Highest paying jobs in America that don't require a degree
These occupations pay well in America and typically require less than a bachelor's degree to enter — a high school diploma, a postsecondary certificate, or an associate's degree. Entry requirements come from the BLS Employment Projections program and describe what is typical, not mandatory.
Wages: BLS OEWS, May 2025
| # | Occupation | MedianUnited States | 10th–90th percentilemiddle half shaded darker | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Air Traffic ControllersAssociate's degree | $148,080 | $78,420 – $215,610 | 22,510 |
| 2 | Commercial PilotsPostsecondary nondegree award | $123,220 | $58,850 – $266,620 | 47,630 |
| 3 | Nuclear Power Reactor OperatorsHigh school diploma or equivalent | $122,890 | $98,640 – $149,310 | 5,150 |
| 4 | Nuclear TechniciansAssociate's degree | $110,240 | $73,150 – $133,600 | 6,470 |
| 5 | Elevator and Escalator Installers and RepairersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $109,910 | $59,270 – $158,890 | 23,790 |
| 6 | Ship EngineersPostsecondary nondegree award | $109,530 | $57,870 – $165,490 | 8,400 |
| 7 | Transportation, Storage, and Distribution ManagersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $107,230 | $65,120 – $194,900 | 221,180 |
| 8 | Power Distributors and DispatchersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $106,730 | $72,440 – $154,270 | 8,520 |
| 9 | First-Line Supervisors of Police and DetectivesHigh school diploma or equivalent | $106,040 | $63,350 – $165,110 | 154,610 |
| 10 | Radiation TherapistsAssociate's degree | $105,310 | $80,560 – $156,710 | 17,070 |
| 11 | Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Powerhouse, Substation, and RelayPostsecondary nondegree award | $103,020 | $65,730 – $129,920 | 20,720 |
| 12 | Power Plant OperatorsHigh school diploma or equivalent | $102,040 | $61,790 – $131,940 | 29,320 |
| 13 | Nuclear Medicine TechnologistsAssociate's degree | $101,370 | $78,080 – $134,500 | 17,080 |
| 14 | Dental HygienistsAssociate's degree | $98,100 | $74,880 – $126,050 | 222,740 |
| 15 | Makeup Artists, Theatrical and PerformancePostsecondary nondegree award | $97,150 | $23,360 – $167,470 | 2,340 |
| 16 | Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and GaugersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $96,710 | $57,110 – $115,880 | 33,160 |
| 17 | Postmasters and Mail SuperintendentsHigh school diploma or equivalent | $96,660 | $85,090 – $111,740 | 13,810 |
| 18 | Diagnostic Medical SonographersAssociate's degree | $96,590 | $67,820 – $129,370 | 90,160 |
| 19 | Magnetic Resonance Imaging TechnologistsAssociate's degree | $95,480 | $68,890 – $127,670 | 43,390 |
| 20 | Electrical Power-Line Installers and RepairersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $95,320 | $51,470 – $128,690 | 131,070 |
| 21 | Detectives and Criminal InvestigatorsHigh school diploma or equivalent | $93,790 | $55,390 – $160,540 | 114,430 |
| 22 | First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention WorkersPostsecondary nondegree award | $93,530 | $53,430 – $140,010 | 99,140 |
| 23 | Gambling ManagersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $93,220 | $55,960 – $164,350 | 5,030 |
| 24 | Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water VesselsPostsecondary nondegree award | $92,460 | $47,420 – $170,640 | 36,850 |
| 25 | Signal and Track Switch RepairersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $92,460 | $62,610 – $119,550 | 8,720 |
| 26 | Transportation InspectorsHigh school diploma or equivalent | $92,100 | $40,330 – $138,670 | 24,500 |
| 27 | Transit and Railroad PoliceHigh school diploma or equivalent | $90,230 | $57,690 – $125,910 | 4,390 |
| 28 | Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural ManagersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $89,900 | $54,320 – $160,020 | 6,500 |
| 29 | Gas Plant OperatorsHigh school diploma or equivalent | $87,820 | $61,350 – $115,520 | 18,030 |
| 30 | First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales WorkersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $87,520 | $50,320 – $164,070 | 214,390 |
| 31 | Subway and Streetcar OperatorsHigh school diploma or equivalent | $86,380 | $55,180 – $90,140 | 10,200 |
| 32 | Electrical and Electronics Installers and Repairers, Transportation EquipmentPostsecondary nondegree award | $84,890 | $50,750 – $116,810 | 6,940 |
| 33 | Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and TechniciansAssociate's degree | $82,890 | $59,050 – $125,160 | 11,280 |
| 34 | Respiratory TherapistsAssociate's degree | $82,280 | $63,660 – $118,050 | 139,790 |
| 35 | Avionics TechniciansPostsecondary nondegree award | $82,280 | $49,410 – $113,680 | 18,830 |
| 36 | Locomotive EngineersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $81,410 | $60,680 – $109,220 | 33,470 |
| 37 | Radiologic Technologists and TechniciansAssociate's degree | $80,110 | $55,980 – $118,660 | 230,490 |
| 38 | First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction WorkersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $79,920 | $53,280 – $128,260 | 812,210 |
| 39 | Aircraft Mechanics and Service TechniciansPostsecondary nondegree award | $79,870 | $48,780 – $128,890 | 138,090 |
| 40 | First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and RepairersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $79,860 | $49,600 – $126,790 | 617,500 |
| 41 | Funeral Home ManagersAssociate's degree | $78,790 | $49,700 – $156,400 | 13,910 |
| 42 | Stationary Engineers and Boiler OperatorsHigh school diploma or equivalent | $78,620 | $50,590 – $125,390 | 28,250 |
| 43 | Roof Bolters, MiningHigh school diploma or equivalent | $78,540 | $63,750 – $92,830 | 2,160 |
| 44 | Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All OtherAssociate's degree | $78,350 | $47,030 – $118,330 | 59,930 |
| 45 | Insurance Appraisers, Auto DamagePostsecondary nondegree award | $78,240 | $58,360 – $101,590 | 11,560 |
| 46 | Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and TechniciansAssociate's degree | $78,190 | $49,510 – $115,700 | 95,130 |
| 47 | Chemical Plant and System OperatorsHigh school diploma or equivalent | $78,120 | $48,400 – $111,930 | 16,610 |
| 48 | Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and InvestigatorsHigh school diploma or equivalent | $78,000 | $48,850 – $117,040 | 324,230 |
| 49 | Railroad Conductors and YardmastersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $78,000 | $58,740 – $109,770 | 46,440 |
| 50 | First-Line Supervisors of Correctional OfficersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $77,970 | $52,330 – $127,780 | 53,380 |