25 best jobs for high school graduates

High school graduates, consider these careers.

When it comes to scoring a great job, a bachelor’s degree or associate’s degree isn’t required. Among U.S. News’ latest Best Jobs rankings, these 25 top careers offer solid pay, nice work-life balance and robust job growth while only requiring a high school diploma. Take note: Entry to some of these fields requires on-the-job training, apprenticeships and state licensure.

Click through the gallery for the best careers for high school grads.

25. Community Health Worker Median Salary: $36,300
Unemployment Rate: 3.9 percent
Expected Job Openings: 8,100 These workers collaborate with their communities to provide health services and educate residents about wellness. These professionals typically undergo on-the-job training and may deepen their expertise with a one-year certificate or two-year associate’s degree in wellness or a related subject. Learn more about community health workers. (Thinkstock)

Thinkstock

24. Delivery Truck Driver Median Salary: $29,850
Unemployment Rate: 4.9 percent
Expected Job Openings: 27,300 Delivery truck drivers transport and deliver cargo, serving businesses, campuses and private residences. Drivers typically receive driving training and other instruction from their employers. Learn more about delivery truck drivers. (Thinkstock)

Thinkstock

23. Recreation and Fitness Worker Median Salary: $36,160
Unemployment Rate: 7.1 percent
Expected Job Openings: 62,300 These workers include fitness instructors, camp counselors and park directors, who oversee physical activities. Learn more about recreation and fitness workers. (AP)

22. Solar Photovoltaic Installer Median Salary: $37,830
Unemployment Rate: 11.1 percent
Expected Job Openings: 1,400 PV installers assemble, install and maintain solar panels on buildings. While a high school diploma is typically the only educational requirement to get started as a PV installer, many installers take courses at technical schools, community colleges or as part of an apprenticeship program. Learn more about solar photovoltaic installers. (AP)

21. Carpenter Median Salary: $42,090
Unemployment Rate: 6.9 percent
Expected Job Openings: 60,400 Carpenters build and repair structures made from wood and other materials. Carpenters must typically prepare through an apprenticeship or on-the-job training before working independently. Learn more about carpenters. (AP)

20. Receptionist Median Salary: $27,300
Unemployment Rate: 6.3 percent
Expected Job Openings: 97,800 Receptionists do everything from answering phones to entering data and ensuring an office’s day-to-day operations run smoothly. Learn more about receptionists. (AP)

19. Administrative Assistant Median Salary: $33,910
Unemployment Rate: 3.8 percent
Expected Job Openings: 64,000 Administrative assistants must be ready to take on a variety of roles, from helping with paperwork to organizing meetings and office events. Learn more about administrative assistants. (AP)

18. Glazier Median Salary: $39,440
Unemployment Rate: 2.5 percent
Expected Job Openings: 1,900 These craftsmen cut and install glass in a range of building types, including homes and skyscrapers. These pros typically enter the field with a high school diploma and learn through apprenticeships. Learn more about glaziers.

**17. Residential Advisor** **Median Salary:** $24,990
**Unemployment Rate:** 3.7 percent
**Expected Job Openings:** 14,100 RAs are students who live in the residence halls of colleges and universities, organizing activities and reporting concerns and problems. Most residential advisors are typically pursuing a college degree. *Learn more about residential advisors.* (AP/Mark Humphrey)

**16. Customer Service Representative** **Median Salary:** $31,720
**Unemployment Rate:** 5.9 percent
**Expected Job Openings:** 252,900 These professionals serve as the links between customers and companies. They interact online, over the phone or in person, sometimes managing angry or frustrated callers. *Learn more about customer service representatives.* (Getty Images/William Thomas Cain)

**15. Brickmason and Blockmason** **Median Salary:** $47,950
**Unemployment rate:** 9.3 percent
**Expected Job Openings:** 14,500 These workers use bricks and other materials to construct or repair walls and various structures. Brickmasons and blockmasons may gain skills through on-the-job training, technical college programs and apprenticeships. *Learn more about the salaries of brickmasons and blockmasons.* (AP Photo/Steve Helber)

