Highest paying jobs in Los Angeles: For decades, ordinary insights held that a gross income of a bachelor’s degree would assure a high-paying profession. Higher schooling does still seem to be an advantage as a college graduate’s average annual salary of $60,000 in 2024 is roughly $20,000 more than that of a high school graduate, and those with bachelor’s degrees can typically expect to earn between $630,000 and $900,000 more throughout a lifetime. However, recent shifts in higher education and the job market have people wondering, with good reason, whether or not a bachelor’s degree will pay off.
Table of Contents
Some Recent Analysis
As mentioned by a 2024 study from the Pew Research Center, 29% of Americans believe acquiring a college degree isn’t worthwhile, a trend reflected in shrinking attendance at universities across the nation. Meanwhile, annual college costs have peaked at an average of $38,270 per student in 2025, often necessitating student loans with high interest rates.
Read More: Astrologer Reveals: These 3 Zodiac Signs must hit pause to propel forward – Is yours on the list?
Highest Paying Jobs in Los Angeles for High School Graduates
With these factors in mind, it’s natural for recent high school graduates to consider vocational opportunities outside of college. Those who do may be delightfully surprised, many companies have stopped requiring bachelor’s degrees for entry-level, mid-level, and even senior-level positions.
And while college graduates’ average earnings may be higher, a 2024 report from Launchpad Jobs found that around 1 in 5 non-degree holders out-earn the $70,000 median wages of someone with a bachelor’s degree.
Also Read: Why wearing Your Name Initials is more powerful than you think – Hidden Astrology Secrets Revealed!
Needless to say, salaries for high school graduates vary widely based on job, industry, and location. Stacker used Bureau of Labor Statistics data to find the highest paying jobs in Los Angeles for high school graduates. The analysis included jobs that required a high school diploma or had no formal education requirement.
Jobs are ranked by their median annual pay as of May 2024, so any jobs without annual compensation figures available were excluded from this analysis.
Highest Paying Jobs in Los Angeles
| Job Title | Wages | Total Employement |
| Title examiners, abstractors, and searchers | Median hourly wage: $ 37.59 | 1,490 people (0.24 of every 1,000 jobs in the area) |
| Artists and related workers, all other | Median annual wage: $78,290 Median hourly wage: $37.64 | 180 people (0.03 of every 1,000 jobs in the area) |
| Sheet metal Workers | Median annual wage: $78,560 Median hourly wage: $37.77 | 2,770 people (0.45 of every 1,000 jobs in the area) |
| Sales representatives of services, except advertising, insurance, financial services, and travel | Median annual wage: $78,770 Median hourly wage: $37.87 | 49,580 people (8.0 of every 1,000 jobs in the area) |
| Correctional officers and jailers | Median annual wage: $79,710 Median hourly wage: $38.32 | 5,920 people (0.95 of every 1,000 jobs in the area) |
| Police and sheriff’s patrol officers | Median annual wage: $115,630 Median hourly wage: $55.59 | 24,310 people (3.92 of every 1,000 jobs in the area) |
| Detectives and criminal Investigators | Median annual wage: $127,980 Median hourly wage: $61.53 | 3,070 people (0.49 of every 1,000 jobs in the area) |
Industries For Highest Paying Jobs in LA
Industries that dominate LA’s highest income bracket are Healthcare, Entertainment & Media, Tech & AI, Aerospace (e.g., SpaceX, Boeing), Legal & Finance, and Real Estate Development.
FAQs
What are the highest paying jobs in LA?
It includes surgeons, Psychiatrists, CEOs, Corporate Lawyers, Film Producers, and Tech Executives. Salaries can exceed $300K to $1M+, depending on the field and experience.
Which industry pays the most wages in Los Angeles?
The healthcare department pays the most wages in LA.
Can we even earn over $500k working in entertainment in LA?
Yes, especially as Film and TV producers, Studio executives, Top actors and directors, Influencers with large followings.
