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Highest-paying jobs in Cape Coral that don’t require a college degree

Big John
In every school in Cape Coral from the moment they first set foot on campus, today's high-school students are inundated with messages about the importance of receiving a college education to get jobs . They hear it from their guidance counselors, teachers, parents, family members, neighbors, coaches—the list goes on and on. While graduation from a four-year college can certainly work wonders for students' future careers, it's not necessary for all fields—something admissions officers and guidance counselors sometimes fail to mention.

To find the highest-paying jobs that don't require a college degree, Stacker consulted the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook to compile a list of all jobs that don't require higher education. All professions that listed a high-school diploma, some college education (without a degree conferred), postsecondary non-degree award, or no formal education requirements for entry-level positions were considered. Jobs that didn't list any entry-level education requirement were excluded, as were job titles that grouped several positions together. Jobs are ranked by 2020 annual mean wage. Job descriptions are from O*NET. This information originally appeared in Stacker. This has been  re-published pursuant to a CC BY-NC 4.0 License.

I was a little shocked myself to find out how much some of these jobs pay without the need for a two or even a four year degree. So before you sign up and take on that massive student loan debt here's a list you may want to check out. And yes, I know the government keeps promising to cancel student loan debt. Last I checked it hasn't happened yet.

Keep reading to discover the highest-paying jobs in Cape Coral that don’t require a college degree.

#50. Motorboat operators

Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL
- Annual mean salary: $49,640
- #8 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 40

National
- Annual mean salary: $53,500
- Employment: 2,380
- Entry level education requirements: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX ($63,120)
--- Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX ($61,010)
--- Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL ($59,410)
- Job description: Operate small motor-driven boats. May assist in navigational activities.

#49. Production, planning, and expediting clerks

Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL
- Annual mean salary: $49,730
- #187 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 350

National
- Annual mean salary: $52,000
- Employment: 362,090
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Bremerton-Silverdale, WA ($69,410)
--- Pine Bluff, AR ($68,850)
--- Portsmouth, NH-ME ($66,920)
- Job description: Coordinate and expedite the flow of work and materials within or between departments of an establishment according to production schedule. Duties include reviewing and distributing production, work, and shipment schedules; conferring with department supervisors to determine progress of work and completion dates; and compiling reports on progress of work, inventory levels, costs, and production problems.

#48. Security and fire alarm systems installers

Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL
- Annual mean salary: $49,890
- #82 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 250

National
- Annual mean salary: $52,150
- Employment: 68,920
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH ($71,820)
--- Anchorage, AK ($68,510)
--- Rockford, IL ($65,040)
- Job description: Install, program, maintain, and repair security and fire alarm wiring and equipment. Ensure that work is in accordance with relevant codes.

#47. Opticians, dispensing

Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL
- Annual mean salary: $50,450
- #25 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 90

National
- Annual mean salary: $41,380
- Employment: 68,180
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Utica-Rome, NY ($71,220)
--- Danbury, CT ($68,590)
--- Norwich-New London-Westerly, CT-RI ($66,900)
- Job description: Design, measure, fit, and adapt lenses and frames for client according to written optical prescription or specification. Assist client with inserting, removing, and caring for contact lenses. Assist client with selecting frames. Measure customer for size of eyeglasses and coordinate frames with facial and eye measurements and optical prescription. Prepare work order for optical laboratory containing instructions for grinding and mounting lenses in frames. Verify exactness of finished lens spectacles. Adjust frame and lens position to fit client. May shape or reshape frames. Includes contact lens opticians.

#46. Insurance claims and policy processing clerks

Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL
- Annual mean salary: $50,890
- #16 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 250

National
- Annual mean salary: $45,070
- Employment: 240,740
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT ($60,640)
--- Anchorage, AK ($60,250)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($58,390)
- Job description: Process new insurance policies, modifications to existing policies, and claims forms. Obtain information from policyholders to verify the accuracy and completeness of information on claims forms, applications and related documents, and company records. Update existing policies and company records to reflect changes requested by policyholders and insurance company representatives.

