Highest Paying Jobs Without a Degree

The highest paying job without a degree is commercial pilot, with a median salary of $123,220 a year, followed by elevator and escalator installer and repairer ($109,910) and transportation, storage, and distribution manager ($107,230). All 309 jobs without a degree below are ranked by median pay from the latest BLS wage survey (May 2025).

These jobs need no college degree to start: a high school diploma, a certificate from a trade school or community college, or no formal education at all. Many pay well because of on-the-job training, an apprenticeship or a licence instead.

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#1 Commercial pilot $123,220 median a year #2 Elevator and escalator installer and repairer $109,910 median a year #3 Transportation, storage, and distribution manager $107,230 median a year

Highest Paying Jobs Without a Degree, ranked

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#	Job	Median	Hourly	Top 10%	Education	Workers
1	Commercial pilot Transportation and Material Moving	$123,220	–	$266,620	Certificate	47,630
2	Elevator and escalator installer and repairer Construction and Extraction	$109,910	$52.84	$158,890	High school diploma	23,790
3	Transportation, storage, and distribution manager Management	$107,230	$51.55	$194,900	High school diploma	221,180
4	First-line supervisor of police and detectives Protective Service	$106,040	$50.98	$165,110	High school diploma	154,610
5	Electrical and electronics repairer, powerhouse, substation, and relay Installation, Maintenance and Repair	$103,020	$49.53	$129,920	Certificate	20,720
6	Power plant operator Production	$102,040	$49.06	$131,940	High school diploma	29,320
7	Petroleum pump system operator, refinery operator, and gauger Production	$96,710	$46.50	$115,880	High school diploma	33,160
8	Electrical power-line installer and repairer Installation, Maintenance and Repair	$95,320	$45.83	$128,690	High school diploma	131,070
9	Detective Protective Service	$93,790	$45.09	$160,540	High school diploma	114,430
10	First-line supervisor of firefighting and prevention workers Protective Service	$93,530	$44.96	$140,010	Certificate	99,140
11	Captains, mates, and pilot of water vessels Transportation and Material Moving	$92,460	$44.45	$170,640	Certificate	36,850
12	Transportation inspector Transportation and Material Moving	$92,100	$44.28	$138,670	High school diploma	24,500
13	First-line supervisor of non-retail sales workers Sales	$87,520	$42.08	$164,070	High school diploma	214,390
14	Locomotive engineer Transportation and Material Moving	$81,410	$39.14	$109,220	High school diploma	33,470
15	First-line supervisor of construction trades and extraction workers Construction and Extraction	$79,920	$38.42	$128,260	High school diploma	812,210
16	Aircraft mechanic and service technician Installation, Maintenance and Repair	$79,870	$38.40	$128,890	Certificate	138,090
17	First-line supervisor of mechanics, installers, and repairers Installation, Maintenance and Repair	$79,860	$38.39	$126,790	High school diploma	617,500
18	Stationary engineer and boiler operator Production	$78,620	$37.80	$125,390	High school diploma	28,250
19	Claims adjuster, examiner, and investigator Business and Financial	$78,000	$37.50	$117,040	High school diploma	324,230
20	Railroad conductor and yardmaster Transportation and Material Moving	$78,000	$37.50	$109,770	High school diploma	46,440
21	First-line supervisor of correctional officers Protective Service	$77,970	$37.49	$127,780	High school diploma	53,380
22	Executive assistant Office and Administrative Support	$76,590	$36.82	$109,850	High school diploma	459,910
23	Police officer Protective Service	$76,210	$36.64	$115,120	High school diploma	670,520
24	Construction and building inspector Construction and Extraction	$74,690	$35.91	$114,200	High school diploma	146,720
25	First-line supervisor of production and operating workers Production	$74,450	$35.79	$108,750	High school diploma	673,430
26	Control and valve installer and repairer Installation, Maintenance and Repair	$74,340	$35.74	$112,500	High school diploma	48,240
