and system operatorsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$42.09	$87,550	$81,210 to $103,060	780	High school diploma or equivalent
Mechanical engineering technologists and techniciansAssociate's degree	$42.02	$87,390	$69,490 to $104,220	3,660	Associate's degree
Operating engineers and other construction equipment operatorsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$41.90	$87,160	$65,230 to $125,560	36,020	High school diploma or equivalent
Electrical and electronics repairers, commercial and industrial equipmentPostsecondary nondegree award	$41.86	$87,080	$74,270 to $110,300	5,830	Postsecondary nondegree award
Aircraft mechanics and service techniciansPostsecondary nondegree award	$41.40	$86,100	$68,390 to $99,650	12,590	Postsecondary nondegree award
Electrical and electronic engineering technologists and techniciansAssociate's degree	$41.39	$86,090	$73,550 to $112,200	13,450	Associate's degree
Legal support workers, all otherAssociate's degree	$41.26	$85,830	$64,930 to $113,790	—	Associate's degree
RiggersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$41.22	$85,730	$67,180 to $102,050	2,260	High school diploma or equivalent
Farm labor contractorsNo formal educational credential	$41.21	$85,710	$66,960 to $104,740	—	No formal educational credential
FirefightersPostsecondary nondegree award	$40.92	$85,120	$65,170 to $109,620	31,470	Postsecondary nondegree award
Electrical and electronics installers and repairers, transportation equipmentPostsecondary nondegree award	$40.78	$84,820	$60,460 to $110,030	1,480	Postsecondary nondegree award
Signal and track switch repairersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$40.71	$84,670	$84,640 to $103,180	390	High school diploma or equivalent
Civil engineering technologists and techniciansAssociate's degree	$40.14	$83,490	$65,610 to $101,790	7,250	Associate's degree
Paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operatorsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$39.97	$83,130	$64,270 to $126,640	1,400	High school diploma or equivalent
Physical therapist assistantsAssociate's degree	$39.96	$83,110	$75,900 to $94,940	9,400	Associate's degree
Transportation inspectorsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$39.90	$83,000	$55,660 to $114,850	1,790	High school diploma or equivalent
Mechanical draftersAssociate's degree	$39.67	$82,510	$65,900 to $102,860	3,640	Associate's degree
Funeral home managersAssociate's degree	$39.60	$82,370	$74,130 to $100,320	760	Associate's degree
Computer numerically controlled tool programmersPostsecondary nondegree award	$39.47	$82,090	$66,440 to $102,980	2,990	Postsecondary nondegree award
Occupational therapy assistantsAssociate's degree	$39.31	$81,770	$76,350 to $96,720	3,840	Associate's degree
Water and wastewater treatment plant and system operatorsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$39.31	$81,770	$65,250 to $103,550	11,630	High school diploma or equivalent
Electro-mechanical and mechatronics technologists and techniciansAssociate's degree	$39.21	$81,550	$71,090 to $105,510	1,850	Associate's degree
Surgical technologistsPostsecondary nondegree award	$39.09	$81,310	$64,380 to $99,260	11,920	Postsecondary nondegree award
First-line supervisors of non-retail sales workersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$39.01	$81,140	$63,400 to $116,240	19,600	High school diploma or equivalent
Sales representatives of services, except advertising, insurance, financial services, and travelHigh school diploma or equivalent	$38.87	$80,850	$53,800 to $121,590	156,110	High school diploma or equivalent
Engineering technologists and technicians, except drafters, all otherAssociate's degree	$38.69	$80,480	$63,250 to $104,600	7,330	Associate's degree
Real estate brokersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$38.68	$80,450	$41,600 to $108,690	8,430	High school diploma or equivalent
Explosives workers, ordnance handling experts, and blastersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$38.64	$80,370	$34,320 to $102,170	220	High school diploma or equivalent
Advertising sales agentsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$38.64	$80,360	$56,010 to $104,660	9,620	High school diploma or equivalent
Public safety telecommunicatorsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$38.52	$80,120	$64,250 to $96,660	8,520	High school diploma or equivalent
Hearing aid specialistsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$38.49	$80,060	$61,830 to $83,570	990	High school diploma or equivalent
Precision instrument and equipment repairers, all otherHigh school diploma or equivalent	$38.49	$80,060	$59,690 to $101,560	1,460	High school diploma or equivalent
Licensed practical and licensed vocational nursesPostsecondary nondegree award	$38.34	$79,750	$74,840 to $93,720	82,850	Postsecondary nondegree award
Computer user support specialistsSome college, no degree	$38.25	$79,570	$62,790 to $101,780	74,490	Some college, no degree
Crane and tower operatorsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$38.25	$79,570	$66,620 to $100,860	2,130	High school diploma or equivalent
