High paying jobs in Minnesota that need no experience
Every occupation here pays well in Minnesota, requires no bachelor's degree, and requires no prior experience in a related job. That second filter is what separates this from the no-degree list, which is topped by supervisor roles asking five years in the trade before they will look at you. Several of these do involve months of training — but the employer provides it, and pays you during it, which is a feature rather than a barrier. Entry requirements come from the BLS Employment Projections program and describe what is typical, not mandatory.
Cost of living: prices in Minnesota run 1.4% below the national average (2024), so a Minnesota salary is worth about 1.01× its face value in national terms. That scales every wage here by the same factor — it changes what the numbers mean, not their order. To see where a job pays a real premium, use jobs that pay more in Minnesota.
Wages: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Cost of living: BEA regional price parities, 2024
High school diploma or equivalent
$78,390 – $122,1102,190Associate's degree
$82,110 – $120,2704,110Associate's degree
$84,020 – $120,2201,710Associate's degree
$79,060 – $110,0501,250High school diploma or equivalent
$65,420 – $100,9801,040High school diploma or equivalent
$48,720 – $121,05010,720High school diploma or equivalent
$72,540 – $125,900970Associate's degree
$66,520 – $115,4801,040Associate's degree
$67,080 – $106,1004,910High school diploma or equivalent
$60,670 – $106,1609,160Postsecondary nondegree award
$52,100 – $133,0202,390Postsecondary nondegree award
$60,590 – $100,6101,240Postsecondary nondegree award
$62,820 – $98,4701,770High school diploma or equivalent
$54,450 – $98,6902,890High school diploma or equivalent
$55,960 – $101,9308,590Associate's degree
$61,860 – $95,6402,030High school diploma or equivalent
$49,350 – $161,03010,010High school diploma or equivalent
$58,110 – $106,2705,530Associate's degree
$55,740 – $101,2501,540High school diploma or equivalent
$47,480 – $118,82014,350- 21Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products$76,750
High school diploma or equivalent
$46,680 – $136,84031,230 Postsecondary nondegree award
$48,220 – $100,0304,200Associate's degree
$52,940 – $104,9702,930High school diploma or equivalent
$61,620 – $98,6101,440Associate's degree
$47,730 – $102,9207,400- 26Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel$75,370
High school diploma or equivalent
$40,810 – $146,20019,220 Postsecondary nondegree award
$45,040 – $89,6301,900High school diploma or equivalent
$52,130 – $87,2502,290No formal educational credential
$46,020 – $99,1701,890Postsecondary nondegree award
$51,200 – $89,9701,250Associate's degree
$42,610 – $103,2402,080High school diploma or equivalent
$49,580 – $96,0201,130High school diploma or equivalent
$51,560 – $95,0501,060Associate's degree
$52,380 – $100,0801,220High school diploma or equivalent
$47,520 – $116,9902,980High school diploma or equivalent
$52,040 – $97,6006,510Associate's degree
$48,970 – $106,650950Postsecondary nondegree award
$49,510 – $93,2301,150Associate's degree
$52,000 – $98,1101,930Associate's degree
$50,760 – $95,6805,380High school diploma or equivalent
$49,810 – $90,5207,300No formal educational credential
$49,380 – $98,6103,070Associate's degree
$58,010 – $77,4201,230High school diploma or equivalent
$54,400 – $84,9601,460High school diploma or equivalent
$54,060 – $82,3805,350Postsecondary nondegree award
$46,960 – $76,1105,980High school diploma or equivalent
$46,590 – $99,13014,930Postsecondary nondegree award
$51,700 – $77,38012,840Some college, no degree
$47,840 – $95,22015,320High school diploma or equivalent
$45,750 – $93,2902,410
Bars run from the 10th to the 90th percentile; the middle half is shaded darker, and the tick is the median.
