According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), more than 60 percent of U.S. workers do not have a bachelor’s degree. Although attending the best college may be the surest way to earn a high salary, a college education may not be for everyone. Whether it involves family responsibilities, financial hardship, or the fact that your chosen career may not require you to attend an university, specialized knowledge and skills will always be in demand. The BLS offers research that shows dozens of high paying occupations that don’t require a college degree. The list below is in order of median annual wage, starting with the highest, and includes complete compensation, such as annual salary plus commissions and production bonuses. Achieving financial independence and success is within everyone’s reach. With some determination and hard work, you can take advantage of these high paying jobs without a college degree.
1. Air Traffic Controllers
- Median Annual Wage: $110,000
- Degree Required: Associate’s
- Projected Openings Through 2020: 10,000
- Work Experience: None
- Training: Long-term on the job training.
2. General and Operations Managers
- Median Annual Wage: $95,000
- Degree Required: Associate’s
- Projected Openings Through 2020: 415,000
- Work Experience: 1-5 Years, Entry-Level
- Training: None. Previous work experience should suffice.
3. Construction Manager
- Median Annual Wage: $85,000
- Degree Required: Associate’s
- Projected Openings Through 2020: 120,000
- Work Experience: 5+ Years
- Training: None
4. Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers
- Median Annual Wage: $80,000
- Degree Required: High School Diploma
- Projected Openings Through 2020: 38,000
- Work Experience: 5+ Years
- Training: None
5. Police Supervisors and Detectives
- Median Annual Wage: $78,000
- Degree Required: High School Diploma
- Projected Openings Through 2020: 39,000
- Work Experience: 1-5 Years
- Training: Some job training.
6. Administrative Services Managers
- Median Annual Wage: $78,000
- Degree Required: High School Diploma
- Projected Openings Through 2020: 100,000
- Work Experience: 1-5 Years
- Training: None
7. Nuclear Power Reactor Operators/Technicians
- Median Annual Wage: $76,000
- Degree Required: High School Diploma
- Projected Openings Through 2020: 2,000
- Work Experience: None
- Training: Long-term on the job training.
8. Radiation Therapist
- Median Annual Wage: $75,000
- Degree Required: Associate’s
- Projected Openings Through 2020: 7,000
- Work Experience: None
- Training: None
9. Elevator Installers and Repair Services
- Median Annual Wage: $71,000
- Degree Required: High School Diploma
- Projected Openings Through 2020: 8,000
- Work Experience: None
- Training: Apprenticeship
10. Power Distributors and Dispatchers
- Median Annual Wage: $69,000
- Degree Required: High School Diploma
- Projected Openings Through 2020: 3,600
- Work Experience: None
- Training: Long-term on the job training.
11. Detectives and Criminal Investigators
- Median Annual Wage: $69,000
- Degree Required: High School Diploma
- Projected Openings Through 2020: 30,000
- Work Experience: 1-5 Years
- Training: Moderate on the job training.
12. Nuclear Medicine Technologists
- Median Annual Wage: $68,500
- Degree Required: Associate’s
- Projected Openings Through 2020: 7,500
- Work Experience: None
- Training: None
13. Dental Hygienists
- Median Annual Wage: $68,000
- Degree Required: Associate’s
- Projected Openings Through 2020: 105,000
- Work Experience: None
- Training: None
14. Fire Fighting and Prevention Supervisors/Managers
- Median Annual Wage: $68,000
- Degree Required: Post-Secondary Non-Degree Award
- Projected Openings Through 2020: 33,000
- Work Experience: 1-5 Years
- Training: None
15. Commercial Pilots
- Median Annual Wage: $67,500
- Degree Required: Post-Secondary Non-Degree Award
- Projected Openings Through 2020: 19,000
- Work Experience: None
- Training: None
16. Electrical & Electronics Repair – Power Generation/Distribution
- Median Annual Wage: $65,000
- Degree Required: Post-Secondary Non-Degree Award
- Projected Openings Through 2020: 6,900
- Work Experience: None
- Training: Long-term on the job training.
