Whats the best MOS for a high school graduate that can lead to a good civilian salary?

Barry Bob Forget about what you can make after you get out. Concentrate on finding a MOS that you enjoy and then the money doesn't matter so much!

They're all good ones! Supply, logistics, maintenance even Engineering MOS's would. E good if you're trying to go straight from the service to a job within your first enlistment. A number of us had more than "one" job while in the service. You'll get outta your service what you put into it! Get degrees and certifications while you're in service it'll hold you in good stead throughout your adult/ work life. Most of all don't be afraid or averse to getting dirty and do every task possible to the best of your ability. In the beginning I went from Being a Field Artillery Officer directing indirect fire to being responsible for production than sanitation at a poultry plant that processed a million 300,000 chickens a week. You learn and grow be a life long learner it'll pay better in the long run!

Selecting an MOS by potential civilian salary is ill advised and destined for disaster. Remember, you have to perform that job, potentially for a very long time. You may want to look at what you like doing or could get into that you could stick with.

You could use the DOL salary comparison tool and look to see what the current average min and mix salaries are by region or nationally. It will also tell you the put look for the next 7-10 years. Then you can use the DOL conversion tools to cross walk the MOS to a civilian career.

Transportation, Maintenance and Logistics (Army 88 series, 92series, 91 series, 42series) includes truck drivers, transportation coordinators, cargo transfer specialists, water craft operators, food service, mortuary affairs, riggers, automated logistics specialists, fuel specialists, postal specialists, diesel mechanics, allied trades, electronics repair, power generation among others)
HVAC Technician for commercial and residential systems (may be an AF or Navy career field)
Licensed plumbers (Army 12 series, analogous AF and Navy CFs)
Licensed electricians (Army 12 series, analogous AF and Navy CFs)
Certified welding (Army 91 series, welders and machinists, analogous AF, Navy, and USMC CFs)
Air Traffic Control (three branches for sure, maybe all)
Calibration of test measurement and diagnostic equipment TMDE (Army 35H, USMC, Navy, and AF have similar CF)
Small Arms Repairer (Army 91 series)
Prime Power (12E USACE specific)

In general a specific license or set of certifications will be the key to succeeding in certain civilian careers. This question is a mile wide and a mile deep.

Life is too short to do things purely for monetary reasons

The salary for every MOS, career field, AFSC, or rate is the same, and based on your pay grade. There are, in certain cases, bonuses, incentive pay, and other special pays; based upon circumstances (e.g. hazardous duty, air crew, or proficiency). These are above and beyond the base pay for a specific pay grade.

As to the best MOS, that totally depends upon what you want to be, learn, and do. Each MOS, AFSC, etc... contributes to the mission.

It depends what you are good at.

68C if you have a passion for nursing

Almost any MOS has a civilian application with some exceptions, like nuclear arms etc. Combat arms crosses over well to Law Enforcement and security, so don't rule them out. Even if it is an "almost" military-specific there are jobs with the defense contractors. How well you perform is equally important as what your MOS was. Do some research on civilian jobs and cross-match them to military. High tech is always in demand, and data seems to be wide open now in most all areas. Medicine is always in demand and aviation/support. Even the MOS's that most think have low opportunities actually do. Motor T and food service are examples. It's really more a matter of what you want to do after the military. If you find an MOS you like, continue to study toward certification or with college. That is just as important as the right skill, with a solid military record. Most don't like the idea, but skilled trades are always in demand as well. You can serve your apprenticeship while in and almost be able to be certified by the end of your service. Many skilled trades can earn as much or more as someone with a general degree from college.

Barry Bob A 40 Year Old Conversation, "I Want to be a Radioman" "No You Want to be a Cryptologic Technician" "No I want to be a Radioman" "No You Want to be a Cryptologic Technician" "I want to Work on Radios and Antennas" "As a CT You'll work with More Radios and Antennas than You Can Imagine" "OK Then I Want to be a CT". Be Open to New Ideas. You Might Be Pleasantly Surprised. Respectfully CTO1 Wm "Chip" Nagel USN(R). Retired and went straight to work in the T-Com Industry.

I will say don't put all your hopes into a single MOS. Whenever you take the ASVAB, there is no guarantee that you will get the scores needed for a specific MOS or that a slot for that MOS will be available at that time.

My first mos was chemical. And let me tell you this... those morons at the training center were acting like you could walk into a fire department and get a six figure CBRN job. Lol total joke all it qualified you to do is read is a hazard sign, I am being dead serious. Be very careful how you digest information about military jobs they are NOTHING like the civilian world