Highest paying jobs in Texas that don't require a degree
These occupations pay well in Texas 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 | MedianTexas | 10th–90th percentilemiddle half shaded darker | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Air Traffic ControllersAssociate's degree | $170,080 | $90,420 – $222,230 | 2,060 |
| 2 | Commercial PilotsPostsecondary nondegree award | $137,960 | $68,460 – $259,990 | 4,120 |
| 3 | Ship EngineersPostsecondary nondegree award | $127,810 | $93,560 – $150,460 | 660 |
| 4 | Nuclear TechniciansAssociate's degree | $124,060 | $101,190 – $126,960 | 110 |
| 5 | Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water VesselsPostsecondary nondegree award | $111,390 | $64,850 – $170,800 | 3,400 |
| 6 | First-Line Supervisors of Police and DetectivesHigh school diploma or equivalent | $111,000 | $70,910 – $149,570 | 5,540 |
| 7 | Court Reporters and Simultaneous CaptionersPostsecondary nondegree award | $110,080 | $54,520 – $137,410 | 1,270 |
| 8 | Gambling ManagersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $106,670 | $60,680 – $171,770 | 60 |
| 9 | Radiation TherapistsAssociate's degree | $105,770 | $88,840 – $134,320 | 1,000 |
| 10 | Power Distributors and DispatchersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $102,890 | $75,990 – $126,920 | 970 |
| 11 | Chemical Plant and System OperatorsHigh school diploma or equivalent | $102,750 | $52,460 – $124,220 | 2,360 |
| 12 | Power Plant OperatorsHigh school diploma or equivalent | $102,510 | $55,500 – $127,710 | 2,100 |
| 13 | Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Powerhouse, Substation, and RelayPostsecondary nondegree award | $102,470 | $63,840 – $129,870 | 2,360 |
| 14 | Elevator and Escalator Installers and RepairersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $102,140 | $55,820 – $121,800 | 2,030 |
| 15 | Transportation InspectorsHigh school diploma or equivalent | $101,440 | $43,020 – $149,430 | 2,290 |
| 16 | Nuclear Medicine TechnologistsAssociate's degree | $101,170 | $81,330 – $124,530 | 1,060 |
| 17 | Transportation, Storage, and Distribution ManagersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $100,700 | $63,380 – $177,340 | 28,710 |
| 18 | Dental HygienistsAssociate's degree | $99,240 | $71,530 – $117,890 | 16,380 |
| 19 | Postmasters and Mail SuperintendentsHigh school diploma or equivalent | $97,550 | $87,110 – $112,800 | 820 |
| 20 | Magnetic Resonance Imaging TechnologistsAssociate's degree | $96,780 | $76,920 – $114,160 | 2,930 |
| 21 | Diagnostic Medical SonographersAssociate's degree | $92,580 | $64,360 – $106,090 | 6,960 |
| 22 | Detectives and Criminal InvestigatorsHigh school diploma or equivalent | $90,510 | $52,510 – $132,850 | 18,870 |
| 23 | Hydrologic TechniciansAssociate's degree | $88,400 | $47,360 – $122,000 | 270 |
| 24 | Electrical and Electronics Installers and Repairers, Transportation EquipmentPostsecondary nondegree award | $86,520 | $60,740 – $108,350 | 580 |
| 25 | Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural ManagersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $85,990 | $43,240 – $129,560 | 610 |
| 26 | Signal and Track Switch RepairersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $85,020 | $52,830 – $85,360 | 650 |
| 27 | Aircraft Mechanics and Service TechniciansPostsecondary nondegree award | $84,440 | $48,600 – $122,180 | 16,850 |
| 28 | Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and GaugersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $84,100 | $45,670 – $108,650 | 10,510 |
| 29 | Fire Inspectors and InvestigatorsPostsecondary nondegree award | $82,390 | $55,620 – $102,150 | 1,030 |
| 30 | Gas Compressor and Gas Pumping Station OperatorsHigh school diploma or equivalent | $82,120 | $57,270 – $94,740 | 1,350 |
| 31 | Avionics TechniciansPostsecondary nondegree award | $81,950 | $47,880 – $106,820 | 1,710 |
| 32 | First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention WorkersPostsecondary nondegree award | $81,710 | $60,260 – $118,590 | 8,660 |
| 33 | Occupational Therapy AssistantsAssociate's degree | $81,500 | $60,980 – $95,900 | 5,610 |
| 34 | Electrical and Electronics DraftersAssociate's degree | $80,620 | $49,920 – $107,710 | 1,840 |
| 35 | Athletes and Sports CompetitorsNo formal educational credential | $80,510 | $25,340 – $878,190 | 1,840 |
| 36 | Gas Plant OperatorsHigh school diploma or equivalent | $79,910 | $61,990 – $98,840 | 2,550 |
| 37 | Respiratory TherapistsAssociate's degree | $79,540 | $61,310 – $99,690 | 12,130 |
| 38 | Mechanical DraftersAssociate's degree | $79,380 | $52,000 – $106,080 | 4,630 |
| 39 | Insurance Appraisers, Auto DamagePostsecondary nondegree award | $79,200 | $49,340 – $101,500 | 910 |
| 40 | Locomotive EngineersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $79,000 | $58,700 – $79,310 | 3,780 |
| 41 | Electrical Power-Line Installers and RepairersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $78,940 | $46,760 – $107,550 | 17,280 |
| 42 | Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and InvestigatorsHigh school diploma or equivalent | $78,800 | $46,560 – $116,610 | 29,220 |
| 43 | Radiologic Technologists and TechniciansAssociate's degree | $78,630 | $48,550 – $102,630 | 20,250 |
| 44 | Transit and Railroad PoliceHigh school diploma or equivalent | $78,480 | $53,710 – $111,280 | 80 |
| 45 | Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and TechniciansAssociate's degree | $78,350 | $56,000 – $119,840 | 950 |
| 46 | Physical Therapist AssistantsAssociate's degree | $78,000 | $43,900 – $99,640 | 10,510 |
| 47 | Radio, Cellular, and Tower Equipment Installers and RepairersAssociate's degree | $77,910 | $43,700 – $98,840 | 830 |
| 48 | Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and GasNo formal educational credential | $77,840 | $47,840 – $121,470 | 5,980 |
| 49 | Health Information Technologists and Medical RegistrarsAssociate's degree | $76,820 | $39,050 – $121,070 | 2,880 |
| 50 | First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and RepairersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $76,760 | $46,860 – $125,700 | 75,340 |