27	Telecommunications line installer and repairer Installation, Maintenance and Repair	$74,330	$35.73	$103,680	High school diploma	97,720
28	Electrical and electronics repairer, commercial and industrial equipment Installation, Maintenance and Repair	$74,090	$35.62	$105,590	Certificate	65,010
29	Real estate broker Sales	$73,220	$35.20	$143,300	High school diploma	46,100
30	Sales representative, wholesale and manufacturing Sales	$72,080	$34.65	$137,550	High school diploma	1,238,190
31	Property, real estate, and community association manager Management	$69,990	$33.65	$139,680	High school diploma	311,180
32	Sales representative of services Sales	$69,990	$33.65	$148,840	High school diploma	1,256,010
33	First-line supervisor of office and administrative support workers Office and Administrative Support	$69,500	$33.41	$104,710	High school diploma	1,436,680
34	Food service manager Management	$69,390	$33.36	$107,640	High school diploma	238,430
35	Lodging manager Management	$69,250	$33.29	$128,880	High school diploma	42,620
36	Computer numerically controlled tool programmer Production	$68,120	$32.75	$100,320	Certificate	28,500
37	Crane and tower operator Transportation and Material Moving	$68,080	$32.73	$103,570	High school diploma	42,890
38	Rail car repairer Installation, Maintenance and Repair	$67,530	$32.46	$95,100	High school diploma	21,350
39	Surgical assistant Healthcare Practitioners	$66,800	$32.11	$107,610	Certificate	22,270
40	Transportation security screener Protective Service	$66,770	$32.10	$78,350	High school diploma	50,290
41	Brokerage clerk Office and Administrative Support	$65,750	$31.61	$102,010	High school diploma	35,940
42	Millwright Installation, Maintenance and Repair	$65,700	$31.59	$93,600	High school diploma	40,330
43	Mobile heavy equipment mechanic Installation, Maintenance and Repair	$65,510	$31.50	$94,460	High school diploma	176,600
44	Aircraft structure, surface, rigging, and systems assembler Production	$65,380	$31.43	$107,500	High school diploma	34,020
45	Advertising sales agent Sales	$64,820	$31.16	$146,010	High school diploma	91,700
46	Surgical technologist Healthcare Practitioners	$64,650	$31.08	$96,940	Certificate	117,460
47	Industrial machinery mechanic Installation, Maintenance and Repair	$64,520	$31.02	$95,170	High school diploma	439,640
48	Licensed practical nurse Healthcare Practitioners	$64,400	$30.96	$83,440	Certificate	648,410
49	Tool and die maker Production	$64,050	$30.79	$92,680	Certificate	56,930
50	Telecommunications equipment installer and repairer Installation, Maintenance and Repair	$63,890	$30.72	$96,730	Certificate	140,920
51	First-line supervisor of gambling services workers Personal Care and Service	$63,820	$30.68	$84,750	High school diploma	26,010
52	Plumber Construction and Extraction	$63,800	$30.67	$108,420	High school diploma	465,840
53	Flight attendant Transportation and Material Moving	$63,580	–	$136,430	High school diploma	131,650
54	Electrician Construction and Extraction	$63,190	$30.38	$108,510	High school diploma	757,220
55	First-line supervisor of transportation and material moving workers Transportation and Material Moving	$62,890	$30.23	$96,150	High school diploma	623,640
56	Structural iron and steel worker Construction and Extraction	$62,780	$30.18	$108,260	High school diploma	68,380
57	Rigger Installation, Maintenance and Repair	$62,640	$30.12	$97,850	High school diploma	22,530
58	Chef and head cook Food Preparation and Serving	$62,470	$30.03	$98,560	High school diploma	200,040
59	Insurance sales agent Sales	$62,280	$29.94	$138,140	High school diploma	479,100
60	Postal service clerk Office and Administrative Support	$62,130	$29.87	$75,030	No formal education	73,720
61	Brickmason and blockmason Construction and Extraction	$62,120	$29.87	$100,010	High school diploma	52,550
62	Computer user support specialist Computer and Mathematical	$61,860	$29.74	$100,540	Some college	717,190
63	Sheet metal worker Construction and Extraction	$61,800	$29.71	$105,650	High school diploma	119,770
