The 25 highest-paying jobs that don't require a bachelor's degree

• A high school diploma or an associate degree can sometimes lead to high-paying work.
• About a dozen jobs that usually don’t need a bachelor’s degree had six-figure median annual pay in May 2025.
• Air traffic controllers ranked at the top, with an annual wage of $148,080.

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Below are the 25 highest-paying jobs that typically don't require a bachelor's or more advanced degree. Employment and pay estimates are for 2025, and the education needed for entry reflects 2024.</p>24 (tie). Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels<figure><img src="https://i.insider.com/6a1859302ab5f9757add5715?format=jpeg" /></figure><p><strong>Median annual pay:</strong> $92,460

Typical education needed: Postsecondary nondegree award

Employment estimate: 36,850

24 (tie). Signal and track switch repairers

Median annual pay: $92,460

Typical education needed: High school diploma or equivalent

Employment estimate: 8,720

1. Gambling managers
   

   

Median annual pay: $93,220

Typical education needed: High school diploma or equivalent

Employment estimate: 5,030

1. First-line supervisors of firefighting and prevention workers
   

   

Median annual pay: $93,530

Typical education needed: Postsecondary nondegree award

Employment estimate: 99,140

1. Detectives and criminal investigators
   

   

Median annual pay: $93,790

Typical education needed: High school diploma or equivalent

Employment estimate: 114,430

1. Electrical power-line installers and repairers
   

   

Median annual pay: $95,320

Typical education needed: High school diploma or equivalent

Employment estimate: 131,070

1. Magnetic resonance imaging technologists
   

   

Median annual pay: $95,480

Typical education needed: Associate degree

Employment estimate: 43,390

1. Diagnostic medical sonographers
   

   

Median annual pay: $96,590

Typical education needed: Associate degree

Employment estimate: 90,160

1. Postmasters and mail superintendents
   

   

Median annual pay: $96,660

Typical education needed: High school diploma or equivalent

Employment estimate: 13,810

1. Petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers
   

   

Median annual pay: $96,710

Typical education needed: High school diploma or equivalent

Employment estimate: 33,160

1. Makeup artists, theatrical and performance
   

   

Median annual pay: $97,150

Typical education needed: Postsecondary nondegree award

Employment estimate: 2,340

1. Dental hygienists
   

   

Median annual pay: $98,100

Typical education needed: Associate degree

Employment estimate: 222,740

1. Nuclear medicine technologists
   

   

Median annual pay: $101,370

Typical education needed: Associate degree

Employment estimate: 17,080

1. Power plant operators
   

   

Median annual pay: $102,040

Typical education needed: High school diploma or equivalent

Employment estimate: 29,320

1. Electrical and electronics repairers, powerhouse, substation, and relay
   

   

Median annual pay: $103,020

Typical education needed: Postsecondary nondegree award

Employment estimate: 20,720

1. Radiation therapists
   

   

Median annual pay: $105,310

Typical education needed: Associate degree

Employment estimate: 17,070

1. First-line supervisors of police and detectives
   

   

Median annual pay: $106,040

Typical education needed: High school diploma or equivalent

Employment estimate: 154,610

1. Power distributors and dispatchers
   

   

Median annual pay: $106,730

Typical education needed: High school diploma or equivalent

Employment estimate: 8,520

1. Transportation, storage, and distribution managers
   

   

Median annual pay: $107,230

Typical education needed: High school diploma or equivalent

Employment estimate: 221,180

1. Ship engineers
   

   

Median annual pay: $109,530

Typical education needed: Postsecondary nondegree award

Employment estimate: 8,400

1. Elevator and escalator installers and repairers
   

   

Median annual pay: $109,910

Typical education needed: High school diploma or equivalent

Employment estimate: 23,790

1. Nuclear technicians
   

   

Median annual pay: $110,240

Typical education needed: Associate degree

Employment estimate: 6,470

1. Nuclear power reactor operators
   

   

Median annual pay: $122,890

Typical education needed: High school diploma or equivalent

Employment estimate: 5,150

1. Commercial pilots
   

   

Median annual pay: $123,220

Typical education needed: Postsecondary nondegree award

Employment estimate: 47,630

1. Air traffic controllers
   

   

Median annual pay: $148,080

Typical education: Associate degree

Employment estimate: 22,510