23% of these careers already have a full profile page; the rest publish with the next tranche and show the same bank data here in the meantime.
Highest-Paying Jobs That Only Need a Certification (2026)
Commercial Pilot tops this list at $123,220 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025), with +5.1% projected employment change over 2024–2034. Below are 30 careers that meet the criteria, each with its real median wage, outlook and entry requirement.
Occupations whose typical entry requirement is a postsecondary non-degree award, a certificate, licence or certification earned after high school but short of a degree, ranked by national median wage.
- Careers on this list
- 30
- Median pay on the list
- $70,270
- Projected to grow
- 23 of 30
- Openings a year
- 476,700
From 923 in the bank
BLS OEWS, May 2025
BLS EP, 2024–2034
Combined, BLS EP
How we built this list
- Included when the BLS Employment Projections "typical education needed for entry" is a postsecondary non-degree award: a certificate, licence or certification earned after high school but short of an associate’s degree.
- Ranked by national median annual wage from BLS OEWS. Several of these occupations also expect on-the-job training or an apprenticeship on top of the credential, which the entry-requirement field does not capture.
- BLS publishes one wage per occupation code, and several O*NET job titles can share a code. Only one title per code is listed, so the same wage does not appear over and over.
- Occupations with no BLS wage or projection data are excluded rather than estimated.
- The list is regenerated from source data on every bank refresh. It is not hand-picked and no editorial ranking is applied.
The top 30 highest-paying jobs that only need a certification
1. Commercial Pilot
Transportation and Material Moving
- Median pay
- $123,220
- Growth
- +5.1%
- Openings/yr
- 6,600
- Education
- Certificate
Pilot and navigate the flight of fixed-wing aircraft on nonscheduled air carrier routes, or helicopters.
Full page coming in the next tranche. Data shown here is from the same bank.
2. Ship Engineer
Transportation and Material Moving
- Median pay
- $109,530
- Growth
- +1.6%
- Openings/yr
- 1,100
- Education
- Certificate
Supervise and coordinate activities of crew engaged in operating and maintaining engines, boilers, deck machinery, and electrical, sanitary, and refrigeration equipment aboard ship.
Full page coming in the next tranche. Data shown here is from the same bank.
3. Electrical and Electronics Repairer, Powerhouse, Substation, and Relay
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair
- Median pay
- $103,020
- Growth
- +5.5%
- Openings/yr
- 2,000
- Education
- Certificate
Inspect, test, repair, or maintain electrical equipment in generating stations, substations, and in-service relays.
Full page coming in the next tranche. Data shown here is from the same bank.
4. Makeup Artist, Theatrical and Performance
Personal Care and Service
- Median pay
- $97,150
- Growth
- +8.1%
- Openings/yr
- 1,100
- Education
- Certificate
Apply makeup to performers to reflect period, setting, and situation of their role.
Full page coming in the next tranche. Data shown here is from the same bank.
5. First-Line Supervisor of Firefighting and Prevention Workers
Protective Service
- Median pay
- $93,530
- Growth
- +3.4%
- Openings/yr
- 6,500
- Education
- Certificate
Directly supervise and coordinate activities of workers engaged in firefighting and fire prevention and control.
Full page coming in the next tranche. Data shown here is from the same bank.
6. Captain, Mate, and Pilot of Water Vessels
Transportation and Material Moving
- Median pay
- $92,460
- Growth
- +0.5%
- Openings/yr
- 4,300
- Education
- Certificate
Command or supervise operations of ships and water vessels, such as tugboats and ferryboats.
Full page coming in the next tranche. Data shown here is from the same bank.
7. Electrical and Electronics Installer and Repairer, Transportation Equipment
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair
- Median pay
- $84,890
- Growth
- +6.1%
- Openings/yr
- 600
- Education
- Certificate
Install, adjust, or maintain mobile electronics communication equipment, including sound, sonar, security, navigation, and surveillance systems on trains, watercraft, or other mobile equipment.
Full page coming in the next tranche. Data shown here is from the same bank.
8. Avionics Technician
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair
- Median pay
- $82,280
- Growth
- +8.2%
- Openings/yr
- 1,800
- Education
- Certificate
Install, inspect, test, adjust, or repair avionics equipment, such as radar, radio, navigation, and missile control systems in aircraft or space vehicles.
