20 careers
Highest-Paying Jobs Without a Four-Year Degree
You don’t need a bachelor’s degree to earn a strong living. These careers typically require a high school diploma, a certificate, an apprenticeship or an associate degree, and still pay well above the U.S. median wage for all workers.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| # | Career | Median pay | Growth 2025–35 | Training time | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Air Traffic Controller | $148,080 | +1.7% | FAA Academy plus 2–4 years on the job | Associate's degree |
| 2 | Commercial Pilot | $123,220 | +5.2% | 1–2 years of flight training | Postsecondary nondegree award |
| 3 | Nuclear Reactor Operator | $122,890 | -5.9% | 2–4+ years | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 4 | Nuclear Technician | $110,240 | +1.1% | 2 years + plant training | Associate's degree |
| 5 | Elevator Technician | $109,910 | +5.7% | 4–5 years (apprenticeship) | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 6 | Ship Engineer | $109,530 | +2.7% | Years of sea time and credentials | Postsecondary nondegree award |
| 7 | Logistics Manager | $107,230 | +6.1% | 5+ years of experience | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 8 | Power Dispatcher | $106,730 | +1.2% | 1–3+ years on the job | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 9 | Radiation Therapist | $105,310 | +2.8% | 2–4 years | Associate's degree |
| 10 | Substation Technician | $103,020 | +9.7% | 1–2 years + experience | Postsecondary nondegree award |
| 11 | Power Plant Operator | $102,040 | -5.1% | 1–3+ years on the job | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 12 | Nuclear Medicine Technologist | $101,370 | +4.4% | 2–4 years | Associate's degree |
| 13 | Dental Hygienist | $98,100 | +8.0% | About 3 years | Associate's degree |
| 14 | Registered Nurse | $97,550 | +5.6% | 2–4 years | Bachelor's degree |
| 15 | Makeup Artist | $97,150 | +6.1% | 3–12 months | Postsecondary nondegree award |
| 16 | Refinery Operator | $96,710 | -1.9% | 6–18 months on the job | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 17 | Postmaster | $96,660 | -0.3% | Postal experience plus management training | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 18 | Diagnostic Medical Sonographer | $96,590 | +13.9% | 18–24 months | Associate's degree |
| 19 | MRI Technologist | $95,480 | +7.7% | 2–3 years | Associate's degree |
| 20 | Electrical Lineworker | $95,320 | +10.3% | 3–4 years (apprenticeship) | High school diploma or equivalent |
1. Air Traffic Controller
Air traffic controllers coordinate aircraft movements on the ground and in the air, giving pilots clearances and instructions to keep aircraft safely separated and traffic flowing.
- Median pay: $148,080 ($71.19/hr)
- Training: FAA Academy plus 2–4 years on the job: associate's degree
- Growth: +1.7% (slower than average), 2,100 openings/yr
Air Traffic Controller career guide · Air Traffic Controller training
2. Commercial Pilot
Commercial pilots fly aircraft for hire outside the major airlines, including charter, corporate, cargo, aerial tours, crop dusting, medical transport and flight instruction.
- Median pay: $123,220
- Training: 1–2 years of flight training: postsecondary nondegree award
- Growth: +5.2% (faster than average), 5,200 openings/yr
Commercial Pilot career guide · Commercial Pilot training
3. Nuclear Reactor Operator
Nuclear power reactor operators control nuclear reactors, adjusting control rods, monitoring instruments and responding to abnormal conditions, under a license from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
- Median pay: $122,890 ($59.08/hr)
- Training: 2–4+ years: high school diploma or equivalent
- Growth: -5.9% (a projected decline), 400 openings/yr
Nuclear Reactor Operator career guide · Nuclear Reactor Operator training
4. Nuclear Technician
Nuclear technicians assist physicists, engineers and other professionals in nuclear research and power generation, monitoring radiation, operating equipment and running tests.
- Median pay: $110,240 ($53.00/hr)
- Training: 2 years + plant training: associate's degree
- Growth: +1.1% (slower than average), 900 openings/yr
Nuclear Technician career guide · Nuclear Technician training
5. Elevator Technician
Elevator and escalator installers and repairers assemble, install, test, maintain and repair elevators, escalators, moving walkways and lifts, working with electrical, mechanical and hydraulic systems.
- Median pay: $109,910 ($52.84/hr)
- Training: 4–5 years (apprenticeship): high school diploma or equivalent
- Growth: +5.7% (faster than average), 1,900 openings/yr
Elevator Technician career guide · Elevator Technician training
6. Ship Engineer
Ship engineers supervise and coordinate the activities of crew in operating and maintaining engines, boilers, deck machinery and electrical, sanitary and refrigeration equipment aboard ships.
- Median pay: $109,530 ($52.66/hr)
- Training: Years of sea time and credentials: postsecondary nondegree award
- Growth: +2.7% (about as fast as average), 900 openings/yr
Ship Engineer career guide · Ship Engineer training
7. Logistics Manager
Transportation, storage and distribution managers plan, direct or coordinate transportation, storage or distribution activities.
- Median pay: $107,230 ($51.55/hr)
- Training: 5+ years of experience: high school diploma or equivalent
- Growth: +6.1% (faster than average), 18,300 openings/yr
Logistics Manager career guide · Logistics Manager training
8. Power Dispatcher
Power distributors and dispatchers coordinate and control the flow of electricity across transmission and distribution systems, balancing supply and demand and directing field crews during outages.