64	Diesel mechanic Installation, Maintenance and Repair	$61,770	$29.70	$88,740	High school diploma	289,960
65	Occupational health and safety technician Science	$61,560	$29.59	$100,160	High school diploma	30,590
66	HVAC technician Installation, Maintenance and Repair	$61,010	$29.33	$95,210	Certificate	409,670
67	Maintenance worker, machinery Installation, Maintenance and Repair	$60,850	$29.25	$88,550	High school diploma	60,020
68	Paramedic Healthcare Practitioners	$60,600	$29.13	$84,850	Certificate	100,610
69	Carpenter Construction and Extraction	$60,580	$29.12	$99,910	High school diploma	670,090
70	Mail carrier Office and Administrative Support	$60,550	$29.11	$81,040	No formal education	328,820
71	Security and fire alarm systems installer Installation, Maintenance and Repair	$60,070	$28.88	$81,150	High school diploma	86,340
72	Water and wastewater treatment plant and system operator Production	$60,020	$28.86	$91,060	High school diploma	128,490
73	Heavy equipment operator Construction and Extraction	$59,850	$28.78	$101,090	High school diploma	478,090
74	Production, planning, and expediting clerk Office and Administrative Support	$59,650	$28.68	$86,000	High school diploma	390,160
75	First-line supervisor of farming, fishing, and forestry workers Farming, Fishing and Forestry	$59,320	$28.52	$91,770	High school diploma	27,960
76	Firefighter Protective Service	$59,280	$28.50	$101,040	Certificate	345,990
77	Bus driver Transportation and Material Moving	$59,050	$28.39	$84,700	High school diploma	159,240
78	Correctional officer Protective Service	$58,940	$28.34	$93,220	High school diploma	380,500
79	Drywall and ceiling tile installer Construction and Extraction	$58,930	$28.33	$102,010	No formal education	83,080
80	Machinist Production	$58,750	$28.24	$80,010	High school diploma	287,050
81	Title examiner, abstractor, and searcher Legal	$58,650	$28.20	$90,830	High school diploma	48,580
82	Truck driver Transportation and Material Moving	$58,640	$28.19	$79,380	Certificate	2,062,040
83	Postal service mail sorter, processor, and processing machine operator Office and Administrative Support	$58,470	$28.11	$75,280	No formal education	105,200
84	Massage therapist Healthcare Support	$58,450	$28.10	$100,200	Certificate	98,790
85	First-line supervisor of landscaping, lawn service, and groundskeeping workers Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance	$58,430	$28.09	$85,650	High school diploma	130,760
86	Insulation worker, mechanical Construction and Extraction	$58,340	$28.05	$100,220	High school diploma	25,660
87	Payroll and timekeeping clerk Office and Administrative Support	$58,260	$28.01	$81,350	High school diploma	153,140
88	Service unit operator, oil and gas Construction and Extraction	$58,160	$27.96	$97,560	No formal education	43,140
89	Audio and video technician Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports and Media	$58,100	$27.93	$100,650	Certificate	70,230
90	Chemical equipment operator and tender Production	$58,040	$27.90	$92,250	High school diploma	139,630
91	Motorboat mechanic and service technician Installation, Maintenance and Repair	$57,550	$27.67	$79,330	High school diploma	23,220
92	Excavating and loading machine and dragline operator, surface mining Construction and Extraction	$57,430	$27.61	$82,400	High school diploma	34,480
93	Tire builder Production	$57,390	$27.59	$74,680	High school diploma	20,770
94	Glazier Construction and Extraction	$57,080	$27.44	$89,790	High school diploma	58,480
95	Cement mason and concrete finisher Construction and Extraction	$57,020	$27.41	$85,480	No formal education	206,170
96	Farm equipment mechanic and service technician Installation, Maintenance and Repair	$56,550	$27.19	$78,740	High school diploma	37,870
97	Floor layer Construction and Extraction	$56,460	$27.15	$96,700	No formal education	23,640
98	First-line supervisor of security workers Protective Service	$55,940	$26.90	$92,260	High school diploma	81,480
99	Mechanical door repairer Installation, Maintenance and Repair	$55,720	$26.79	$78,260	High school diploma	27,120
