The highest-paying jobs without a degree in 2024
In 2024, the highest-paying jobs without a degree are makeup artists for actors and performers, nuclear power reactor operators, and commercial pilots.
The highest-paid trade jobs are nuclear power reactor operators, commercial pilots, and power distributor/dispatchers.
Highly self-motivated people can sometimes land lucrative tech jobs without going to college. For example, 21.4% of information security analysts, and 35.8% of computer support specialists, have no college degree.
The average person with a bachelor’s degree still earns 53.4% more than someone with just a high-school diploma.
So, you hate studying, and your attempts to make your hamster famous on TikTok have backfired tragically. Like many Americans, you may be doubting whether college is really worth it, and you’re scanning the horizon for decent careers that don’t require a degree.
We have good news.
There are, in fact, many high(-ish) paying jobs available to people with just a high school diploma or a certificate.
Read on to discover the highest-paying jobs in the U.S. without a degree.
The highest-paying jobs without a degree
Shockingly for some, the highest paying job without a degree, on average, is makeup artist for actors and performers. People with this job earn an eyewatering $134,750 per year on average according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
To create this list, we browsed through all the jobs listed by the BLS that don’t require a college degree (although some require certification).
See our list of high-paying jobs that don’t require college below.
Makeup artists, theatrical and performance
Jobs in creative fields like makeup can be hard to snag. But if you have the talent and connections, being an MUA for actors and performers can be a pretty lucrative gig.
Unfortunately, almost all job openings are in New York City or LA, and there is not a whole lot of demand.
To become one, work on your portfolio, promote yourself on social media, and do your best to network.
National
California
Florida
District of Columbia
Illinois
New York
Oklahoma
Texas
Utah
Nevada
Colorado
Louisiana
Hawaii
New Mexico
Georgia
Tennessee
Washington
New Jersey
Pennsylvania
Alabama
Arizona
Arkansas
Connecticut
Delaware
Idaho
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Maine
Maryland
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming
United States
Alaska
Massachusetts
New Hampshire
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oregon
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Vermont
Virginia
Total employment
4,130
Projected growth (2018-2028)
35.5%
Degree required
None
Nuclear power reactor operator
Nuclear power reactor operators monitor nuclear reactors that produce electricity, ensuring they are operating safely and efficiently. It helps if you have a nuclear power plant in your area.
To become one, you’ll need to get experience working at a nuclear power plant and obtain a license from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
National
Alabama
Illinois
New York
North Carolina
Ohio
South Carolina
Tennessee
Arkansas
Virginia
Georgia
Louisiana
Michigan
Nebraska
Washington
Pennsylvania
Mississippi
Idaho
Arizona
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
District of Columbia
Florida
Hawaii
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Maine
Maryland
Minnesota
Missouri
Montana
Nevada
New Jersey
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming
United States
Alaska
Massachusetts
New Hampshire
New Mexico
North Dakota
Oklahoma
Oregon
Rhode Island
South Dakota
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Total employment
5,760
Projected growth (2018-2028)
-32.1%
Degree required
None
Commercial pilot
Commercial pilots operate planes on non-scheduled routes. They fly charter planes, helicopters, and air ambulances safely, smoothly, and sometimes even on time. Note that these are not airline pilots, who need a bachelor’s degree.
To become one, you’ll need to obtain a pilot license and log a certain number of hours in the air.
National
Arizona
Alabama
Alaska
Arkansas
California
Delaware
Connecticut
Colorado
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Illinois
Idaho
Indiana
Kansas
Iowa
Maine
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Mississippi
Minnesota
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New York
New Mexico
North Carolina
Oklahoma
North Dakota
Ohio
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Texas
Utah
Tennessee
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
Wyoming
West Virginia
Wisconsin
District of Columbia
United States
Total employment
52,750
Projected growth (2018-2028)
11.2%
Degree required
None
Power distributors and dispatchers
Power distributors and dispatchers manage the flow of electricity from power plants to power consumers. They ensure a reliable and stable energy supply and respond to any outages.
You’ll need extensive on-the-job training to become one, including some classroom hours and hands-on learning.
