High paying jobs in Pennsylvania that need no experience

Every occupation here pays well in Pennsylvania, 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 Pennsylvania run 2.4% below the national average (2024), so a Pennsylvania salary is worth about 1.02× 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 Pennsylvania.

Wages: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Cost of living: BEA regional price parities, 2024

Find high paying jobs in Pennsylvania

OccupationMedian, Pennsylvania · Employed

1Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers$106,230
High school diploma or equivalent
$64,550 – $122,5104,150
2Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers$85,470
High school diploma or equivalent
$48,680 – $109,78026,510
3Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters$83,610
High school diploma or equivalent
$58,990 – $83,8702,750
4Diagnostic Medical Sonographers$82,710
Associate's degree
$68,370 – $103,5702,980
5Telecommunications Line Installers and Repairers$81,020
High school diploma or equivalent
$46,280 – $100,2003,890
6Dental Hygienists$80,610
Associate's degree
$63,130 – $103,5407,970
7Respiratory Therapists$78,490
Associate's degree
$62,440 – $95,5206,530
8Computer Network Support Specialists$78,310
Associate's degree
$50,140 – $125,9004,170
9Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians$78,000
Postsecondary nondegree award
$48,560 – $136,5102,080
10Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators$77,290
High school diploma or equivalent
$46,360 – $119,98013,270
11Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians$76,070
Associate's degree
$47,950 – $99,9303,470
12Radiologic Technologists and Technicians$76,050
Associate's degree
$56,430 – $97,7408,090
13Firefighters$73,460
Postsecondary nondegree award
$48,620 – $89,1905,020
14Insurance Sales Agents$73,370
High school diploma or equivalent
$39,770 – $163,97019,390
15Occupational Therapy Assistants$71,590
Associate's degree
$55,690 – $77,7902,560
16Brickmasons and Blockmasons$69,560
High school diploma or equivalent
$49,690 – $102,7602,910
17Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters$68,080
High school diploma or equivalent
$46,770 – $134,11013,620
18Electricians$67,600
High school diploma or equivalent
$45,600 – $122,62022,730
19Rolling Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$66,970
High school diploma or equivalent
$48,240 – $70,3103,070
20Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products$66,130
High school diploma or equivalent
$38,980 – $132,42051,270
21Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Commercial and Industrial Equipment$65,960
Postsecondary nondegree award
$41,830 – $89,9802,710
22Telecommunications Equipment Installers and Repairers, Except Line Installers$64,960
Postsecondary nondegree award
$41,510 – $97,8005,220
23Architectural and Civil Drafters$64,800
Associate's degree
$46,740 – $96,6805,370
24Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel$64,480
High school diploma or equivalent
$37,270 – $133,98039,920
25Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses$63,940
Postsecondary nondegree award
$51,500 – $77,75038,260
26Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines$63,870
High school diploma or equivalent
$48,000 – $81,8206,870
27Industrial Machinery Mechanics$63,840
High school diploma or equivalent
$47,510 – $84,62022,160
28Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians$63,650
Associate's degree
$47,740 – $83,8402,290
29Mechanical Drafters$63,480
Associate's degree
$47,700 – $95,1302,330
30Correctional Officers and Jailers$63,460
High school diploma or equivalent
$46,840 – $85,63015,560
31Paralegals and Legal Assistants$63,370
Associate's degree
$45,710 – $96,08014,670
32Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators$63,310
High school diploma or equivalent
$45,670 – $80,4804,660
33Surgical Technologists$62,680
Postsecondary nondegree award
$47,130 – $77,7604,490
34Physical Therapist Assistants$62,580
Associate's degree
$49,610 – $78,0104,270
35Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers$62,400
Postsecondary nondegree award
$45,970 – $89,44015,880
36Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists$61,740
High school diploma or equivalent
$45,910 – $80,44012,630
37Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers$61,610
No formal educational credential
$44,090 – $78,1005,180
38Sheet Metal Workers$61,400
High school diploma or equivalent
$45,660 – $126,4303,260
39Tax Preparers$61,270
High school diploma or equivalent
$31,200 – $103,5702,010
40Tool and Die Makers$61,160
Postsecondary nondegree award
$46,010 – $78,0903,380
41Postal Service Clerks$61,050
No formal educational credential
$42,600 – $75,0303,650
42Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators$60,530
High school diploma or equivalent
$46,780 – $94,93022,120
43Postal Service Mail Carriers$59,880
No formal educational credential
$42,390 – $81,04013,900
44Security and Fire Alarm Systems Installers$59,500
High school diploma or equivalent
$38,290 – $80,2602,650
45Chemical Technicians$59,420
Associate's degree
$41,090 – $85,8902,710
46Carpenters$59,370
High school diploma or equivalent
$42,970 – $92,11030,630
47Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks$59,240
High school diploma or equivalent
$38,920 – $84,1808,790
48Eligibility Interviewers, Government Programs$59,070
High school diploma or equivalent
$47,240 – $75,32010,280
49Computer User Support Specialists$58,670
Some college, no degree
$38,280 – $84,79030,560
50Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers$58,580
Postsecondary nondegree award
$43,560 – $78,33087,550

Bars run from the 10th to the 90th percentile; the middle half is shaded darker, and the tick is the median.