#45. Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers

Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL
- Annual mean salary: $51,350
- #165 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,560

National
- Annual mean salary: $53,410
- Employment: 344,020
- Entry level education requirements: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Fairbanks, AK ($91,840)
--- Napa, CA ($82,650)
--- Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA ($76,440)
- Job description: Install or repair heating, central air conditioning, HVAC, or refrigeration systems, including oil burners, hot-air furnaces, and heating stoves.

#44. Mobile heavy equipment mechanics, except engines

Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL
- Annual mean salary: $51,450
- #212 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 190

National
- Annual mean salary: $57,000
- Employment: 147,680
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Urban Honolulu, HI ($84,460)
--- Fairbanks, AK ($81,920)
--- Bismarck, ND ($78,350)
- Job description: Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul mobile mechanical, hydraulic, and pneumatic equipment, such as cranes, bulldozers, graders, and conveyors, used in construction, logging, and mining.

#43. Postal service clerks

Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL
- Annual mean salary: $51,790
- #170 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 110

National
- Annual mean salary: $51,200
- Employment: 86,950
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Monroe, MI ($58,120)
--- El Centro, CA ($58,000)
--- Houma-Thibodaux, LA ($57,330)
- Job description: Perform any combination of tasks in a United States Postal Service (USPS) post office, such as receive letters and parcels; sell postage and revenue stamps, postal cards, and stamped envelopes; fill out and sell money orders; place mail in pigeon holes of mail rack or in bags; and examine mail for correct postage. Includes postal service clerks employed by USPS contractors.

#42. Electrical and electronics repairers, commercial and industrial equipment

Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL
- Annual mean salary: $51,900
- #168 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: data not available

National
- Annual mean salary: $63,350
- Employment: 55,200
- Entry level education requirements: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($96,510)
--- Jackson, TN ($92,200)
--- Vallejo-Fairfield, CA ($86,640)
- Job description: Repair, test, adjust, or install electronic equipment, such as industrial controls, transmitters, and antennas.

Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL
- Annual mean salary: $51,920
- #87 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 250

National
- Annual mean salary: $49,430
- Employment: 137,120
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Santa Rosa, CA ($81,730)
--- Midland, TX ($76,760)
--- Raleigh, NC ($75,460)
- Job description: Repair and refinish automotive vehicle bodies and straighten vehicle frames.

#40. Bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists

Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL
- Annual mean salary: $51,940
- #115 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 350

National
- Annual mean salary: $52,090
- Employment: 253,010
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($75,320)
--- New Bedford, MA ($75,110)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($72,460)
- Job description: Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul buses and trucks, or maintain and repair any type of diesel engines. Includes mechanics working primarily with automobile or marine diesel engines.

#39. Telecommunications line installers and repairers

Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL
- Annual mean salary: $52,880
- #90 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: data not available

National
- Annual mean salary: $61,860
- Employment: 122,480
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Fresno, CA ($93,060)
--- Salinas, CA ($91,790)
--- Champaign-Urbana, IL ($89,000)
- Job description: Install and repair telecommunications cable, including fiber optics.

#38. Postal service mail carriers

Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL
- Annual mean salary: $53,040
- #148 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 800

National
- Annual mean salary: $53,180
- Employment: 333,570
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Bismarck, ND ($56,520)
--- Burlington, NC ($55,750)
--- Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA ($55,680)
- Job description: Sort and deliver mail for the United States Postal Service (USPS). Deliver mail on established route by vehicle or on foot. Includes postal service mail carriers employed by USPS contractors.

#37. First-line supervisors of landscaping, lawn service, and groundskeeping workers

Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL
- Annual mean salary: $53,730
- #104 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 420

National
- Annual mean salary: $54,040
- Employment: 103,730
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Anchorage, AK ($85,110)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($77,260)
--- Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA ($76,940)
- Job description: Directly supervise and coordinate activities of workers engaged in landscaping or groundskeeping activities. Work may involve reviewing contracts to ascertain service, machine, and workforce requirements; answering inquiries from potential customers regarding methods, material, and price ranges; and preparing estimates according to labor, material, and machine costs.

#36. Real estate sales agents

Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL
- Annual mean salary: $53,870
- #117 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,070

National
- Annual mean salary: $62,990
- Employment: 168,740
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Salinas, CA ($106,280)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($101,300)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($98,580)
- Job description: Rent, buy, or sell property for clients. Perform duties such as study property listings, interview prospective clients, accompany clients to property site, discuss conditions of sale, and draw up real estate contracts. Includes agents who represent buyer.

#35. Postal service mail sorters, processors, and processing machine operators

Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL
- Annual mean salary: $54,070
- #15 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 280

National
- Annual mean salary: $51,440
- Employment: 105,400
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Wausau, WI ($57,620)
--- Cape Girardeau, MO-IL ($55,670)
--- Canton-Massillon, OH ($55,520)
- Job description: Prepare incoming and outgoing mail for distribution for the United States Postal Service (USPS). Examine, sort, and route mail. Load, operate, and occasionally adjust and repair mail processing, sorting, and canceling machinery. Keep records of shipments, pouches, and sacks, and perform other duties related to mail handling within the postal service. Includes postal service mail sorters and processors employed by USPS contractors.

#34. Lodging managers

Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL
- Annual mean salary: $55,230
- #104 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: data not available

National
- Annual mean salary: $65,270
- Employment: 31,790
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY ($108,990)
--- Reno, NV ($106,060)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($105,560)
- Job description: Plan, direct, or coordinate activities of an organization or department that provides lodging and other accommodations.

#33. Industrial machinery mechanics

Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL
- Annual mean salary: $55,460
- #186 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 640

National
- Annual mean salary: $57,350
- Employment: 385,980
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Norwich-New London-Westerly, CT-RI ($84,180)
--- San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles-Arroyo Grande, CA ($84,150)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($77,580)
- Job description: Repair, install, adjust, or maintain industrial production and processing machinery or refinery and pipeline distribution systems. May also install, dismantle, or move machinery and heavy equipment according to plans.

#32. Executive secretaries and executive administrative assistants

Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL
- Annual mean salary: $55,740
- #196 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 550

National
- Annual mean salary: $65,230
- Employment: 503,390
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($92,040)
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($89,100)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($86,180)
- Job description: Provide high-level administrative support by conducting research, preparing statistical reports, and handling information requests, as well as performing routine administrative functions such as preparing correspondence, receiving visitors, arranging conference calls, and scheduling meetings. May also train and supervise lower-level clerical staff.

#31. Merchandise displayers and window trimmers

Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL
- Annual mean salary: $55,920
- #1 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 330

National
- Annual mean salary: $34,550
- Employment: 134,660
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL ($55,920)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($50,530)
--- Boulder, CO ($50,150)
- Job description: Plan and erect commercial displays, such as those in windows and interiors of retail stores and at trade exhibitions.

#30. Surgical technologists

Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL
- Annual mean salary: $56,200
- #56 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 210

National
- Annual mean salary: $51,510
- Employment: 107,400
- Entry level education requirements: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($79,230)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($74,080)
--- Vallejo-Fairfield, CA ($73,460)
- Job description: Assist in operations, under the supervision of surgeons, registered nurses, or other surgical personnel. May help set up operating room, prepare and transport patients for surgery, adjust lights and equipment, pass instruments and other supplies to surgeons and surgeons' assistants, hold retractors, cut sutures, and help count sponges, needles, supplies, and instruments.

#29. First-line supervisors of office and administrative support workers

Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL
- Annual mean salary: $56,260
- #208 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 3,100

National
- Annual mean salary: $62,010
- Employment: 1,427,260
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Bremerton-Silverdale, WA ($78,770)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($77,030)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($75,820)
- Job description: Directly supervise and coordinate the activities of clerical and administrative support workers.

#28. Telecommunications equipment installers and repairers, except line installers

Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL
- Annual mean salary: $56,850
- #182 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 460

National
- Annual mean salary: $61,980
- Employment: 190,510
- Entry level education requirements: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Elmira, NY ($94,280)
--- Springfield, MA-CT ($92,920)
--- Fairbanks, AK ($87,940)
- Job description: Install, set up, rearrange, or remove switching, distribution, routing, and dialing equipment used in central offices or headends. Service or repair telephone, cable television, Internet, and other communications equipment on customers' property. May install communications equipment or communications wiring in buildings.

#27. First-line supervisors of production and operating workers

Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL
- Annual mean salary: $58,140
- #338 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 570

National
- Annual mean salary: $66,800
- Employment: 599,900
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Baton Rouge, LA ($101,930)
--- Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX ($100,590)
--- Longview, WA ($99,590)
- Job description: Directly supervise and coordinate the activities of production and operating workers, such as inspectors, precision workers, machine setters and operators, assemblers, fabricators, and plant and system operators. Excludes team or work leaders.

#26. Firefighters

Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL
- Annual mean salary: $59,180
- #79 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 940

National
- Annual mean salary: $56,360
- Employment: 311,350
- Entry level education requirements: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($125,680)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($109,480)
--- Vallejo-Fairfield, CA ($105,670)
- Job description: Control and extinguish fires or respond to emergency situations where life, property, or the environment is at risk. Duties may include fire prevention, emergency medical service, hazardous material response, search and rescue, and disaster assistance.

#25. Crane and tower operators

Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL
- Annual mean salary: $60,440
- #53 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 230

National
- Annual mean salary: $64,010
- Employment: 44,060
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Diego-Carlsbad, CA ($89,250)
--- Urban Honolulu, HI ($84,670)
--- Vallejo-Fairfield, CA ($84,410)
- Job description: Operate mechanical boom and cable or tower and cable equipment to lift and move materials, machines, or products in many directions.

#24. Food service managers

Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL
- Annual mean salary: $61,220
- #134 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 540

National
- Annual mean salary: $61,000
- Employment: 197,010
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($97,610)
--- Trenton, NJ ($95,640)
--- Waterbury, CT ($88,100)
- Job description: Plan, direct, or coordinate activities of an organization or department that serves food and beverages.

#23. First-line supervisors of construction trades and extraction workers

Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL
- Annual mean salary: $61,430
- #294 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,680

National
- Annual mean salary: $72,990
- Employment: 614,080
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($107,870)
--- Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA ($103,930)
--- Santa Rosa, CA ($100,620)
- Job description: Directly supervise and coordinate activities of construction or extraction workers.

#22. First-line supervisors of personal service and entertainment and recreation workers, except gambling services

Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL
- Annual mean salary: $61,470
- #1 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 510

National
- Annual mean salary: $45,820
- Employment: 174,860
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL ($61,470)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($59,540)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($59,030)
- Job description: Directly supervise and coordinate activities of entertainment and recreation related workers.

#21. First-line supervisors of mechanics, installers, and repairers

Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL
- Annual mean salary: $62,170
- #338 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,330

National
- Annual mean salary: $73,100
- Employment: 475,000
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($95,680)
--- Bremerton-Silverdale, WA ($93,140)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($92,810)
- Job description: Directly supervise and coordinate the activities of mechanics, installers, and repairers. May also advise customers on recommended services. Excludes team or work leaders.

#20. Property, real estate, and community association managers

Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL
- Annual mean salary: $62,530
- #133 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: data not available

National
- Annual mean salary: $73,210
- Employment: 219,800
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Charleston-North Charleston, SC ($117,770)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($113,800)
--- Boulder, CO ($107,230)
- Job description: Plan, direct, or coordinate the selling, buying, leasing, or governance activities of commercial, industrial, or residential real estate properties. Includes managers of homeowner and condominium associations, rented or leased housing units, buildings, or land (including rights-of-way).

