35 High-Paying Jobs That Don’t Require a Bachelor’s Degree

8 minute read

Don’t have the time or money to get a bachelor’s degree?

Don’t fret. There are plenty of high-paying jobs that only require a two-year associate degree or just a high-school diploma.

According to the latest data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, these are the 35 highest-paying jobs that you don’t need a four-year degree to pursue.

Each has a median annual salary of at least $55,000.

35. Boilermakers

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

Median annual wage (2012): $56,560

Education required: High-school diploma or equivalent

Projected job openings (through 2022): 8,800

On-the-job training: Apprenticeship

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

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  • 34. First-line supervisors of correctional officers

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

    Median annual wage (2012): $57,840

    Education required: High-school diploma or equivalent

    Projected job openings (through 2022): 18,000

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

    Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

    33. Electrical and electronics engineering technicians

    Description: Design, build, repair, calibrate, and modify electrical components, circuitry, controls, and machinery for subsequent evaluation and use by engineering staff.

    Median annual wage (2012): $57,850

    Education required: Associate degree

    Projected job openings (through 2022): 30,400

    On-the-job training: None

    Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

    32. Real-estate brokers

    Description: Oversee real-estate transactions including selling real estate or renting properties and arranging loans.

    Median annual wage (2012): $58,350

    Education required: High-school diploma or equivalent

    Projected job openings (through 2022): 16,100

    On-the-job training: None

    Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

    31. Purchasing agents, except wholesale, retail, and farm products

    Description: Purchase machinery, equipment, tools, parts, supplies, or services necessary for the operation of a business or organization.

    Median annual wage (2012): $58,760

    Education required: High-school diploma or equivalent

    Projected job openings (through 2022): 61,600

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

    Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

    30. Computer-network support specialists

    Description: Perform network maintenance to ensure networks operate correctly with minimal interruption.

    Median annual wage (2012): $59,090

    Education required: Associate degree

    Projected job openings (through 2022): 39,600

    On-the-job training: None

    Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

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

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

    Median annual wage (2012): $59,700

    Education required: High-school diploma or equivalent

    Projected job openings (through 2022): 187,100

    On-the-job training: None

    Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

    28. Claims adjusters, 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 (2012): $59,960

    Education required: High-school diploma or equivalent

    Projected job openings (through 2022): 80,300

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

    Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

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

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

    Median annual wage (2012): $60,250

    Education required: High-school diploma or equivalent

    Projected job openings (through 2022): 152,000

    On-the-job training: None

    Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

    26. 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 (2012): $61,140

    Education required: High-school diploma or equivalent

    Projected job openings (through 2022): 4,700

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

    Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

    25. Aerospace engineering and operations technicians

    Description: Aerospace engineering and operations technicians operate and maintain equipment used in developing, testing, and producing new aircraft and spacecraft.

    Median annual wage (2012): $61,530

    Education required: Associate degree

    Projected job openings (through 2022): 2,100

    On-the-job training: None

    Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

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

    Description: Operate or control petroleum refining or processing units.

    Median annual wage (2012): $61,850

    Education required: High-school diploma or equivalent

    Projected job openings (through 2022): 15,500

    On-the-job training: None

    Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

    23. Web developers

    Description: Design, create, and modify websites.

    Median annual wage (2012): $62,500

    Education required: Associate degree

    Projected job openings (through 2022): 50,700

    On-the-job training: None

    Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

    22. Subway and streetcar operators

    Description: Operate subway or elevated suburban trains with no separate locomotive, or electric-powered streetcar, to transport passengers.

    Median annual wage (2012): $62,730

    Education required: High-school diploma or equivalent

    Projected job openings (through 2022): 3,300

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

    Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

    21. Postmasters and mail superintendents

    Description: Plan, direct, or coordinate operational, administrative, management, and supportive services of a U.S. post office, or coordinate activities of workers engaged in postal and related work in assigned post office.

    Median annual wage (2012): $63,050

    Education required: High-school diploma or equivalent

    Projected job openings (through 2022): 5,000

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

    Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

    20. Electrical-power-line installers and repairers

    Description: Install or repair cables or wires used in electrical power or distribution systems.

    Median annual wage (2012): $63,250

    Education required: High-school diploma or equivalent

    Projected job openings (through 2022): 49,900

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

    Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

    19. Transportation inspectors

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

    Median annual wage (2012): $63,680

    Education required: High-school diploma or equivalent

    Projected job openings (through 2022): 11,700

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

    Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

    18. Gaming managers

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

    Median annual wage (2012): $65,220

    Education required: High-school diploma or equivalent

    Projected job openings (through 2022): 1,400

    On-the-job training: None

    Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

    17. Magnetic-resonance-imaging technologists

    Description: Monitor patient safety and comfort and view images of area being scanned to ensure quality of pictures.