| # | Occupation | MedianMinnesota | 10th–90th percentilemiddle half shaded darker | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Electrical Power-Line Installers and RepairersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $104,180 | $78,390 – $122,110 | 2,190 |
| 2 | Dental HygienistsAssociate's degree | $103,970 | $82,110 – $120,270 | 4,110 |
| 3 | Diagnostic Medical SonographersAssociate's degree | $102,850 | $84,020 – $120,220 | 1,710 |
| 4 | Respiratory TherapistsAssociate's degree | $98,710 | $79,060 – $110,050 | 1,250 |
| 5 | Brickmasons and BlockmasonsHigh school diploma or equivalent | $95,220 | $65,420 – $100,980 | 1,040 |
| 6 | Plumbers, Pipefitters, and SteamfittersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $94,410 | $48,720 – $121,050 | 10,720 |
| 7 | Power Plant OperatorsHigh school diploma or equivalent | $94,390 | $72,540 – $125,900 | 970 |
| 8 | Health Information Technologists and Medical RegistrarsAssociate's degree | $90,760 | $66,520 – $115,480 | 1,040 |
| 9 | Radiologic Technologists and TechniciansAssociate's degree | $83,400 | $67,080 – $106,100 | 4,910 |
| 10 | Police and Sheriff's Patrol OfficersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $83,360 | $60,670 – $106,160 | 9,160 |
| 11 | Aircraft Mechanics and Service TechniciansPostsecondary nondegree award | $81,980 | $52,100 – $133,020 | 2,390 |
| 12 | Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Commercial and Industrial EquipmentPostsecondary nondegree award | $80,220 | $60,590 – $100,610 | 1,240 |
| 13 | Surgical TechnologistsPostsecondary nondegree award | $80,210 | $62,820 – $98,470 | 1,770 |
| 14 | Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except EnginesHigh school diploma or equivalent | $79,370 | $54,450 – $98,690 | 2,890 |
| 15 | Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment OperatorsHigh school diploma or equivalent | $79,130 | $55,960 – $101,930 | 8,590 |
| 16 | Civil Engineering Technologists and TechniciansAssociate's degree | $78,690 | $61,860 – $95,640 | 2,030 |
| 17 | Insurance Sales AgentsHigh school diploma or equivalent | $78,640 | $49,350 – $161,030 | 10,010 |
| 18 | Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and InvestigatorsHigh school diploma or equivalent | $78,350 | $58,110 – $106,270 | 5,530 |
| 19 | Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and TechniciansAssociate's degree | $78,280 | $55,740 – $101,250 | 1,540 |
| 20 | ElectriciansHigh school diploma or equivalent | $78,160 | $47,480 – $118,820 | 14,350 |
| 21 | Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific ProductsHigh school diploma or equivalent | $76,750 | $46,680 – $136,840 | 31,230 |
| 22 | Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and InstallersPostsecondary nondegree award | $76,350 | $48,220 – $100,030 | 4,200 |
| 23 | Computer Network Support SpecialistsAssociate's degree | $76,000 | $52,940 – $104,970 | 2,930 |
| 24 | Stationary Engineers and Boiler OperatorsHigh school diploma or equivalent | $75,850 | $61,620 – $98,610 | 1,440 |
| 25 | Paralegals and Legal AssistantsAssociate's degree | $75,570 | $47,730 – $102,920 | 7,400 |
| 26 | Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and TravelHigh school diploma or equivalent | $75,370 | $40,810 – $146,200 | 19,220 |
| 27 | Telecommunications Equipment Installers and Repairers, Except Line InstallersPostsecondary nondegree award | $75,150 | $45,040 – $89,630 | 1,900 |
| 28 | Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System OperatorsHigh school diploma or equivalent | $74,670 | $52,130 – $87,250 | 2,290 |
| 29 | RoofersNo formal educational credential | $74,490 | $46,020 – $99,170 | 1,890 |
| 30 | Computer Numerically Controlled Tool ProgrammersPostsecondary nondegree award | $74,190 | $51,200 – $89,970 | 1,250 |
| 31 | Medical Equipment RepairersAssociate's degree | $73,940 | $42,610 – $103,240 | 2,080 |
| 32 | Telecommunications Line Installers and RepairersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $73,710 | $49,580 – $96,020 | 1,130 |
| 33 | Surveying and Mapping TechniciansHigh school diploma or equivalent | $73,190 | $51,560 – $95,050 | 1,060 |
| 34 | Mechanical DraftersAssociate's degree | $73,090 | $52,380 – $100,080 | 1,220 |
| 35 | Sheet Metal WorkersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $72,970 | $47,520 – $116,990 | 2,980 |
| 36 | Industrial Machinery MechanicsHigh school diploma or equivalent | $71,960 | $52,040 – $97,600 | 6,510 |
| 37 | Cardiovascular Technologists and TechniciansAssociate's degree | $71,520 | $48,970 – $106,650 | 950 |
| 38 | Tool and Die MakersPostsecondary nondegree award | $71,020 | $49,510 – $93,230 | 1,150 |
| 39 | Architectural and Civil DraftersAssociate's degree | $70,680 | $52,000 – $98,110 | 1,930 |
| 40 | Industrial Engineering Technologists and TechniciansAssociate's degree | $70,490 | $50,760 – $95,680 | 5,380 |
