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These Are the 25 Highest-Paying Jobs You Can Get Without a College Degree

5 minute read

Don’t feel like contributing to the$1.2 trillion student-loan debt in the US?

Luckily there are plenty of high-paying jobs you can get that only require a high-school diploma.

According to the latest data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics,these are the 25 highest-paying jobs that you don’t need any college experience to pursue.

Each has a median annual salary of at least $59,000.

25. Chemical Plant Systems Operator

Description: Control or operate entire chemical processes or system of machines.

Median annual wage (2015): $59,320

Projected job openings (through 2024): 14,400

Work experience: None

On-the-job training: Long-term on-the-job training

 

24. Transit and railroad police

Description: Protect and police railroad and transit property, employees, or passengers.

Median annual wage (2015): $59,670

Projected job openings (through 2024): 1,300

Work experience: None

On-the-job training: Moderate-term on-the-job training

23. First-line supervisors of correctional officers

Description: Directly supervise and coordinate activities of correctional officers and jailers.

Median annual wage (2015): $57,840

Projected job openings (through 2024): 18,000

Work experience: Less than five years

On-the-job training: Moderate-term on-the-job training

22. Boilermakers

Description: Assemble, install, and repair boilers, closed vats, and other large vessels or containers that hold liquids and gases.

Median annual wage (2015): $56,560

Projected job openings (through 2024): 8,800

Work experience: None

On-the-job training: Apprenticeship

Related: The 25 highest-paying companies in the U.S. in 2016

 

21. First-line supervisors of construction trades and extraction workers

Description: Directly supervise and coordinate activities of construction or extraction workers.

Median annual wage (2015): $59,700

Projected job openings (through 2024): 187,100

Work experience: Five years or more

On-the-job training: None

 

20. Subway and streetcar operators

Description: Transport passengers.

Median annual wage (2015): $62,730

Projected job openings (through 2024): 3,300

Work experience: None

On-the-job training: Moderate-term on-the-job training

 

19. Claims adjustors, examiners, and investigators

Description: Review settled claims to determine that payments and settlements are made in accordance with company practices and procedures.

Median annual wage (2015): $59,960

Projected job openings (through 2024): 80,300

Work experience: None

On-the-job training: Long-term on-the-job training

 

18. First-line supervisors of mechanics, installers, and repairers

Description: Directly supervise and coordinate the activities of mechanics, installers, and repairers.

Median annual wage (2015): $60,250

Projected job openings (through 2024): 152,000

Work experience: Less than five years

On-the-job training: None

 

17. Signal and track switch repairers

Description: Install, inspect, test, maintain, or repair electric gate crossings, signals, signal equipment, track switches, section lines, or intercommunications systems within a railroad system.

Median annual wage (2015): $63,840

Projected job openings (through 2024): 1,500

Work experience: None

On-the-job training: Moderate-term on-the-job training

Related: 13 of the happiest companies in America

 

16. Farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural managers

Description: Run establishments that produce crops, livestock, and dairy products.

Median annual wage (2015): $69,300

Projected job openings (through 2024): 150,200

Work experience: Five years or more

On-the-job training: None

 

15. Petroleum-pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers

Description: Operate or control petroleum-refining or processing units.

Median annual wage (2015): $62,730

Projected job openings (through 2024): 3,300

Work experience: None

On-the-job training: Moderate-term on-the-job training

 

14. Gas-plant operators

Description: Distribute or process gas for utility companies and others by controlling compressors to maintain specified pressures on main pipelines.

Median annual wage (2015): $61,140

Projected job openings (through 2024): 4,700

Work experience: None

On-the-job training: Long-term on-the-job training

 

13. Electrical-power-line installers and repairers

Description: Install or repair electrical-power systems and telecommunications cables, including fiber optics.

Median annual wage (2015): $63,250

Projected job openings (through 2024): 49,900

Work experience: None

On-the-job training:Long-term on-the-job training

 

12. Gaming managers

Description: Plan, direct, or coordinate gaming operations in a casino.

Median annual wage (2015): $65,220

Projected job openings (through 2024): 1,400

Work experience: Less than five years

On-the-job training: None

Related: 25 surprising things that can make you successful

 

11. Postmasters and mail superintendents

Description: Plan, direct, or coordinate operational, administrative, management, and supportive services of a US post office.

Median annual wage (2015): $63,050

Projected job openings (through 2024): 5,000

Work experience: Less than five years

On-the-job training: Moderate-term on-the-job training

 

10. Transportation inspectors

Description: Inspect equipment or goods in connection with the safe transport of cargo or people.

Median annual wage (2015): $63,680

Projected job openings (through 2024): 11,700

Work experience: None

On-the-job training: Moderate-term on-the-job training

 

9. Power-Plant Operators

Description: Control the systems that generate and distribute electric power.

Median annual wage (2015): $66,130

Projected job openings (through 2024): 12,900

Work experience: None

On-the-job training: Long-term on-the-job training

 

8. First-line supervisors of nonretail-sales workers

Description: Directly supervise and coordinate activities of sales workers other than retail-sales workers.

Median annual wage (2015): $70,060

Projected job openings (through 2024): 50,300

Work experience: Less than five years

On-the-job training: None

 

7. Commercial pilots

Description: Fly and navigate airplanes or helicopters.

Median annual wage (2015): $73,280

Projected job openings (through 2024): 14,400

Work experience: None

On-the-job training: Moderate-term on-the-job training

 

6. Detectives and criminal investigators

Description: Conduct investigations related to suspected violations of federal, state, or local laws to prevent or solve crimes.

Median annual wage (2015): $74,300

Projected job openings (through 2024): 27,700

Work experience: Less than five years

On-the-job training: Moderate-term on-the-job training

Related: 11 habits of highly successful people

 

5. Power distributors and dispatchers

Description: Coordinate, regulate, or distribute electricity or steam.

Median annual wage (2015): $71,690

Projected job openings (through 2024): 3,600

Work experience: None

On-the-job training: Long-term on-the-job training

 

4. Elevator installers and repairers

Description: Elevator installers and repairers install, fix, and maintain elevators, escalators, moving walkways, and other lifts.

Median annual wage (2015): $76,650

Projected job openings (through 2024): 8,000

Work experience: None

On-the-job training: Apprenticeship

Related: 50 best companies to work for in America

 

3. First-line supervisors of police and detectives

Description: Coordinate activities of members of police force.

Median annual wage (2015): $78,270

Projected job openings (through 2024): 35,700

Work experience: Less than five years

On-the-job training: Moderate-term on-the-job training

 

2. Transportation, storage, and distribution managers

Description: Coordinate transportation, storage, or distribution activities in accordance with organizational policies and applicable government laws or regulations.

Median annual wage (2015): $86,630

Projected job openings (through 2024): 27,100

Work experience: Five years or more

On-the-job training: None

 

1. Nuclear-power-reactor operators

Description: Operate or control nuclear reactors by moving control rods, starting and stopping equipment, monitoring and adjusting controls, and recording data in logs.

Median annual wage (2015): $88,560

Projected job openings (through 2024): 2,600

Work experience: None

On-the-job training: Long-term on-the-job training

This article originally appeared on BusinessInsider.com

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