National
Alabama
Alaska
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Florida
Georgia
Illinois
Idaho
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Maine
Maryland
Kentucky
Louisiana
Mississippi
Minnesota
Michigan
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New York
New Mexico
North Carolina
New Jersey
Oklahoma
North Dakota
Ohio
Oregon
Pennsylvania
South Carolina
Texas
Utah
Tennessee
Virginia
Washington
Wyoming
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Massachusetts
Arizona
Connecticut
South Dakota
Delaware
Hawaii
New Hampshire
District of Columbia
United States
Rhode Island
Vermont
Total employment
9,040
Projected growth (2018-2028)
-7%
Degree required
None
Elevator and escalator installers and repairers
Ever wondered what happens when you get stuck in an elevator? Training to become an elevator/escalator installer or repairer could help you confront your phobias and earn you a handsome paycheck.
If you want this job, you’ll most likely need to complete an apprenticeship and secure a license.
National
Alabama
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Delaware
Colorado
Florida
District of Columbia
Georgia
Hawaii
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Mississippi
Minnesota
Nevada
New York
North Carolina
New Hampshire
New Jersey
Oklahoma
Ohio
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
Texas
Tennessee
Utah
Virginia
Washington
Wisconsin
Nebraska
New Mexico
Connecticut
West Virginia
Missouri
Idaho
Montana
Wyoming
United States
Alaska
North Dakota
South Dakota
Vermont
Total employment
23,990
Projected growth (2018-2028)
6%
Degree required
None
First-line supervisors of police and detectives
These are basically high-ranking cops, often called police sergeants, lieutenants, or captains. They train staff, make sure their subordinates are following regulations and best practices, and investigate charges of misconduct.
If you want to become a police captain, you’ll need to go to a police academy and accumulate experience as a cop, working your way up through the ranks to a management position.
National
Alabama
Arizona
Arkansas
Alaska
California
Colorado
Delaware
Connecticut
Florida
Georgia
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Louisiana
Kentucky
Maryland
Maine
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Missouri
Mississippi
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New York
North Carolina
New Jersey
New Mexico
North Dakota
Oklahoma
Ohio
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Dakota
South Carolina
Tennessee
Utah
Vermont
Texas
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming
District of Columbia
Hawaii
United States
Total employment
84,120
Projected growth (2018-2028)
8.3%
Degree required
None
Transportation, storage, and distribution managers
Managers in charge of logistics coordinate the transportation, storage, and distribution of various goods, making sure everyone adheres to the many rules and regulations for moving stuff around.
To become one, you’ll need to first get an entry-level job in a relevant environment, like a goods storage facility or logistics department, and work your way up to management. Some certifications, like Supply Chain Management Professional, could help you achieve your goal.
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Alabama
Alaska
Arkansas
Arizona
California
Colorado
District of Columbia
Connecticut
Delaware
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kentucky
Kansas
Maryland
Louisiana
Maine
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Missouri
Mississippi
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Mexico
North Carolina
North Dakota
New Jersey
New York
Oregon
Ohio
Oklahoma
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Utah
Vermont
Texas
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming
United States
Total employment
198,780
Projected growth (2018-2028)
8.3%
Degree required
None
Power plant operators
Power plant operators keep power plants running. They control the systems that generate electrical power.
You will need extensive on-the-job training to become a power plant operator.
National
Alabama
Arizona
Alaska
Arkansas
California
Connecticut
Delaware
Colorado
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Illinois
Idaho
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Maine
Maryland
Kentucky
Louisiana
Mississippi
Minnesota
Massachusetts
Michigan
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New York
New Mexico
North Carolina
New Jersey
Oklahoma
North Dakota
Ohio
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Texas
Utah
Tennessee
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
Wyoming
West Virginia
Wisconsin
District of Columbia
United States
Total employment
31,490
Projected growth (2018-2028)
-13.7%
Degree required
None
Electrical and electronics repairers, powerhouse, substation, and relay
Electrical and electronic repairers at powerhouses, substations, and in-service relays inspect, test, and maintain vital electrical equipment. They are basically boss-mode electricians.
To get this job, you’ll most likely need some combination of vocational school, an apprenticeship, or work experience.
National
Alabama
Arizona
Alaska
Arkansas
California
Delaware
Colorado
Connecticut
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Illinois
Idaho
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Louisiana
Kentucky
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Mississippi
Minnesota
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New York
New Mexico
North Carolina
New Hampshire
New Jersey
Oklahoma
North Dakota
Ohio
Oregon
Pennsylvania
South Carolina
South Dakota
Texas
Tennessee
Utah
Virginia
Washington
Wyoming
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Maine
Vermont
District of Columbia
United States
Rhode Island
Total employment
24,790
Projected growth (2018-2028)
-2.6%
Degree required
None
Petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers
People with these jobs make sure all the mechanical equipment used in petroleum refining and processing is working correctly, fixing it if needed.
