High-Paying Jobs Without a Degree

1. 1Air Traffic Controllers

   $148,080 · Training or associate

2. 2Industrial Production Managers

   $126,060 · Bachelor's degree

3. 3Nuclear Power Reactor Operators

   $122,890 · Training or associate

4. 4Administrative Services Managers

   $114,130 · Training or associate

5. 5Elevator and Escalator Installers and Repairers

   $109,910 · Training or associate

6. 6Ship Engineers

   $109,530 · Training or associate

7. 7First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives

   $106,040 · High school

8. 8General and Operations Managers

   $105,770 · Bachelor's degree

9. 9Power Plant Operators

   $102,040 · High school

10. 10Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance

    $97,150 · Training or associate

11. 11Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers

    $96,710 · High school

12. 12Postmasters and Mail Superintendents

    $96,660 · High school

13. 13Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers

    $95,320 · High school

14. 14Gambling Managers

    $93,220 · High school

15. 15Signal and Track Switch Repairers

    $92,460 · Training or associate

16. 16Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels

    $92,460 · Training or associate

17. 17Gas Plant Operators

    $87,820 · High school

18. 18Subway and Streetcar Operators

    $86,380 · High school

19. 19First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers

    $79,860 · Training or associate

20. 20Roof Bolters, Mining

    $78,540 · High school

21. 21Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters

    $78,000 · High school

22. 22First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers

    $77,970 · Training or associate

23. 23Gas Compressor and Gas Pumping Station Operators

    $77,320 · High school

24. 24Boilermakers

    $76,410 · High school

25. 25Terrazzo Workers and Finishers

    $76,170 · High school

26. 26Construction and Building Inspectors

    $74,690 · Training or associate

27. 27Loading and Moving Machine Operators, Underground Mining

    $74,500 · High school

28. 28First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers

    $74,450 · Training or associate

29. 29Control and Valve Installers and Repairers, Except Mechanical Door

    $74,340 · Training or associate

30. 30Pile Driver Operators

    $73,300 · High school

31. 31Sound Engineering Technicians

    $73,130 · Training or associate

32. 32Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products

    $72,080 · Bachelor's degree

33. 33Wellhead Pumpers

    $69,960 · High school

34. 34Food Service Managers

    $69,390 · High school

35. 35Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers

    $68,120 · High school

36. 36Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas

    $67,890 · High school

37. 37Rail Car Repairers

    $67,530 · High school

38. 38Transportation Security Screeners

    $66,770 · High school

39. 39Athletes and Sports Competitors

    $66,710 · High school

40. 40Millwrights

    $65,700 · High school

41. 41Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers

    $65,380 · High school

42. 42Layout Workers, Metal and Plastic

    $63,870 · High school

43. 43First-Line Supervisors of Gambling Services Workers

    $63,820 · High school

44. 44Flight Attendants

    $63,580 · High school

45. 45Radio, Cellular, and Tower Equipment Installers and Repairers

    $63,520 · Training or associate

46. 46Model Makers, Metal and Plastic

    $63,340 · Training or associate

47. 47Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers

    $62,750 · Training or associate

48. 48Riggers

    $62,640 · High school

49. 49Timing Device Assemblers and Adjusters

    $62,620 · High school

50. 50Postal Service Clerks

    $62,130 · High school

How this list is made: Ranked by BLS OEWS May 2025 national median pay. Careers that only have a broader group wage are left out. Pay: BLS OEWS May 2025 national median.

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