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Highest paying jobs without a college degree

Every occupation below sits in O*NET preparation zone 2 or 3 — meaning the typical entry route is a high school diploma, a certificate, vocational training, an apprenticeship or an associate degree, not a four-year degree.

The ranking uses the median annual wage from the Bureau of Labor Statistics May 2025 survey. Median means half of workers earn more and half earn less, which is a fairer benchmark than an average that a handful of very high earners can pull upward.

Ranked by median annual pay

Median annual wage, national, BLS May 2025. Top figure here: $148,080.

Air Traffic ControllersMedium preparation needed · 22,510 employed$148,080median / yrWind Energy Operations ManagersGrowingMedium preparation needed · 622,190 employed$141,900median / yrTelecommunications Engineering SpecialistsGrowingMedium preparation needed · 179,740 employed$134,050median / yrGeothermal Production ManagersMedium preparation needed · 246,250 employed$126,060median / yrHydroelectric Production ManagersMedium preparation needed · 246,250 employed$126,060median / yrCommercial PilotsGrowingMedium preparation needed · 47,630 employed$123,220median / yrNuclear Power Reactor OperatorsMedium preparation needed · 5,150 employed$122,890median / yrComputer Systems Engineers/ArchitectsGrowingMedium preparation needed · 435,370 employed$116,580median / yrAdministrative Services ManagersGrowingMedium preparation needed · 263,960 employed$114,130median / yrNuclear TechniciansMedium preparation needed · 6,470 employed$110,240median / yrNuclear Monitoring TechniciansMedium preparation needed · 6,470 employed$110,240median / yrElevator and Escalator Installers and RepairersGrowingMedium preparation needed · 23,790 employed$109,910median / yrShip EngineersMedium preparation needed · 8,400 employed$109,530median / yrPower Distributors and DispatchersMedium preparation needed · 8,520 employed$106,730median / yrFacilities ManagersMedium preparation needed · 156,180 employed$106,660median / yrFirst-Line Supervisors of Police and DetectivesLittle to some preparation needed · 154,610 employed$106,040median / yrRadiation TherapistsMedium preparation needed · 17,070 employed$105,310median / yrSolar Sales Representatives and AssessorsMedium preparation needed · 284,800 employed$104,920median / yrElectrical and Electronics Repairers, Powerhouse, Substation, and RelayGrowingMedium preparation needed · 20,720 employed$103,020median / yrPower Plant OperatorsLittle to some preparation needed · 29,320 employed$102,040median / yrBiomass Plant TechniciansLittle to some preparation needed · 29,320 employed$102,040median / yrHydroelectric Plant TechniciansMedium preparation needed · 29,320 employed$102,040median / yrNuclear Medicine TechnologistsMedium preparation needed · 17,080 employed$101,370median / yrNetwork and Computer Systems AdministratorsMedium preparation needed · 314,340 employed$99,130median / yrDental HygienistsGrowingMedium preparation needed · 222,740 employed$98,100median / yrMakeup Artists, Theatrical and PerformanceGrowingMedium preparation needed · 2,340 employed$97,150median / yrPetroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and GaugersLittle to some preparation needed · 33,160 employed$96,710median / yrPostmasters and Mail SuperintendentsLittle to some preparation needed · 13,810 employed$96,660median / yrDiagnostic Medical SonographersGrowingMedium preparation needed · 90,160 employed$96,590median / yrMagnetic Resonance Imaging TechnologistsGrowingMedium preparation needed · 43,390 employed$95,480median / yrElectrical Power-Line Installers and RepairersGrowingLittle to some preparation needed · 131,070 employed$95,320median / yrDetectives and Criminal InvestigatorsMedium preparation needed · 114,430 employed$93,790median / yrPolice Identification and Records OfficersMedium preparation needed · 114,430 employed$93,790median / yrFirst-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention WorkersMedium preparation needed · 99,140 employed$93,530median / yrGambling ManagersLittle to some preparation needed · 5,030 employed$93,220median / yrWeb DevelopersGrowingMedium preparation needed · 70,190 employed$92,650median / yrSignal and Track Switch RepairersMedium preparation needed · 8,720 employed$92,460median / yrCaptains, Mates, and Pilots of Water VesselsMedium preparation needed · 36,850 employed$92,460median / yrAviation InspectorsMedium preparation needed · 24,500 employed$92,100median / yrTransportation Vehicle, Equipment and Systems Inspectors, Except AviationLittle to some preparation needed · 24,500 employed$92,100median / yr

What “no degree” really means here

It means no bachelor's degree is typical — it does not mean no training. Several of these roles require a licence, a certification exam or a multi-year apprenticeship. The occupation page for each one spells out the education people in the job actually reported.

Pay grows with experience

Entry pay is closer to the 10th percentile figure than the median. Look at the full spread on each occupation page: in many skilled trades the gap between the 10th and 90th percentile is more than double, and it usually reflects experience, licensing and overtime.

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