20% 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 Without a Degree (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 high school diploma, postsecondary certificate, or less, ranked by national median wage.
- Careers on this list
- 30
- Median pay on the list
- $95,990
- Projected to grow
- 17 of 30
- Openings a year
- 239,100
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 high school diploma, a postsecondary non-degree award, some college, or no formal credential.
- Ranked by national median annual wage from BLS OEWS.
- 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 without a degree
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.
Profile coming in the next tranche.
2. Nuclear Power Reactor Operator
Production
- Median pay
- $122,890
- Growth
- -15.3%
- Openings / yr
- 400
- Education
- High school
Operate or control nuclear reactors.
Profile coming in the next tranche.
3. Elevator Installer
Construction and Extraction
- Median pay
- $109,910
- Growth
- +5.0%
- Openings / yr
- 2,000
- Education
- High school
Assemble, install, repair, or maintain electric or hydraulic freight or passenger elevators, escalators, or dumbwaiters.
Profile coming in the next tranche.
4. 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.
Profile coming in the next tranche.
- Median pay
- $107,230
- Growth
- +6.1%
- Openings / yr
- 18,500
- Education
- High school
Plan, direct, or coordinate transportation, storage, or distribution activities in accordance with organizational policies and applicable government laws or regulations.
Management
- Median pay
- $107,230
- Growth
- +6.1%
- Openings / yr
- 18,500
- Education
- High school
Direct or coordinate production, purchasing, warehousing, distribution, or financial forecasting services or activities to limit costs and improve accuracy, customer service, or safety.
7. Power Distributor and Dispatcher
Production
- Median pay
- $106,730
- Growth
- -3.2%
- Openings / yr
- 800
- Education
- High school
Coordinate, regulate, or distribute electricity or steam.
Profile coming in the next tranche.
8. First-Line Supervisor of Police and Detectives
Protective Service
- Median pay
- $106,040
- Growth
- +2.9%
- Openings / yr
- 10,900
- Education
- High school
Directly supervise and coordinate activities of members of police force.
Profile coming in the next tranche.
9. 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.
Profile coming in the next tranche.
10. Power Plant Operator
Production
- Median pay
- $102,040
- Growth
- -11.2%
- Openings / yr
- 2,500
- Education
- High school
Control, operate, or maintain machinery to generate electric power.
Profile coming in the next tranche.
11. Biomass Plant Technician
Production
- Median pay
- $102,040
- Growth
- -11.2%
- Openings / yr
- 2,500
- Education
- High school
Control and monitor biomass plant activities and perform maintenance as needed.
Profile coming in the next tranche.
12. Hydroelectric Plant Technician
Production
- Median pay
- $102,040
- Growth
- -11.2%
- Openings / yr
- 2,500
- Education
- High school
Monitor and control activities associated with hydropower generation.
Profile coming in the next tranche.
13. 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.
Profile coming in the next tranche.
14. Petroleum Pump System Operator, Refinery Operator, and Gauger
Production
- Median pay
- $96,710
- Growth
- -2.8%
- Openings / yr
- 3,200
- Education
- High school
Operate or control petroleum refining or processing units.
Profile coming in the next tranche.
15. Postmaster
Management
- Median pay
- $96,660
- Growth
- -3.5%
- Openings / yr
- 900
- Education
- High school
Plan, direct, or coordinate operational, administrative, management, and support services of a U.S.
Profile coming in the next tranche.
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair
- Median pay
- $95,320
- Growth
- +6.6%
- Openings / yr
- 10,700
- Education
- High school
Install or repair cables or wires used in electrical power or distribution systems.
Protective Service
- Median pay
- $93,790
- Growth
- -0.7%
- Openings / yr
- 7,800
- Education
- High school
Conduct investigations related to suspected violations of federal, state, or local laws to prevent or solve crimes.
Protective Service
- Median pay
- $93,790
- Growth
- -0.7%
- Openings / yr
- 7,800
- Education
- High school
Collect evidence at crime scene, classify and identify fingerprints, and photograph evidence for use in criminal and civil cases.
Protective Service
- Median pay
- $93,790
- Growth
- -0.7%
- Openings / yr
- 7,800
- Education
- High school
Gather, analyze, or evaluate information from a variety of sources, such as law enforcement databases, surveillance, intelligence networks or geographic information systems.
20. 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.
Profile coming in the next tranche.
21. Gambling Manager
Management
- Median pay
- $93,220
- Growth
- +1.2%
- Openings / yr
- 600
- Education
- High school
Plan, direct, or coordinate gambling operations in a casino.
Profile coming in the next tranche.
22. Signal and Track Switch Repairer
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair
- Median pay
- $92,460
- Growth
- +1.7%
- Openings / yr
- 800
- Education
- High school
Install, inspect, test, maintain, or repair electric gate crossings, signals, signal equipment, track switches, section lines, or intercommunications systems within a railroad system.
Profile coming in the next tranche.
23. 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.
Profile coming in the next tranche.
24. Transportation Inspector
Transportation and Material Moving
- Median pay
- $92,100
- Growth
- +1.7%
- Openings / yr
- 2,500
- Education
- High school
Inspect equipment or goods in connection with the safe transport of cargo or people.
Profile coming in the next tranche.
25. Aviation Inspector
Transportation and Material Moving
- Median pay
- $92,100
- Growth
- +1.7%
- Openings / yr
- 2,500
- Education
- High school
Inspect aircraft, maintenance procedures, air navigational aids, air traffic controls, and communications equipment to ensure conformance with Federal safety regulations.
Profile coming in the next tranche.
26. Transportation Vehicle, Equipment and Systems Inspector, Except Aviation
Transportation and Material Moving
- Median pay
- $92,100
- Growth
- +1.7%
- Openings / yr
- 2,500
- Education
- High school
Inspect and monitor transportation equipment, vehicles, or systems to ensure compliance with regulations and safety standards.
Profile coming in the next tranche.
27. Transit and Railroad Police
Protective Service
- Median pay
- $90,230
- Growth
- +3.0%
- Openings / yr
- 200
- Education
- High school
Protect and police railroad and transit property, employees, or passengers.
Profile coming in the next tranche.
28. Farmer or Agricultural Manager
Management
- Median pay
- $89,900
- Growth
- -1.3%
- Openings / yr
- 85,500
- Education
- High school
Plan, direct, or coordinate the management or operation of farms, ranches, greenhouses, aquacultural operations, nurseries, timber tracts, or other agricultural establishments.
Profile coming in the next tranche.
29. Gas Plant Operator
Production
- Median pay
- $87,820
- Growth
- -8.8%
- Openings / yr
- 1,300
- Education
- High school
Distribute or process gas for utility companies and others by controlling compressors to maintain specified pressures on main pipelines.
Profile coming in the next tranche.
30. First-Line Supervisor of Non-Retail Sales Workers
Sales and Related
- Median pay
- $87,520
- Growth
- 0.0%
- Openings / yr
- 24,800
- Education
- High school
Directly supervise and coordinate activities of sales workers other than retail sales workers.
Profile coming in the next tranche.
Highest-Paying Jobs Without a Degree: FAQ
What is the top career on the highest-paying jobs without a degree 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 high school diploma, postsecondary certificate, or less, ranked by national median wage. Included when the BLS Employment Projections "typical education needed for entry" is a high school diploma, a postsecondary non-degree award, some college, or no formal credential. Ranked by national median annual wage from BLS OEWS. 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 without a degree pay?
Across the 30 careers on this list the middle occupation pays $95,990 a year, from $87,520 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).