High-Paying Jobs Without a Degree (With BLS Salary Data)

You can earn well above the national median without a four-year degree. The catch is that most high paying jobs without a degree trade tuition for something else: a multi-year apprenticeship, a license exam, an associate's program, shift work, or years of experience before the big paycheck shows up.

This guide ranks those jobs using 2025 median pay from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Outlook Handbook, then shows what it takes to get in, how many openings each field has, and how to choose between them. Every salary is a BLS median for 2025 unless noted, which means half the workers in that job earn more and half earn less.

For a baseline, the median annual wage for all U.S. occupations was $50,980 in May 2025, according to the BLS pay data for elevator installers, which reports the all-occupation figure alongside each job. Every role on the main list below clears that bar, and more than ten of them beat what the typical bachelor's degree holder earns.

What "without a degree" means in BLS terms#

BLS assigns each occupation a "typical entry-level education." That label tells you what most people needed to get hired, not the only possible route. Three levels matter for this guide, plus one experience-based route.

No degree does not mean no training#

The word "without" hides a lot of work. Before you pick a target, know which kind of training it demands:

• Apprenticeship. Paid training with a sponsor. BLS says most electricians complete a 4- or 5-year apprenticeship with about 2,000 hours of paid on-the-job training per year, plus classroom instruction (BLS, Electricians).
• Long-term on-the-job training. More than a year of supervised work after hire, common for power plant operators and line workers.
• Licensing. A state or federal exam. Nuclear reactor operators, for example, need a Nuclear Regulatory Commission license that doesn't transfer between plants.
• Academy training. Police recruits graduate from an agency academy, and air traffic controllers train at the FAA Academy before more than 12 months of on-the-job training.

Why associate's degree jobs are included#

Many people searching for jobs without a degree really mean "without a bachelor's." An associate's degree is a degree, so this guide labels those jobs clearly and gives them their own section. They often cost far less than a four-year program, and several of them pay more than the typical bachelor's holder earns.

High-paying jobs without a degree, ranked by 2025 pay#

The table below lists occupations whose typical entry requirement is below a bachelor's degree, sorted by 2025 median pay. "Outlook" is the BLS projected employment change from 2025 to 2035.

Sources: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook pages for each occupation, 2025 median pay and 2025–35 projections. Pilot and detective figures are occupation subtypes reported on the airline and commercial pilots and police and detectives pages.

High-paying jobs with only a high school diploma#

These jobs list a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical entry credential. Almost all of them pay you while you train, which is the biggest financial advantage over college.

Elevator and escalator installers and repairers#

2025 median pay: $109,910. This is the best-paid trade you can enter with a diploma. BLS reports 24,700 jobs and about 1,900 openings a year, with 6% projected growth from 2025 to 2035 (BLS).

Most installers complete a roughly four-year apprenticeship sponsored by an employer, union, or industry group, and most states require a license. The work involves heights, tight shafts, and on-call repair shifts. Competition for apprenticeship slots is real because the field is small.

Good fit if: you like mechanical and electrical troubleshooting, don't mind confined spaces, and can commit to a long apprenticeship.

Transportation, storage, and distribution managers#

2025 median pay: $107,230. This is the largest six-figure option on the list, with 228,100 jobs and about 18,300 openings a year (BLS).

The catch is experience. BLS lists five years or more of related work as the typical requirement. Most managers start in a warehouse, dispatch, or logistics coordinator role and move up. Some employers prefer a bachelor's degree, so supply chain certifications and a record of measurable results matter more if you don't have one.

Good fit if: you're already in warehousing, trucking, or operations and want a management track.

Power plant operators and nuclear reactor operators#

2025 median pay: $105,080 for the group. Within it, nuclear power reactor operators earned a median of $122,890, power distributors and dispatchers $106,730, and power plant operators $102,040 (BLS).

Expect long-term on-the-job training and, for nuclear roles, an NRC license tied to a specific plant. BLS projects a 4% decline in employment from 2025 to 2035, so the roughly 3,400 openings a year come from people retiring or leaving, not new positions.

Good fit if: you want stable, high pay, can handle rotating shifts and strict procedures, and live near a plant.

Electrical power-line installers and repairers#

2025 median pay: $95,320. BLS reports 131,900 jobs, 10% projected growth, and about 10,900 openings a year (BLS).