Full page coming in the next tranche. Data shown here is from the same bank.
9. Aircraft Mechanic
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair
- Median pay
- $79,870
- Growth
- +4.0%
- Openings/yr
- 11,300
- Education
- Certificate
Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul aircraft engines and assemblies, such as hydraulic and pneumatic systems.
Aircraft Mechanic salary & outlook →10. Insurance Appraiser, Auto Damage
Business and Financial Operations
- Median pay
- $78,240
- Growth
- -8.2%
- Openings/yr
- 500
- Education
- Certificate
Appraise automobile or other vehicle damage to determine repair costs for insurance claim settlement.
Full page coming in the next tranche. Data shown here is from the same bank.
11. Fire Inspector and Investigator
Protective Service
- Median pay
- $75,920
- Growth
- +3.8%
- Openings/yr
- 1,500
- Education
- Certificate
Inspect buildings to detect fire hazards and enforce local ordinances and state laws, or investigate and gather facts to determine cause of fires and explosions.
Full page coming in the next tranche. Data shown here is from the same bank.
12. Electrical and Electronics Repairer, Commercial and Industrial Equipment
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair
- Median pay
- $74,090
- Growth
- -0.8%
- Openings/yr
- 4,700
- Education
- Certificate
Repair, test, adjust, or install electronic equipment, such as industrial controls, transmitters, and antennas.
Full page coming in the next tranche. Data shown here is from the same bank.
13. Sound Engineering Technician
Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media
- Median pay
- $73,130
- Growth
- -1.7%
- Openings/yr
- 1,200
- Education
- Certificate
Assemble and operate equipment to record, synchronize, mix, edit, or reproduce sound, including music, voices, or sound effects, for theater, video, film, television, podcasts, sporting events, and other productions.
Full page coming in the next tranche. Data shown here is from the same bank.
14. Commercial Diver
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair
- Median pay
- $72,990
- Growth
- +8.5%
- Openings/yr
- 400
- Education
- Certificate
Work below surface of water, using surface-supplied air or scuba equipment to inspect, repair, remove, or install equipment and structures.
Full page coming in the next tranche. Data shown here is from the same bank.
15. Court Reporter and Simultaneous Captioner
Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media
- Median pay
- $72,420
- Growth
- -0.3%
- Openings/yr
- 1,700
- Education
- Certificate
Use verbatim methods and equipment to capture, store, retrieve, and transcribe pretrial and trial proceedings or other information.
Full page coming in the next tranche. Data shown here is from the same bank.
16. Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmer
Production
- Median pay
- $68,120
- Growth
- +12.8%
- Openings/yr
- 3,100
- Education
- Certificate
Develop programs to control machining or processing of materials by automatic machine tools, equipment, or systems.
Full page coming in the next tranche. Data shown here is from the same bank.
17. Lighting Technician
Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media
- Median pay
- $68,060
- Growth
- -4.6%
- Openings/yr
- 800
- Education
- Certificate
Set up, maintain, and dismantle light fixtures, lighting control devices, and the associated lighting electrical and rigging equipment used for photography, television, film, video, and live productions.
Full page coming in the next tranche. Data shown here is from the same bank.
18. Surgical Assistant
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
- Median pay
- $66,800
- Growth
- +5.1%
- Openings/yr
- 1,600
- Education
- Certificate
Assist in operations, under the supervision of surgeons.
Full page coming in the next tranche. Data shown here is from the same bank.
19. Midwife
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
- Median pay
- $65,790
- Growth
- +3.6%
- Openings/yr
- 2,600
- Education
- Certificate
Provide prenatal care and childbirth assistance.
Full page coming in the next tranche. Data shown here is from the same bank.
20. Surgical Technologist
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
- Median pay
- $64,650
- Growth
- +4.5%
- Openings/yr
- 7,000
- Education
- Certificate
Assist in operations, under the supervision of surgeons, registered nurses, or other surgical personnel.
Surgical Technologist salary & outlook →21. Licensed Practical Nurse
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
- Median pay
- $64,400
- Growth
- +2.6%
- Openings/yr
- 54,400
- Education
- Certificate
Care for ill, injured, or convalescing patients or persons with disabilities in hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, private homes, group homes, and similar institutions.