**14. Office Clerk** **Median Salary:** $29,580
**Unemployment Rate:** 5.3 percent
**Expected Job Openings:** 95,800 These office multitaskers do everything from answering phones to filing paperwork and entering data. *Learn more about office clerks.* (Getty Images)

13. Pharmacy Technician Median Salary: $30,410
Unemployment Rate: 1.4 percent
Expected Job Openings: 34,700 These medical pros help pharmacists fill prescriptions and dispense medication. While pharmacy techs typically need a high school diploma, many states require that they also pass an exam or complete a formal training program. Learn more about pharmacy technicians. (AP Photo/Denis Farrell)

AP Photo/Denis Farrell

Median sales prices rose in almost all of the Northern Virginia and Maryland suburbs in May, led by a big jump in prices in Arlington County, the region's most expensive county. (Thinkstock) — **12. Real Estate Agent** **Median Salary:** $43,370
**Unemployment Rate:** 2.3 percent
**Expected Job Openings:** 9,400 When homebuyers or renters are looking to buy, sell or rent a home, these professionals are available to help with the process. Training requirements vary by state, but all require licensure. *Learn more about real estate agents.* (Thinkstock)

**11. Sales Representative** **Median Salary:** $55,730
**Unemployment rate:** 4.2 percent
**Expected Job Openings:** 93,400 These professionals sell goods and services to businesses, government agencies and other organizations. *Learn more about sales representatives.* (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

Plumbing, HVAC repair and electrician are three of the hottest job fields for 2017. (Thinkstock) — **10. Plumber** **Median Salary:** $50,620
**Unemployment rate:** 5.9 percent
**Expected Job Openings:** 49,100 Plumbers assemble, install and repair pipes and pipe systems. Plumbers typically complete an intense apprenticeship program and must be licensed to work independently. *Learn more about plumbers.* (Thinkstock)

Chris Piazza — **9. Electrician** **Median Salary:** $51,880
**Unemployment Rate:** 5.7 percent
**Expected Job Openings:** 85,900 Electricians install and repair electrical power and other systems in businesses, factories and homes. Training happens on the job or at a technical school, with many states requiring licensure. *Learn more about electricians.* (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

8. Patrol Officer Median Salary: $58,320
Unemployment Rate: 1 percent
Expected Job Openings: 34,200 Patrol officers protect people and their property, which includes patrolling local areas, writing reports and responding to incidents. Some jurisdictions require a high school diploma, but others may require a college degree. Patrol officers will need to graduate through a training academy and may need to pass a physical exam. Learn more about patrol officers. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

AP Photo/LM Otero

7. Maintenance and Repair Worker Median Salary: $36,630
Unemployment Rate: 4.2 percent
Expected Job Openings: 83,500 These jacks-of-all-trades take care of a range of systems, from electrical circuits to plumbing and painting. Most maintenance and repair workers develop expertise through apprenticeships and are licensed to work independently. Learn more about maintenance and repair workers. (AP Photo/The Commercial Appeal, Stan Carroll)

AP Photo/The Commercial Appeal, Stan Carroll

6. Insurance Sales Agent Median Salary: $48,200
Unemployment Rate: 2.3 percent
Expected Job Openings: 43,500 These professionals are insurance know-it-alls, selling a range of policies, including auto, health, home and life insurance, and various commercial products. Learn more about insurance sales agents. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan, File)

AP Photo/Mark Lennihan, File

5. Medical Secretary Median Salary: $33,040
Unemployment Rate: 3.8 percent
Expected Job Openings: 108,200 Medical secretaries manage the traffic in and out of a doctor’s office, maintaining records and collecting insurance information. Learn more about medical secretaries. (AP Photo/Noreen Nasir)

AP Photo/Noreen Nasir

4. Physical Therapist Aide Median Salary: $25,120
Unemployment Rate: 4 percent
Expected Job Openings: 19,500 These professionals support physical therapists and physical therapy assistants, often taking on some of the less-skilled work, including sanitizing treatment areas and performing office tasks. Many receive on-the-job training. Learn more about physical therapist aides. (AP Photo/Chris Gardner,file)

AP Photo/Chris Gardner,file