The 35 highest-paying jobs you can get without a bachelor's degree
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
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's 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's 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's 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's 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 US 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's 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's 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's 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's 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's 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 non-retail 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's 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's 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 power 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's 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's degree
Projected job openings (through 2022): 11,400
On-the-job training: Long-term on-the-job training
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
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