Licensed Practical Nurse salary & outlook →22. Wind Turbine Service Technician
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair
- Median pay
- $64,120
- Growth
- +49.9%
- Openings/yr
- 2,300
- Education
- Certificate
Inspect, diagnose, adjust, or repair wind turbines.
Full page coming in the next tranche. Data shown here is from the same bank.
23. Tool and Die Maker
Production
- Median pay
- $64,050
- Growth
- -10.8%
- Openings/yr
- 4,700
- Education
- Certificate
Analyze specifications, lay out metal stock, set up and operate machine tools, and fit and assemble parts to make and repair dies, cutting tools, jigs, fixtures, gauges, and machinists' hand tools.
Full page coming in the next tranche. Data shown here is from the same bank.
24. Telecommunications Equipment Installer and Repairer, Except Line Installers
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair
- Median pay
- $63,890
- Growth
- -4.2%
- Openings/yr
- 13,200
- Education
- Certificate
Install, set up, rearrange, or remove switching, distribution, routing, and dialing equipment used in central offices or headends.
Telecommunications Equipment Installer and Repairer, Except Line Installers salary & outlook →25. Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair
- Median pay
- $61,010
- Growth
- +8.1%
- Openings/yr
- 40,100
- Education
- Certificate
Install or repair heating, central air conditioning, HVAC, or refrigeration systems, including oil burners, hot-air furnaces, and heating stoves.
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer salary & outlook →26. Paramedic
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
- Median pay
- $60,600
- Growth
- +5.0%
- Openings/yr
- 4,900
- Education
- Certificate
Administer basic or advanced emergency medical care and assess injuries and illnesses.
Full page coming in the next tranche. Data shown here is from the same bank.
27. Firefighter
Protective Service
- Median pay
- $59,280
- Growth
- +3.4%
- Openings/yr
- 27,100
- Education
- Certificate
Control and extinguish fires or respond to emergency situations where life, property, or the environment is at risk.
Firefighter salary & outlook →28. Truck Driver
Transportation and Material Moving
- Median pay
- $58,640
- Growth
- +4.0%
- Openings/yr
- 237,600
- Education
- Certificate
Drive a tractor-trailer combination or a truck with a capacity of at least 26,001 pounds Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW).
Truck Driver salary & outlook →29. Massage Therapist
Healthcare Support
- Median pay
- $58,450
- Growth
- +15.4%
- Openings/yr
- 24,700
- Education
- Certificate
Perform therapeutic massages of soft tissues and joints.
Full page coming in the next tranche. Data shown here is from the same bank.
30. Audio and Video Technician
Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media
- Median pay
- $58,100
- Growth
- +3.3%
- Openings/yr
- 7,300
- Education
- Certificate
Set up, maintain, and dismantle audio and video equipment, such as microphones, sound speakers, connecting wires and cables, sound and mixing boards, video cameras, video monitors and servers, and related electronic e…
Full page coming in the next tranche. Data shown here is from the same bank.
Highest-Paying Jobs That Only Need a Certification: FAQ
What is the top career on the highest-paying jobs that only need a certification list?
Commercial Pilot leads the list with a median wage of $123,220 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025) and projected employment change of +5.1% over 2024–2034. Typical entry-level education is certificate.
How was this list put together?
Occupations whose typical entry requirement is a postsecondary non-degree award, a certificate, licence or certification earned after high school but short of a degree, ranked by national median wage. Included when the BLS Employment Projections "typical education needed for entry" is a postsecondary non-degree award: a certificate, licence or certification earned after high school but short of an associate’s degree. Ranked by national median annual wage from BLS OEWS. Several of these occupations also expect on-the-job training or an apprenticeship on top of the credential, which the entry-requirement field does not capture. BLS publishes one wage per occupation code, and several O*NET job titles can share a code. Only one title per code is listed, so the same wage does not appear over and over. Every figure comes from BLS OEWS May 2025, BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034 and O*NET 30.3 Database.
How much do highest-paying jobs that only need a certification pay?
Across the 30 careers on this list the middle occupation pays $70,270 a year, from $58,100 at the bottom to $123,220 at the top (BLS OEWS, May 2025). The median across all US occupations is $50,980.
How many of these careers can you enter without a degree?
30 of the 30 careers on this list have a typical entry requirement below an associate's degree: a high school diploma, a postsecondary certificate, or no formal credential (BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034).