Good-Paying Jobs You Can Get Without a College Degree

A four-year degree is a great path for many people, but it is not the only one. Plenty of skilled, well-respected careers start with a high school diploma or GED, followed by an apprenticeship, a short training program or on-the-job learning.

These paths often let you earn while you learn, instead of taking on years of student debt first. They also tend to involve work you can see and touch: keeping the lights on, the water running and the buildings safe.

This guide uses pay and outlook figures from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Outlook Handbook, which reports wage data from May 2025 and job projections for 2025 to 2035. Keep in mind that pay varies a lot by location, experience, union membership and employer, and no training program can guarantee you a job or a specific income.

How to read the numbers

The BLS reports median pay, which is the middle point. Half of workers in the job earned more and half earned less. For comparison, the Occupational Outlook Handbook lists the median for all US occupations at $50,980 per year in May 2025.

New workers and apprentices usually start well below the median and move up as they gain skills and licenses. Where available, this guide also shows the BLS range for the lowest 10 percent and highest 10 percent of earners, so you can see how wide pay can be.

Typical entry-level education is what the BLS says most people need to start. Many of these jobs also need an apprenticeship, a license or a certification after that.

Comparison table: median pay and outlook

All figures below come from the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook (median pay, May 2025; projected employment change, 2025 to 2035).

Occupation	Median annual pay	Typical entry-level education	Projected growth 2025–35
Elevator and escalator installers and repairers	$109,910	High school diploma or equivalent	6%
Electrical power-line installers and repairers	$95,320	High school diploma or equivalent	10%
Construction and building inspectors	$74,690	High school diploma or equivalent	0%
Wind turbine technicians	$64,120	Postsecondary nondegree award	30%
Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters	$63,800	High school diploma or equivalent	7%
Flight attendants	$63,580	High school diploma or equivalent	9%
Electricians	$63,190	High school diploma or equivalent	9%
HVAC mechanics and installers	$61,010	Postsecondary nondegree award	11%
Heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers	$58,640	Postsecondary nondegree award	4%
Welders, cutters, solderers and brazers	$53,750	High school diploma or equivalent	2%

Check the BLS website for updates, since the handbook is revised regularly.

Skilled trades: electricians, plumbers and HVAC

The construction trades are among the most reliable no-degree careers because buildings always need wiring, plumbing and climate control.

Electricians install and repair power, lighting and control systems. According to the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, the lowest 10 percent earned less than $42,640 and the highest 10 percent more than $108,510 in May 2025. Most learn through a paid apprenticeship that typically lasts several years, and most states require a license.

Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters work on water, gas and drainage systems. The BLS reports a range from less than $44,150 for the lowest 10 percent to more than $108,420 for the highest 10 percent. Like electricians, most learn through apprenticeships, and licensing rules vary by state.

HVAC mechanics and installers keep heating, cooling and refrigeration running. The BLS range runs from less than $40,050 to more than $95,210. Many start with a certificate from a community college or trade school, and anyone who handles refrigerants needs EPA Section 608 certification.

High-paying specialty trades

Some of the best-paid no-degree jobs are also the most specialized.

Elevator and escalator installers and repairers top the list. The BLS reports that the lowest 10 percent earned less than $59,270 and the highest 10 percent more than $158,890. Most learn through a union or employer apprenticeship, and openings can be competitive because the field is small.

Electrical power-line installers and repairers build and maintain the lines that carry electricity. The work is physically demanding, often outdoors, and may include storm call-outs at odd hours. Training usually happens on the job and through apprenticeships.

Wind turbine technicians have the fastest projected growth on this list, at 30 percent from 2025 to 2035 according to the BLS. Keep in mind that it is a small occupation, so fast growth still means a limited number of jobs. Most technicians complete a certificate program, and you must be comfortable working at heights.

Transportation jobs

Heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers need a commercial driver's license (CDL), which usually means completing a training program and passing written and skills tests. The BLS reports a range from less than $40,140 to more than $79,380. Long-haul routes can mean many nights away from home, while local routes often pay differently.

Flight attendants typically need a high school diploma plus training provided by the airline, and they must be certified by the Federal Aviation Administration. Schedules can be irregular, and new attendants often start on reserve, meaning they are on call.

Inspection and fabrication

Construction and building inspectors check that buildings meet codes and safety rules. The BLS projects little or no change in employment from 2025 to 2035, but still expects about 14,800 openings each year, mostly to replace workers who retire or change careers. Many inspectors come from a construction trade background, and states often require a license or certification.

Welders, cutters, solderers and brazers join metal parts in manufacturing, construction and repair. Employment growth is projected at just 2 percent, yet the BLS expects around 40,300 openings each year due to replacement needs. Training ranges from high school shop classes to technical school programs, and certifications can help you stand out.

How to get started, step by step

Whichever path interests you, the first steps look similar.

1. Finish your high school diploma or GED. Nearly every apprenticeship and training program asks for one.
2. Brush up on math. Many trade apprenticeships include an aptitude test covering algebra and reading.
3. Learn more about the job. Read the full BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook profile, which covers daily duties, work environment and how to become one.
4. Look for registered apprenticeships. The US Department of Labor's Apprenticeship.gov lists programs where you earn wages while you train.
5. Visit an American Job Center. These free centers can point you to training programs and may help with costs through federal workforce funding.
6. Talk to people in the field. Local union halls, trade schools and contractors can explain what the work is really like.

Things to weigh before you choose

Pay is only one factor. Many of these jobs are physically demanding, involve heat, cold or heights, and can carry a higher risk of injury than office work. Some require overnight or on-call hours.

Think about what you enjoy, your health, whether you are willing to travel and how long you can train before you start earning a full wage. Shadowing a worker for a day or taking an intro class at a community college is a low-cost way to test your interest.

FAQ

What is the highest-paying job on this list?

Among the jobs covered here, elevator and escalator installers and repairers had the highest median pay, $109,910 in May 2025, according to the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Apprenticeship openings in this field are limited, so expect competition.

Can I really get paid while I train?

In registered apprenticeships, yes. Apprentices usually earn a wage that rises as they progress. Trade school certificate programs, on the other hand, typically charge tuition, though financial aid may be available.

Do these jobs require a license?

Many do. Electricians, plumbers and building inspectors often need state or local licenses, truck drivers need a CDL, and HVAC workers need EPA certification to handle refrigerants. Rules vary by state, so check with your state licensing board.

Is a degree ever useful for these careers?

Sometimes. An associate degree can help with advancement into supervisor, estimator or technician roles. But for most of the jobs here, the BLS lists a high school diploma or a postsecondary certificate as the typical starting point.