100	Tile and stone setter Construction and Extraction	$55,690	$26.77	$86,110	No formal education	35,850
101	Legal secretary and administrative assistant Office and Administrative Support	$55,570	$26.72	$91,730	High school diploma	156,280
102	Roofer Construction and Extraction	$55,440	$26.65	$81,720	No formal education	135,490
103	Tax preparer Business and Financial	$54,920	$26.40	$99,270	High school diploma	76,480
104	Automotive body and related repairer Installation, Maintenance and Repair	$54,890	$26.39	$87,940	High school diploma	149,310
105	Surveying and mapping technician Architecture and Engineering	$54,240	$26.08	$81,630	High school diploma	58,010
106	Eligibility interviewer, government program Office and Administrative Support	$54,210	$26.06	$74,690	High school diploma	154,800
107	Welder Production	$53,750	$25.84	$77,530	High school diploma	416,210
108	Engine and other machine assembler Production	$53,710	$25.82	$77,750	High school diploma	34,000
109	Paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operator Construction and Extraction	$53,340	$25.64	$92,230	High school diploma	41,820
110	Solar photovoltaic installer Construction and Extraction	$53,140	$25.55	$79,970	High school diploma	31,350
111	Public safety telecommunicator Office and Administrative Support	$53,040	$25.50	$79,830	High school diploma	102,500
112	Real estate agent Sales	$52,830	$25.40	$123,590	High school diploma	193,370
113	Jeweler and precious stone and metal worker Production	$52,540	$25.26	$87,540	High school diploma	22,440
114	Cargo and freight agent Office and Administrative Support	$52,260	$25.13	$79,810	High school diploma	97,670
115	Community health worker Community and Social Service	$51,850	$24.93	$77,180	High school diploma	61,660
116	Separating, filtering, clarifying, precipitating, and still machine setter, operator, and tender Production	$51,610	$24.81	$79,750	High school diploma	60,100
117	Sailor and marine oiler Transportation and Material Moving	$51,520	$24.77	$83,620	No formal education	31,670
118	Semiconductor processing technician Production	$51,430	$24.73	$82,540	High school diploma	31,460
119	Structural metal fabricator and fitter Production	$51,330	$24.68	$72,280	High school diploma	52,360
120	Private detective and investigator Protective Service	$51,220	$24.62	$97,630	High school diploma	35,580
121	Medical records specialist Healthcare Practitioners	$51,140	$24.59	$81,150	Certificate	194,720
122	Home appliance repairer Installation, Maintenance and Repair	$50,990	$24.51	$80,660	High school diploma	32,150
123	Tree trimmer and pruner Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance	$50,960	$24.50	$80,310	High school diploma	55,160
124	Computer numerically controlled tool operator Production	$50,690	$24.37	$73,890	High school diploma	169,450
125	Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerk Office and Administrative Support	$50,670	$24.36	$74,550	Some college	1,373,680
126	Auto mechanic Installation, Maintenance and Repair	$50,620	$24.34	$81,790	Certificate	704,640
127	Procurement clerk Office and Administrative Support	$50,580	$24.32	$68,620	High school diploma	55,810
128	Dispatcher Office and Administrative Support	$50,340	$24.20	$78,140	High school diploma	202,810
129	Paper goods machine setter, operator, and tender Production	$50,270	$24.17	$70,320	High school diploma	96,130
130	Highway maintenance worker Construction and Extraction	$50,260	$24.16	$71,970	High school diploma	154,960
131	Travel agent Sales	$50,160	$24.11	$76,660	High school diploma	55,110
132	Rolling machine setter, operator, and tender, metal and plastic Production	$50,140	$24.10	$70,310	High school diploma	25,250
133	Loan interviewer and clerk Office and Administrative Support	$50,020	$24.05	$69,770	High school diploma	164,790
134	Miscellaneous construction and related worker Construction and Extraction	$49,910	$24.00	$78,700	High school diploma	28,380
135	Septic tank servicer and sewer pipe cleaner Construction and Extraction	$49,880	$23.98	$73,490	High school diploma	30,650