Communications equipment operators, all otherHigh school diploma or equivalent	$38.20	$79,450	$52,730 to $94,570	450	High school diploma or equivalent
Computer network support specialistsAssociate's degree	$38.07	$79,190	$56,790 to $104,920	13,620	Associate's degree
Traffic techniciansHigh school diploma or equivalent	$38.03	$79,110	$59,120 to $85,240	1,250	High school diploma or equivalent
Industrial engineering technologists and techniciansAssociate's degree	$38.02	$79,070	$62,290 to $96,460	5,710	Associate's degree
Meter readers, utilitiesHigh school diploma or equivalent	$38.00	$79,040	$62,540 to $99,180	810	High school diploma or equivalent
Calibration technologists and techniciansAssociate's degree	$37.98	$79,010	$61,890 to $100,240	1,250	Associate's degree
Insurance appraisers, auto damagePostsecondary nondegree award	$37.95	$78,930	$74,450 to $101,120	550	Postsecondary nondegree award
Subway and streetcar operatorsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$37.83	$78,680	$66,820 to $78,680	900	High school diploma or equivalent
Mobile heavy equipment mechanics, except enginesHigh school diploma or equivalent	$37.76	$78,550	$63,830 to $94,620	20,080	High school diploma or equivalent
Life, physical, and social science technicians, all otherAssociate's degree	$37.67	$78,350	$62,620 to $97,540	10,090	Associate's degree
Electrical and electronics draftersAssociate's degree	$37.65	$78,310	$63,180 to $102,530	2,730	Associate's degree
Food service managersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$37.63	$78,260	$60,040 to $100,190	33,180	High school diploma or equivalent
Cardiovascular technologists and techniciansAssociate's degree	$37.58	$78,170	$66,090 to $124,200	5,570	Associate's degree
Sound engineering techniciansPostsecondary nondegree award	$37.57	$78,150	$53,150 to $100,910	4,060	Postsecondary nondegree award
Surveying and mapping techniciansHigh school diploma or equivalent	$37.55	$78,110	$61,090 to $102,770	3,340	High school diploma or equivalent
Plant and system operators, all otherHigh school diploma or equivalent	$37.51	$78,020	$63,650 to $95,500	1,560	High school diploma or equivalent
Brokerage clerksHigh school diploma or equivalent	$37.48	$77,960	$62,640 to $95,780	4,740	High school diploma or equivalent
MillwrightsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$37.48	$77,950	$61,310 to $109,190	2,230	High school diploma or equivalent
Wind turbine service techniciansPostsecondary nondegree award	$37.46	$77,910	$64,980 to $100,880	400	Postsecondary nondegree award
Personal service managers, all otherHigh school diploma or equivalent	$37.42	$77,840	$67,320 to $111,740	2,010	High school diploma or equivalent
First-line supervisors of office and administrative support workersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$37.30	$77,590	$62,660 to $97,080	149,230	High school diploma or equivalent
Paralegals and legal assistantsAssociate's degree	$37.21	$77,390	$60,170 to $98,430	47,130	Associate's degree
Refractory materials repairers, except brickmasonsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$37.13	$77,220	$77,220 to $108,670	—	High school diploma or equivalent
Locomotive engineersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$37.06	$77,070	$74,370 to $79,940	1,570	High school diploma or equivalent
Property, real estate, and community association managersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$37.04	$77,030	$53,840 to $101,230	50,040	High school diploma or equivalent
Tool and die makersPostsecondary nondegree award	$37.04	$77,030	$54,640 to $92,510	1,790	Postsecondary nondegree award
Lodging managersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$37.00	$76,950	$62,690 to $99,670	5,070	High school diploma or equivalent
First-line supervisors of production and operating workersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$36.94	$76,840	$59,400 to $98,900	48,550	High school diploma or equivalent
Telecommunications equipment installers and repairers, except line installersPostsecondary nondegree award	$36.84	$76,630	$65,480 to $97,400	14,040	Postsecondary nondegree award
Sheet metal workersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$36.82	$76,590	$59,220 to $107,360	8,390	High school diploma or equivalent
Architectural and civil draftersAssociate's degree	$36.79	$76,520	$62,220 to $96,300	11,400	Associate's degree
Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific productsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$36.78	$76,490	$56,460 to $104,870	134,800	High school diploma or equivalent
Structural iron and steel workersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$36.72	$76,370	$59,220 to $103,980	7,110	High school diploma or equivalent
PipelayersNo formal educational credential	$36.63	$76,180	$61,870 to $94,560	1,420	No formal educational credential
ElectriciansHigh school diploma or equivalent	$36.62	$76,160	$59,280 to $103,000	73,310	High school diploma or equivalent
Insurance sales agentsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$36.60	$76,120	$49,370 to $104,860	41,160	High school diploma or equivalent
CarpentersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$36.50	$75,920	$59,740 to $95,830	100,750	High school diploma or equivalent
Healthcare practitioners and technical workers, all otherPostsecondary nondegree award	$36.44	$75,800	$54,900 to $104,770	4,180	Postsecondary nondegree award
ChoreographersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$36.06	$75,000	$51,020 to $101,740	410	High school diploma or equivalent
Motion picture projectionistsNo formal educational credential	$35.98	$74,840	$36,350 to $117,940	190	No formal educational credential
ParamedicsPostsecondary nondegree award	$35.86	$74,590	$63,490 to $90,730	5,190	Postsecondary nondegree award
Excavating and loading machine and dragline operators, surface miningHigh school diploma or equivalent	$35.82	$74,500	$61,240 to $98,690	790	High school diploma or equivalent
Layout workers, metal and plasticHigh school diploma or equivalent	$35.81	$74,490	$62,280 to $87,360	480	High school diploma or equivalent
Industrial machinery mechanicsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$35.77	$74,400	$59,360 to $90,500	26,830	High school diploma or equivalent
Bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialistsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$35.55	$73,950	$60,110 to $84,740	20,940	High school diploma or equivalent
Transportation security screenersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$35.39	$73,610	$58,240 to $78,350	5,410	High school diploma or equivalent
TapersNo formal educational credential	$35.32	$73,460	$59,760 to $88,540	4,540	No formal educational credential
Drafters, all otherAssociate's degree	$35.28	$73,390	$61,160 to $90,850	1,750	Associate's degree
Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfittersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$35.01	$72,830	$58,980 to $100,200	47,660	High school diploma or equivalent
Broadcast techniciansAssociate's degree	$35.00	$72,800	$48,060 to $97,430	2,340	Associate's degree
Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installersPostsecondary nondegree award	$34.88	$72,560	$58,280 to $90,780	35,130	Postsecondary nondegree award
Medical equipment repairersAssociate's degree	$34.83	$72,450	$55,690 to $96,570	6,080	Associate's degree
Bridge and lock tendersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$34.80	$72,390	$52,800 to $79,150	80	High school diploma or equivalent
Costume attendantsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$34.63	$72,030	$43,930 to $109,520	1,620	High school diploma or equivalent
Desktop publishersAssociate's degree	$34.58	$71,930	$51,620 to $94,710	320	Associate's degree
Security and fire alarm systems installersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$34.41	$71,570	$57,180 to $79,760	8,180	High school diploma or equivalent
Rail-track laying and maintenance equipment operatorsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$34.22	$71,170	$57,820 to $75,290	770	High school diploma or equivalent
Hydrologic techniciansAssociate's degree	$34.03	$70,790	$55,370 to $88,900	300	Associate's degree
Tax preparersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$33.67	$70,030	$47,420 to $84,890	10,270	High school diploma or equivalent
Railroad conductors and yardmastersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$33.63	$69,950	$69,230 to $77,630	1,500	High school diploma or equivalent
Geological technicians, except hydrologic techniciansAssociate's degree	$33.37	$69,410	$53,610 to $83,470	480	Associate's degree
Brickmasons and blockmasonsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$33.20	$69,050	$58,730 to $79,580	3,820	High school diploma or equivalent
Tank car, truck, and ship loadersNo formal educational credential	$32.98	$68,600	$60,330 to $92,390	110	No formal educational credential
Rail car repairersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$32.87	$68,370	$64,190 to $86,440	700	High school diploma or equivalent
Recreational vehicle service techniciansHigh school diploma or equivalent	$32.81	$68,240	$49,990 to $74,600	1,070	High school diploma or equivalent
First-line supervisors of gambling services workersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$32.70	$68,010	$62,120 to $76,790	3,010	High school diploma or equivalent
Maintenance workers, machineryHigh school diploma or equivalent	$32.61	$67,840	$53,160 to $78,820	4,130	High school diploma or equivalent
Title examiners, abstractors, and searchersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$32.32	$67,230	$59,190 to $90,570	—	High school diploma or equivalent
Rail yard engineers, dinkey operators, and hostlersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$32.29	$67,160	$67,130 to $67,160	190	High school diploma or equivalent
Bus drivers, transit and intercityHigh school diploma or equivalent	$32.27	$67,130	$55,540 to $76,920	24,380	High school diploma or equivalent
Earth drillers, except oil and gasHigh school diploma or equivalent	$32.17	$66,910	$58,870 to $79,420	1,630	High school diploma or equivalent
Automotive body and related repairersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$32.14	$66,860	$52,040 to $78,200	14,050	High school diploma or equivalent
