11 Highest Paying Jobs Without a College Degree (2026-2027)

You can earn a strong income without a four-year degree. Many of the best-paid jobs in the U.S. use paid training, an apprenticeship or a short certificate instead. This page ranks 11 of them by median pay, using the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Outlook Handbook.

Each job shows its May 2025 median pay, the typical entry education, the number of jobs and the outlook to 2035. These are national figures, so pay in your state may be higher or lower.

Advertisement

This list covers the jobs I checked, not every job in the economy. Some jobs need a license or an employer’s requirements beyond a diploma, so read each description before you decide.

11 Highest Paying Jobs Without a College Degree

Quick jump: Commercial pilot Nuclear reactor operator Elevator installer Power dispatcher Power plant operator Power-line installer Aircraft mechanic Police officer Plumber Electrician HVAC technician

1. Commercial pilots

Median pay: $123,220 a year (May 2025)
Typical entry education: Flight training; some employers require or prefer a degree
Jobs in 2025: 50,400
Outlook, 2025 to 2035: 5%

Commercial pilots earned a median of $123,220 in May 2025. The BLS says flight training is typically required, and some employers require or prefer a degree, so check the posting. Airline pilots are different: BLS says they typically need a bachelor’s degree.

2. Nuclear power reactor operators

Median pay: $122,890 a year (May 2025)
Typical entry education: High school diploma or equivalent
Jobs in 2025: 5,200
Outlook, 2025 to 2035: -4% (group)

Nuclear power reactor operators control reactors and monitor turbines, generators and cooling systems. Most start as unlicensed operators at a nuclear plant, then pass a medical exam and the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission licensing exam. Licenses do not transfer between plants. The group outlook is a 4% decline, with about 3,400 openings a year from workers who leave.

3. Elevator and escalator installers and repairers

Median pay: $109,910 a year (May 2025)
Typical entry education: High school diploma or equivalent
Jobs in 2025: 24,700
Outlook, 2025 to 2035: 6%

These workers put in, maintain and repair elevators, escalators, moving walkways and other lifts. A typical career starts with a 4-year apprenticeship sponsored by a union, industry association or employer, and most states require a license.

4. Power distributors and dispatchers

Median pay: $106,730 a year (May 2025)
Typical entry education: High school diploma or equivalent
Jobs in 2025: 8,600
Outlook, 2025 to 2035: -4% (group)

Power distributors and dispatchers manage the flow of electricity from generating stations to substations and users, and respond to emergencies such as line failures. The BLS says plant operators and dispatchers typically need several years of onsite training and experience, and employers may require an aptitude exam.

5. Power plant operators

Median pay: $102,040 a year (May 2025)
Typical entry education: High school diploma or equivalent
Jobs in 2025: 29,800
Outlook, 2025 to 2035: -4% (group)

Power plant operators run equipment that generates electricity from non-nuclear sources and adjust output to meet demand. Strong math and science skills help, and some states require stationary engineer or boiler operator licenses.

6. Electrical power-line installers and repairers

Median pay: $95,320 a year (May 2025)
Typical entry education: High school diploma or equivalent
Jobs in 2025: 131,900
Outlook, 2025 to 2035: 10%

These workers install or repair the cables and wires that carry electricity. Most complete an apprenticeship or employer program of up to 3 years, and workers who drive heavy vehicles usually need a commercial driver’s license. Programs often ask for a diploma, one year of algebra, an aptitude test and a substance abuse screening.

7. Aircraft mechanics and avionics technicians

Median pay: $80,180 a year (May 2025)
Typical entry education: Postsecondary nondegree award
Jobs in 2025: 159,800
Outlook, 2025 to 2035: 6%

This job typically needs a postsecondary nondegree award and no on-the-job training, according to the BLS. Look at certificate programs and employers that sponsor training.

8. Police and detectives

Median pay: $77,310 a year (May 2025)
Typical entry education: Varies by department, from a high school diploma to a college degree
Jobs in 2025: 824,200
Outlook, 2025 to 2035: 3%

The BLS says the entry education for police and detectives ranges from a high school diploma to a college degree, with moderate-term on-the-job training. Check each department’s requirements, since they differ by city and state.

9. Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters

Median pay: $63,800 a year (May 2025)
Typical entry education: High school diploma or equivalent
Jobs in 2025: 510,600
Outlook, 2025 to 2035: 7%

Most plumbers learn through an apprenticeship, which pays you while you train. The BLS lists the typical entry education as a high school diploma or equivalent with no related work experience needed.

10. Electricians

Median pay: $63,190 a year (May 2025)
Typical entry education: High school diploma or equivalent
Jobs in 2025: 821,000
Outlook, 2025 to 2035: 9%

Electricians install, maintain and repair electrical power, communications, lighting and control systems. Most complete a 4- or 5-year apprenticeship with 2,000 hours of paid on-the-job training a year, and most states require a license.

11. HVAC mechanics and installers

Median pay: $61,010 a year (May 2025)
Typical entry education: Postsecondary nondegree award
Jobs in 2025: 440,900
Outlook, 2025 to 2035: 11%

Heating, air conditioning and refrigeration mechanics typically need a postsecondary nondegree award and long-term on-the-job training. This group has the fastest projected growth on this list.