136	Logging equipment operator Farming, Fishing and Forestry	$49,740	$23.91	$74,300	High school diploma	21,060
137	Refuse and recyclable material collector Transportation and Material Moving	$49,690	$23.89	$75,900	No formal education	147,240
138	Dental laboratory technician Production	$49,610	$23.85	$76,940	High school diploma	34,410
139	Maintenance and repair worker, general Installation, Maintenance and Repair	$49,590	$23.84	$77,180	High school diploma	1,529,700
140	Hazardous materials removal worker Construction and Extraction	$49,450	$23.78	$82,410	High school diploma	51,710
141	Painter, construction and maintenance Construction and Extraction	$49,400	$23.75	$78,810	No formal education	225,190
142	Word processor and typist Office and Administrative Support	$49,280	$23.69	$65,150	High school diploma	35,010
143	Insurance claim and policy processing clerk Office and Administrative Support	$49,230	$23.67	$73,590	High school diploma	214,260
144	Insulation worker, floor, ceiling, and wall Construction and Extraction	$49,120	$23.62	$78,190	No formal education	44,440
145	First-line supervisor of housekeeping and janitorial workers Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance	$49,100	$23.61	$76,430	High school diploma	178,760
146	Pipelayer Construction and Extraction	$49,000	$23.56	$80,170	No formal education	33,050
147	Mixing and blending machine setter, operator, and tender Production	$48,990	$23.55	$70,200	High school diploma	94,920
148	Court, municipal, and license clerk Office and Administrative Support	$48,700	$23.41	$73,820	High school diploma	179,750
149	Prepress technician and worker Production	$48,690	$23.41	$66,080	Certificate	23,840
150	First-line supervisor of personal service workers Personal Care and Service	$48,590	$23.36	$75,330	High school diploma	114,110
151	Inspector, tester, sorter, sampler, and weigher Production	$48,570	$23.35	$77,860	High school diploma	597,370
152	First-line supervisor of entertainment and recreation workers Personal Care and Service	$48,560	$23.34	$79,060	High school diploma	103,190
153	Crushing, grinding, and polishing machine setter, operator, and tender Production	$48,540	$23.34	$69,240	High school diploma	26,000
154	First-line supervisor of retail sales workers Sales	$48,520	$23.33	$77,080	High school diploma	1,121,800
155	Billing and posting clerk Office and Administrative Support	$48,500	$23.32	$67,710	High school diploma	404,060
156	Coating, painting, and spraying machine setter, operator, and tender Production	$48,250	$23.20	$74,730	High school diploma	158,740
157	Dental assistant Healthcare Support	$48,070	$23.11	$62,250	Certificate	387,790
158	Fence erector Construction and Extraction	$47,980	$23.07	$70,010	No formal education	24,480
159	Welding, soldering, and brazing machine setter, operator, and tender Production	$47,920	$23.04	$66,540	High school diploma	31,600
160	School bus driver Transportation and Material Moving	$47,920	$23.04	$65,730	High school diploma	402,930
161	Outdoor power equipment and other small engine mechanic Installation, Maintenance and Repair	$47,880	$23.02	$67,260	High school diploma	36,060
162	Computer, automated teller, and office machine repairer Installation, Maintenance and Repair	$47,810	$22.99	$71,730	Some college	65,600
163	Extruding and drawing machine setter, operator, and tender, metal and plastic Production	$47,720	$22.94	$63,710	High school diploma	60,840
164	Medical equipment preparer Healthcare Support	$47,700	$22.93	$69,950	High school diploma	77,420
165	New accounts clerk Office and Administrative Support	$47,670	$22.92	$60,910	High school diploma	36,860
166	Automotive glass installer and repairer Installation, Maintenance and Repair	$47,630	$22.90	$70,650	High school diploma	20,310
167	Administrative assistant Office and Administrative Support	$47,540	$22.86	$66,350	High school diploma	1,706,790
168	Coin, vending, and amusement machine servicer and repairer Installation, Maintenance and Repair	$47,450	$22.81	$66,370	High school diploma	26,410
