Highest-Paying Jobs That Don't Require A Bachelor’s Degree

Special Report

Published: February 26, 2024 12:11 pm

It may often seem as though a college degree is a prerequisite for any career, and often it is. For generations, it has been hammered home that to get a good job, we need a college education, and although college existed as far back as the 17th century in the United States (Harvard was founded in 1636), it didn’t become something many people did until the 20th century.

Higher education has long been seen as a practical step toward financial security and upward mobility in the United States, but more and more people are finding it unnecessary to earn a good wage. Yet, data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics illustrates how a typical full-time worker with a bachelor’s degree earns about 68% more than the typical worker with no more than a high school diploma.

Part of this shift in attitude towards earning a college degree is partially attributed to rising costs. Adjusting for inflation, average annual tuition and fees at a four-year private college climbed from just over $10,000 in the early 1970s to nearly $33,000 in 2020. For many high school graduates, the amount of debt they would need to take on to earn a degree is not worth the potential payoff. (Here is a look at the 50 most expensive colleges in America.)

Even for those with a four-year degree, a high salary isn’t something guaranteed, and those who decide that university is not for them are not relegated to a life of low-paying careers. There are dozens of employment opportunities for those with an associate’s degree, trade school, or less that pay as much or more than most of the jobs available to college graduates.

24/7 Wall St. identified the highest-paying jobs that don’t require a bachelor’s degree by using data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program. Occupations are ranked by their median annual wage in 2022. Jobs classified with an “all other” or “miscellaneous” designation were excluded from the analysis.

Note that the median wage is the middle amount, halfway between the lowest and highest wage offered for each job. For the average wage, calculated by adding all the wages offered for each job and dividing by the number of different wages, see the 40 highest-paying jobs you can get without a college degree.

The annual median wages among the occupations listed here range from just over $67,000 to well over $100,000. Just over half of these jobs typically have no formal educational requirements beyond high school – though many prefer candidates with years of related work experience.

Here are the highest-paying jobs that don’t require a bachelor’s degree.

50. Stationary engineers and boiler operators

Median annual wage, 2022: $67,120
Total employment, 2022: 31,470
Typical education needed for entry: High school diploma or equivalent
Work experience in related occupation needed: None
Typical additional training needed: Long-term on-the-job training

49. Railroad brake, signal, and switch operators and locomotive firers

Median annual wage, 2022: $67,540
Total employment, 2022: 14,210
Typical education needed for entry: High school diploma or equivalent
Work experience in related occupation needed: None
Typical additional training needed: Moderate-term on-the-job training

48. Computer network support specialists

Median annual wage, 2022: $68,050
Total employment, 2022: 168,920
Typical education needed for entry: Associate’s degree
Work experience in related occupation needed: None
Typical additional training needed: Moderate-term on-the-job training

47. Railroad conductors and yardmasters

Median annual wage, 2022: $68,180
Total employment, 2022: 40,940
Typical education needed for entry: High school diploma or equivalent
Work experience in related occupation needed: None
Typical additional training needed: Moderate-term on-the-job training

46. Commercial divers

Median annual wage, 2022: $68,300
Total employment, 2022: 3,860
Typical education needed for entry: Postsecondary nondegree award
Work experience in related occupation needed: None
Typical additional training needed: Moderate-term on-the-job training

45. Transit and railroad police

Median annual wage, 2022: $69,150
Total employment, 2022: 3,370
Typical education needed for entry: High school diploma or equivalent
Work experience in related occupation needed: None
Typical additional training needed: Moderate-term on-the-job training

44. Insurance appraisers, auto damage

Median annual wage, 2022: $69,380
Total employment, 2022: 11,430
Typical education needed for entry: Postsecondary nondegree award
Work experience in related occupation needed: None
Typical additional training needed: Moderate-term on-the-job training

43. Fire inspectors and investigators

Median annual wage, 2022: $69,450
Total employment, 2022: 14,510
Typical education needed for entry: Postsecondary nondegree award
Work experience in related occupation needed: 5 years or more
Typical additional training needed: Moderate-term on-the-job training

42. Aircraft mechanics and service technicians

Median annual wage, 2022: $70,010
Total employment, 2022: 134,070
Typical education needed for entry: Postsecondary nondegree award
Work experience in related occupation needed: None
Typical additional training needed: None

41. Respiratory therapists

Median annual wage, 2022: $70,540
Total employment, 2022: 129,910
Typical education needed for entry: Associate’s degree
Work experience in related occupation needed: None
Typical additional training needed: None

40. Funeral home managers

Median annual wage, 2022: $72,110
Total employment, 2022: 13,680
Typical education needed for entry: Associate’s degree
Work experience in related occupation needed: Less than 5 years
Typical additional training needed: None