- Median pay: $106,730 ($51.31/hr)
- Training: 1–3+ years on the job: high school diploma or equivalent
- Growth: +1.2% (slower than average), 700 openings/yr
Power Dispatcher career guide · Power Dispatcher training
9. Radiation Therapist
Radiation therapists treat cancer and other diseases by giving radiation treatments, operating machines called linear accelerators under the direction of radiation oncologists.
- Median pay: $105,310 ($50.63/hr)
- Training: 2–4 years: associate's degree
- Growth: +2.8% (about as fast as average), 700 openings/yr
Radiation Therapist career guide · Radiation Therapist training
10. Substation Technician
Electrical and electronics repairers for powerhouses, substations and relays inspect, test, repair and maintain transformers, breakers, relays and control systems.
- Median pay: $103,020 ($49.53/hr)
- Training: 1–2 years + experience: postsecondary nondegree award
- Growth: +9.7% (much faster than average), 1,800 openings/yr
Substation Technician career guide · Substation Technician training
11. Power Plant Operator
Power plant operators control and monitor the boilers, turbines, generators and auxiliary equipment that produce electricity at gas, coal, hydro, solar and other plants.
- Median pay: $102,040 ($49.06/hr)
- Training: 1–3+ years on the job: high school diploma or equivalent
- Growth: -5.1% (a projected decline), 2,300 openings/yr
Power Plant Operator career guide · Power Plant Operator training
12. Nuclear Medicine Technologist
Nuclear medicine technologists prepare and give radioactive drugs to patients and operate imaging equipment that shows how organs and tissues function.
- Median pay: $101,370 ($48.74/hr)
- Training: 2–4 years: associate's degree
- Growth: +4.4% (about as fast as average), 800 openings/yr
Nuclear Medicine Technologist career guide · Nuclear Medicine Technologist training
13. Dental Hygienist
Dental hygienists remove plaque and tartar, take X-rays, screen for gum disease and oral cancer, apply preventive treatments and teach patients good oral hygiene.
- Median pay: $98,100 ($47.16/hr)
- Training: About 3 years: associate's degree
- Growth: +8.0% (much faster than average), 15,000 openings/yr
Dental Hygienist career guide · Dental Hygienist training
14. Registered Nurse
Registered nurses (RNs) assess patients, plan and deliver nursing care, give medications and treatments, monitor for changes, and educate patients and families, in hospitals, clinics, schools, home health and many other settings.
- Median pay: $97,550 ($46.90/hr)
- Training: 2–4 years: bachelor's degree
- Growth: +5.6% (faster than average), 180,800 openings/yr
Registered Nurse career guide · Registered Nurse training
15. Makeup Artist
Makeup artists apply makeup and prosthetics for performers in film, television and theater, and for clients at events and photo shoots.
- Median pay: $97,150 ($46.71/hr)
- Training: 3–12 months: postsecondary nondegree award
- Growth: +6.1% (faster than average), 600 openings/yr
Makeup Artist career guide · Makeup Artist training
16. Refinery Operator
Petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators and gaugers control refinery units, pumps and tanks that process and move crude oil and petroleum products.
- Median pay: $96,710 ($46.50/hr)
- Training: 6–18 months on the job: high school diploma or equivalent
- Growth: -1.9% (a projected decline), 2,700 openings/yr
Refinery Operator career guide · Refinery Operator training
17. Postmaster
Postmasters and mail superintendents direct and coordinate operational, administrative, management and support services of a U.S. post office.
- Median pay: $96,660 ($46.47/hr)
- Training: Postal experience plus management training: high school diploma or equivalent
- Growth: -0.3% (little or no change), 900 openings/yr
Postmaster career guide · Postmaster training
18. Diagnostic Medical Sonographer
Diagnostic medical sonographers use ultrasound equipment to capture images of the body’s organs, tissues, blood flow and developing babies, and give physicians a technical summary of their findings.
- Median pay: $96,590 ($46.44/hr)
- Training: 18–24 months: associate's degree
- Growth: +13.9% (much faster than average), 6,000 openings/yr
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer career guide · Diagnostic Medical Sonographer training
19. MRI Technologist
MRI technologists operate magnetic resonance imaging scanners to create detailed images of organs and tissues for physicians to diagnose medical problems.
- Median pay: $95,480 ($45.91/hr)
- Training: 2–3 years: associate's degree
- Growth: +7.7% (much faster than average), 2,300 openings/yr
MRI Technologist career guide · MRI Technologist training
20. Electrical Lineworker
Electrical lineworkers install, maintain and repair the overhead and underground power lines that carry electricity from power plants to homes and businesses, often working at heights on energized equipment and restoring power after storms.
- Median pay: $95,320 ($45.83/hr)
- Training: 3–4 years (apprenticeship): high school diploma or equivalent
- Growth: +10.3% (much faster than average), 10,900 openings/yr
Electrical Lineworker career guide · Electrical Lineworker training
Methodology
Rankings use national data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025; BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35)) for the 709 careers profiled on Career Education Institute. Lists are not exhaustive of all U.S. occupations. Data checked October 15, 2026.
About this list
What is #1 on the list of high-paying jobs without a degree?
Air Traffic Controller, with a median wage of $148,080 per year and about FAA Academy plus 2–4 years on the job of training.
How was this list made?
We ranked careers from our 709 profiles using BLS May 2025 wage data and 2025–35 employment projections, applying the criteria described on this page.