#	Occupation	MedianPennsylvania	10th–90th percentilemiddle half shaded darker	Employed
1	Electrical Power-Line Installers and RepairersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$106,230	$64,550 – $122,510	4,150
2	Police and Sheriff's Patrol OfficersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$85,470	$48,680 – $109,780	26,510
3	Railroad Conductors and YardmastersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$83,610	$58,990 – $83,870	2,750
4	Diagnostic Medical SonographersAssociate's degree	$82,710	$68,370 – $103,570	2,980
5	Telecommunications Line Installers and RepairersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$81,020	$46,280 – $100,200	3,890
6	Dental HygienistsAssociate's degree	$80,610	$63,130 – $103,540	7,970
7	Respiratory TherapistsAssociate's degree	$78,490	$62,440 – $95,520	6,530
8	Computer Network Support SpecialistsAssociate's degree	$78,310	$50,140 – $125,900	4,170
9	Aircraft Mechanics and Service TechniciansPostsecondary nondegree award	$78,000	$48,560 – $136,510	2,080
10	Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and InvestigatorsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$77,290	$46,360 – $119,980	13,270
11	Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and TechniciansAssociate's degree	$76,070	$47,950 – $99,930	3,470
12	Radiologic Technologists and TechniciansAssociate's degree	$76,050	$56,430 – $97,740	8,090
13	FirefightersPostsecondary nondegree award	$73,460	$48,620 – $89,190	5,020
14	Insurance Sales AgentsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$73,370	$39,770 – $163,970	19,390
15	Occupational Therapy AssistantsAssociate's degree	$71,590	$55,690 – $77,790	2,560
16	Brickmasons and BlockmasonsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$69,560	$49,690 – $102,760	2,910
17	Plumbers, Pipefitters, and SteamfittersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$68,080	$46,770 – $134,110	13,620
18	ElectriciansHigh school diploma or equivalent	$67,600	$45,600 – $122,620	22,730
19	Rolling Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and PlasticHigh school diploma or equivalent	$66,970	$48,240 – $70,310	3,070
20	Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific ProductsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$66,130	$38,980 – $132,420	51,270
21	Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Commercial and Industrial EquipmentPostsecondary nondegree award	$65,960	$41,830 – $89,980	2,710
22	Telecommunications Equipment Installers and Repairers, Except Line InstallersPostsecondary nondegree award	$64,960	$41,510 – $97,800	5,220
23	Architectural and Civil DraftersAssociate's degree	$64,800	$46,740 – $96,680	5,370
24	Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and TravelHigh school diploma or equivalent	$64,480	$37,270 – $133,980	39,920
25	Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational NursesPostsecondary nondegree award	$63,940	$51,500 – $77,750	38,260
26	Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except EnginesHigh school diploma or equivalent	$63,870	$48,000 – $81,820	6,870
27	Industrial Machinery MechanicsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$63,840	$47,510 – $84,620	22,160
28	Civil Engineering Technologists and TechniciansAssociate's degree	$63,650	$47,740 – $83,840	2,290
29	Mechanical DraftersAssociate's degree	$63,480	$47,700 – $95,130	2,330
30	Correctional Officers and JailersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$63,460	$46,840 – $85,630	15,560
31	Paralegals and Legal AssistantsAssociate's degree	$63,370	$45,710 – $96,080	14,670
32	Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System OperatorsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$63,310	$45,670 – $80,480	4,660
33	Surgical TechnologistsPostsecondary nondegree award	$62,680	$47,130 – $77,760	4,490
34	Physical Therapist AssistantsAssociate's degree	$62,580	$49,610 – $78,010	4,270
35	Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and InstallersPostsecondary nondegree award	$62,400	$45,970 – $89,440	15,880
36	Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine SpecialistsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$61,740	$45,910 – $80,440	12,630
37	Cement Masons and Concrete FinishersNo formal educational credential	$61,610	$44,090 – $78,100	5,180
38	Sheet Metal WorkersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$61,400	$45,660 – $126,430	3,260
39	Tax PreparersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$61,270	$31,200 – $103,570	2,010
40	Tool and Die MakersPostsecondary nondegree award	$61,160	$46,010 – $78,090	3,380
41	Postal Service ClerksNo formal educational credential	$61,050	$42,600 – $75,030	3,650
42	Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment OperatorsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$60,530	$46,780 – $94,930	22,120
43	Postal Service Mail CarriersNo formal educational credential	$59,880	$42,390 – $81,040	13,900
44	Security and Fire Alarm Systems InstallersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$59,500	$38,290 – $80,260	2,650
45	Chemical TechniciansAssociate's degree	$59,420	$41,090 – $85,890	2,710
46	CarpentersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$59,370	$42,970 – $92,110	30,630
47	Production, Planning, and Expediting ClerksHigh school diploma or equivalent	$59,240	$38,920 – $84,180	8,790
48	Eligibility Interviewers, Government ProgramsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$59,070	$47,240 – $75,320	10,280
49	Computer User Support SpecialistsSome college, no degree	$58,670	$38,280 – $84,790	30,560
50	Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck DriversPostsecondary nondegree award	$58,580	$43,560 – $78,330	87,550

Ranked among the occupations common enough to employ roughly one in every three thousand workers in Pennsylvania. 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 Pennsylvania

Metro areas in Pennsylvania

Pay varies more between metros than between states — the spread inside one state is often wider than the gap between two.

By field in Pennsylvania

Without a degree

The same fields, narrowed to what you can enter without one. Fields missing here have too few such occupations in Pennsylvania to rank honestly.

High paying jobs in Pennsylvania that need no experience

More for Pennsylvania

Metro areas in Pennsylvania

By field in Pennsylvania

Without a degree

High paying jobs in each state that need no experience