#19. Sales representatives of services, except advertising, insurance, financial services, and travel

Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL
- Annual mean salary: $63,280
- #150 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,810

National
- Annual mean salary: $70,490
- Employment: 977,070
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($115,620)
--- Lawrence, KS ($97,910)
--- Boulder, CO ($94,870)
- Job description: Sell services to individuals or businesses. May describe options or resolve client problems.

#18. Commercial divers

Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL
- Annual mean salary: $63,550
- #7 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: data not available

National
- Annual mean salary: $71,850
- Employment: 3,460
- Entry level education requirements: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA ($182,340)
--- Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA ($112,310)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($77,070)
- Job description: Work below surface of water, using surface-supplied air or scuba equipment to inspect, repair, remove, or install equipment and structures. May use a variety of power and hand tools, such as drills, sledgehammers, torches, and welding equipment. May conduct tests or experiments, rig explosives, or photograph structures or marine life.

#17. Aircraft mechanics and service technicians

Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL
- Annual mean salary: $63,750
- #94 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 140

National
- Annual mean salary: $69,040
- Employment: 128,300
- Entry level education requirements: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX ($95,680)
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($89,710)
--- Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO ($87,830)
- Job description: Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul aircraft engines and assemblies, such as hydraulic and pneumatic systems.

#16. Construction and building inspectors

Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL
- Annual mean salary: $65,220
- #87 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 280

National
- Annual mean salary: $66,470
- Employment: 113,770
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($103,820)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($102,920)
--- Salinas, CA ($98,360)
- Job description: Inspect structures using engineering skills to determine structural soundness and compliance with specifications, building codes, and other regulations. Inspections may be general in nature or may be limited to a specific area, such as electrical systems or plumbing.

#15. Claims adjusters, examiners, and investigators

Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL
- Annual mean salary: $66,250
- #170 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 240

National
- Annual mean salary: $70,650
- Employment: 287,150
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($97,980)
--- Waterbury, CT ($92,160)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($88,750)
- Job description: Review settled claims to determine that payments and settlements are made in accordance with company practices and procedures. Confer with legal counsel on claims requiring litigation. May also settle insurance claims.

#14. Electrical power-line installers and repairers

Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL
- Annual mean salary: $68,720
- #149 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 170

National
- Annual mean salary: $74,410
- Employment: 114,930
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($114,820)
--- Redding, CA ($112,850)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($111,810)
- Job description: Install or repair cables or wires used in electrical power or distribution systems. May erect poles and light or heavy duty transmission towers.

#13. Fire inspectors and investigators

Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL
- Annual mean salary: $69,840
- #19 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 50

National
- Annual mean salary: $67,680
- Employment: 14,010
- Entry level education requirements: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA ($129,790)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($123,610)
--- Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA ($102,370)
- Job description: Inspect buildings to detect fire hazards and enforce local ordinances and state laws, or investigate and gather facts to determine cause of fires and explosions.

#12. Insurance sales agents

Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL
- Annual mean salary: $69,870
- #92 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 840

National
- Annual mean salary: $69,100
- Employment: 409,950
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($109,540)
--- Birmingham-Hoover, AL ($105,840)
--- Fond du Lac, WI ($105,190)
- Job description: Sell life, property, casualty, health, automotive, or other types of insurance. May refer clients to independent brokers, work as an independent broker, or be employed by an insurance company.

#11. Court reporters and simultaneous captioners

Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL
- Annual mean salary: $71,090
- #14 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 30

National
- Annual mean salary: $66,710
- Employment: 13,880
- Entry level education requirements: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($118,300)
--- Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA ($109,600)
--- Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX ($92,150)
- Job description: Use verbatim methods and equipment to capture, store, retrieve, and transcribe pretrial and trial proceedings or other information. Includes stenocaptioners who operate computerized stenographic captioning equipment to provide captions of live or prerecorded broadcasts for hearing-impaired viewers.

#10. Chefs and head cooks

Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL
- Annual mean salary: $73,890
- #11 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 810

National
- Annual mean salary: $58,740
- Employment: 101,490
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Diego-Carlsbad, CA ($98,210)
--- Kahului-Wailuku-Lahaina, HI ($90,840)
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($86,460)
- Job description: Direct and may participate in the preparation, seasoning, and cooking of salads, soups, fish, meats, vegetables, desserts, or other foods. May plan and price menu items, order supplies, and keep records and accounts.