You may need significant on-the-job training, an apprenticeship, and certification to become one.
National
Alabama
Arizona
Alaska
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Delaware
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Maryland
Kentucky
Louisiana
Mississippi
Michigan
Minnesota
Missouri
Montana
Nevada
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
New Jersey
Oklahoma
North Dakota
Ohio
Oregon
Pennsylvania
South Carolina
Texas
Utah
Tennessee
Virginia
Washington
Wyoming
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Connecticut
Maine
Nebraska
Massachusetts
New Hampshire
South Dakota
Rhode Island
District of Columbia
Idaho
United States
Vermont
Total employment
33,360
Projected growth (2018-2028)
5.4%
Degree required
None
Ship engineers
Ship engineers aren’t exactly engineers, they’re more like on-board managers for mechanics. You’ll oversee a team of technicians who maintain engines, boilers, and other equipment on a ship.
You’ll most likely need vocational school and several years of training to become a ship engineer.
National
Alabama
Alaska
California
Florida
Hawaii
Illinois
Indiana
Maine
Louisiana
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Mississippi
New Jersey
New York
North Carolina
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
Texas
Tennessee
Virginia
Washington
Connecticut
Georgia
Kentucky
New Hampshire
Minnesota
Missouri
Arizona
Arkansas
Colorado
Delaware
District of Columbia
Idaho
Iowa
Kansas
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming
United States
New Mexico
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
South Dakota
Utah
Vermont
Total employment
8,860
Projected growth (2018-2028)
7.7%
Degree required
None
Detectives and criminal investigators
Detectives and criminal investigators try and establish the who, how, and why behind crimes.
The best route to becoming a criminal investigator is to start out as a police officer and get promoted. You’ll need a lot of on-the-ground training. Some states require you to get a license or certification.
National
Alabama
Arizona
Arkansas
Alaska
California
Colorado
Delaware
Connecticut
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Louisiana
Kentucky
Maryland
Maine
Massachusetts
Minnesota
Missouri
Michigan
Mississippi
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New York
North Carolina
New Mexico
Oklahoma
North Dakota
Ohio
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Dakota
South Carolina
Tennessee
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Texas
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming
District of Columbia
United States
Total employment
106,730
Projected growth (2018-2028)
2.5%
Degree required
None
Captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels
There are many job opportunities aboard ships, and working your way up to captain could earn you a great salary.
Besides work experience and potentially vocational school, you’ll need to get a license from the U.S. Coast Guard.
National
Alabama
Arizona
Alaska
Delaware
California
Connecticut
District of Columbia
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Maine
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Mississippi
Minnesota
Missouri
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New York
North Carolina
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
Texas
Tennessee
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Arkansas
Ohio
Montana
Oklahoma
Colorado
Idaho
Kansas
Nebraska
Nevada
Wyoming
United States
New Mexico
North Dakota
South Dakota
Utah
Total employment
34,520
Projected growth (2018-2028)
13.4%
Degree required
None
Postmasters and mail superintendents
Becoming a mail delivery boss could earn you a handsome paycheck with nice government benefits.
To become, start out as a mail carrier and slowly work your way up the ranks.
National
Alabama
Alaska
Arkansas
Arizona
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kentucky
Kansas
Maryland
Louisiana
Maine
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Missouri
Mississippi
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
North Carolina
New York
North Dakota
New Mexico
Oklahoma
Oregon
Ohio
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Utah
Vermont
Texas
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming
District of Columbia
United States
Total employment
13,810
Projected growth (2018-2028)
-7.6%
Degree required
None
First-line supervisors of firefighting and prevention workers
Firefighting supervisors assign firefighters to strategic locations, perform rescue functions, assess the nature of fires and the danger they pose, and perform other vital functions.
If you want to get this job, you’ll need to start out as a firefighter, which involves attending a fire academy and getting certified. You’ll then need to accumulate experience and get promoted.