Most line workers complete apprenticeships of up to three years and reach journey level after three to four. The job is physical and weather-exposed, and storm work means long hours away from home. That's also where much of the overtime comes from.

Good fit if: you're comfortable at heights and outdoors and want a growing field with real openings.

Detectives and police officers#

2025 median pay: $93,790 for detectives and criminal investigators; $76,210 for patrol officers. BLS lists entry requirements from a high school diploma to a college degree, depending on the agency (BLS).

Detectives usually start as patrol officers. Recruits must graduate from an agency academy before on-the-job training. The overall occupation has about 60,100 openings a year, so there are paths in almost every region.

Construction and building inspectors#

2025 median pay: $74,690. BLS lists a high school diploma plus five or more years of related experience, with about 14,800 openings a year and flat projected growth (BLS). Many states and localities require a license or certification.

This is a common second act for experienced tradespeople who want less physical strain and more regular hours.

Flight attendants#

2025 median pay: $63,580. BLS projects 9% growth and about 18,500 openings a year (BLS). Airlines run their own training, which lasts several weeks to a few months and is required for FAA certification. Pay climbs with seniority, and new hires often work reserve schedules.

Jobs that need a certificate, not a degree#

A "postsecondary nondegree award" is a certificate from a trade school, community college, or specialized program. These programs are shorter than degrees and point at one job.

Commercial pilots#

2025 median pay: $123,220 for commercial pilots, who fly charter, tour, crop-dusting, and similar operations. Airline pilots earned more ($232,140) but typically need a bachelor's degree plus commercial or military flying experience (BLS).

Commercial pilots typically complete flight training and earn FAA certificates and ratings, each with a knowledge test and a practical flight exam. Flight training is expensive, so budget for it before you commit, and look at employer-funded or military routes.

Aircraft and avionics mechanics#

2025 median pay: $80,180. Avionics technicians earned $82,280 and aircraft mechanics $79,870. There are about 13,100 openings a year and 6% projected growth (BLS).

Most complete an FAA-approved aviation maintenance technician program. The certificate from that program substitutes for FAA experience requirements, so you can sit for the FAA exams sooner.

HVAC mechanics and installers#

2025 median pay: $61,010. The draw is volume: about 40,600 openings a year and 11% projected growth (BLS). Programs generally last six months to two years, and the EPA requires nearly all technicians to be certified in refrigerant handling.

Experienced HVAC techs who move into commercial systems, controls, or their own business can earn well above the median.

Wind turbine technicians#

2025 median pay: $64,120. It's a small field (11,800 jobs) but one of the fastest-growing, with 30% projected growth from 2025 to 2035 (BLS). Expect a technical certificate, then manufacturer-specific training after hire. The work is at height, often in remote areas.

Computer support specialists#

2025 median pay: $62,890 overall; $76,220 for network support specialists. BLS notes that candidates may qualify with a high school diploma plus relevant IT certifications, though network roles typically call for an associate's degree (BLS).

Be clear-eyed here: BLS projects a 3% decline in employment. Support roles work best as a starting point toward networking, systems administration, or security, not a final destination. If tech is your goal, our guide to in-demand skills shows which ones move people up.

Best-paying jobs with an associate's degree#

If you're willing to spend about two to three years in school, several healthcare and aviation roles pay more than the typical bachelor's graduate earns.

Air traffic controllers#

2025 median pay: $148,080, the highest on this page. BLS lists 24,000 jobs, about 2,100 openings a year, and 2% projected growth (BLS).

Most new controllers train at the FAA Academy in Oklahoma City, then complete more than 12 months of on-the-job training. The FAA sets an age cutoff for applicants, so check current FAA hiring rules early if you're interested. The work is high-stakes, with rotating shifts, nights, and weekends.

Radiation therapists and nuclear medicine technologists#

2025 median pay: $105,310 for radiation therapists and $101,370 for nuclear medicine technologists. Both list an associate's degree as typical entry education (BLS, radiation therapists; BLS, nuclear medicine technologists).

Both fields are small, with roughly 700 and 800 openings a year respectively. Most states require radiation therapists to be licensed or certified, which often means passing a national exam. Your program's clinical placements will matter a lot for your first job.

Dental hygienists#

2025 median pay: $98,100. With 225,300 jobs, 8% projected growth, and about 15,000 openings a year, this is the largest high-paying associate's-level role (BLS). Programs usually take three years, and every state requires a license. Many hygienists work part time, which can suit people who want flexible hours.

