21 High Paying Jobs Without a College Degree

A college degree is a sensible way to invest in one’s future, but for many, the financial burden may come at too high a cost.

[{"selector":"#anim-ebb007e4-7e0e-4f52-be00-459463e22797","keyframes":{"opacity":[1,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-8edd4ff3-a8ae-4be4-9f9a-a7e2d3d94015","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(3)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Read more

For some individuals, deciding to enter the workforce directly after secondary school may be the logical financial decision.

[{"selector":"#anim-27313f99-fe68-4d9d-beb1-526ff0d49533","keyframes":{"opacity":[1,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-78ca3dbd-5ecc-4219-8438-23d4493dfa86","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(3)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-2464be2c-c341-4138-a7f1-e61636626444","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-126.47059%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-62e56314-f94b-41a6-b2df-1324b5d12e41","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-98e3e540-a501-40b8-be3e-790baf6c618a","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.15)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-900fbde3-af32-4301-8e12-5d6e8a17ea80","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Read more

Compiled on the next slides is our list of high paying jobs without requiring a college degree, as supported by data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor.

[{"selector":"#anim-60ef6562-7fb3-4944-98d8-5e4ff8d39e5a","keyframes":{"opacity":[1,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-50daed9b-7a83-4570-bd24-93062c8e4af6","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(3)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-0d43d78a-e71d-42e9-9f0f-1cc01c879ab7","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-131.62056%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-89f532ae-624e-417f-877f-2b10a9aed788","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-ee331266-a7cc-4eb4-b8bf-9a578ea0c0ea","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.15)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-774055ce-57a2-47e2-a15d-f8f58db7bd55","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Read more

Commercial pilots must work up to higher-paying jobs, as most start as first officers after meeting their required flight hours.

[{"selector":"#anim-aa72a8f0-b1ab-4528-9435-28e656adf4b8","keyframes":{"opacity":[1,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-ff0540e0-7b3f-45f3-83e7-40582d9c41c9","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(3)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-fd8bb543-2d29-474d-b3d7-d71d8b0d0ce6","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-130.62016%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-c3ae9fc5-1e22-4772-9a68-e7b475d81b7b","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-51e6a857-0c1a-4fe6-ba98-3e2d8d06d120","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.15)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-b23d0f9b-ffdd-490a-99a0-15b54b728e41","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-9ba35117-947f-468d-a2f3-721c44d763df","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(140.88889%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-3b80ceaa-5917-45ca-bab7-375042737afa","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-1ce589db-0770-4885-9c70-28ac46901d47","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.15)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"forwards"}] Read more

If you prefer an office job and enjoy basic math and accounting, beginning a career in bookkeeping may open more doors for your future career.

[{"selector":"#anim-acf2beac-772d-42ed-96c6-419cd4c75c5a","keyframes":{"opacity":[1,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-b48a67f2-8048-4b58-bf11-d16b86ddeea1","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(3)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-7435ea3a-c81e-4d03-93f6-1171d3544e7c","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-138.68312%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-07890dd0-a16b-4a7c-9a0b-0b9337ad2b13","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-6aac908f-2dda-4509-a9f5-a2d4eaebca3a","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.15)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-cfcee18f-463d-4543-a28c-5946615d165c","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-89b8db46-106b-4c71-9a98-cfa2e45dab4e","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(143.11111%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-4b551362-9938-413e-ba70-cb37b691b967","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-4d7a81fc-464e-42e0-b2c8-0aba6b576f5a","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.15)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"forwards"}] Read more

Paralegals need to complete an associate degree for most jobs; however, legal assistants usually have no requirements besides a high school degree.

[{"selector":"#anim-05e81183-b1bc-4a2c-91c3-a5bd5063fd4d","keyframes":{"opacity":[1,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-6ab5da52-a638-4f4f-aaf7-ac067f780b8f","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(3)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-a6f2b746-2fab-492a-aa33-ea396d8a4341","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-133.07086%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-a5a57447-df8b-462f-b8ac-e1c5ec079f70","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-4a754746-bdf6-4f8b-951d-9c8a3776160e","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.15)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-c6352162-0cdb-4ce7-bf65-056182b38026","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(141.77777%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-691ad3f9-a8ef-4a5e-9f6f-27cbfa518473","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-6ef3554a-3bdd-4e17-8c98-c939e86ca9c3","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.15)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-a1b36ced-ab32-49f6-8378-1d57a952a137","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Read more

If you are looking for something more entrepreneurial, becoming a real estate agent can deliver an opportunity to earn an extremely high income.

