Highest paying jobs in Illinois that don't require a degree
These occupations pay well in Illinois 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 | MedianIllinois | 10th–90th percentilemiddle half shaded darker | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Air Traffic ControllersAssociate's degree | $181,560 | $83,990 – $225,680 | 990 |
| 2 | First-Line Supervisors of Police and DetectivesHigh school diploma or equivalent | $135,080 | $81,750 – $162,640 | 4,900 |
| 3 | Elevator and Escalator Installers and RepairersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $133,690 | $67,460 – $166,740 | 1,080 |
| 4 | Commercial PilotsPostsecondary nondegree award | $126,100 | $51,890 – $376,830 | 1,170 |
| 5 | Radiation TherapistsAssociate's degree | $124,600 | $96,340 – $124,850 | — |
| 6 | Nuclear Power Reactor OperatorsHigh school diploma or equivalent | $123,980 | $104,760 – $133,950 | 410 |
| 7 | First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention WorkersPostsecondary nondegree award | $123,500 | $73,690 – $153,820 | 3,240 |
| 8 | Transportation, Storage, and Distribution ManagersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $120,250 | $68,310 – $207,570 | 11,030 |
| 9 | Hoist and Winch OperatorsNo formal educational credential | $118,210 | $118,210 – $118,210 | 320 |
| 10 | Stationary Engineers and Boiler OperatorsHigh school diploma or equivalent | $115,780 | $72,270 – $125,260 | 1,680 |
| 11 | Ship EngineersPostsecondary nondegree award | $115,310 | $52,870 – $136,310 | 110 |
| 12 | TapersNo formal educational credential | $113,180 | $79,230 – $116,500 | 320 |
| 13 | Nuclear TechniciansAssociate's degree | $110,390 | $65,750 – $125,360 | 780 |
| 14 | Electrical Power-Line Installers and RepairersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $108,120 | $72,820 – $129,230 | 3,090 |
| 15 | Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Powerhouse, Substation, and RelayPostsecondary nondegree award | $107,470 | $95,340 – $130,050 | 420 |
| 16 | Terrazzo Workers and FinishersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $107,190 | $43,860 – $107,350 | — |
| 17 | First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction WorkersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $105,750 | $62,500 – $132,590 | 19,340 |
| 18 | Reinforcing Iron and Rebar WorkersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $105,580 | $93,150 – $118,070 | — |
| 19 | First-Line Supervisors of Correctional OfficersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $105,450 | $83,990 – $160,790 | 2,860 |
| 20 | Nuclear Medicine TechnologistsAssociate's degree | $104,950 | $84,590 – $122,800 | 620 |
| 21 | Power Plant OperatorsHigh school diploma or equivalent | $104,440 | $77,330 – $128,040 | 1,160 |
| 22 | Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and GaugersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $102,890 | $93,690 – $111,380 | 1,070 |
| 23 | Structural Iron and Steel WorkersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $101,850 | $64,830 – $124,450 | 2,740 |
| 24 | Power Distributors and DispatchersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $101,470 | $64,360 – $124,310 | 330 |
| 25 | Diagnostic Medical SonographersAssociate's degree | $100,660 | $78,350 – $122,680 | 3,270 |
| 26 | Police and Sheriff's Patrol OfficersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $100,520 | $58,420 – $119,560 | 29,180 |
| 27 | Insulation Workers, MechanicalHigh school diploma or equivalent | $100,400 | $57,350 – $115,290 | 1,100 |
| 28 | Plumbers, Pipefitters, and SteamfittersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $99,950 | $50,250 – $126,430 | 16,750 |
| 29 | BoilermakersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $99,730 | $83,690 – $117,270 | 110 |
| 30 | ElectriciansHigh school diploma or equivalent | $99,560 | $49,240 – $123,660 | 23,120 |
| 31 | Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural ManagersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $99,440 | $64,810 – $147,020 | 120 |
| 32 | Gas Plant OperatorsHigh school diploma or equivalent | $97,810 | $51,880 – $112,700 | 530 |
| 33 | Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment OperatorsHigh school diploma or equivalent | $97,740 | $49,770 – $123,330 | 12,290 |
| 34 | Dental HygienistsAssociate's degree | $96,670 | $74,280 – $118,410 | 8,970 |
| 35 | Signal and Track Switch RepairersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $95,610 | $78,670 – $125,340 | 720 |
| 36 | Magnetic Resonance Imaging TechnologistsAssociate's degree | $95,380 | $77,410 – $109,550 | 2,760 |
| 37 | Postmasters and Mail SuperintendentsHigh school diploma or equivalent | $94,970 | $85,280 – $110,550 | 510 |
| 38 | Plasterers and Stucco MasonsNo formal educational credential | $93,790 | $64,890 – $105,720 | 270 |
| 39 | Locomotive EngineersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $93,320 | $76,190 – $152,420 | 2,340 |
| 40 | Electrical and Electronics Installers and Repairers, Transportation EquipmentPostsecondary nondegree award | $93,300 | $67,160 – $112,310 | 140 |
| 41 | Pump Operators, Except Wellhead PumpersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $92,310 | $62,510 – $116,120 | 50 |
| 42 | Detectives and Criminal InvestigatorsHigh school diploma or equivalent | $91,190 | $53,960 – $157,060 | 3,270 |
| 43 | Brickmasons and BlockmasonsHigh school diploma or equivalent | $89,980 | $47,200 – $109,670 | 2,490 |
| 44 | First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales WorkersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $88,820 | $51,150 – $162,490 | 5,280 |
| 45 | Sheet Metal WorkersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $86,630 | $42,220 – $117,910 | 3,260 |
| 46 | First-Line Supervisors of Protective Service Workers, All OtherHigh school diploma or equivalent | $86,260 | $37,520 – $104,690 | 470 |
| 47 | Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and TechniciansAssociate's degree | $85,510 | $56,960 – $120,900 | 1,980 |
| 48 | Rail Car RepairersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $84,570 | $49,820 – $96,170 | 1,850 |
| 49 | Respiratory TherapistsAssociate's degree | $84,090 | $64,480 – $100,100 | 4,880 |
| 50 | First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and RepairersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $83,180 | $52,740 – $129,210 | 17,710 |