169	Optician, dispensing Healthcare Practitioners	$47,260	$22.72	$76,750	High school diploma	73,530
170	Multiple machine tool setter, operator, and tender, metal and plastic Production	$47,180	$22.68	$74,450	High school diploma	124,590
171	Exercise trainer and group fitness instructor Personal Care and Service	$47,160	$22.67	$83,100	High school diploma	322,930
172	Construction laborer Construction and Extraction	$47,120	$22.66	$78,090	No formal education	1,096,780
173	Bill and account collector Office and Administrative Support	$47,030	$22.61	$65,580	High school diploma	158,830
174	Roustabout, oil and gas Construction and Extraction	$46,960	$22.58	$64,530	No formal education	44,970
175	Self-enrichment teacher Education and Library	$46,800	$22.50	$92,840	High school diploma	332,110
176	Cabinetmaker and bench carpenter Production	$46,680	$22.44	$63,720	High school diploma	77,170
177	Cutting and slicing machine setter, operator, and tender Production	$46,570	$22.39	$61,120	High school diploma	44,980
178	Grinding, lapping, polishing, and buffing machine tool setter, operator, and tender, metal and plastic Production	$46,550	$22.38	$62,600	High school diploma	67,000
179	Industrial truck and tractor operator Transportation and Material Moving	$46,420	$22.32	$62,520	No formal education	774,420
180	Weigher, measurer, checker, and sampler, recordkeeping Office and Administrative Support	$46,380	$22.30	$60,910	High school diploma	53,300
181	Pesticide handler, sprayer, and applicator, vegetation Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance	$46,340	$22.28	$61,420	High school diploma	27,050
182	Upholsterer Production	$46,340	$22.28	$63,770	High school diploma	20,140
183	Cutting, punching, and press machine setter, operator, and tender, metal and plastic Production	$46,330	$22.27	$65,510	High school diploma	171,200
184	Order clerk Office and Administrative Support	$46,170	$22.20	$63,530	Some college	75,200
185	Molder, shaper, and caster Production	$46,170	$22.20	$61,530	High school diploma	33,190
186	Social and human service assistant Community and Social Service	$45,930	$22.08	$63,290	High school diploma	437,860
187	Medical secretary and administrative assistant Office and Administrative Support	$45,930	$22.08	$60,530	High school diploma	961,610
188	Interviewer Office and Administrative Support	$45,920	$22.08	$62,810	High school diploma	148,060
189	Electrical, electronic, and electromechanical assembler Production	$45,850	$22.04	$62,950	High school diploma	246,970
190	Printing press operator Production	$45,780	$22.01	$63,520	High school diploma	144,260
191	Extruding, forming, pressing, and compacting machine setter, operator, and tender Production	$45,760	$22.00	$63,450	High school diploma	58,770
192	Pharmacy technician Healthcare Practitioners	$45,750	$22.00	$61,040	High school diploma	471,680
193	Medical assistant Healthcare Support	$45,690	$21.97	$59,310	Certificate	817,870
194	Ophthalmic medical technician Healthcare Practitioners	$45,570	$21.91	$61,940	Certificate	71,010
195	Skincare specialist Personal Care and Service	$45,330	$21.79	$82,050	Certificate	72,890
196	Shipping, receiving, and inventory clerk Office and Administrative Support	$45,260	$21.76	$62,190	High school diploma	816,870
197	Pest control worker Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance	$45,250	$21.75	$61,890	High school diploma	102,620
198	Phlebotomist Healthcare Support	$45,230	$21.75	$58,780	Certificate	143,540
199	Psychiatric technician Healthcare Practitioners	$45,130	$21.70	$60,750	Certificate	156,960
200	Office clerk, general Office and Administrative Support	$45,010	$21.64	$64,680	High school diploma	2,464,940
201	Psychiatric aide Healthcare Support	$44,910	$21.59	$60,440	High school diploma	35,520
202	Light truck driver Transportation and Material Moving	$44,860	$21.57	$80,310	High school diploma	983,300
203	Food and tobacco roasting, baking, and drying machine operator and tender Production	$44,810	$21.54	$62,680	No formal education	20,370
204	Customer service representative Office and Administrative Support	$44,770	$21.53	$63,590	High school diploma	2,595,750