[{"selector":"#anim-5bfba9a9-5345-4f20-bae2-f95e1d9e0792","keyframes":{"opacity":[1,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-98910e32-3d43-41be-9290-b216caedb03a","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(3)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-19b6cbe2-d059-4e76-98a8-499fcea682c8","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(126.10294%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-7846cf45-cc91-4fad-af31-226cbf9e4713","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-7eeb9b25-4536-4a03-afa0-6cea8a5366bc","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.15)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-9581d0ce-c41e-45a6-997b-f805a30b91b5","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(122.61484%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-b4b44d92-1324-4bde-afe5-5f74b39c0d07","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-d01a26d5-18b9-48a2-8232-93092d2799ae","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.15)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"forwards"}] Read more

Power plant operators oversee the plants that feed the electric grid and send out electricity for regional and national use.

[{"selector":"#anim-434df0d0-1c71-496d-b420-4747d328e828","keyframes":{"opacity":[1,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-20a24f6a-2d18-4178-8fcd-a8d8ccdb4c3d","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(3)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-6b111630-d3d3-4ef2-ad05-32ff3f0b21b3","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-130.58824%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-fba9f8b8-ec09-4902-85b3-1d8ce2163b25","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-8f61aa09-1e38-4693-8f45-f2e11f279364","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.15)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-d2aa58a7-b099-4cf5-86dc-8f4f388ffa18","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-5c5cbcf1-fa89-4b2c-8d50-dcab319a05d4","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(121.90812%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-1415e429-1213-4c36-9a84-6e0bac0a151c","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-53247974-3315-4c80-846e-3d9944d67eca","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.15)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"forwards"}] Read more

These roles include installing, repairing, and moving machinery throughout factories or on construction sites.

[{"selector":"#anim-f0014695-067c-49c1-aa6b-76f31c928a2c","keyframes":{"opacity":[1,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-bdc8a06b-7789-46f6-ab79-97a3f8fd8dae","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(3)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-763c0bec-c8a5-4663-9330-30a694af74a7","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-128.88889%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-e8a3526d-9f73-4e0b-9905-d5dbc5120af6","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-a7c4c13b-3989-4e44-8d95-8e4c8b3be506","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.15)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-ef060ae7-cedf-4256-8b5c-8ad297e65703","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-acd2c8bf-3e7f-483f-a15b-58cff80a5e49","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(122.61484%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-4f50a71f-0897-4b6d-b8f1-e24fad785781","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-22912e5e-f6a1-4844-9c11-520d2833f609","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.15)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"forwards"}] Read more

Swipe Up To Read More

[{"selector":"#anim-f522f8cb-c00a-4e9f-a42f-bb5d12115021","keyframes":{"opacity":[1,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-8d0e11a4-8685-46f7-b786-83b421de066d","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(3)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Read more

21 High Paying Jobs Without a College Degree

A college degree is a sensible way to invest in one’s future, but for many, the financial burden may come at too high a cost.

For some individuals, deciding to enter the workforce directly after secondary school may be the logical financial decision.

Compiled on the next slides is our list of high paying jobs without requiring a college degree, as supported by data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor.

Commercial pilots must work up to higher-paying jobs, as most start as first officers after meeting their required flight hours.

Commercial Pilots

If you prefer an office job and enjoy basic math and accounting, beginning a career in bookkeeping may open more doors for your future career.

Bookkeepers and Auditing Clerks

Paralegals need to complete an associate degree for most jobs; however, legal assistants usually have no requirements besides a high school degree.

Paralegals and Legal Assistants

If you are looking for something more entrepreneurial, becoming a real estate agent can deliver an opportunity to earn an extremely high income.

Real Estate Brokers

Power plant operators oversee the plants that feed the electric grid and send out electricity for regional and national use.

Power Plant Operator

These roles include installing, repairing, and moving machinery throughout factories or on construction sites.

Industrial Machinery Mechanics and Millwrights

Swipe Up To Read More

Read More