For more than 5 million Californians, a high school diploma is the highest level of education they’ve attained. That’s enough for these higher-earning jobs.

A 2023 American Community Survey from the U.S. Census Bureau found that, more specifically, about 20% of Californians who are 25 years old or older only have a high school diploma or the equivalent.

It comes amid changing perspectives on the value of higher education, as a Pew Research Center survey found that 40% of U.S. adults say a four-year college degree isn’t too important or “not at all important” in getting a well-paying job.

While California’s minimum wage is $16 — and will remain so as voters rejected a measure to raise it to $18 per unofficial election results – what a Californian needs to make to cover their basic needs is about $11 more.

That’s based on the Living Wage Calculator, which calculates what a person working full time must earn hourly to cover basic needs, including food, housing, and health care, in their area. For an adult with no children in California, that’s $27.32 — based on figures last updated in February.

So, if you’re trying to determine what field to enter, we’ve compiled a list of jobs that typically only need entrants to have a high school diploma or the equivalent. These are jobs with a median hourly wage higher than the living wage for California. Some of these jobs require relevant work experience and on-the-job training.

What are the best-paying jobs in California for people without a college degree?

The following five jobs are among the highest-paying jobs in California from 2022 to 2032, in which only a high school diploma or the equivalent is typically needed to enter the job. This is based on the state’s long-term occupational employment projections data. We’ve also included the total job openings. These figures reflect the projected total job openings, whether from industry growth to people leaving the industry, from 2022 to 2032 to give job seekers a better idea of how competitive it may be to get a foot in the door.

First-line supervisors of police and detectives

For example, police chiefs or police captains, according to ONET, a database for occupational information.

• Total job openings: 5,950
• Median annual wage in 2023 dollars: $167,118

More: Five in-demand jobs you don’t need a college degree to pursue

Electrical power-line installers and repairers

• Total job openings: 8,770
• Median annual wage in 2023 dollars: $108,185

Power plant operators

This refers to people involved in operating, controlling or maintaining the machinery generating electricity, not nuclear power, said the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

• Total job openings: 1,880
• Median annual wage in 2023 dollars: $106,370

Petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators and gaugers

This refers to people operating or controlling petroleum refining or processing units, so think industries such as oil and gas extraction or petroleum and coal products manufacturing, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

• Total job openings: 2,330
• Median annual wage in 2023 dollars: $105,203

Correctional officers and jailers

People who guard inmates or may guard prisoners who are in transit to jails or courtrooms said ONET.

• Total job openings: 24,600
• Median annual wage in 2023 dollars: $93,253

Paris Barraza is a trending reporter covering California news at The Desert Sun. Reach her at pbarraza@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter @ParisBarraza.

The Air Force Falcons are the team with the momentum going into their matchup with the Nevada Wolf Pack on Saturday.

The Falcons and the Wolf Pack kick off at 8:30 p.m. mountain in Mackay Stadium in Reno, Nev. The game is set to be broadcast on FS1.

Momentum is a relative term in this contest. The Falcons (3-7, 1-4) are on a two-game winning streak after they lost seven straight games. But at least they’re winning.

Nevada (3-8, 0-5) has lost its last four games and is trying to salvage what it can going into their in-state rivalry game with UNLV next week.

So how does Air Force win this game? Here are three keys to the contest.

Air Force runs a offense similar to the other service academies that keeps the football on the ground and helps the Falcons dominate time of possession.

Against Oregon State, the Falcons held the ball for more than 42 minutes and enter Saturday’s game No. 14 in the country in rushing yards per game at 209.4 yards per game.

No team has attempted more rushes this season than Air Force’s 554. But the run game hasn’t been as effective as it could be, as the Falcons average less than four yards per carry. So there’s some work to do there.

But, this is a favorable matchup for the Falcons as Nevada is No. 96 in rushing yards allowed per game.

Both teams are struggling with turnover margin.

Nevada enters the game No. 71 in the nation at minus-1. The Wolf Pack has forced 11 turnovers and committed 12. Air Force is No. 88 and the Falcons have forced 11 turnovers and committed 14 turnovers.

The takeaway is that neither team is creating a lot of mistakes this season, which means that one turnover either way can turn this game.

At worst, Air Force wants to break even here. At best, the Falcons want to end up in the positive here, even if it’s by one turnover.

One area Oregon State struggled in against Air Force was in creating first downs. The Beavers had just nine in the game. Part of the reason for that was that OSU went 2-of-10 on third down.

Now, Oregon State was having issues at quarterback, but this is an area where Air Force excels on a national level.

Entering the Nevada game the Falcons are No. 38 in the country in third-down defensive efficiency as they allow opponents to convert 35.1% of the time.

The Falcons’ opponents have converted 40 times on 114 attempts. If Air Force is hoping for a third straight win, getting the Wolf Pack off the field on third down at this rate can help make it happen.

Playoff season wraps up in Nevada high school football.

The postseason concludes early next week, as the Nevada playoffs reach the state championship round.

>>Nevada high school football playoff brackets

Stick with High School on SI for all of the matchups, game times and scores throughout the 2024 NIAA football playoffs.

Nevada high school football playoffs 2024 brackets

Here are the Nevada high school football playoff brackets, with state championship matchups and game times from NIAA Classes 1A-5A:

Championship matchup

(1) Bishop Gorman vs. (2) Arbor View

7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 26

2024 NIAA Division 5 DI State bracket

Championship matchup

(1) Faith Lutheran vs. (1) Bishop Manogue

1:30 p.m. Saturday

2024 NIAA Division 5 DII State bracket

Championship matchup

(1) Galena vs. (1) Centennial

12 p.m. Monday, Nov. 25

Class 5A Division III state bracket

Championship matchup

Mojave vs. Canyon Springs

3:40 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 26

Class 4A State

Championship matchup

(1) Sports Leadership and Management vs. (1) Truckee

12:15 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 26

Class 3A State bracket

Championship matchup

(1) Pershing County vs. (2) Incline

10 a.m. Saturday

Class 2A State bracket

Championship matchup

(1) Tonopah vs. (3) Pahranagat Valley

9 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 26

Class 1A State bracket

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— Ben Dagg | @sblivesports