Going to college isn’t required to snag a high-paying job. In fact, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) keeps meticulous records about the careers you can enter without a college degree. Several even pay more than the highest paying associate degree jobs.
The following careers don’t require a college degree (or even any college at all) and pay more than $70,000 per year.
15 Highest Paying Jobs Without a College Degree
1. Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers
- Median base salary: $94,730
- Employment: 131,300
Transportation, storage, and distribution managers follow organizational policies and government regulations as they coordinate the transportation, storage, and distribution of goods. Duties include managing staff, implementing schedule and policy changes, and monitoring operations to ensure staff compliance.
Typical educational and training requirements include a high school diploma or GED and five or more years of related work experience.
2. Nuclear Power Reactor Operators
- Median base salary: $94,350
- Employment: 6,280
Like the job title implies, nuclear power reactor operators work with nuclear reactors. These professionals typically work at powerplants, monitoring equipment, ensuring equipment is maintained properly, and enforcing and following all safety procedures.
You’ll need a high school diploma or GED and work experience to enter this field.
3. First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives
- Median base salary: $89,030
- Employment: 121,600
First-line supervisors of police and detectives essentially run police departments. This involves supervising subordinates, coordinating criminal investigations, training staff, and resolving personnel problems.
You need at least a high school diploma or GED, several years of related work experience, and on-the-job training to work in this role.
4. Power Distributors and Dispatchers
- Median base salary: $86,410
- Employment: 53,000
According to the BLS, power distributors and dispatchers “coordinate, regulate or distribute electricity or steam.” Duties include responding to line failure emergencies, coordinating with engineers and utility workers, and regulating the flow of power. They typically work in the electric power generation, transmission, and distribution industry, the natural gas distribution industry, or in the paper mill industry.
Entry requirements include a high school diploma or GED and long-term on-the-job training.
5. Commercial Pilots
- Median base salary: $82,240
- Employment: 37,870
Commercial pilots fly fixed-wing aircraft on unscheduled carrier routes or helicopters. Charter pilots, air ambulance pilots, and air tour pilots fall under this job category as well. An airline pilot, which is a pilot that flies regional, national, and international flights, doesn’t fall into this category.
Airline pilots need at least a bachelor’s degree, but commercial pilots need only a high school diploma or GED, extensive training, and a commercial pilot’s license.
6. Detectives and Criminal Investigators
- Median base salary: $81,920
- Employment: 103,450
Detectives and criminal investigators work to solve and prevent crimes at the local, state, or national level. Most work for the federal executive branch, state government, or local government. Work for the federal government and average earnings jump from $85,020 across all industries to $108,770.
To become a detective or criminal investigator you need at least a high school diploma or GED along with training. Although you can ultimately end up in this position without going to college, a bachelor’s degree makes it easier.
7. Elevator Installers and Repairers
- Median base salary: $79,780
- Employment: 26,830
Elevator installers and repairers typically work for building equipment contractors, installing elevators in new builds or additions. Elevator repair workers might also work for a local government, college, or university. For this profession, job growth is faster than average with a 10% projected increase in job opportunities over the next 10 years.
To work as an elevator installer or repair, you’ll need a high school diploma or GED and an apprenticeship.
8. Power Plant Operators
- Median annual wage: $79,610
- Employment: 33,920
Power plant operators run the machinery used to produce electric power. Unsurprisingly, the majority work in the electric power generation, transmission, and distribution industry. However, those who work for the federal executive branch have the highest earning potential with a $91,000 average annual salary.
To become a power plant operator, you’ll need at least a high school diploma or GED, extensive on-the-job training, and a license. Some employers do look for candidates with a bachelor’s degree or vocational degree.
9. Postmasters and Mail Superintendents
- Median annual earnings: $75,970
- Employment: 13,770
Postmasters plan, direct, or coordinate all aspects of a United States post office. Mail superintendents oversee employees that work in a post office or plant, which includes scheduling workers, resolving customer complaints, and training employees. All work for the United States Postal Service.
You need at last a high school diploma or GED, some work experience, and on-the-job training to move into one of these positions.
10. Gaming Managers
- Median annual earnings: $74,700
- Employment: 4,300
Gaming managers oversee gaming operations in a casino. Duties include removing suspected cheaters, explaining house rules, and resolving customer complaints. The majority work in the gambling industry or traveler accommodation industry in California, Nevada, or Oklahoma.
Some casinos hire gaming managers that only have a high school diploma or GED while others require a college degree. A license from a state regulatory agency and on-the-job training is also required.
11. Transit and Railroad Police
- Median annual earnings: $74,030
- Employment: 4,470
Transit and railroad police keep property, employees, and passengers safe on a train or other transit system. Duties include conducting security checks, apprehending trespassers or thieves, and directing security during derailments, floods, or fires. Most of the workers in this occupation (1,620) work in New York State.
You need at least a high school diploma or GED and moderate on-the-job training to work as a transit or railroad police officer.
12. Transportation Inspectors
- Median annual earnings: $73,780
- Employment: 29,990
A transportation inspector inspects goods and equipment being transported by boat, plane, truck, or train to ensure cargo and people are transported safely. This occupation includes aviation inspectors, transportation vehicle inspectors, and freight and cargo inspectors.
Transportation inspectors need at least a high school diploma or GED and moderate on-the-job training.
13. First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers
- Median annual earnings: $73,390
- Employment: 247,570
First-line supervisors in this occupation oversee sales workers (but not retail sales workers). Duties include budgeting, accounting, and supervising and managing employees. Most work for an electronics or appliance store, a credit card company or lender, or a wholesaler of durable goods.
Entry requirements for this occupation include a high school diploma or GED and several years of related work experience.
14. Gas Plant Operators
- Median annual salary: $71,070
- Employment: 14,620
Gas plant operators typically work for utility companies. They operate the equipment used to monitor, manipulate, and distribute natural gas. Other duties include keeping records, cleaning and maintaining equipment, and directing other workers.
If you want to work as a gas plant operator, you’ll need at least a high school diploma or GED and long-term on-the-job training.
15. Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers
- Median annual salary: $70,910
- Employment: 114,800
Electrical power-line installers and repairers install new poles, cables, and wires used to bring electricity to homes and businesses. These employees typically work in the following industries: electric power generation, transmission, and distribution; utility system construction; and local government.
For an entry-level job in this field, you need at least a high school diploma or equivalent, technical instruction, and long-term on-the-job training. Some companies offer apprenticeship programs too.
Which Highest Paying Job Without a College Degree is Right for You?
Don’t choose a career solely based on potential earnings. Earning enough to live off is important, but it’s also important to pursue a career that you’d enjoy and excel in. Click on each of the jobs above to learn more about the duties and responsibilities. Does anything seem interesting to you?
If nothing listed above catches your interest, visit this interactive chart from the BLS to see other career options that don’t require a college degree.
