Highest paying jobs in Washington that don't require a degree
These occupations pay well in Washington 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 | MedianWashington | 10th–90th percentilemiddle half shaded darker | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Air Traffic ControllersAssociate's degree | $162,570 | $91,600 – $209,270 | 620 |
| 2 | Commercial DiversPostsecondary nondegree award | $161,800 | $122,290 – $250,960 | — |
| 3 | Power Distributors and DispatchersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $144,710 | $95,370 – $197,080 | 380 |
| 4 | Elevator and Escalator Installers and RepairersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $137,180 | $76,120 – $160,420 | 540 |
| 5 | Transportation, Storage, and Distribution ManagersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $136,500 | $84,870 – $202,070 | 2,490 |
| 6 | First-Line Supervisors of Police and DetectivesHigh school diploma or equivalent | $136,280 | $105,710 – $180,770 | 2,750 |
| 7 | Electrical Power-Line Installers and RepairersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $133,060 | $80,640 – $147,810 | 2,340 |
| 8 | Power Plant OperatorsHigh school diploma or equivalent | $131,620 | $85,390 – $168,610 | 430 |
| 9 | Dental HygienistsAssociate's degree | $131,160 | $107,090 – $162,050 | 6,330 |
| 10 | First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention WorkersPostsecondary nondegree award | $129,350 | $79,440 – $160,630 | 3,350 |
| 11 | Nuclear Medicine TechnologistsAssociate's degree | $126,200 | $102,970 – $158,740 | 320 |
| 12 | Lighting TechniciansPostsecondary nondegree award | $126,100 | $72,980 – $175,010 | 80 |
| 13 | Radiation TherapistsAssociate's degree | $125,880 | $98,160 – $174,670 | 540 |
| 14 | Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Powerhouse, Substation, and RelayPostsecondary nondegree award | $125,620 | $57,600 – $158,090 | 410 |
| 15 | Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and TechniciansAssociate's degree | $125,160 | $108,200 – $125,160 | 1,590 |
| 16 | Fire Inspectors and InvestigatorsPostsecondary nondegree award | $122,900 | $77,810 – $145,760 | 380 |
| 17 | Magnetic Resonance Imaging TechnologistsAssociate's degree | $122,750 | $78,350 – $160,320 | 960 |
| 18 | Electrical and Electronics Installers and Repairers, Transportation EquipmentPostsecondary nondegree award | $122,140 | $93,920 – $146,350 | 230 |
| 19 | Signal and Track Switch RepairersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $121,710 | $79,260 – $149,260 | 210 |
| 20 | Diagnostic Medical SonographersAssociate's degree | $121,340 | $61,840 – $156,860 | 2,190 |
| 21 | Property, Real Estate, and Community Association ManagersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $119,320 | $73,370 – $172,050 | 2,950 |
| 22 | Commercial PilotsPostsecondary nondegree award | $117,730 | $70,420 – $314,200 | 890 |
| 23 | Detectives and Criminal InvestigatorsHigh school diploma or equivalent | $115,790 | $84,500 – $162,860 | 1,850 |
| 24 | Pile Driver OperatorsHigh school diploma or equivalent | $111,080 | $99,180 – $140,630 | 50 |
| 25 | Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems AssemblersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $110,470 | $63,110 – $110,470 | 4,280 |
| 26 | First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction WorkersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $109,570 | $73,410 – $167,120 | 19,550 |
| 27 | Tool and Die MakersPostsecondary nondegree award | $109,390 | $58,560 – $116,850 | 1,510 |
| 28 | Reinforcing Iron and Rebar WorkersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $108,970 | $46,950 – $121,420 | 130 |
| 29 | Nuclear TechniciansAssociate's degree | $108,200 | $75,510 – $127,910 | 90 |
| 30 | Ship EngineersPostsecondary nondegree award | $107,940 | $61,530 – $157,340 | 730 |
| 31 | Computer Numerically Controlled Tool OperatorsHigh school diploma or equivalent | $107,920 | $54,590 – $116,670 | 2,270 |
| 32 | Court Reporters and Simultaneous CaptionersPostsecondary nondegree award | $107,670 | $82,220 – $113,880 | 80 |
| 33 | Structural Iron and Steel WorkersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $107,660 | $53,210 – $128,970 | 850 |
| 34 | Gambling ManagersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $106,450 | $81,010 – $171,650 | 130 |
| 35 | Occupational Health and Safety TechniciansHigh school diploma or equivalent | $104,910 | $58,010 – $119,920 | 570 |
| 36 | ParamedicsPostsecondary nondegree award | $104,310 | $61,010 – $133,040 | 2,110 |
| 37 | Transportation InspectorsHigh school diploma or equivalent | $104,250 | $70,270 – $167,420 | 490 |
| 38 | Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water VesselsPostsecondary nondegree award | $103,730 | $57,350 – $153,330 | 1,560 |
| 39 | Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and GaugersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $103,620 | $76,950 – $114,980 | 930 |
| 40 | Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural ManagersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $103,240 | $66,900 – $165,720 | 140 |
| 41 | Control and Valve Installers and Repairers, Except Mechanical DoorHigh school diploma or equivalent | $102,870 | $67,640 – $138,300 | 450 |
| 42 | Funeral Home ManagersAssociate's degree | $102,540 | $80,880 – $127,180 | 80 |
| 43 | Radiologic Technologists and TechniciansAssociate's degree | $102,090 | $66,570 – $132,060 | 4,130 |
| 44 | Police and Sheriff's Patrol OfficersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $102,080 | $79,120 – $132,200 | 9,160 |
| 45 | Computer Network Support SpecialistsAssociate's degree | $101,750 | $62,600 – $171,300 | 3,300 |
| 46 | Lodging ManagersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $101,350 | $69,530 – $190,480 | 450 |
| 47 | Advertising Sales AgentsHigh school diploma or equivalent | $101,320 | $52,510 – $183,700 | 3,510 |
| 48 | Respiratory TherapistsAssociate's degree | $101,130 | $76,080 – $127,520 | 1,860 |
| 49 | Crane and Tower OperatorsHigh school diploma or equivalent | $101,110 | $63,180 – $133,550 | 1,030 |
| 50 | Environmental Engineering Technologists and TechniciansAssociate's degree | $100,050 | $52,990 – $122,320 | 270 |