National
Alabama
Arizona
Arkansas
Alaska
California
Colorado
Delaware
Connecticut
Florida
Georgia
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Louisiana
Kentucky
Maryland
Maine
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Missouri
Mississippi
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New York
North Carolina
New Jersey
New Mexico
North Dakota
Oklahoma
Ohio
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Dakota
South Carolina
Tennessee
Utah
Vermont
Texas
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming
District of Columbia
Hawaii
United States
Total employment
84,120
Projected growth (2018-2028)
8.3%
Degree required
None
Electrical power-line installers and repairers
People with this job set up cables and wires used in electrical power distribution systems.
Getting this job usually involves vocational school or an apprenticeship and on-the-job training.
National
Alabama
Arizona
Alaska
Arkansas
California
Delaware
Colorado
Connecticut
District of Columbia
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Illinois
Idaho
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Mississippi
Minnesota
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New York
New Mexico
North Carolina
North Dakota
Oklahoma
Ohio
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Texas
Tennessee
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
Wyoming
West Virginia
Wisconsin
United States
Total employment
120,170
Projected growth (2018-2028)
1.3%
Degree required
None
First-line supervisors of non-retail sales workers
These are managers who lead teams of people working in sales, but not in stores.
To become one, start out as a salesperson and get really good at your job.
National
Alabama
Arizona
Alaska
Arkansas
California
Connecticut
Delaware
Colorado
Florida
District of Columbia
Georgia
Idaho
Illinois
Hawaii
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maryland
Maine
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New York
New Mexico
North Carolina
New Hampshire
New Jersey
Oklahoma
North Dakota
Ohio
Oregon
Pennsylvania
South Dakota
Rhode Island
South Carolina
Texas
Tennessee
Utah
Virginia
Vermont
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming
United States
Total employment
227,150
Projected growth (2018-2028)
-5%
Degree required
None
Subway and streetcar operators
Driving a subway train or a tram is a big responsibility, but the paycheck is pretty sweet. You can also make a huge impact (literally).
To become one, it helps to have experience as a bus or truck driver. You’ll undergo extensive training on-the-job before you start working.
National
Arizona
California
Georgia
Illinois
Maryland
Massachusetts
Minnesota
New Jersey
Oregon
Texas
Virginia
Washington
Colorado
Florida
Utah
Tennessee
New York
Pennsylvania
Alabama
Arkansas
Connecticut
Delaware
District of Columbia
Hawaii
Idaho
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Michigan
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming
United States
Alaska
New Hampshire
New Mexico
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Vermont
Total employment
14,860
Projected growth (2018-2028)
10%
Degree required
None
Chemical plant and system operators
These folks control the chemical processes or systems of machines, often in a factory setting. This could involve monitoring recording instruments, shutting down equipment, using panelboards, inspecting units, and more.
While you can get this job with a high school diploma, vocational school or an associate degree could be beneficial.
National
Alabama
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Florida
Georgia
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Maryland
Louisiana
Mississippi
Minnesota
Massachusetts
Michigan
Missouri
Montana
New York
North Carolina
New Jersey
North Dakota
Ohio
Oregon
Pennsylvania
South Carolina
South Dakota
Texas
Utah
Tennessee
Virginia
Washington
Wyoming
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Connecticut
Kentucky
Arizona
Kansas
Oklahoma
Delaware
Nevada
Rhode Island
Idaho
District of Columbia
Hawaii
Maine
Nebraska
United States
Alaska
New Hampshire
New Mexico
Vermont
Total employment
17,980
Projected growth (2018-2028)
-0.3%
Degree required
None
Farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural managers
Agricultural managers direct the operations of farms, ranches, greenhouses, fisheries, nurseries, timber tracts, and similar enterprises. If it goes oink-oink or cluck-cluck, these people know how to raise it, sell it, and make a profit.
Note that becoming a farmer or rancher can be difficult if you’re not born into it. Starting your own agricultural enterprise from scratch will require a significant initial investment.
