Highest paying jobs in California that don't require a degree
These occupations pay well in California 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 | MedianCalifornia | 10th–90th percentilemiddle half shaded darker | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Radiation TherapistsAssociate's degree | $166,450 | $130,150 – $208,100 | 1,720 |
| 2 | Commercial PilotsPostsecondary nondegree award | $165,590 | $63,890 – $500,170 | 4,900 |
| 3 | First-Line Supervisors of Police and DetectivesHigh school diploma or equivalent | $163,960 | $121,720 – $204,500 | 13,200 |
| 4 | Nuclear Medicine TechnologistsAssociate's degree | $162,380 | $122,760 – $200,990 | 1,500 |
| 5 | Air Traffic ControllersAssociate's degree | $160,080 | $80,960 – $225,680 | 2,290 |
| 6 | Elevator and Escalator Installers and RepairersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $141,180 | $74,670 – $173,920 | 1,910 |
| 7 | Makeup Artists, Theatrical and PerformancePostsecondary nondegree award | $140,870 | $76,340 – $169,590 | 830 |
| 8 | Power Distributors and DispatchersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $137,570 | $101,200 – $209,200 | 670 |
| 9 | First-Line Supervisors of Correctional OfficersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $131,210 | $108,830 – $155,600 | 4,550 |
| 10 | Gas Plant OperatorsHigh school diploma or equivalent | $130,220 | $92,610 – $140,400 | 800 |
| 11 | Electrical Power-Line Installers and RepairersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $129,040 | $77,350 – $167,090 | 8,930 |
| 12 | Diagnostic Medical SonographersAssociate's degree | $128,530 | $62,890 – $177,780 | 10,110 |
| 13 | First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention WorkersPostsecondary nondegree award | $127,630 | $80,910 – $204,160 | 8,170 |
| 14 | Dental HygienistsAssociate's degree | $124,930 | $102,090 – $151,920 | 24,500 |
| 15 | Detectives and Criminal InvestigatorsHigh school diploma or equivalent | $124,840 | $78,280 – $165,510 | 12,610 |
| 16 | Magnetic Resonance Imaging TechnologistsAssociate's degree | $124,000 | $74,360 – $174,030 | 3,570 |
| 17 | Transportation, Storage, and Distribution ManagersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $123,780 | $71,260 – $208,420 | 30,540 |
| 18 | Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Powerhouse, Substation, and RelayPostsecondary nondegree award | $121,520 | $76,440 – $165,540 | 1,680 |
| 19 | Radiologic Technologists and TechniciansAssociate's degree | $121,260 | $70,210 – $165,460 | 20,900 |
| 20 | Insulation Workers, MechanicalHigh school diploma or equivalent | $119,690 | $57,700 – $165,540 | 1,310 |
| 21 | Police and Sheriff's Patrol OfficersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $118,880 | $76,300 – $153,190 | 65,940 |
| 22 | BoilermakersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $118,150 | $83,960 – $136,900 | 720 |
| 23 | Court Reporters and Simultaneous CaptionersPostsecondary nondegree award | $116,020 | $55,280 – $142,930 | 1,400 |
| 24 | Pile Driver OperatorsHigh school diploma or equivalent | $110,340 | $71,630 – $135,780 | 480 |
| 25 | Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water VesselsPostsecondary nondegree award | $110,090 | $56,060 – $348,100 | 2,420 |
| 26 | Watch and Clock RepairersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $110,050 | $46,090 – $125,960 | — |
| 27 | Transit and Railroad PoliceHigh school diploma or equivalent | $109,650 | $77,230 – $109,680 | 100 |
| 28 | Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural ManagersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $109,140 | $73,790 – $174,810 | 1,650 |
| 29 | Power Plant OperatorsHigh school diploma or equivalent | $105,210 | $63,510 – $171,800 | 2,610 |
| 30 | Respiratory TherapistsAssociate's degree | $104,820 | $77,010 – $145,510 | 18,650 |
| 31 | Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and GaugersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $103,250 | $72,930 – $128,840 | 3,360 |
| 32 | Media and Communication Workers, All OtherHigh school diploma or equivalent | $102,630 | $44,140 – $170,410 | 9,940 |
| 33 | Commercial DiversPostsecondary nondegree award | $101,540 | $39,980 – $152,760 | 310 |
| 34 | Construction and Building InspectorsHigh school diploma or equivalent | $101,290 | $56,220 – $161,550 | 13,420 |
| 35 | Postmasters and Mail SuperintendentsHigh school diploma or equivalent | $101,150 | $85,570 – $122,930 | 800 |
| 36 | Craft ArtistsNo formal educational credential | $100,540 | $55,290 – $204,390 | 170 |
| 37 | Control and Valve Installers and Repairers, Except Mechanical DoorHigh school diploma or equivalent | $100,260 | $60,360 – $137,030 | 4,310 |
| 38 | Nuclear TechniciansAssociate's degree | $99,270 | $58,830 – $115,630 | — |
| 39 | Fire Inspectors and InvestigatorsPostsecondary nondegree award | $99,230 | $60,080 – $150,590 | 1,350 |
| 40 | Gambling ManagersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $99,230 | $72,630 – $185,670 | 620 |
| 41 | Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and TechniciansAssociate's degree | $99,000 | $71,990 – $161,650 | 1,560 |
| 42 | Telecommunications Line Installers and RepairersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $97,980 | $60,260 – $106,230 | 8,810 |
| 43 | First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction WorkersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $97,680 | $60,690 – $156,530 | 71,750 |
| 44 | Ship EngineersPostsecondary nondegree award | $97,660 | $80,820 – $169,280 | 610 |
| 45 | Forest Fire Inspectors and Prevention SpecialistsHigh school diploma or equivalent | $97,370 | $56,790 – $169,670 | 480 |
| 46 | Correctional Officers and JailersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $96,370 | $63,380 – $114,730 | 37,860 |
| 47 | Lighting TechniciansPostsecondary nondegree award | $94,070 | $50,910 – $159,610 | 2,950 |
| 48 | First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and RepairersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $93,660 | $56,720 – $154,820 | 51,670 |
| 49 | Model Makers, Metal and PlasticHigh school diploma or equivalent | $92,960 | $59,800 – $153,640 | 260 |
| 50 | First-Line Supervisors of Protective Service Workers, All OtherHigh school diploma or equivalent | $92,690 | $50,100 – $112,050 | 2,330 |