#9. Elevator and escalator installers and repairers

Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL
- Annual mean salary: $75,940
- #40 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 80

National
- Annual mean salary: $86,200
- Employment: 24,730
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH ($109,710)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($105,080)
--- Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI ($101,990)
- Job description: Assemble, install, repair, or maintain electric or hydraulic freight or passenger elevators, escalators, or dumbwaiters.

#8. Detectives and criminal investigators

Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL
- Annual mean salary: $78,200
- #155 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 160

National
- Annual mean salary: $89,300
- Employment: 105,980
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($127,380)
--- Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV ($127,090)
--- Anchorage, AK ($126,530)
- Job description: Conduct investigations related to suspected violations of federal, state, or local laws to prevent or solve crimes.

#7. Transportation, storage, and distribution managers

Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL
- Annual mean salary: $88,030
- #227 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 120

National
- Annual mean salary: $105,100
- Employment: 132,210
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($163,580)
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($137,680)
--- Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ ($136,410)
- Job description: Plan, direct, or coordinate transportation, storage, or distribution activities in accordance with organizational policies and applicable government laws or regulations. Includes logistics managers.

#6. First-line supervisors of police and detectives

Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL
- Annual mean salary: $90,090
- #155 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 240

National
- Annual mean salary: $97,180
- Employment: 122,310
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($200,090)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($182,810)
--- Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA ($182,720)
- Job description: Directly supervise and coordinate activities of members of police force.

#5. Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products

Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL
- Annual mean salary: $91,760
- #5 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,420

National
- Annual mean salary: $73,500
- Employment: 1,278,670
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Danbury, CT ($112,810)
--- Napa, CA ($101,850)
--- Santa Fe, NM ($93,680)
- Job description: Sell goods for wholesalers or manufacturers to businesses or groups of individuals. Work requires substantial knowledge of items sold.

#4. First-line supervisors of firefighting and prevention workers

Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL
- Annual mean salary: $93,600
- #43 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 240

National
- Annual mean salary: $83,170
- Employment: 69,000
- Entry level education requirements: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($187,890)
--- Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA ($181,340)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($176,050)
- Job description: Directly supervise and coordinate activities of workers engaged in firefighting and fire prevention and control.

#3. First-line supervisors of non-retail sales workers

Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL
- Annual mean salary: $100,190
- #38 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 370

National
- Annual mean salary: $90,120
- Employment: 240,290
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN ($124,150)
--- Durham-Chapel Hill, NC ($122,460)
--- Leominster-Gardner, MA ($119,130)
- Job description: Directly supervise and coordinate activities of sales workers other than retail sales workers. May perform duties such as budgeting, accounting, and personnel work, in addition to supervisory duties.

#2. Captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels

Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL
- Annual mean salary: $101,010
- #6 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 120

National
- Annual mean salary: $89,740
- Employment: 27,590
- Entry level education requirements: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- New Orleans-Metairie, LA ($122,730)
--- Baton Rouge, LA ($111,530)
--- Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN ($111,140)
- Job description: Command or supervise operations of ships and water vessels, such as tugboats and ferryboats. Required to hold license issued by U.S. Coast Guard.

#1. Commercial pilots

Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL
- Annual mean salary: $111,170
- #33 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 70

National
- Annual mean salary: $110,830
- Employment: 37,120
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Sioux City, IA-NE-SD ($153,990)
--- Medford, OR ($152,730)
--- Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA ($152,290)
- Job description: Pilot and navigate the flight of fixed-wing aircraft on nonscheduled air carrier routes, or helicopters. Requires Commercial Pilot certificate. Includes charter pilots with similar certification, and air ambulance and air tour pilots. Excludes regional, national, and international airline pilots.

Joe Winner spends his days combing through memes and off beat stories to bring you the side of Florida not always seen.