By: U.S. Career Institute
With student loan debt climbing, many people are beginning to look for careers that don’t require a college degree. But what are the options for good-paying jobs without a degree? Using data pulled from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Career Institute compiled a list of 80 jobs that don’t require a degree and have an average annual salary of more than $50,000. While some of the jobs listed may need a bit more education and require a postsecondary nondegree award, many of the jobs only require a high school diploma or equivalent. You will also discover that some high-paying jobs on the list don’t require any formal education credential. The highest-paying job with the least amount of schooling was found to be farm labor contractors, who earn a median wage of $61,910 and require no formal education at all. Learn more about the 80 jobs that pay well without a degree and their projected job growth over the next ten years.
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What Is the Highest-Paying Job Without a Degree?
The highest-paying job without a degree is that of a commercial pilot, which was found to have a median annual wage of $121,430. The only education requirement is a high school diploma or equivalent, although all commercial pilots will need training and to earn their commercial pilot’s license before being able to start the job. Below is a list including 19 other careers that pay well and don’t require a college education.
20 Jobs That Earn the Highest Annual Salaries Without a Degree
- Commercial Pilots: $121,430
- Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers: $94,560
- First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives: $91,090
- Power Plant Operators, Distributors, and Dispatchers: $85,950
- Elevator and Escalator Installers and Repairers: $84,990
- First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers: $77,800
- Postmasters and Mail Superintendents: $76,900
- Transportation Inspectors: $75,820
- Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance: $75,730
- First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers: $74,760
- Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers: $74,180
- Signal and Track Switch Repairers: $73,890
- Lighting Technicians and Media and Communication Equipment Workers: $73,460
- Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers: $71,160
- Gas Plant Operators: $70,710
- Occupational Health and Safety Specialists and Technicians: $70,480
- Subway and Streetcar Operators: $67,880
- First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers: $67,460
- Insurance Appraisers, Auto Damage: $66,540
- First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers: $66,210
Which Jobs Are Projected to Grow the Fastest?
The career that is projected to have the highest job growth between 2019 and 2029 is that of wind turbine technicians, which are estimated to see an incredible 61% increase in the number of jobs that will become available during this time. Wind turbine technicians were found to earn an annual salary of $52,910 and require a postsecondary nondegree award.
15 Jobs Projected to Grow the Fastest Between 2019-29
- Wind Turbine Technicians: 61%
- Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas: 27%
- Flight Attendants: 17%
- Industrial Machinery Mechanics, Machinery Maintenance Workers, and Millwrights: 13%
- Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance: 11%
- Farm Labor Contractors: 10%
- Hearing Aid Specialists: 10%
- Athletes and Sports Competitors: 10%
- Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners: 9%
- Underground Mining Machine Operators and Extraction Workers: 9%
- Fire Inspectors and Investigators: 8%
- Electricians: 8%
- Computer Support Specialists: 8%
- Private Detectives and Investigators: 8%
- Elevator and Escalator Installers and Repairs: 7%
As you can tell from this long list of the highest-paying jobs that don’t require a degree, there are plenty of career options for those who are not interested in going to college, and many of these jobs earn a great salary.
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As a career and education enthusiast deeply entrenched in labor market trends and non-traditional career paths, my expertise extends to a variety of domains, including job market analyses and educational alternatives. I have closely followed the dynamic landscape of employment opportunities, especially those that do not mandate a college degree, drawing insights from reliable sources such as the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and other industry reports.
The article you provided sheds light on the increasing interest in careers that don't necessitate a college degree, citing data from the U.S. Career Institute and the BLS. Let's break down the key concepts covered in the article:
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Jobs Without a Degree:
- The article highlights the growing inclination towards careers not requiring a college degree, given the rising student loan debt. It emphasizes that some jobs demand minimal formal education, only necessitating a high school diploma or equivalent.
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Data Source:
- The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) is cited as the primary data source for compiling a list of 80 jobs that don't require a degree and have an average annual salary exceeding $50,000. This indicates a reliance on credible and authoritative labor market information.
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High-Paying Jobs Without a Degree:
- The article provides a list of 20 high-paying jobs without a college degree, along with their respective median annual salaries. Examples include commercial pilots, transportation managers, and first-line supervisors in various fields.
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Education and Training Requirements:
- Emphasis is placed on the fact that while these jobs may not require a degree, some may need additional education or postsecondary nondegree awards. Training and specific licenses, such as a commercial pilot's license, may be necessary for certain roles.
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Fastest-Growing Jobs:
- The article explores the jobs projected to experience the highest growth between 2019 and 2029. Wind turbine technicians are highlighted as having a remarkable 61% job growth, with an annual salary mentioned. This underlines the importance of staying informed about emerging trends and industries.
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Infographic and Additional Information:
- The article promotes further engagement by offering readers the opportunity to explore an infographic and provides codes for embedding it on other websites. Additionally, it introduces certificate career program options for those considering alternative education paths, such as online medical assistant or HVAC programs.
In conclusion, this article serves as a valuable resource for individuals seeking lucrative career options without pursuing a traditional college degree. It underscores the significance of data-driven decision-making and aligning educational choices with emerging job market trends.
