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.
The 30 Highest-Paying Jobs You Can Get With No Experience (2026)
Loading and Moving Machine Operator, Underground Mining tops this list at $74,500 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025), with -22.3% 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 BLS records as needing no prior work experience in a related occupation, no education beyond a high school diploma, and no more than short-term on-the-job training, ranked by national median wage.
- Careers on this list
- 30
- Median pay on the list
- $49,855
- Projected to grow
- 13 of 30
- Openings a year
- 605,100
From 923 in the bank
BLS OEWS, May 2025
BLS EP, 2024–2034
Combined, BLS EP
How we built this list
- Included when BLS Employment Projections records all three of: no work experience in a related occupation needed for entry, a high school diploma or less as the typical education, and no more than short-term on-the-job training.
- That last rule is what separates this list from the highest-paying jobs without a degree: occupations reached through an apprenticeship or months of on-the-job training pay more, but they are not jobs you can start in cold.
- Ranked by national median annual wage from BLS OEWS. The median is for everyone in the occupation, not for someone in their first year.
- 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 with no experience
1. Loading and Moving Machine Operator, Underground Mining
Construction and Extraction
- Median pay
- $74,500
- Growth
- -22.3%
- Openings / yr
- 500
- Education
- No formal credential
Operate underground loading or moving machine to load or move coal, ore, or rock using shuttle or mine car or conveyors.
Profile coming in the next tranche.
2. Transportation Security Screener
Protective Service
- Median pay
- $66,770
- Growth
- -6.0%
- Openings / yr
- 4,700
- Education
- High school
Conduct screening of passengers, baggage, or cargo to ensure compliance with Transportation Security Administration (TSA) regulations.
Profile coming in the next tranche.
3. Postal Service Clerk
Office and Administrative Support
- Median pay
- $62,130
- Growth
- -3.5%
- Openings / yr
- 6,100
- Education
- No formal credential
Perform any combination of tasks in a United States Postal Service (USPS) post office, such as receive letters and parcels; sell postage and revenue stamps, postal cards, and stamped envelopes; fill out and sell money…
Profile coming in the next tranche.
Office and Administrative Support
- Median pay
- $60,550
- Growth
- -3.5%
- Openings / yr
- 20,600
- Education
- No formal credential
Sort and deliver mail for the United States Postal Service (USPS).
5. Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loader
Transportation and Material Moving
- Median pay
- $58,870
- Growth
- +4.3%
- Openings / yr
- 1,300
- Education
- No formal credential
Load and unload chemicals and bulk solids, such as coal, sand, and grain, into or from tank cars, trucks, or ships, using material moving equipment.
Profile coming in the next tranche.
6. Postal Service Mail Sorter, Processor, and Processing Machine Operator
Office and Administrative Support
- Median pay
- $58,470
- Growth
- -8.4%
- Openings / yr
- 7,800
- Education
- No formal credential
Prepare incoming and outgoing mail for distribution for the United States Postal Service (USPS).
Profile coming in the next tranche.
7. Bridge and Lock Tender
Transportation and Material Moving
- Median pay
- $57,700
- Growth
- -3.3%
- Openings / yr
- 300
- Education
- High school
Operate and tend bridges, canal locks, and lighthouses to permit marine passage on inland waterways, near shores, and at danger points in waterway passages.
Profile coming in the next tranche.
8. Hoist and Winch Operator
Transportation and Material Moving
- Median pay
- $56,450
- Growth
- -1.1%
- Openings / yr
- 300
- Education
- No formal credential
Operate or tend hoists or winches to lift and pull loads using power-operated cable equipment.
Profile coming in the next tranche.
9. Cargo and Freight Agent
Office and Administrative Support
- Median pay
- $52,260
- Growth
- +8.5%
- Openings / yr
- 8,800
- Education
- High school
Expedite and route movement of incoming and outgoing cargo and freight shipments in airline, train, and trucking terminals and shipping docks.
Profile coming in the next tranche.
10. Community Health Worker
Community and Social Service
- Median pay
- $51,850
- Growth
- +11.3%
- Openings / yr
- 7,800
- Education
- High school
Promote health within a community by assisting individuals to adopt healthy behaviors.
Profile coming in the next tranche.
11. Animal Breeder
Farming, Fishing, and Forestry
- Median pay
- $51,130
- Growth
- +2.4%
- Openings / yr
- 1,200
- Education
- High school
Select and breed animals according to their genealogy, characteristics, and offspring.
Profile coming in the next tranche.
12. Tree Trimmer and Pruner
Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance
- Median pay
- $50,960
- Growth
- +3.3%
- Openings / yr
- 7,400
- Education
- High school
Using sophisticated climbing and rigging techniques, cut away dead or excess branches from trees or shrubs to maintain right-of-way for roads, sidewalks, or utilities, or to improve appearance, health, and value of tree.
Profile coming in the next tranche.
13. Costume Attendant
Personal Care and Service
- Median pay
- $50,400
- Growth
- +5.9%
- Openings / yr
- 1,800
- Education
- High school
Select, fit, and take care of costumes for cast members, and aid entertainers.
Profile coming in the next tranche.
14. Carpet Installer
Construction and Extraction
- Median pay
- $50,340
- Growth
- -9.6%
- Openings / yr
- 1,100
- Education
- No formal credential
Lay and install carpet from rolls or blocks on floors.
Profile coming in the next tranche.
