According to the latest data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, these are the 20 highest paying jobs in the USA without a college degree.
Highest Paying Jobs in the USA Without College Degree
20) Gas Plant Operators
Gas plant operators monitor equipment; observe temperature, pressure, level, and flow gauges; control compressor, evaporator, scrubber, and refrigeration equipment.
Median annual wage – $69,030
Education required – High school diploma or equivalent
Work experience required – None
On the job training – Long-term
19) Electrical power-line installers and repairers
Typically install, maintain, or repair electrical power systems and telecommunications cables, including fiber optics.
Median annual wage – $69,380
Education required – High school diploma or equivalent
Work experience required – None
On the job training – Long-term
18) Farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural managers
Farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural managers operate establishments that produce crops, livestock, and dairy products.
Median annual wage – $69,620
Education required – High school diploma or equivalent
Work experience required – 5 years
On the job training – None
17) Transit and railroad police
Transit and railroad police protect and police railroad and transit property, employees, or passengers.
Median annual wage – $70,280
Education required – High school diploma or equivalent
Work experience required – None
On the job training – Moderate-term
16) Captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels
Captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels command or supervise operations of ships and water vessels, such as tugboats and ferryboats.
Median annual wage – $70,920
Education required – Postsecondary nondegree award.
Work experience required – Less than five years
On the job training – None
15) First-line supervisors of non-retail sales workers
First-line supervisors of non-retail sales workers supervise and coordinate activities of sales workers other than retail sales workers.
Median annual wage – $71,650
Education required – High school diploma or equivalent
Work experience required – Less than five years
On the job training – None
14) Transportation inspectors
Transportation Inspectors inspect equipment or goods in connection with the safe transport of cargo or people.
Median annual wage – $72,140
Education required – High school diploma or equivalent
Work experience required – None
On the job training – Moderate-term
13) Gaming managers
Gaming managers plan, direct, or coordinate gaming operations in a casino.
Median annual wage – $72,930
Education required – High school diploma or equivalent
Work experience required – Less than five years
On the job training – None
12) Ship engineers
Ship engineers supervise and coordinate crew activities engaged in operating and maintaining engines, boilers, deck machinery, and electrical, sanitary, and refrigeration equipment aboard the ship.
Median annual wage – $73,110
Education required – Postsecondary nondegree award.
Work experience required – Less than five years
On the job training – None
11) Postmasters and mail superintendents
Postmasters and mail superintendents plan, direct, or coordinate operational, administrative, management, and supportive services of a U.S. post office; or coordinate activities of workers engaged in postal and related work in the assigned post office.
Median annual wage – $74,820
Education required – High school diploma or equivalent
Work experience required – Less than five years
On the job training – Moderate-term
10) First-line supervisors of fire fighting and prevention workers
First-line supervisors of fire fighting and prevention workers directly supervise and coordinate activities of workers engaged in fire fighting and fire prevention and control. One of the high growth projection jobs enlisted in these top 20 highest paying jobs in the USA without a college degree.
Median annual wage – $76,170
Education required – Postsecondary nondegree award.
Work experience required – Less than five years
On the job training – Moderate-term
9) Power plant operators
Power plant operators control, operate or maintain machinery to generate electric power. Includes auxiliary equipment operators.
Median annual wage – $77,180
Education required – High school diploma or equivalent
Work experience required – None
On the job training – Long-term
8) Electrical and electronics repairers, powerhouse, substation, and relay
They inspect, test, repair, or maintain electrical equipment in generating stations, substations, and in-service relays.
Median annual wage – $78,410
Education required – Postsecondary nondegree award.
Work experience required – Less than five years
On the job training – Moderate-term
7) Commercial pilots
Commercial pilots navigate the flight of fixed-wing aircraft on nonscheduled air carrier routes or helicopters.
Median annual wage – $78,740
Education required – High school diploma or equivalent
Work experience required – None
On the job training – Moderate-term
6) Elevator installers and repairers
Elevator installers and repairers assemble, install, repair, or maintain electric or hydraulic freight or passenger elevators, escalators, or dumbwaiters. One of the high growth projection jobs enlisted in these top 20 highest paying jobs in the USA without a college degree.
Median annual wage – $79,480
Education required – High school diploma or equivalent
Work experience required – None
On the job training – Apprenticeship
5) Detectives and criminal investigators
Detectives and criminal investigators conduct investigations related to suspected violations of federal, state, or local laws to prevent or solve crimes.
Median annual wage – $79,970
Education required – High school diploma or equivalent
Work experience required – Less than five years
On the job training – Moderate-term
4) Power distributors and dispatchers
Power distributors and dispatchers coordinate, regulate, or distribute electricity or steam.
Median annual wage – $82,510
Education required – High school diploma or equivalent
Work experience required – None
On the job training – Long-term
3) First-line supervisors of police and detectives
First-line supervisors of police and detectives directly supervise and coordinate the activities of members of a police force.
Median annual wage – $82,510
Education required – High school diploma or equivalent
Work experience required – Less than five years
On the job training – Moderate-term
2) Transportation, storage, and distribution managers
Transportation, storage, and distribution managers coordinate transportation, storage, or distribution activities per organizational policies and applicable government laws or regulations. One of the high-growth projection jobs enlisted in these top 20 highest paying jobs in the USA without a college degree.
Median annual wage – $92,460
Education required – High school diploma or equivalent
Work experience required – 5 years
On the job training – None
1) Nuclear power reactor operators
Nuclear power reactor operators operate or control nuclear reactors, move control rods, start and stop equipment, monitor and adjust controls, record data in logs, and implement emergency procedures when needed.
According to the latest updated data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Nuclear power reactor operators are the top paid job among several others highest paying jobs in the USA without a college degree.
Median annual wage – $93,370
Education required – High school diploma or equivalent
Work experience required – None
On the job training – Long-term