In certain industries, relevant work experience, internships, training and certifications are just as important, if not more important, than graduating with a four-year degree.
Job applications usually have a minimum educational requirement — some college, an associate degree or a bachelor’s or master’s degree. But with student loan debt topping $1.77 trillion in the third quarter of 2024 (an increase of 66% over the past 10 years), according to the Federal Reserve, you may ask if a four-year college degree is worth it.
The answer will likely depend on your career choice. Some professions — medical and healthcare providers, lawyers, teachers, nuclear engineers — all require a degree or degrees. (Here's our look at the best college majors for a lucrative career). However, some underrepresented career fields welcome applicants who never attended college or didn’t graduate with a four-year degree, and some of these careers pay very well.
Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free E-Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
There are plenty of in-demand careers with a salary higher than $56,420 (the median U.S. annual salary), according to 20 Highest Paying Jobs Without a Degree, a report from career resource platform Resume Genius. The list spotlights well-paying jobs and their accompanying educational requirements, based on data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Here are the highest-paying jobs that don't require a degree this year:
1. Airline and commercial pilot
- Median annual salary: $148,900
- Number of jobs: 142,600
- Estimated job growth (2022–2032): 4%
- Educational requirements: Vocational training or Associate’s degree
- Work experience: None, but FAA certifications and flight hours are required
2. Information security analyst
- Median annual salary: $112,000
- Number of jobs: 168,900
- Estimated job growth (2022–2032): 32%
- Educational requirements: High school diploma or vocational training
- Work experience: None, but relevant certifications are beneficial
3. Elevator and escalator installer and repairer
- Median annual salary: $99,999
- Number of jobs: 25,100
- Estimated job growth (2022–2032): 1%
- Educational requirements: High school diploma or GED
- Work experience: Apprenticeship
4. Special effects artist and animator
- Median annual salary: $98,950
- Number of jobs: 89,300
- Estimated job growth (2022–2032): 8%
- Educational requirements: High school diploma or vocational training
- Work experience: Portfolio of work. Certifications can be beneficial
5. Transportation, storage, and distribution manager
- Median annual salary: $98,560
- Number of jobs: 14,600
- Estimated job growth (2022–2032): 8%
- Educational requirements: High school diploma or equivalent; certification programs beneficial
- Work experience: Five years in a related field
6. First-line supervisors of police and detective
- Median annual salary: $96,290
- Number of jobs: 4,300
- Estimated job growth (2022–2032): 3%
- Educational requirements: High school diploma, police academy training
- Work experience: Several years in the police force
7. Radiation therapist
- Median annual salary: $89,530
- Number of jobs: 15,900
- Estimated job growth (2022–2032): 2%
- Educational requirements: Associate’s degree
- Work experience: Clinical experience/certification
8. Subway and streetcar operator
- Median annual salary: $88,260
- Number of jobs: 300
- Estimated job growth (2022–2032): 4%
- Educational requirements: High school diploma
- Work experience: On-the-job training
9. Electrical power-line installer and repairer
- Median annual salary: $82,340 per year
- Number of jobs: 122,400
- Estimated job growth (2022–2032): 3%
- Educational requirements: High school diploma. Technical training preferred
- Work experience: Apprenticeship
10. Dental hygienist
- Median annual salary: $81,400
- Number of jobs: 219,400
- Estimated job growth (2022–2032): 7%
- Educational requirements: Associate’s degree in dental hygiene
- Work experience: Licensing (varies by state)
11. Web developer
- Median annual salary: $80,730
- Number of jobs: 216,700
- Estimated job growth (2022–2032): 16%
- Educational requirements: Ranging from a high school diploma to a bachelor’s degree (education requirements vary by employer)
- Work experience: None.