39. Claims adjusters, examiners, and investigators

Median annual wage, 2022: $72,230
Total employment, 2022: 285,270
Typical education needed for entry: High school diploma or equivalent
Work experience in related occupation needed: None
Typical additional training needed: Long-term on-the-job training

38. First-line supervisors of mechanics, installers, and repairers

Median annual wage, 2022: $73,140
Total employment, 2022: 559,050
Typical education needed for entry: High school diploma or equivalent
Work experience in related occupation needed: Less than 5 years
Typical additional training needed: None

37. Electrical and electronics installers and repairers, transportation equipment

Median annual wage, 2022: $73,630
Total employment, 2022: 8,530
Typical education needed for entry: Postsecondary nondegree award
Work experience in related occupation needed: None
Typical additional training needed: Long-term on-the-job training

36. First-line supervisors of construction trades and extraction workers

Median annual wage, 2022: $74,080
Total employment, 2022: 720,900
Typical education needed for entry: High school diploma or equivalent
Work experience in related occupation needed: 5 years or more
Typical additional training needed: None

35. Aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians

Median annual wage, 2022: $74,410
Total employment, 2022: 9,750
Typical education needed for entry: Associate’s degree
Work experience in related occupation needed: None
Typical additional training needed: None

34. Locomotive engineers

Median annual wage, 2022: $74,570
Total employment, 2022: 36,440
Typical education needed for entry: High school diploma or equivalent
Work experience in related occupation needed: Less than 5 years
Typical additional training needed: Moderate-term on-the-job training

33. Avionics technicians

Median annual wage, 2022: $75,450
Total employment, 2022: 20,200
Typical education needed for entry: Associate’s degree
Work experience in related occupation needed: None
Typical additional training needed: None

32. Farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural managers

Median annual wage, 2022: $75,760
Total employment, 2022: 6,250
Typical education needed for entry: High school diploma or equivalent
Work experience in related occupation needed: 5 years or more
Typical additional training needed: None

31. Gas plant operators

Median annual wage, 2022: $79,460
Total employment, 2022: 14,290
Typical education needed for entry: High school diploma or equivalent
Work experience in related occupation needed: None
Typical additional training needed: Long-term on-the-job training

30. Transportation inspectors

Median annual wage, 2022: $79,570
Total employment, 2022: 24,420
Typical education needed for entry: High school diploma or equivalent
Work experience in related occupation needed: None
Typical additional training needed: Moderate-term on-the-job training

29. Magnetic resonance imaging technologists

Median annual wage, 2022: $80,090
Total employment, 2022: 38,380
Typical education needed for entry: Associate’s degree
Work experience in related occupation needed: Less than 5 years
Typical additional training needed: None

28. First-line supervisors of firefighting and prevention workers

Median annual wage, 2022: $80,150
Total employment, 2022: 84,040
Typical education needed for entry: Postsecondary nondegree award
Work experience in related occupation needed: Less than 5 years
Typical additional training needed: Moderate-term on-the-job training

27. Gambling managers

Median annual wage, 2022: $80,710
Total employment, 2022: 4,800
Typical education needed for entry: High school diploma or equivalent
Work experience in related occupation needed: Less than 5 years
Typical additional training needed: None

26. Signal and track switch repairers

Median annual wage, 2022: $81,300
Total employment, 2022: 6,880
Typical education needed for entry: High school diploma or equivalent
Work experience in related occupation needed: None
Typical additional training needed: Moderate-term on-the-job training

25. Diagnostic Medical Sonographers

Median annual wage, 2022: $81,350
Total employment, 2022: 81,080
Typical education needed for entry: Associate’s degree
Work experience in related occupation needed: None
Typical additional training needed: None

24. Dental hygienists

Median annual wage, 2022: $81,400
Total employment, 2022: 214,700
Typical education needed for entry: Associate’s degree
Work experience in related occupation needed: None
Typical additional training needed: None

23. Electrical power-line installers and repairers

Median annual wage, 2022: $82,340
Total employment, 2022: 119,510
Typical education needed for entry: High school diploma or equivalent
Work experience in related occupation needed: None
Typical additional training needed: Long-term on-the-job training

22. Chemical plant and system operators

Median annual wage, 2022: $82,670
Total employment, 2022: 18,710
Typical education needed for entry: High school diploma or equivalent
Work experience in related occupation needed: None
Typical additional training needed: Moderate-term on-the-job training

21. Postmasters and mail superintendents

Median annual wage, 2022: $82,760
Total employment, 2022: 13,460
Typical education needed for entry: High school diploma or equivalent
Work experience in related occupation needed: Less than 5 years
Typical additional training needed: Moderate-term on-the-job training

20. First-line supervisors of non-retail sales workers

Median annual wage, 2022: $82,850
Total employment, 2022: 237,520
Typical education needed for entry: High school diploma or equivalent
Work experience in related occupation needed: Less than 5 years
Typical additional training needed: None

19. Petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers

Median annual wage, 2022: $85,090
Total employment, 2022: 31,360
Typical education needed for entry: High school diploma or equivalent
Work experience in related occupation needed: None
Typical additional training needed: Moderate-term on-the-job training

18. Nuclear medicine technologists

Median annual wage, 2022: $85,300
Total employment, 2022: 16,910
Typical education needed for entry: Associate’s degree
Work experience in related occupation needed: None
Typical additional training needed: None

17. Detectives and criminal investigators

Median annual wage, 2022: $86,280
Total employment, 2022: 107,400
Typical education needed for entry: High school diploma or equivalent
Work experience in related occupation needed: Less than 5 years
Typical additional training needed: Moderate-term on-the-job training

16. Ship engineers

Median annual wage, 2022: $87,300
Total employment, 2022: 8,650
Typical education needed for entry: Postsecondary nondegree award
Work experience in related occupation needed: Less than 5 years
Typical additional training needed: None

15. Subway and streetcar operators

Median annual wage, 2022: $88,260
Total employment, 2022: 9,120
Typical education needed for entry: High school diploma or equivalent
Work experience in related occupation needed: None
Typical additional training needed: Moderate-term on-the-job training

14. Radiation therapists

Median annual wage, 2022: $89,530
Total employment, 2022: 15,510
Typical education needed for entry: Associate’s degree
Work experience in related occupation needed: None
Typical additional training needed: None

13. Power plant operators

Median annual wage, 2022: $93,060
Total employment, 2022: 31,590
Typical education needed for entry: High school diploma or equivalent
Work experience in related occupation needed: None
Typical additional training needed: Long-term on-the-job training

12. Electrical and electronics repairers, powerhouse, substation, and relay

Median annual wage, 2022: $93,720
Total employment, 2022: 25,440
Typical education needed for entry: Postsecondary nondegree award
Work experience in related occupation needed: Less than 5 years
Typical additional training needed: Moderate-term on-the-job training

11. Athletes and sports competitors

Median annual wage, 2022: $94,270
Total employment, 2022: 11,930
Typical education needed for entry: No formal educational credential
Work experience in related occupation needed: None
Typical additional training needed: Long-term on-the-job training

10. Captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels

Median annual wage, 2022: $95,210
Total employment, 2022: 34,940
Typical education needed for entry: Postsecondary nondegree award
Work experience in related occupation needed: Less than 5 years
Typical additional training needed: None

9. First-line supervisors of police and detectives

Median annual wage, 2022: $96,290
Total employment, 2022: 131,860
Typical education needed for entry: High school diploma or equivalent
Work experience in related occupation needed: Less than 5 years
Typical additional training needed: Moderate-term on-the-job training

8. Makeup artists, theatrical and performance

Median annual wage, 2022: $96,370
Total employment, 2022: 2,970
Typical education needed for entry: Postsecondary nondegree award
Work experience in related occupation needed: None
Typical additional training needed: None

7. Transportation, storage, and distribution managers

Median annual wage, 2022: $98,560
Total employment, 2022: 169,910
Typical education needed for entry: High school diploma or equivalent
Work experience in related occupation needed: 5 years or more
Typical additional training needed: None

6. Elevator and escalator installers and repairers

Median annual wage, 2022: $99,000
Total employment, 2022: 24,380
Typical education needed for entry: High school diploma or equivalent
Work experience in related occupation needed: None
Typical additional training needed: Apprenticeship

5. Nuclear technicians

Median annual wage, 2022: $100,420
Total employment, 2022: 5,880
Typical education needed for entry: Associate’s degree
Work experience in related occupation needed: None
Typical additional training needed: Moderate-term on-the-job training

4. Power distributors and dispatchers

Median annual wage, 2022: $101,650
Total employment, 2022: 9,380
Typical education needed for entry: High school diploma or equivalent
Work experience in related occupation needed: None
Typical additional training needed: Long-term on-the-job training

3. Commercial pilots

Median annual wage, 2022: $103,910
Total employment, 2022: 48,750
Typical education needed for entry: Postsecondary nondegree award
Work experience in related occupation needed: None
Typical additional training needed: Moderate-term on-the-job training

2. Nuclear power reactor operators

Median annual wage, 2022: $115,870
Total employment, 2022: 5,450
Typical education needed for entry: High school diploma or equivalent
Work experience in related occupation needed: None
Typical additional training needed: Long-term on-the-job training

1. Air traffic controllers

Median annual wage, 2022: $132,250
Total employment, 2022: 21,250
Typical education needed for entry: Associate’s degree
Work experience in related occupation needed: None
Typical additional training needed: Long-term on-the-job training

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Read more: Special Report, air traffic controller, bachelor’s degree, Bureau of Labor Statistics, education, high school education, job, salary, wages, work experience, Education

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