The 25 highest-paying jobs you can get without a bachelor's degree
According to the latest data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, these are the 25 highest-paying jobs that you don't need a bachelor's degree to pursue. Image: REUTERS/Yuya Shino
Don't have the time or money to get a bachelor's degree?
Don't fret. There are plenty of high-paying jobs that require only a two-year associate degree or just a high-school diploma.
According to the latest data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics,these are the 25 highest-paying jobs that you don't need a four-year degree to pursue.
Each has a median annual salary of at least $64,000.
This is an update of a story originally written by Vivian Giang.
25. Web developers
They design, create, and modify websites.
Median annual wage (2015): $64,970
Education required: Associate degree
Projected job openings (through 2024): 58,600
Work experience: None
On-the-job training: None
24. Petroleum-pump-system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers
They operate or control petroleum refining or processing units.
Median annual wage (2015): $65,190
Education required: High-school diploma or equivalent
Projected job openings (through 2024): 17,000
Work experience: None
On-the-job training: Long-term on-the-job training
23. Gas-plant operators
They distribute or process gas for utility companies and others by controlling compressors to maintain specified pressures on main pipelines.
Median annual wage (2015): $66,010
Education required: High-school diploma or equivalent
Projected job openings (through 2024): 6,300
Work experience: None
On-the-job training: Long-term on-the-job training
22. Aerospace engineering and operations technicians
They operate and maintain equipment used in developing, testing, and producing new aircraft and spacecraft.
Median annual wage (2015): $66,180
Education required: Associate degree
Projected job openings (through 2024): 3,200
Work experience: None
On-the-job training: None
21. Electrical-power-line installers and repairers
They install or repair cables or wires used in electrical power or distribution systems.
Median annual wage (2015): $66,450
Education required: High-school diploma or equivalent
Projected job openings (through 2024): 60,300
Work experience: None
On-the-job training: Long-term on-the-job training
20. Magnetic-resonance-imaging technologists
They monitor patient safety and comfort and view images of areas being scanned to ensure quality of pictures.
Median annual wage (2015): $67,720
Education required: Associate degree
Projected job openings (through 2024): 9,800
Work experience: Less than five years
On-the-job training: None
19. Gaming managers
They plan, direct, or coordinate gaming operations in a casino.
Median annual wage (2015): $68,380
Education required: High-school diploma or equivalent
Projected job openings (through 2024): 800
Work experience: Less than five years
On-the-job training: None
18. Diagnostic medical sonographers
They use special imaging equipment that directs sound waves into a patient's body to assess and diagnose various medical conditions.
Median annual wage (2015): $68,970
Education required: Associate's degree
Projected job openings (through 2024): 27,500
Work experience: None
On-the-job training: None
17. Postmasters and mail superintendents
They plan, direct, or coordinate operational, administrative, management, and supportive services of a US post office, or coordinate activities of workers engaged in postal and related work in an assigned post office.
Median annual wage (2015): $70,640
Education required: High-school diploma or equivalent
Projected job openings (through 2024): 3,800
Work experience: Less than five years
On-the-job training: Moderate-term on-the-job training
16. Transportation inspectors
They inspect equipment or goods in connection with the safe transport of cargo or people.
Median annual wage (2015): $70,820
Education required: High-school diploma or equivalent
Projected job openings (through 2024): 7,100
Work experience: None
On-the-job training: Moderate-term on-the-job training
15. Funeral-service directors
They plan, direct, or coordinate the services or resources of funeral homes.
Median annual wage (2015): $70,890
Education required: Associate degree
Projected job openings (through 2024): 7,400
Work experience: Less than five years
On-the-job training: None
14. Power-plant operators
They control, operate, or maintain machinery to generate electric power. Includes auxiliary equipment operators.
Median annual wage (2015): $71,940
Education required: High-school diploma or equivalent
Projected job openings (through 2024): 14,100
Work experience: None
On-the-job training: Long-term on-the-job training
13. First-line supervisors of non-retail sales workers
They directly supervise and coordinate activities of sales workers other than retail sales workers.