17. Registered Nurses (RNs)
- Median Annual Wage: $65,000
- Degree Required: Associate’s, Certification
- Projected Openings Through 2020: 1,210,000
- Work Experience: None
- Training: None
18. Fashion Designers
- Median Annual Wage: $64,500
- Degree Required: High School Diploma
- Projected Openings Through 2020: 6,700
- Work Experience: None
- Training: Long-term on the job training.
19. Diagnostic Medical Sonographers
- Median Annual Wage: $64,000
- Degree Required: Associate’s
- Projected Openings Through 2020: 32,000
- Work Experience: None
- Training: Long-term on the job training.
20. Power Plant Operators
- Median Annual Wage: $63,000
- Degree Required: High School Diploma
- Projected Openings Through 2020: 14,400
- Work Experience: None
- Training: Long-term on the job training.
21. Business Operations Specialists
- Median Annual Wage: $62,500
- Degree Required: High School Diploma
- Projected Openings Through 2020: 327,000
- Work Experience: None
- Training: Long-term on the job training.
22. Media and Communications Equipment Workers
- Median Annual Wage: $62,000
- Degree Required: High School Diploma
- Projected Openings Through 2020: 3,300
- Work Experience: None
- Training: Moderate-term on the job training.
23. Farmers, Ranchers, and Agricultural Managers
- Median Annual Wage: $61,000
- Degree Required: High School Diploma
- Projected Openings Through 2020: 235,000
- Work Experience: 5+ Years
- Training: None
24. Postmasters and Mail Superintendents
- Median Annual Wage: $60,000
- Degree Required: High School Diploma
- Projected Openings Through 2020: 4,800
- Work Experience: 1-5 Years
- Training: Moderate-term on the job training.
25. Petroleum Pump System/Refinery Operators and Gaugers
- Median Annual Wage: $60,000
- Degree Required: High School Diploma
- Projected Openings Through 2020: 14,400
- Work Experience: None
- Training: Long-term on the job training.
26. Mechanic, Installers, & Repairers Managers/Supervisors
- Median Annual Wage: $59,000
- Degree Required: High School Diploma
- Projected Openings Through 2020: 165,000
- Work Experience: 1-5 Years
- Training: None
27. Claims Adjusters, Examiners, Investigators, Insurance Appraisers
- Median Annual Wage: $58,000
- Degree Required: High School Diploma
- Projected Openings Through 2020: 79,900
- Work Experience: None
- Training: Long-term on the job training.
28. All Engineering Technicians
- Median Annual Wage: $58,000
- Degree Required: Associate’s
- Projected Openings Through 2020: 74,900
- Work Experience: None
- Training: None
29. Artists and Designers
- Median Annual Wage: $58,000
- Degree Required: High School Diploma
- Projected Openings Through 2020: 4,800
- Work Experience: None
- Training: Long-term on the job training.
30. Electrical Power-line Installers and Repairmen
- Median Annual Wage: $58,000
- Degree Required: High School Diploma
- Projected Openings Through 2020: 52,700
- Work Experience: None
- Training: Long-term on the job training.
31. Gas Plant Operators
- Median Annual Wage: $57,000
- Degree Required: High School Diploma
- Projected Openings Through 2020: 4,500
- Work Experience: None
- Training: Long-term on the job training.
32. Subway and Streetcar Operators
- Median Annual Wage: $57,000
- Degree Required: High School Diploma
- Projected Openings Through 2020: 4,500
- Work Experience: None
- Training: Long-term on the job training.
33. Purchasing Agents
- Median Annual Wage: $57,000
- Degree Required: High School Diploma
- Projected Openings Through 2020: 91,200
- Work Experience: None
- Training: Long-term on the job training.
34. Loan Officers
- Median Annual Wage: $56,500
- Degree Required: High School Diploma
- Projected Openings Through 2020: 115,200
- Work Experience: None
- Training: Moderate-term on the job training.
35. Correctional Officers
- Median Annual Wage: $55,900
- Degree Required: High School Diploma
- Projected Openings Through 2020: 16,500
- Work Experience: 1-5 Years
- Training: Moderate-term on the job training.
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