What are the best paying jobs without a degree?
Plenty of jobs pay well above the national median without a bachelor’s or associate degree. The catch is that they replace the degree with something else: a paid apprenticeship, a certificate program, a state license, or a year or more of training on the job.
For context, the median annual wage for all U.S. occupations was $50,980 in May 2025, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Every job below beat that by at least $10,000.
20 high paying jobs that don’t require a degree
Each occupation below has a typical entry-level education of either a high school diploma or a postsecondary nondegree award (a certificate from a program that does not grant a degree), according to BLS.
| # | Occupation | Median pay (May 2025) | Typical entry-level education | Typical training path |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Commercial pilots | $123,220 | Postsecondary nondegree award | Flight training, then moderate-term on-the-job training |
| 2 | Elevator and escalator installers and repairers | $109,910 | High school diploma | Paid apprenticeship of about 4 years; most states require a license |
| 3 | Transportation, storage, and distribution managers | $107,230 | High school diploma | 5 or more years of related work experience first |
| 4 | Power plant operators, distributors, and dispatchers | $105,080 | High school diploma | Long-term on-the-job training; nuclear reactor operators also need an NRC license |
| 5 | Electrical power-line installers and repairers | $95,320 | High school diploma | Long-term on-the-job training |
| 6 | Aircraft and avionics equipment mechanics and technicians | $80,180 | Postsecondary nondegree award | FAA-approved certificate program, then FAA certification |
| 7 | Railroad workers | $78,820 | High school diploma | Moderate-term on-the-job training; locomotive engineers usually start as conductors or yardmasters |
| 8 | Stationary engineers and boiler operators | $78,620 | High school diploma | Long-term on-the-job training or an apprenticeship; many employers require a license |
| 9 | Boilermakers | $76,410 | High school diploma | Apprenticeship |
| 10 | Construction and building inspectors | $74,690 | High school diploma | 5 or more years of construction experience; many jurisdictions require a license or certification |
| 11 | Court reporters and simultaneous captioners | $72,420 | Postsecondary nondegree award | Certificate program at a community college or technical institute; many states require a license or certification |
| 12 | Property, real estate, and community association managers | $69,990 | High school diploma | Some related work experience; some states require a license |
| 13 | Food service managers | $69,390 | High school diploma | Several years of food service experience, such as cook or server |
| 14 | Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses | $64,400 | Postsecondary nondegree award | State-approved program of about 1 year, then a state license |
| 15 | Wind turbine technicians | $64,120 | Postsecondary nondegree award | Technical program, then long-term on-the-job training |
| 16 | Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters | $63,800 | High school diploma | Paid apprenticeship of 4 or 5 years; most states require a license |
| 17 | Flight attendants | $63,580 | High school diploma | Employer training program and FAA certification |
| 18 | Electricians | $63,190 | High school diploma | Apprenticeship or technical school; most states require a license |
| 19 | Insurance sales agents | $62,280 | High school diploma | State license in each state where you sell |
| 20 | Ironworkers | $61,910 | High school diploma | Apprenticeship or on-the-job training |
About this data: Pay figures are BLS median annual wages for May 2025, taken from the Occupational Outlook Handbook (OOH) profiles updated in August and September 2026. Median means half the workers in the occupation earned more and half earned less. Median pay covers workers at every career stage, so your starting pay may be lower, and pay varies by state and employer. The OOH profile for airline and commercial pilots covers both jobs; BLS Employment Projections data lists a postsecondary nondegree award for commercial pilots, while airline pilots typically need a bachelor’s degree.
Which are high paying entry level jobs?
Not every job in the table is open to beginners. Several require years of related experience before you can be hired.
Jobs you can enter without related work experience, according to BLS:
- Elevator and escalator installers and repairers, boilermakers, plumbers, electricians and ironworkers (through apprenticeships)
- Power plant operators, electrical power-line installers and stationary engineers (through long-term on-the-job training)
- Aircraft and avionics mechanics, court reporters, licensed practical nurses and wind turbine technicians (through a certificate program)
- Insurance sales agents (through a state license and on-the-job training)
Jobs that usually require experience first:
- Transportation, storage, and distribution managers and construction and building inspectors: 5 or more years of related experience
- Property managers, food service managers and flight attendants: less than 5 years of related experience
- Locomotive engineers: usually several years as a conductor or yardmaster
If you are starting from scratch, the first group is your shortlist. The second group is a strong second step once you have a few years in a related role.
Quick picks by situation
- You want to earn while you train: elevator installers, boilermakers, plumbers, electricians and ironworkers, which typically train through paid apprenticeships.
- You want a short program: licensed practical nurses, whose state-approved programs typically take about a year.
- You like working with people: licensed practical nurses, flight attendants and insurance sales agents.
- You like business and running things: food service managers and property managers, after a few years of related experience.
- You like machines and technical systems: power plant operators, stationary engineers, aircraft mechanics and wind turbine technicians.
- You want the highest pay on the list: commercial pilots, elevator installers and power plant operators all had medians above $100,000 in May 2025.
How do you train for a high paying job without a degree?
Apprenticeships
An apprenticeship is a paid job that combines on-the-job training with technical classes. It is the main route into the skilled trades on this list. Elevator installer apprenticeships run about 4 years and are sponsored by unions, industry associations or employers. Plumbing apprenticeships run 4 or 5 years, according to BLS.
Long-term on-the-job training
BLS defines long-term on-the-job training as more than 12 months of training. Power plant operators and power-line installers are typically hired with a high school diploma and then trained by the employer. Nuclear power reactor operators must also earn a license from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Postsecondary certificate programs
These programs are shorter than a degree and focus on one job. Licensed practical nursing programs typically take about a year. Aircraft mechanics usually complete an FAA-approved program and then earn FAA certification. Court reporters often train through community college or technical institute programs.
State licenses
Many jobs on this list require a license on top of training, including electricians, plumbers, elevator installers, licensed practical nurses and insurance sales agents. Requirements vary by state, so check with your state licensing board before you enroll in any program.
How to choose the right job without a degree
- Match the work to your interests. Many of these jobs are hands-on and score high on the Realistic type in Holland’s interest model. Take our free Holland Code test to see whether that fits you.
- Read the Work Environment tab on each OOH profile. It covers schedules, physical demands and safety risks, such as shift work, heights or outdoor work.
- Check the job outlook. The OOH lists projected growth for each occupation.
- Count the training time. A 4- or 5-year apprenticeship pays while you learn, but it is still a long commitment. A 1-year certificate is faster but you pay tuition.
- Look up local pay. Medians differ by state and metro area. Our salary calculators can turn an hourly rate into an annual figure.
Switching fields later in life? Our guide to a career change at 40 covers financial runway and retraining options.
How to get hired without a college degree
Employers hiring for these roles want proof you can do the work safely and reliably. Your resume should make that obvious.
- Lead with licenses and certifications. Put them near the top. Here is how to list certifications on a resume.
- Show hands-on skills. Equipment you have used, safety training, tools and software. Our list of skills for a resume has examples.
- Quantify your work history. Even unrelated jobs show reliability.
Example bullet: “Completed 1,200 hours of supervised electrical work as a first-year apprentice with zero safety incidents.”
- Apply for apprenticeships directly. Contact local unions, trade associations and large employers in your target field and ask when their next application window opens.