25 highest-paying jobs not requiring a bachelor's degree
1 source↑ Market-relevant
IN SHORT
A report highlights 25 jobs that offer high median annual wages without requiring a bachelor's degree. Air traffic controllers lead the list with a median annual pay of $148,080, typically requiring an associate degree. Other high-paying roles include nuclear power reactor operators and diagnostic medical sonographers.
Key Numbers
25highest-paying jobs without a bachelor's degree
$148,080median annual pay for air traffic controllers
May 2025pay data year
2024education requirement year
36,850employment estimate for captains, mates, and pilots
92,460median annual pay for captains, mates, and pilots
8,720employment estimate for signal and track switch repairers
92,460median annual pay for signal and track switch repairers
5,030employment estimate for gambling managers
93,220median annual pay for gambling managers
99,140employment estimate for first-line supervisors of firefighting and prevention wo
93,530median annual pay for first-line supervisors of firefighting and prevention work
114,430
employment estimate for detectives and criminal investigators
93,790median annual pay for detectives and criminal investigators
131,070employment estimate for electrical power-line installers and repairers
95,320median annual pay for electrical power-line installers and repairers
43,390employment estimate for magnetic resonance imaging technologists
95,480median annual pay for magnetic resonance imaging technologists
90,160employment estimate for diagnostic medical sonographers
96,590median annual pay for diagnostic medical sonographers
13,810employment estimate for postmasters and mail superintendents
96,660median annual pay for postmasters and mail superintendents
33,160employment estimate for petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and
96,710median annual pay for petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and g
2,340employment estimate for makeup artists, theatrical and performance
97,150median annual pay for makeup artists, theatrical and performance
222,740employment estimate for dental hygienists
98,100median annual pay for dental hygienists
17,080employment estimate for nuclear medicine technologists
101,370median annual pay for nuclear medicine technologists
29,320employment estimate for power plant operators
102,040median annual pay for power plant operators
20,720employment estimate for electrical and electronics repairers, powerhouse, substa
103,020median annual pay for electrical and electronics repairers, powerhouse, substati
17,070employment estimate for radiation therapists
105,310median annual pay for radiation therapists
154,610employment estimate for first-line supervisors of police and detectives
106,040median annual pay for first-line supervisors of police and detectives
8,520employment estimate for power distributors and dispatchers
106,730median annual pay for power distributors and dispatchers
221,180employment estimate for transportation, storage, and distribution managers
107,230median annual pay for transportation, storage, and distribution managers
8,400employment estimate for ship engineers
109,530median annual pay for ship engineers
23,790employment estimate for elevator and escalator installers and repairers
109,910median annual pay for elevator and escalator installers and repairers
6,470employment estimate for nuclear technicians
110,240median annual pay for nuclear technicians
5,150employment estimate for nuclear power reactor operators
122,890median annual pay for nuclear power reactor operators
47,630employment estimate for commercial pilots
123,220median annual pay for commercial pilots
22,510employment estimate for air traffic controllers
Who's Involved
Bureau of Labor Statistics
Source of employment and pay data
Business Insider
Publisher of the job ranking report
↳ Why This Matters
For individuals seeking high-paying careers without the commitment of a four-year degree, several professions offer substantial annual wages. This analysis identifies jobs where a high school diploma, associate degree, or postsecondary nondegree award can lead to six-figure incomes, providing alternative pathways to financial success.
Key facts
About a dozen jobs not requiring a bachelor's degree had six-figure median annual pay in May 2025.
Air traffic controllers ranked highest with a median annual wage of $148,080.
Prospective air traffic controllers can qualify with an associate degree.
Transportation, storage, and distribution managers can earn high wages with just a high school diploma.
The report used May 2025 pay data and 2024 education requirements.
For individuals seeking high-paying careers without the commitment of a four-year degree, several professions offer substantial annual wages. This analysis identifies jobs where a high school diploma, associate degree, or postsecondary nondegree award can lead to six-figure incomes, providing alternative pathways to financial success.
Frequently asked questions
Air traffic controllers have the highest median annual pay at $148,080, typically requiring an associate degree.
The jobs listed typically require a high school diploma, an associate degree, or a postsecondary nondegree award.
The data comes from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with pay estimates for May 2025 and education requirements from 2024.
What Happens Next
01The report lists the top 25 highest-paying jobs that typically do not require a bachelor's degree.
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How It Developed
About a dozen jobs typically not requiring a bachelor's degree had median annual wages in the six figures as of May 2025.