12. Medical sonographer
- Median annual salary: $78,210
- Number of jobs: 142,800
- Estimated job growth (2022–2032): 10%
- Educational requirements: Vocational school, associate's degree
- Work experience: Licensing (varies by state) and clinical experience
13. Police and/or detective
- Median annual salary: $69,160
- Number of jobs: 808,700
- Estimated job growth (2022–2032): 3%
- Educational requirements: High school diploma, police training academy for an entry-level position. Detective work might require some college coursework or a degree
- Work experience: Police academy and on-the-job training
14. Flight attendant
- Median annual salary: $63,760
- Number of jobs: 111,100
- Estimated job growth (2022–2032): 11%
- Educational requirements: High school diploma, flight attendant training program. International routes may need fluency in a foreign language
- Work experience: Experience in customer service
- Medical/physical requirements: Must have vision that is correctable to at least 20/40 and often need to conform to height requirements set by the airline
15. Lodging manager
- Median annual salary: $61,910
- Number of jobs: 50,800
- Estimated job growth (2022–2032): 7%
- Educational requirements: High school diploma
- Work experience: Experience in various hotel operations, from front desk to housekeeping
16. Property, real estate, and community association manager
- Median annual salary: $60,670
- Number of jobs: 429,600
- Estimated job growth (2022–2032): 5%
- Educational requirements: High school diploma and licensing (varies by state)
- Work experience: Several years of work experience in a related occupation, such as real estate brokers and sales agents
17. Electrician
- Median annual salary: $60,240
- Number of jobs: 762,000
- Estimated job growth (2022–2032): 6%
- Educational requirements: High school diploma
- Work experience: Apprenticeship program and licensing (varies by state)
18. Telecommunications technician
- Median annual salary: $60,190
- Number of jobs: 299,300
- Estimated job growth (2022–2032): 6%
- Educational requirements: High school diploma and a certificate or an associate’s degree (varies by employer)
- Work experience: None
19. Industrial machinery mechanic
- Median annual salary: $59,470
- Number of jobs: 507,900
- Estimated job growth (2022–2032): 13%
- Educational requirements: High school diploma, associate’s degree in industrial maintenance for some positions
- Work experience: None
20. Computer support specialist
- Median annual salary: $59,660
- Number of jobs: 914,110
- Estimated job growth (2022–2032): 5%
- Educational requirements: High school diploma and some IT knowledge
- Work experience: Certification and some college coursework (varies by state)
Skills-based hiring
Given the soaring cost of college and an explosion in online learning and certificate courses, it's no wonder that students and employers are both looking for non-traditional ways to join the labor force.
“A college degree doesn’t mean quite what it used to, and we're witnessing a significant shift towards skills-based hiring," explains Eva Chan, a career expert at Resume Genius. "This change is creating more accessible opportunities, including a range of lesser-known yet well-paying roles."
Related Content
-
Need More Money for Retirement? You May Have Already Saved It.Over 29 million lost 401(k) accounts worth almost $1.65 trillion have been forgotten by their owners. Here are eight ways you can locate your account.
-
Five Ways to Save for Retirement in 2025If you did a poor job saving for retirement last year, don't despair. There are ways to build your nest egg in the new year.
-
The Wrong Money Question to Ask After Trump's ElectionIf you're wondering what moves to make with a new president moving into the White House, you're being dangerously shortsighted. Here's what to do instead.
-
All About Six Types of Auto Insurance CoverageDo you know what your auto insurance policy covers? Here's a primer on some coverage categories, along with examples of how each type of coverage works.
-
Why You Should Check Your College's Financial HealthColleges throughout the country are struggling financially as enrollment shrinks and expenses rise, making it important to check the financial health of the college your or your child is attending.
-
Where to Store Your Cash in 2025Take a fresh look at budgeting and savings opportunities for where to store your cash this year, to ensure you leave no stone unturned.
-
Financial Planning: Sisters Should Be Doin' It for ThemselvesMore and more women are ringin' on their own financial bells (with apologies to Aretha Franklin and Eurythmics) — but that demands a robust financial plan.
-
The Verizon Administrative Settlement Payment is a Reminder Class-Action Lawsuits Won't Make You RichPeople are receiving payouts from the Verizon administrative settlement and are surprised at how small they are. This provides a helpful financial lesson reminder.
-
Seven Ways Retirees Can Crush Holiday Debt in the New YearHere's how to get rid of that holiday debt you racked up.
-
Is Money Messing Up Your Family's Life?Parents who discuss money and attitudes toward money with their children are more likely to raise financially successful and responsible adults.