Median annual wage (2015): $72,300
Education required: High-school diploma or equivalent
Projected job openings (through 2024): 69,900
Work experience: Less than five years
On-the-job training: None
12. Dental hygienists
They clean teeth, examine patients for oral diseases like gingivitis, and provide other preventative dental care.
Median annual wage (2015): $72,330
Education required: Associate degree
Projected job openings (through 2024): 70,300
Work experience: None
On-the-job training: None
11. Nuclear medicine technologists
They use a scanner to create images of various areas of a patient's body. They prepare radioactive drugs and administer them to patients undergoing the scans.
Median annual wage (2015): $73,360
Education required: Associate degree
Projected job openings (through 2024): 4,200
Work experience: None
On-the-job training: None
10. Commercial pilots
They pilot and navigate the flight of fixed-wing aircraft on nonscheduled air-carrier routes or helicopters. Requires commercial-pilot certificate.
Median annual wage (2015): $76,150
Education required: High-school diploma or equivalent
Projected job openings (through 2024): 15,100
Work experience: None
On-the-job training: Moderate-term on-the-job training
9. Detectives and criminal investigators
They conduct investigations related to suspected violations of federal, state, or local laws to prevent or solve crimes.
Median annual wage (2015): $77,210
Education required: High-school diploma or equivalent
Projected job openings (through 2024): 28,300
Work experience: Less than five years
On-the-job training: Moderate-term on-the-job training
8. Radiation therapists
They check equipment, observe patients' reactions to treatment, and document sessions.
Median annual wage (2015): $80,220
Education required: Associate degree
Projected job openings (through 2024): 6,200
Work experience: None
On-the-job training: None
7. Nuclear technicians
They assist physicists, engineers, and other professionals in nuclear research and nuclear production.
Median annual wage (2015): $80,260
Education required: Associate degree
Projected job openings (through 2024): 2,800
Work experience: None
On-the-job training: Moderate-term on-the-job training
6. Power distributors and dispatchers
They coordinate, regulate, or distribute electricity or steam.
Median annual wage (2015): $80,840
Education required: High-school diploma or equivalent
Projected job openings (through 2024): 3,900
Work experience: None
On-the-job training: Long-term on-the-job training
5. Elevator installers and repairers
They assemble, install, repair, or maintain electric or hydraulic freight or passenger elevators, escalators, or dumbwaiters.
Median annual wage (2015): $80,870
Education required: High-school diploma or equivalent
Projected job openings (through 2024): 5,900
Work experience: None
On-the-job training: Apprenticeship
4. First-line supervisors of police and detectives
They directly supervise and coordinate activities of members of a police force.
Median annual wage (2015): $82,090
Education required: High-school diploma or equivalent
Projected job openings (through 2024): 43,000
Work experience: Less than five years
On-the-job training: Moderate-term on-the-job training
3. Transportation, storage, and distribution managers
They coordinate transportation, storage, or distribution activities in accordance with organizational policies and applicable government laws or regulations.
Median annual wage (2015): $86,630
Education required: High-school diploma or equivalent
Projected job openings (through 2024): 27,100
Work experience: Five years or more
On-the-job training: None
2. Nuclear-power-reactor operators
They 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.
Median annual wage (2015): $88,560
Education required: High-school diploma or equivalent
Projected job openings (through 2024): 2,600
Work experience: None
On-the-job training: Long-term on-the-job training
1. Air-traffic controllers
They monitor and direct the movement of aircraft. Median annual wages of air-traffic controllers are the highest of any occupation in which workers typically do not need a bachelor's degree.
Median annual wage (2015): $122,950
Education required: Associate degree
Projected job openings (through 2024): 7,500
Work experience: None
On-the-job training: Long-term on-the-job training
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David Elliott
December 19, 2024
