In short
The highest-paying jobs without a bachelor's degree include air traffic controllers, nuclear and power plant roles, elevator mechanics, radiation therapists and dental hygienists. Many pay medians above $80,000 a year, according to May 2025 BLS data. Most need either an associate degree or a multi-year apprenticeship, so the top of this list rewards patience.
The ranking
| # | Job | Median pay | Typical way in | Growth 2025 to 2035 | Openings a year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Air traffic controllers (BLS) | $148,080 | Associate degree | 1.7% | 2,100 |
| 2 | Commercial pilots (BLS) | $123,220 | Certificate | 5.2% | 5,200 |
| 3 | Nuclear power reactor operators (BLS) | $122,890 | High school or GED | a decline of 5.9% | 400 |
| 4 | Nuclear technicians (BLS) | $110,240 | Associate degree | 1.1% | 900 |
| 5 | Elevator and escalator installers and repairers (BLS) | $109,910 | High school or GED | 5.7% | 1,900 |
| 6 | Ship engineers (BLS) | $109,530 | Certificate | 2.7% | 900 |
| 7 | Power distributors and dispatchers (BLS) | $106,730 | High school or GED | 1.2% | 700 |
| 8 | Radiation therapists (BLS) | $105,310 | Associate degree | 2.8% | 700 |
| 9 | Electrical and electronics repairers, powerhouse, substation, and relay (BLS) | $103,020 | Certificate | 9.7% | 1,800 |
| 10 | Power plant operators (BLS) | $102,040 | High school or GED | a decline of 5.1% | 2,300 |
| 11 | Nuclear medicine technologists (BLS) | $101,370 | Associate degree | 4.4% | 800 |
| 12 | Dental hygienists | $98,100 | Associate degree | 8% | 15,000 |
| 13 | Makeup artists, theatrical and performance | $97,150 | Certificate | 6.1% | 600 |
| 14 | Petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers | $96,710 | High school or GED | a decline of 1.9% | 2,700 |
| 15 | Diagnostic medical sonographers | $96,590 | Associate degree | 13.9% | 6,000 |
| 16 | Magnetic resonance imaging technologists | $95,480 | Associate degree | 7.7% | 2,300 |
| 17 | Electrical power-line installers and repairers (BLS) | $95,320 | High school or GED | 10.3% | 10,900 |
| 18 | Signal and track switch repairers | $92,460 | High school or GED | 1.8% | 800 |
| 19 | Captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels (BLS) | $92,460 | Certificate | 4% | 3,800 |
| 20 | Transportation inspectors | $92,100 | High school or GED | 2.2% | 2,300 |
| 21 | Transit and railroad police (BLS) | $90,230 | High school or GED | 3.2% | 300 |
| 22 | Gas plant operators | $87,820 | High school or GED | a decline of 6% | 1,400 |
| 23 | Subway and streetcar operators | $86,380 | High school or GED | 3.7% | 900 |
| 24 | Electrical and electronics installers and repairers, transportation equipment (BLS) | $84,890 | Certificate | 5.4% | 500 |
| 25 | Aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians (BLS) | $82,890 | Associate degree | 11.9% | 1,100 |
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2025 to 2035 (Table 1.2), May 2025 median wages, retrieved 2026-10-09. Openings include jobs that open up when people retire or switch fields.
What the top of the list has in common
Look down the "Typical way in" column and a pattern shows up. The very best-paid jobs ask for either a two-year degree with clinical or technical training, or a long apprenticeship. Very few pay this well after a few weeks of class.
That is not bad news. It means the effort has a clear payoff, and apprenticeships pay you along the way. If two years of school is not realistic right now, sort by openings and look for jobs in the middle of the pay range that hire a lot of people.
Before you pick one
- Check the training length on the job's page, not just the pay.
- Look up pay where you live, since a national median can be far from your local number.
- Run the cost and time through the training payback calculator.
Want to see programs for one of these?
Tell us which job and where you live, and we will show schools and training near you.
Questions people ask
Which job without a degree pays the most?
In the 2025 BLS data, air traffic controllers top most lists, but the job has strict age limits and a federal hiring process. Among jobs most people can train for, elevator installers, radiation therapists and dental hygienists rank near the top.
Can I earn six figures without a degree?
Some people do, especially in skilled trades with overtime or in management after years of experience. The medians on this list are mostly below six figures, so treat that as a stretch goal rather than a starting point.
Is an apprenticeship really paid?
Yes. Registered apprentices earn wages from the first day, usually a percentage of full pay that rises as they finish each stage.