Diagnostic medical sonographers#

2025 median pay: $96,590. BLS projects 14% growth, the fastest among the six-figure-adjacent healthcare roles here, with about 6,000 openings a year (BLS). Employers often require or prefer professional certification, and some states require a license.

Respiratory therapists#

2025 median pay: $82,280. About 8,600 openings a year and 9% projected growth (BLS). Every state except Alaska requires a license. Hospitals run 24/7, so expect nights and weekends early on.

Where the jobs are: pay vs. number of openings#

The best-paying jobs on this list tend to be the hardest to get into simply because there are so few of them. Elevator installers average about 1,900 openings a year. Electricians average about 72,700.

That tradeoff suggests a practical strategy. Use the table below to see where your target sits.

Electricians had a 2025 median of $63,190 and plumbers $63,800 (BLS, plumbers). Those medians include apprentices. Licensed journey workers, specialists, supervisors, and contractors who run their own shops often earn much more.

Do you earn less without a degree? The honest comparison#

On average, yes. BLS data for 2025 show full-time workers age 25 and over with a bachelor's degree had median weekly earnings of $1,578, compared with $1,135 for associate's degree holders and $966 for high school graduates (BLS Table 5.1).

Unemployment followed the same pattern: 2.8% for bachelor's holders, 3.0% for associate's, and 4.3% for high school graduates in 2025.

But averages hide the spread. That $1,578 a week works out to about $82,000 a year. Air traffic controllers, commercial pilots, elevator installers, logistics managers, radiation therapists, dental hygienists, sonographers, and power-line installers all had medians above that. The question isn't "degree or no degree." It's which specific occupation you're comparing.

How to choose among high-paying jobs without a degree#

Pay is only one variable. Two jobs with similar medians can feel completely different to live with. Score each option you're considering against these factors.

Match the path to your situation#

Different starting points point to different first moves:

• You need income now: look at apprenticeships and employer-trained roles (electrician, line worker, flight attendant) where you're paid from day one.
• You can study part time for two years: associate's programs in sonography, respiratory therapy, or dental hygiene offer high pay and steady demand.
• You already work in operations or a trade: aim for supervisory routes like logistics management or building inspection that reward experience.
• You're drawn to tech: start with certifications and support work, then build toward networking or security, since support roles alone are shrinking.

If you're not sure which direction fits, the career path explorer can help you compare options, and our guide on how to choose a career walks through a full decision framework. If you're leaving another field, start with how to change careers.

Three example paths, mapped year by year#

Abstract advice is easy to nod along to and hard to act on. Here are three hypothetical people, each starting from a common situation, with the realistic sequence their path would follow. The steps reflect the BLS entry requirements above; the timing is a typical pattern, not a guarantee.

Say Jordan is 23 and works in retail. Priya is 31 and has been a warehouse lead for four years. Sam is 27 and works the front desk at a medical clinic.

Notice what each path asks of the person. Jordan trades five years of moderate pay for a license and very little debt. Priya uses experience she already has, but needs a track record her employer can see. Sam pays tuition up front for a job with a high median and strong projected growth.

None of these paths is better in the abstract. The right one depends on your savings, how soon you need a raise, and whether you'd rather work with your hands, with operations, or with patients.

Costs to budget for before you start#

Even "free" training has costs. Before you commit, list these and price them where you live:

• Tools and gear for trades: hand tools, boots, safety equipment.
• Exam and license fees, plus renewal and continuing education.
• Tuition and books for certificate and associate's programs.
• Lost income if you drop to apprentice pay or study full time.
• Commute and relocation if the training or jobs are in another town.

How to get hired without a degree: a step-by-step plan#

This sequence works for most of the jobs above. It moves from cheap research to bigger commitments, so you don't spend money on a program before you know the field fits.

1. Shortlist three occupations. Use the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook to compare pay, entry education, and outlook. Read the "How to Become One" tab for each.
2. Check your state's rules. Look up licensing requirements for each trade or healthcare role where you live. Rules vary widely.
3. Talk to two people in each job. Ask what a normal week looks like, what new hires earn, and which programs local employers trust. Our guide to the informational interview has questions to use.
4. Find a training route. Search the Apprenticeship Job Finder on Apprenticeship.gov, which lists registered openings, or visit an American Job Center for help applying.
5. Vet any school before paying. Ask for completion rates, licensing exam pass rates, and job placement rates in writing.
6. Get one quick credential. OSHA safety cards, CPR, a CDL permit, or an entry IT certification can help you get a helper or trainee role while you apply for longer programs.
7. Build a skills-first resume. Lead with what you can do, the tools you've used, and any measurable results.
8. Apply in volume to entry roles. Helper, trainee, apprentice, and assistant titles are your way in. Track every application and follow up.