    Median annual wage (2012): $65,360

    Education required: Associate degree

    Projected job openings (through 2022): 11,300

    On-the-job training: None

    Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

    16. Registered nurses

    Description: Provide and coordinate patient care; educate patients and the public about various health conditions.

    Median annual wage (2012): $65,470

    Education required: Associate degree

    Projected job openings (through 2022): 1,052,600

    On-the-job training: None

    Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

    15. Diagnostic medical sonographers

    Description: Use special imaging equipment that directs sound waves into a patient’s body to assess and diagnose various medical conditions.

    Median annual wage (2012): $65,860

    Education required: Associate degree

    Projected job openings (through 2022): 35,300

    On-the-job training: None

    Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

    14. Power-plant operators

    Description: Control, operate, or maintain machinery to generate electric power. Includes auxiliary equipment operators.

    Median annual wage (2012): $66,130

    Education required: High-school diploma or equivalent

    Projected job openings (through 2022): 12,900

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

    Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

    13. Funeral-service directors

    Description: Plan, direct, or coordinate the services or resources of funeral homes.

    Median annual wage (2012): $66,720

    Education required: Associate degree

    Projected job openings (through 2022): 3,200

    On-the-job training: None

    Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

    12. Nuclear technicians

    Description: Nuclear technicians assist physicists, engineers, and other professionals in nuclear research and nuclear production.

    Median annual wage (2012): $69,060

    Education required: Associate degree

    Projected job openings (through 2022): 4,100

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

    Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

    11. Farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural managers

    Description: Plan, direct, or coordinate the management or operation of farms, ranches, greenhouses, aquacultural operations, nurseries, timber tracts, or other agricultural establishments.

    Median annual wage (2012): $69,300

    Education required: High-school diploma or equivalent

    Projected job openings (through 2022): 150,200

    On-the-job training: None

    Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

    10. First-line supervisors of nonretail sales workers

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

    Median annual wage (2012): $70,060

    Education required: High-school diploma or equivalent

    Projected job openings (through 2022): 50,300

    On-the-job training: None

    Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

    9. Nuclear medicine technologists

    Description: Use a scanner to create images of various areas of a patient’s body. They prepare radioactive drugs and administer them to patients undergoing the scans.

    Median annual wage (2012): $70,180

    Education required: Associate degree

    Projected job openings (through 2022): 7,200

    On-the-job training: None

    Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

    8. Dental hygienists

    Description: Clean teeth, examine patients for oral diseases like gingivitis, and provide other preventative dental care.

    Median annual wage (2012): $70,210

    Education required: Associate degree

    Projected job openings (through 2022): 113,500

    On-the-job training: None

    Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

    7. Power distributors and dispatchers

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

    Median annual wage (2012): $71,690

    Education required: High-school diploma or equivalent

    Projected job openings (through 2022): 3,600

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

    Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

    6. Commercial pilots

    Description: Pilot and navigate the flight of fixed-wing aircraft on nonscheduled air-carrier routes, or helicopters. Requires commercial-pilot certificate.

    Median annual wage (2012): $73,280

    Education required: High-school diploma or equivalent

    Projected job openings (through 2022): 14,400

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

    Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

    5. 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 (2012): $74,300

    Education required: High-school diploma or equivalent

    Projected job openings (through 2022): 27,700

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

    Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

    4. Nuclear-reactor operators

    Description: Operate or control nuclear reactors. Move control rods, start and stop equipment, monitor and adjust controls, and record data in logs. Implement emergency procedures when needed.

    Median annual wage (2012): $74,990

    Education required: High-school diploma or equivalent

    Projected job openings (through 2022): 2,300

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

    Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

    3. Elevator installers and repairers

    Description: Assemble, install, repair, or maintain electric or hydraulic freight or passenger elevators, escalators, or dumbwaiters.

    Median annual wage (2012): $76,650

    Education required: High-school diploma or equivalent

    Projected job openings (through 2022): 8,000

    On-the-job training: Apprenticeship

    Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

    2. Radiation therapists

    Description: Check equipment, observe patients reactions to treatment, and document the session.

    Median annual wage (2012): $77,560

    Education required: Associate degree

    Projected job openings (through 2022): 8,400

    On-the-job training: None

    Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

    1. Air-traffic controllers

    Description: Monitor and direct the movement of aircraft. Median annual wages of air-traffic controllers are the highest of any occupation in which workers typically do not need a bachelor’s degree.

    Median annual wage (2012): $122,530

    Education required: Associate degree

    Projected job openings (through 2022): 11,400

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

    Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

    This article originally appeared on Business Insider

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