Office and Administrative Support
- Median pay
- $50,020
- Growth
- -2.3%
- Openings / yr
- 13,300
- Education
- High school
Interview loan applicants to elicit information; investigate applicants' backgrounds and verify references; prepare loan request papers; and forward findings, reports, and documents to appraisal department.
Transportation and Material Moving
- Median pay
- $49,690
- Growth
- +0.9%
- Openings / yr
- 16,900
- Education
- No formal credential
Collect and dump refuse or recyclable materials from containers into truck.
17. Word Processor and Typist
Office and Administrative Support
- Median pay
- $49,280
- Growth
- -36.1%
- Openings / yr
- 2,200
- Education
- High school
Use word processor, computer, or typewriter to type letters, reports, forms, or other material from rough draft, corrected copy, or voice recording.
Profile coming in the next tranche.
18. Insulation Worker, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall
Construction and Extraction
- Median pay
- $49,120
- Growth
- +3.8%
- Openings / yr
- 3,400
- Education
- No formal credential
Line and cover structures with insulating materials.
Profile coming in the next tranche.
19. Pipelayer
Construction and Extraction
- Median pay
- $49,000
- Growth
- -4.1%
- Openings / yr
- 2,400
- Education
- No formal credential
Lay pipe for storm or sanitation sewers, drains, and water mains.
Profile coming in the next tranche.
20. Rock Splitter, Quarry
Construction and Extraction
- Median pay
- $48,740
- Growth
- +4.4%
- Openings / yr
- 400
- Education
- No formal credential
Separate blocks of rough dimension stone from quarry mass using jackhammers, wedges, or chop saws.
Profile coming in the next tranche.
21. Model
Sales and Related
- Median pay
- $48,470
- Growth
- -0.5%
- Openings / yr
- 1,200
- Education
- No formal credential
Model garments or other apparel and accessories for prospective buyers at fashion shows, private showings, or retail establishments.
Profile coming in the next tranche.
22. Speech-Language Pathology Assistant
Healthcare Support
- Median pay
- $48,430
- Growth
- +3.5%
- Openings / yr
- 14,400
- Education
- High school
Assist speech-language pathologists in the assessment and treatment of speech, language, voice, and fluency disorders.
Profile coming in the next tranche.
23. Utility Meter Reader
Office and Administrative Support
- Median pay
- $48,150
- Growth
- -12.0%
- Openings / yr
- 1,300
- Education
- High school
Read meter and record consumption of electricity, gas, water, or steam.
Profile coming in the next tranche.
Transportation and Material Moving
- Median pay
- $47,920
- Growth
- +0.2%
- Openings / yr
- 61,000
- Education
- High school
Drive a school bus to transport students.
25. Computer, Automated Teller, and Office Machine Repairer
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair
- Median pay
- $47,810
- Growth
- -0.9%
- Openings / yr
- 7,600
- Education
- Some college
Repair, maintain, or install computers, word processing systems, automated teller machines, and electronic office machines, such as duplicating and fax machines.
Profile coming in the next tranche.
26. Helpers--Brickmason, Blockmason, Stonemason, and Tile and Marble Setter
Construction and Extraction
- Median pay
- $47,550
- Growth
- -10.5%
- Openings / yr
- 1,400
- Education
- No formal credential
Help brickmasons, blockmasons, stonemasons, or tile and marble setters by performing duties requiring less skill.
Profile coming in the next tranche.
Office and Administrative Support
- Median pay
- $47,540
- Growth
- -1.6%
- Openings / yr
- 202,800
- Education
- High school
Perform routine administrative functions such as drafting correspondence, scheduling appointments, organizing and maintaining paper and electronic files, or providing information to callers.
28. Coin, Vending, and Amusement Machine Servicer and Repairer
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair
- Median pay
- $47,450
- Growth
- -2.9%
- Openings / yr
- 3,500
- Education
- High school
Install, service, adjust, or repair coin, vending, or amusement machines including video games, juke boxes, pinball machines, or slot machines.
Profile coming in the next tranche.
Personal Care and Service
- Median pay
- $47,160
- Growth
- +11.9%
- Openings / yr
- 74,200
- Education
- High school
Instruct or coach groups or individuals in exercise activities for the primary purpose of personal fitness.
Construction and Extraction
- Median pay
- $47,120
- Growth
- +7.3%
- Openings / yr
- 129,400
- Education
- No formal credential
Perform tasks involving physical labor at construction sites.
Highest-Paying Jobs With No Experience: FAQ
What is the top career on the highest-paying jobs with no experience list?
Loading and Moving Machine Operator, Underground Mining leads the list with a median wage of $74,500 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025) and projected employment change of -22.3% over 2024–2034. Typical entry-level education is no formal credential.
How was this list put together?
Occupations BLS records as needing no prior work experience in a related occupation, no education beyond a high school diploma, and no more than short-term on-the-job training, ranked by national median wage. Included when BLS Employment Projections records all three of: no work experience in a related occupation needed for entry, a high school diploma or less as the typical education, and no more than short-term on-the-job training. That last rule is what separates this list from the highest-paying jobs without a degree: occupations reached through an apprenticeship or months of on-the-job training pay more, but they are not jobs you can start in cold. Ranked by national median annual wage from BLS OEWS. The median is for everyone in the occupation, not for someone in their first year. 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 with no experience pay?
Across the 30 careers on this list the middle occupation pays $49,855 a year, from $47,120 at the bottom to $74,500 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).