Electric motor, power tool, and related repairersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$31.75	$66,040	$53,470 to $75,780	810	High school diploma or equivalent
Drywall and ceiling tile installersNo formal educational credential	$31.67	$65,880	$55,810 to $85,180	27,280	No formal educational credential
First-line supervisors of transportation and material moving workers, except aircraft cargo handling supervisorsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$31.51	$65,550	$52,300 to $79,530	67,920	High school diploma or equivalent
Rotary drill operators, oil and gasNo formal educational credential	$31.50	$65,520	$59,380 to $102,240	460	No formal educational credential
Payroll and timekeeping clerksHigh school diploma or equivalent	$31.41	$65,340	$56,230 to $78,870	20,590	High school diploma or equivalent
Automotive service technicians and mechanicsPostsecondary nondegree award	$31.24	$64,980	$46,580 to $77,060	65,420	Postsecondary nondegree award
Refuse and recyclable material collectorsNo formal educational credential	$31.20	$64,890	$55,420 to $75,070	13,930	No formal educational credential
Audio and video techniciansPostsecondary nondegree award	$31.07	$64,620	$48,230 to $87,450	9,280	Postsecondary nondegree award
Media and communication equipment workers, all otherHigh school diploma or equivalent	$31.04	$64,550	$51,480 to $104,840	3,890	High school diploma or equivalent
Chefs and head cooksHigh school diploma or equivalent	$31.01	$64,500	$46,320 to $81,040	31,670	High school diploma or equivalent
Wellhead pumpersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$30.98	$64,430	$56,500 to $72,310	160	High school diploma or equivalent
GlaziersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$30.79	$64,040	$57,590 to $92,040	7,020	High school diploma or equivalent
Postal service clerksNo formal educational credential	$30.60	$63,650	$57,430 to $75,030	6,410	No formal educational credential
Aircraft structure, surfaces, rigging, and systems assemblersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$30.60	$63,640	$60,130 to $78,380	2,930	High school diploma or equivalent
RoofersNo formal educational credential	$30.58	$63,600	$59,420 to $75,450	21,190	No formal educational credential
Eligibility interviewers, government programsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$30.54	$63,520	$55,600 to $71,470	30,960	High school diploma or equivalent
Court, municipal, and license clerksHigh school diploma or equivalent	$30.44	$63,320	$58,170 to $74,040	12,460	High school diploma or equivalent
First-line supervisors of landscaping, lawn service, and groundskeeping workersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$30.42	$63,270	$48,610 to $81,660	14,850	High school diploma or equivalent
Reinforcing iron and rebar workersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$30.34	$63,110	$48,900 to $101,020	2,390	High school diploma or equivalent
Production, planning, and expediting clerksHigh school diploma or equivalent	$30.29	$63,000	$49,700 to $78,230	56,080	High school diploma or equivalent
Legal secretaries and administrative assistantsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$30.22	$62,860	$50,040 to $80,650	27,470	High school diploma or equivalent
Radio, cellular, and tower equipment installers and repairersAssociate's degree	$30.21	$62,840	$57,290 to $79,850	1,030	Associate's degree
PaperhangersNo formal educational credential	$30.19	$62,790	$60,440 to $72,710	130	No formal educational credential
Continuous mining machine operatorsNo formal educational credential	$30.19	$62,790	$62,240 to $78,830	940	No formal educational credential
Cement masons and concrete finishersNo formal educational credential	$30.15	$62,700	$51,450 to $84,070	28,700	No formal educational credential
Animal control workersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$30.11	$62,630	$54,940 to $72,020	1,210	High school diploma or equivalent
Airfield operations specialistsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$30.10	$62,600	$54,580 to $86,320	1,660	High school diploma or equivalent
Service unit operators, oil and gasNo formal educational credential	$30.09	$62,580	$49,780 to $78,170	2,820	No formal educational credential
Tree trimmers and prunersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$30.07	$62,550	$46,880 to $78,500	9,610	High school diploma or equivalent
Surgical assistantsPostsecondary nondegree award	$30.07	$62,540	$59,630 to $72,030	1,210	Postsecondary nondegree award
Audiovisual equipment installers and repairersPostsecondary nondegree award	$30.00	$62,390	$46,970 to $88,360	2,590	Postsecondary nondegree award

Sources and method

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, state estimates. Typical entry education from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2025–35 (Table 1.2). An occupation is listed when its typical entry education is below a bachelor’s degree and its California median hourly wage is $30.00 or more. Medians include experienced workers; entry pay is lower. Read the full method.

All 194, sorted by hourly median

Other states

Sources and method