Highest paying jobs in New York that don't require a degree
These occupations pay well in New York 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 | MedianNew York | 10th–90th percentilemiddle half shaded darker | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Commercial PilotsPostsecondary nondegree award | $177,430 | $63,080 – $297,680 | 1,070 |
| 2 | ChoreographersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $173,100 | $48,470 – $333,210 | 340 |
| 3 | Commercial DiversPostsecondary nondegree award | $157,800 | $62,400 – $157,820 | 170 |
| 4 | Air Traffic ControllersAssociate's degree | $144,960 | $74,320 – $225,680 | 1,150 |
| 5 | Power Distributors and DispatchersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $139,390 | $98,920 – $159,400 | 150 |
| 6 | Elevator and Escalator Installers and RepairersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $135,720 | $78,180 – $168,370 | 3,470 |
| 7 | Ship EngineersPostsecondary nondegree award | $133,640 | $65,040 – $174,260 | 550 |
| 8 | First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention WorkersPostsecondary nondegree award | $132,520 | $87,670 – $158,510 | 4,100 |
| 9 | Nuclear TechniciansAssociate's degree | $129,780 | $99,820 – $171,470 | 260 |
| 10 | Radiation TherapistsAssociate's degree | $129,620 | $88,590 – $163,580 | 820 |
| 11 | Nuclear Power Reactor OperatorsHigh school diploma or equivalent | $129,580 | $102,070 – $158,080 | 230 |
| 12 | Transportation, Storage, and Distribution ManagersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $127,180 | $80,430 – $204,600 | 6,740 |
| 13 | Flight AttendantsHigh school diploma or equivalent | $126,650 | $52,430 – $163,750 | 12,060 |
| 14 | First-Line Supervisors of Police and DetectivesHigh school diploma or equivalent | $124,080 | $94,100 – $189,550 | 12,750 |
| 15 | Terrazzo Workers and FinishersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $123,820 | $74,220 – $126,150 | — |
| 16 | First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales WorkersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $121,780 | $64,490 – $198,130 | 16,870 |
| 17 | Electrical Power-Line Installers and RepairersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $121,280 | $58,740 – $141,160 | 5,840 |
| 18 | Plasterers and Stucco MasonsNo formal educational credential | $120,180 | $52,060 – $120,210 | — |
| 19 | Nuclear Medicine TechnologistsAssociate's degree | $118,650 | $96,870 – $134,400 | 890 |
| 20 | Magnetic Resonance Imaging TechnologistsAssociate's degree | $113,270 | $81,180 – $133,420 | 3,240 |
| 21 | Locomotive EngineersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $109,220 | $61,110 – $110,280 | 1,510 |
| 22 | Respiratory TherapistsAssociate's degree | $107,810 | $81,270 – $131,500 | 7,010 |
| 23 | ModelsNo formal educational credential | $107,280 | $44,720 – $213,740 | — |
| 24 | Power Plant OperatorsHigh school diploma or equivalent | $106,990 | $64,580 – $142,310 | 1,960 |
| 25 | Dental HygienistsAssociate's degree | $106,130 | $77,680 – $126,640 | 13,660 |
| 26 | RiggersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $105,600 | $47,610 – $129,780 | 650 |
| 27 | Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water VesselsPostsecondary nondegree award | $104,800 | $54,850 – $165,360 | 1,930 |
| 28 | Diagnostic Medical SonographersAssociate's degree | $103,920 | $79,630 – $127,120 | 6,880 |
| 29 | Funeral Home ManagersAssociate's degree | $103,530 | $61,360 – $212,540 | 820 |
| 30 | First-Line Supervisors of Correctional OfficersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $103,320 | $79,770 – $126,510 | 3,380 |
| 31 | Real Estate Sales AgentsHigh school diploma or equivalent | $102,990 | $48,350 – $178,710 | 8,660 |
| 32 | Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Workers, All OtherPostsecondary nondegree award | $102,990 | $58,000 – $170,210 | 1,110 |
| 33 | Aircraft Mechanics and Service TechniciansPostsecondary nondegree award | $102,800 | $63,380 – $240,310 | 4,300 |
| 34 | Gambling ManagersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $102,350 | $78,520 – $151,500 | 180 |
| 35 | Court Reporters and Simultaneous CaptionersPostsecondary nondegree award | $101,990 | $60,360 – $143,790 | 1,400 |
| 36 | Detectives and Criminal InvestigatorsHigh school diploma or equivalent | $101,240 | $62,130 – $166,800 | 9,600 |
| 37 | Fabric and Apparel PatternmakersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $101,230 | $56,880 – $151,340 | 670 |
| 38 | Control and Valve Installers and Repairers, Except Mechanical DoorHigh school diploma or equivalent | $101,150 | $58,490 – $128,240 | 4,170 |
| 39 | FirefightersPostsecondary nondegree award | $100,960 | $56,390 – $106,440 | 12,950 |
| 40 | Telecommunications Line Installers and RepairersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $100,960 | $50,470 – $120,090 | 8,530 |
| 41 | Property, Real Estate, and Community Association ManagersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $99,390 | $57,510 – $208,740 | 11,390 |
| 42 | Radiologic Technologists and TechniciansAssociate's degree | $98,470 | $67,540 – $129,310 | 13,450 |
| 43 | Gas Plant OperatorsHigh school diploma or equivalent | $98,390 | $70,460 – $119,950 | 240 |
| 44 | Advertising Sales AgentsHigh school diploma or equivalent | $98,360 | $49,560 – $178,600 | 13,570 |
| 45 | Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Powerhouse, Substation, and RelayPostsecondary nondegree award | $98,310 | $71,930 – $129,980 | 3,160 |
| 46 | Reinforcing Iron and Rebar WorkersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $98,040 | $65,910 – $134,310 | 1,110 |
| 47 | Postmasters and Mail SuperintendentsHigh school diploma or equivalent | $97,640 | $88,920 – $111,860 | 830 |
| 48 | Makeup Artists, Theatrical and PerformancePostsecondary nondegree award | $97,150 | $78,260 – $192,840 | 190 |
| 49 | Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and BlastersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $96,940 | $72,650 – $123,160 | — |
| 50 | First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction WorkersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $95,700 | $61,240 – $140,210 | 29,600 |