Apprenticeships are the strongest no-degree route#

Registered apprenticeships let you earn a wage from day one, with scheduled raises as your skills grow, according to Apprenticeship.gov. For the trades on this list, they're also the standard path to a license.

Apply to several sponsors at once. Union programs, employer programs, and industry associations often accept applications on different schedules, and some require an aptitude test or interview.

Questions to ask people already in the job#

When you talk to workers in your target field, skip "Do you like it?" and ask questions that reveal the real tradeoffs:

• What did you earn in your first year, and how long did it take to reach full pay?
• Which training programs or apprenticeships do local employers respect most?
• What does a hard week look like: hours, travel, weather, on-call?
• What do new hires most often get wrong in their first six months?
• If you were starting today, what would you do differently?

Their answers will tell you more about fit than any salary table.

What skills-based hiring has (and hasn't) changed#

Many large employers have announced they're dropping degree requirements. A 2024 study by the Burning Glass Institute and Harvard Business School found that for most companies, those announcements haven't yet translated into lasting changes in who actually gets hired.

That doesn't mean the door is closed. It means a missing degree requirement on a posting isn't enough on its own. You still need proof that you can do the work. Employers who hire without degrees tend to look for:

• Licenses and certifications that show you met an outside standard.
• Apprenticeship or training hours with a named program and completion date.
• Work samples, such as a portfolio for web roles or photos and specs from trade projects.
• Measurable results from past jobs, even unrelated ones: volume handled, errors reduced, safety record.
• References from supervisors who can describe your reliability and skill.

The roles where degree-optional hiring is most established are the ones on this page, where licenses and apprenticeships already serve as the hiring standard. In office and tech roles, expect to work harder to prove yourself. For example, BLS lists a bachelor's degree as typical for web developers but notes that some workers may not need specific credentials if they can show ability through work or projects (BLS).

How to write a resume when you don't have a degree#

Your resume's job is to make the missing degree irrelevant. Put proof of skill at the top and treat training as a credential.

Rename and reorder the education section#

Call it "Education and Training" or "Certifications and Training." List your most job-relevant credential first, then your diploma or GED. Our guides to the education section and certifications on a resume cover formatting in detail, and the certifications section generator can draft the entries for you.

Turn duties into evidence#

Hiring managers in the trades and healthcare care about safety, accuracy, and reliability. Show them with numbers wherever you can.

Lead with skills and a targeted summary#

A short summary that names your target role, your credential, and one strong result does more than a degree line ever could. List hard skills that match the posting: tools, systems, codes, equipment. The resume skills generator can suggest role-specific skills to check against what you actually have.

If you're coming from a different field, our career change resume guide and list of transferable skills show how to reframe past work. With no work history at all, start with writing a resume with no experience.

Mistakes to avoid when chasing high pay without a degree#

A few common errors cost people years. Avoid these:

• Chasing the median instead of the starting wage. Budget for apprentice or trainee pay for the first two to five years.
• Paying for a program before confirming the license path. Make sure the school's credential qualifies you for your state's exam.
• Ignoring declining fields. Power plant operators, boilermakers, and computer support specialists all have projected declines from 2025 to 2035. That's workable, but plan a next step.
• Underestimating the physical side. Heights, heavy lifting, and weather are daily realities in many top-paying trades. Shadow someone before committing.
• Picking a tiny field without a backup. With fewer than 1,000 openings a year nationally in some healthcare specialties, have a second target in mind.
• Skipping the negotiation. Even entry roles have some room. Our guide to how to negotiate salary and the salary calculator help you check an offer.

Next steps: test three paths this month#

You don't need to pick your forever career today. You need a short list and a few cheap experiments.

This week, pick three occupations from the tables above and read each one's BLS page in full. Next week, check your state's licensing rules and find one person in each field to talk to. By the end of the month, apply to at least one apprenticeship, trainee role, or accredited program for your top choice.

Then build your resume around proof, not credentials. If you want to see where your skills already overlap with these jobs, our guides on high-income skills and jobs AI can't replace are good next reads.