The 11 Jobs at a Glance

#	Job	Median pay (May 2025)	Typical entry education	Jobs (2025)	Outlook 2025 to 2035
1	Commercial pilots	$123,220	Flight training; some employers require or prefer a degree	50,400	5%
2	Nuclear power reactor operators	$122,890	High school diploma or equivalent	5,200	-4% (group)
3	Elevator and escalator installers and repairers	$109,910	High school diploma or equivalent	24,700	6%
4	Power distributors and dispatchers	$106,730	High school diploma or equivalent	8,600	-4% (group)
5	Power plant operators	$102,040	High school diploma or equivalent	29,800	-4% (group)
6	Electrical power-line installers and repairers	$95,320	High school diploma or equivalent	131,900	10%
7	Aircraft mechanics and avionics technicians	$80,180	Postsecondary nondegree award	159,800	6%
8	Police and detectives	$77,310	Varies by department, from a high school diploma to a college degree	824,200	3%
9	Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters	$63,800	High school diploma or equivalent	510,600	7%
10	Electricians	$63,190	High school diploma or equivalent	821,000	9%
11	HVAC mechanics and installers	$61,010	Postsecondary nondegree award	440,900	11%

How You Get Started in These Jobs

Path	How it works	Jobs on this list
Apprenticeship	Paid on-the-job training plus classroom instruction, often 3 to 5 years	Electricians, plumbers, elevator installers, power-line installers
Certificate or technical program	A postsecondary nondegree award from a school or training program	Aircraft mechanics, HVAC technicians
Employer training	Long-term training at the job, often after an aptitude test	Power plant operators, dispatchers, nuclear reactor operators
Flight training	Training and certification needed to fly for pay	Commercial pilots
Academy and department training	Varies by department	Police officers

What to Put on Your Resume

Hiring managers in these jobs look for safe, reliable workers who finish training. Show your proof with numbers.

Show on your resume	Example (fictional)
Hours or years of training	Completed 2,000 hours of paid on-the-job training in year one
Safety record	Worked 3 years with 0 lost-time injuries
Licenses and certificates	State journeyman license \| 2025
Reliability	Arrived on time for 98% of shifts over 2 years
Tools and systems	Used multimeters, conduit benders and load calculation software

Mistakes to Avoid

Assuming a diploma is enough. Many of these jobs also need paid training, a license or a test.
Ignoring state rules. Licensing and training rules vary by state.
Comparing only pay. Look at training length, growth, hours and physical demands too.
Skipping local research. Check pay and openings in your own area.
Typos on applications. Proofread twice.

Career Plan Checklist

Tick each item as you finish. You are ready to apply when the counter reaches 10.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the highest paying job without a college degree?

Among the jobs on this page, commercial pilots had the highest median pay at $123,220 in May 2025, followed by nuclear power reactor operators at $122,890. Commercial pilot jobs vary in whether a degree is required, so check each posting. This list covers the jobs I checked in the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, and other jobs may also pay well.

Which of these jobs only need a high school diploma?

The BLS lists a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical entry education for nuclear power reactor operators, elevator installers, power distributors and dispatchers, power plant operators, power-line installers, plumbers and electricians. Most also require paid training, an apprenticeship or a license.

What is an apprenticeship?

An apprenticeship combines paid on-the-job training with technical instruction. For electricians, the BLS says most complete a 4- or 5-year apprenticeship with 2,000 hours of paid on-the-job training each year. Elevator installers typically start with a 4-year apprenticeship.

Do I need a license?

Often, yes. The BLS says most states require electricians and elevator installers to be licensed, and nuclear reactor operators must be licensed by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Requirements vary by state, so check with your state.

Can I get paid while I train?

Yes, in an apprenticeship. Apprentices earn wages while they learn on the job and take classes, according to the BLS descriptions of electrician and plumber training.

Are these jobs growing?

It depends. The BLS projects 11% growth for HVAC mechanics and installers, 10% for power-line installers and 9% for electricians from 2025 to 2035. Power plant operators, dispatchers and nuclear operators as a group are projected to decline 4%.

Do these jobs have physical requirements?

Many do. Some apprenticeships ask for a physical fitness test, and many programs require a substance abuse screening. Check the program or employer for details.

Which jobs need a two-year degree?

Some well-paid jobs need an associate degree, such as dental hygienists ($94,260) and diagnostic medical sonographers ($89,340), using BLS 2024 wages. They are not on this list because they require a college degree.

Is pay the same in every state?

No. These are national medians. Pay varies by state, city, employer, overtime and experience, so check BLS data for your area.

How do I start?

Pick one or two jobs, check your state’s license and training rules, and contact a local union, employer or training program. Then update your resume with the skills and reliability the job needs.

Conclusion

You do not need a four-year degree to earn a good living. Pick one or two jobs from this list, check your state’s rules and contact a local apprenticeship, school or employer. Then update your resume and start applying.