National
Arkansas
California
Florida
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kentucky
Kansas
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Missouri
Nebraska
Nevada
North Carolina
New Jersey
New York
Oklahoma
Oregon
Ohio
South Carolina
Tennessee
Vermont
Texas
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Louisiana
Maine
Mississippi
North Dakota
Pennsylvania
Arizona
Colorado
Georgia
Montana
Wyoming
Connecticut
New Mexico
Alabama
Delaware
District of Columbia
United States
Alaska
New Hampshire
Rhode Island
South Dakota
Utah
Total employment
6,150
Projected growth (2018-2028)
-0.6%
Degree required
None
The full list of highest-paying jobs with no degree…in a table
See a comprehensive list of the top 50 highest-paying jobs with no degree in the U.S. in the table below.
| Job title | Typical education | Average earnings |
|---|---|---|
| Makeup artists, theatrical and performance | Postsecondary nondegree award | $134,750 |
| Nuclear power reactor operators | High school diploma or equivalent | $120,350 |
| Commercial pilots | Postsecondary nondegree award | $113,080 |
| Power distributors and dispatchers | High school diploma or equivalent | $104,750 |
| Elevator and escalator installers and repairers | High school diploma or equivalent | $102,420 |
| First-line supervisors of police and detectives | High school diploma or equivalent | $101,750 |
| Transportation, storage, and distribution managers | High school diploma or equivalent | $99,200 |
| Power plant operators | High school diploma or equivalent | $97,010 |
| Electrical and electronics repairers, powerhouse, substation, and relay | Postsecondary nondegree award | $96,600 |
| Petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers | High school diploma or equivalent | $94,580 |
| Ship engineers | Postsecondary nondegree award | $94,270 |
| Detectives and criminal investigators | High school diploma or equivalent | $91,100 |
| Captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels | Postsecondary nondegree award | $88,730 |
| Postmasters and mail superintendents | High school diploma or equivalent | $88,670 |
| Transportation inspectors | High school diploma or equivalent | $87,290 |
| First-line supervisors of firefighting and prevention workers | Postsecondary nondegree award | $86,220 |
| Electrical power-line installers and repairers | High school diploma or equivalent | $85,420 |
| First-line supervisors of non-retail sales workers | High school diploma or equivalent | $84,570 |
| Subway and streetcar operators | High school diploma or equivalent | $84,270 |
| Farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural managers | High school diploma or equivalent | $83,770 |
| Signal and track switch repairers | High school diploma or equivalent | $82,710 |
| Gas plant operators | High school diploma or equivalent | $82,560 |
| Gambling managers | High school diploma or equivalent | $82,380 |
| Chemical plant and system operators | High school diploma or equivalent | $80,030 |
| Electrical and electronics installers and repairers, transportation equipment | Postsecondary nondegree award | $79,160 |
| First-line supervisors of construction trades and extraction workers | High school diploma or equivalent | $76,760 |
| Claims adjusters, examiners, and investigators | High school diploma or equivalent | $75,020 |
| Aircraft mechanics and service technicians | Postsecondary nondegree award | $75,020 |
| Locomotive engineers | High school diploma or equivalent | $74,770 |
| Artists and related workers, all other | No formal educational credential | $74,750 |
| Insurance appraisers, auto damage | Postsecondary nondegree award | $74,520 |
| Fire inspectors and investigators | Postsecondary nondegree award | $74,160 |
| Police and sheriff’s patrol officers | High school diploma or equivalent | $72,280 |
| Transit and railroad police | High school diploma or equivalent | $72,250 |
| Wellhead pumpers | High school diploma or equivalent | $71,830 |
| Media and communication equipment workers, all other | High school diploma or equivalent | $71,340 |
| Media and communication workers, all other | High school diploma or equivalent | $71,340 |
| Boilermakers | High school diploma or equivalent | $71,140 |
| Railroad conductors and yardmasters | High school diploma or equivalent | $71,130 |
| First-line supervisors of correctional officers | High school diploma or equivalent | $70,530 |
| Executive secretaries and executive administrative assistants | High school diploma or equivalent | $70,310 |
| Athletes and sports competitors | No formal educational credential | $70,280 |
| Control and valve installers and repairers, except mechanical door | High school diploma or equivalent | $70,100 |
| Underground mining machine operators, all other | No formal educational credential | $68,910 |
| Flight attendants | High school diploma or equivalent | $68,370 |
| Construction and building inspectors | High school diploma or equivalent | $67,700 |
| Stationary engineers and boiler operators | High school diploma or equivalent | $67,640 |
| First-line supervisors of mechanics, installers, and repairers | High school diploma or equivalent | $67,460 |
| Rail-track laying and maintenance equipment operators | High school diploma or equivalent | $67,000 |
| Electrical and electronics repairers, commercial and industrial equipment | Postsecondary nondegree award | $66,680 |
Source – Bureau of Labor Statistics
Hate studying? Consider trade school
While not all lucrative careers require college, most do require some schooling. For many jobs, this means trade school.
Yes, you’ll still have to spend a significant part of your week learning new skills, but hey, at least it won’t involve writing essays about poems.
Trade school is a great alternative to college for down-to-earth people who like to work with their hands.
A trade school education usually results in a diploma or certificate and can lead to high-paying trade jobs like electrician, welder, dental hygienist, wind turbine technician, or even licensed practical nurse.
What is a trade job?
A trade job is any job that requires advanced training, but not a college degree. You can get this training by going to trade or vocational school or completing an apprenticeship.
Highest-paying trade jobs without a degree
We’ll be honest, this list closely resembles the one above, minus some of the less accessible suggestions like “makeup artist for actors” and management-level positions.
The highest paying trade job without a degree is nuclear power reactor operator – they make $115,870 per year on average according to the BLS.
- Nuclear power reactor operators – $120,350
- Commercial pilots – $113,080
- Power distributors and dispatchers – $104,750
- Elevator and escalator installers and repairers – $102,420
- Power plant operators – $97,010
- Electrical and electronics repairers, powerhouse, substation, and relay – $96,600
- Petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers – $94,580
- Ship engineers – $94,270
- Captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels – $88,730
- Transportation inspectors – $87,290
» Read: Types of trade jobs
Can you work in tech without a degree?
Actually, yes! While most high-paying tech jobs require a degree, certain employers will hire promising individuals who can prove they have a certain skill set, regardless of whether they went to college.
There are several ways to prove you have the tech skills needed to get hired:
- Pass an exam. Some subsets of IT, like cybersecurity, rely heavily on certification examinations to prove qualification. While these tests are very difficult, some people are able to pass them without schooling.
- Sign up for a tech bootcamp. A tech bootcamp is a short, intensive course that gives you a rapid overview of one branch of tech – like UX design, coding, or data analytics. It is a form of microcredentialing.
- Pick up tech skills at your current job. If you’re lucky, you may be able to pick up IT skills at your current job – and use your experience to get a better position in the tech field. If you work for a big corporation, look out for opportunities to cross-train.
Highest-paying tech jobs without a degree
We’ll be real. Most employers are looking for someone with a bachelor’s degree to fill these positions.
However, government data from O*NET, a data tool from the U.S. Department of Labor, shows that some people are still able to get high-paid tech jobs with no degree. O*NET gathers data about the average educational attainment for different positions.
Below, we show some common tech jobs, average salaries according to the BLS, and the percentage of people with these jobs who don’t have a college degree (whose highest level of education is “less than a high school diploma”, “high school diploma or equivalent”, or “some college, but no degree”).
| Job title | Average salary | Percent with no college degree |
|---|---|---|
| Software developers | $132,270 | 9.4% |
| Information security analysts | $120,360 | 21.4% |
| Computer systems analysts | $103,800 | 18.3% |
| Software quality assurance analysts and testers | $101,800 | 17.7% |
| Computer programmers | $99,700 | 18.1% |
| Web and digital interface designers | $98,540 | 21.7% |
| Network and computer systems administrators | $95,360 | 28.9% |
| Web developers | $84,960 | 19.9% |
| Technical writers | $80,050 | 15.2% |
| Computer numerically controlled tool programmers | $63,440 | 77.1% |
| Computer support specialists | $60,810 | 35.8% |
| Graphic designers | $58,910 | 20.5% |
| Data entry keyers | $36,190 | 60.6% |
Source: O*NET and the BLS
Would you be better off getting a degree after all?
While college is not for everyone, and student loans are daunting, getting a good ol’ bachelor’s degree is still worth it financially for most people – as long as you’re smart about where you go to college and what you choose to study (see our list of the worst college majors ever).
The average person with a bachelor’s degree earns $57,540 per year – which is 53.4% more than the average earnings of someone with just a high school diploma ($37,517 per year).
Meanwhile, the national average earnings for someone with an associate degree are $45,744.
While we agree that the price of college is getting out of hand, a degree is still your best bet to achieve financial security.
Final thoughts
There are many great job opportunities for people who don’t want to go to college – especially if you don’t mind getting your hands dirty.
For a start, check out our overview of the best trade schools for electricians or welders.
These programs provide the optimal combination of affordability and high earnings for graduates.
Alternatively, check out our definitive rankings of the best-value colleges in the country if you decide to pursue a bachelor’s after all.
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