| 41 | Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine SpecialistsHigh school diploma or equivalent | $66,840 | $49,810 – $90,520 | 7,300 |
| 42 | Cement Masons and Concrete FinishersNo formal educational credential | $66,830 | $49,380 – $98,610 | 3,070 |
| 43 | Physical Therapist AssistantsAssociate's degree | $66,770 | $58,010 – $77,420 | 1,230 |
| 44 | Public Safety TelecommunicatorsHigh school diploma or equivalent | $66,550 | $54,400 – $84,960 | 1,460 |
| 45 | Correctional Officers and JailersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $66,040 | $54,060 – $82,380 | 5,350 |
| 46 | Dental AssistantsPostsecondary nondegree award | $65,270 | $46,960 – $76,110 | 5,980 |
| 47 | CarpentersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $64,930 | $46,590 – $99,130 | 14,930 |
| 48 | Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational NursesPostsecondary nondegree award | $63,750 | $51,700 – $77,380 | 12,840 |
| 49 | Computer User Support SpecialistsSome college, no degree | $63,630 | $47,840 – $95,220 | 15,320 |
| 50 | Legal Secretaries and Administrative AssistantsHigh school diploma or equivalent | $63,180 | $45,750 – $93,290 | 2,410 |
Ranked among the occupations common enough to employ roughly one in every three thousand workers in Minnesota. The rarer ones are real jobs — but a 1,190-person occupation at the top of a list answers a different question than the one most readers are asking.
More for Minnesota
- High paying jobs in Minnesota
- High paying jobs in Minnesota that need no degree
- High paying entry level jobs in Minnesota
- Fastest growing jobs in Minnesota, 2024–34
- Fastest declining jobs in Minnesota, 2024–34
- Jobs that actually got a raise in Minnesota
- Jobs that lost the most to inflation in Minnesota
- Jobs that pay the biggest premium in Minnesota
Metro areas in Minnesota
Pay varies more between metros than between states — the spread inside one state is often wider than the gap between two.
By field in Minnesota
- High paying management jobs in Minnesota
- High paying business and finance jobs in Minnesota
- High paying tech and IT jobs in Minnesota
- High paying engineering and architecture jobs in Minnesota
- High paying science jobs in Minnesota
- High paying social service jobs in Minnesota
- High paying teaching and library jobs in Minnesota
- High paying creative and media jobs in Minnesota
- High paying medical jobs in Minnesota
- High paying healthcare support jobs in Minnesota
- High paying security and protective service jobs in Minnesota
- High paying food service jobs in Minnesota
- High paying personal care jobs in Minnesota
- High paying sales jobs in Minnesota
- High paying office and admin jobs in Minnesota
- High paying construction jobs in Minnesota
- High paying repair and maintenance jobs in Minnesota
- High paying production jobs in Minnesota
- High paying transportation jobs in Minnesota
Without a degree
The same fields, narrowed to what you can enter without one. Fields missing here have too few such occupations in Minnesota to rank honestly.
- High paying engineering and architecture jobs in Minnesota with no degree
- High paying engineering and architecture jobs in Minnesota with no experience
- High paying medical jobs in Minnesota with no degree
- High paying medical jobs in Minnesota with no experience
- High paying healthcare support jobs in Minnesota with no degree
- High paying healthcare support jobs in Minnesota with no experience
- High paying security and protective service jobs in Minnesota with no degree
- High paying food service jobs in Minnesota with no degree
- High paying food service jobs in Minnesota with no experience
- High paying personal care jobs in Minnesota with no degree
- High paying personal care jobs in Minnesota with no experience
- High paying sales jobs in Minnesota with no degree
- High paying sales jobs in Minnesota with no experience
- High paying office and admin jobs in Minnesota with no degree
- High paying office and admin jobs in Minnesota with no experience
- High paying construction jobs in Minnesota with no degree
- High paying construction jobs in Minnesota with no experience
- High paying repair and maintenance jobs in Minnesota with no degree
- High paying repair and maintenance jobs in Minnesota with no experience
- High paying production jobs in Minnesota with no degree
- High paying production jobs in Minnesota with no experience
- High paying transportation jobs in Minnesota with no degree
- High paying transportation jobs in Minnesota with no experience
High paying jobs in each state that need no experience
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Guam
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Puerto Rico
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virgin Islands
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming