Short answer
Some of the highest-paying jobs you can get without a college degree are elevator installer, power line installer, aircraft mechanic, HVAC technician, electrician and plumber, which typically pay between about $70,000 and $110,000 a year. Most are learned through paid apprenticeships or short certificate programs, so you earn while you train instead of taking on student debt. Truck driving, diesel mechanics, welding, police work and some healthcare roles pay $50,000 to $65,000 and can be started in a few weeks to a year.
12 high-paying jobs that don't require a bachelor's degree
Pay figures marked J2C are the median advertised annual pay across live Jobs2Careers listings for that job as of October 2026 (hourly rates are converted at 2,080 hours a year). Where our listings were too few or clearly skewed, for example by apprentice and helper jobs mixed in with licensed ones, we used the national median from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, marked BLS. Pay varies a lot by state, union membership and overtime.
| Job | Typical pay | Time to start earning |
|---|---|---|
| Elevator installer and repairer | $109,900 (BLS) | Paid from day one; about 4 to 5 years to full journeyman |
| Power line installer | $95,300 (BLS) | Weeks to months for an entry role |
| Aircraft mechanic | $80,000 (J2C) | About 18 to 24 months |
| HVAC technician | $73,000 (J2C) | 6 to 12 months for an entry role |
| Electrician | $73,000 (J2C, licensed) | Paid from day one; about 4 to 5 years to license |
| Plumber | $72,200 (BLS) | Paid from day one; about 4 to 5 years to license |
| Police officer | $65,000 (J2C) | About 6 months including academy |
| Surgical technologist | $62,000 (J2C) | About 1 to 2 years |
| CDL truck driver | $58,600 (BLS) | About 3 to 8 weeks |
| Diesel mechanic | $57,000 (J2C) | Months to a year |
| Welder | $54,000 (J2C) | A few months |
| Medical coder | $49,000 (J2C) | A few months; remote work is common |
Skilled trades: the biggest paychecks without a degree
The top of this list is dominated by licensed trades. The big advantage is that apprentices are paid while they learn, usually starting at a percentage of the journeyman wage and getting raises as they progress. Apprenticeships can be competitive, so apply to several unions and contractors, and consider a starter job as a helper or laborer to get your foot in the door.
- Elevator installers earn the most of any job here, but openings are scarce and most go through union apprenticeship programs with an entrance test.
- Power line installers work outdoors and at heights, often on storm calls, which brings substantial overtime pay.
- Electricians, plumbers and HVAC technicians have steady demand in every part of the country, and licensed workers can eventually start their own businesses.
- Welders can get certified in a few months, and specialized welding (pipeline, underwater, aerospace) pays well above the median.
How you get in: Paid apprenticeship, usually union.
How you get in: Paid apprenticeship or a short lineworker school.
How you get in: Paid apprenticeship, then a state license.
How you get in: Certificate program or apprenticeship, plus EPA 608 certification.
How you get in: Paid apprenticeship, then a state license.
Transportation and mechanics
Truck driving is the fastest route on this list to a $50,000-plus income. Many carriers pay for CDL school if you agree to drive for them for a set period, and long-haul and specialized routes pay above the national median. Aircraft and diesel mechanics need more training up front, but the work is steady and in high demand, and aircraft mechanics in particular earn well into the $80,000s and beyond with experience.
How you get in: CDL training, often paid for by the carrier.
How you get in: Technical program or on-the-job training.
How you get in: FAA-approved school for an A&P certificate.
Public safety and healthcare
Police departments hire recruits without a bachelor's degree, pay them during academy, and offer pensions and overtime, though requirements vary by city and some ask for college credits or military experience. In healthcare, surgical technologists and medical coders can start in one to two years or less. Medical coding is also one of the few well-paid jobs on this list you can often do from home; see our guide to remote jobs with no experience for more work-from-home options.
How you get in: Police academy; some departments ask for college credits.
How you get in: Certificate or associate program.
How you get in: Coding certification such as the CPC.
What about sales?
Sales is the wildcard. Many sales representative listings on Jobs2Careers advertise around $70,000 to $80,000 a year, but those figures usually include expected commission, so actual earnings swing widely depending on performance. If you are comfortable with that risk, sales can pay as well as the trades with no training period at all. If you need predictable income, look for roles with a solid base salary.
How to choose the right path
Need a paycheck while you train? Our guide to jobs hiring immediately with no experience covers roles that can start this week.
Frequently asked questions
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