205	Photographer Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports and Media	$44,660	$21.47	$91,810	High school diploma	51,760
206	Miscellaneous assembler and fabricator Production	$44,650	$21.47	$64,880	High school diploma	1,405,030
207	Library technician Education and Library	$44,580	$21.43	$63,080	Certificate	68,690
208	Emergency medical technician Healthcare Practitioners	$44,470	$21.38	$62,500	Certificate	180,510
209	Reservation and transportation ticket agent and travel clerk Office and Administrative Support	$44,390	$21.34	$78,150	High school diploma	118,710
210	Molding, coremaking, and casting machine setter, operator, and tender, metal and plastic Production	$44,350	$21.32	$61,600	High school diploma	150,470
211	First-line supervisor of food preparation and serving workers Food Preparation and Serving	$44,080	$21.19	$65,570	High school diploma	1,223,240
212	Plating machine setter, operator, and tender, metal and plastic Production	$43,960	$21.14	$60,370	High school diploma	32,410
213	Carpenter helper Construction and Extraction	$43,780	$21.05	$57,670	No formal education	21,680
214	File clerk Office and Administrative Support	$43,600	$20.96	$63,490	High school diploma	73,440
215	Woodworking machine setter, operator, and tender Production	$43,380	$20.86	$56,830	High school diploma	61,420
216	Tutor Education and Library	$43,350	$20.84	$75,990	Some college	175,070
217	Packaging and filling machine operator and tender Production	$43,220	$20.78	$60,030	High school diploma	379,060
218	Teller Office and Administrative Support	$43,030	$20.69	$49,680	High school diploma	329,480
219	Sawing machine setter, operator, and tender, wood Production	$42,770	$20.56	$58,170	High school diploma	40,850
220	Electrician helper Construction and Extraction	$42,670	$20.51	$58,340	High school diploma	63,630
221	Conveyor operator and tender Transportation and Material Moving	$42,420	$20.39	$59,470	No formal education	22,930
222	Pipelayer, plumber, pipefitter, and steamfitter helper Construction and Extraction	$42,360	$20.36	$57,780	High school diploma	44,330
223	Food batchmaker Production	$42,290	$20.33	$58,940	High school diploma	174,520
224	Print binding and finishing worker Production	$42,290	$20.33	$59,150	High school diploma	33,180
225	Nursing assistant Healthcare Support	$42,260	$20.32	$51,980	Certificate	1,448,910
226	Residential advisor Personal Care and Service	$42,240	$20.31	$61,060	High school diploma	84,760
227	Taxi driver Transportation and Material Moving	$42,100	$20.24	$75,800	No formal education	41,050
228	Agricultural equipment operator Farming, Fishing and Forestry	$41,730	$20.06	$58,650	No formal education	28,500
229	Food cooking machine operator and tender Production	$41,590	$20.00	$54,410	High school diploma	31,250
230	Data entry keyer Office and Administrative Support	$41,340	$19.88	$58,790	High school diploma	127,080
231	Counter and rental clerk Sales	$41,300	$19.86	$65,370	No formal education	400,810
232	Machine feeder and offbearer Transportation and Material Moving	$41,220	$19.82	$58,160	No formal education	42,330
233	Office machine operator Office and Administrative Support	$40,960	$19.69	$57,960	High school diploma	25,130
234	Aircraft service attendant Transportation and Material Moving	$40,450	$19.45	$57,610	High school diploma	31,300
235	Medical transcriptionist Healthcare Support	$40,410	$19.43	$55,950	Certificate	41,550
236	Warehouse laborer Transportation and Material Moving	$40,240	$19.35	$55,140	No formal education	2,950,280
237	Butcher and meat cutter Production	$40,140	$19.30	$58,110	No formal education	136,430
238	Slaughterer and meat packer Production	$40,130	$19.29	$51,090	No formal education	69,950
239	Installation, maintenance, and repair worker helper Installation, Maintenance and Repair	$39,630	$19.05	$55,890	High school diploma	95,580
240	Merchandise displayer and window trimmer Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports and Media	$39,390	$18.94	$58,370	High school diploma	165,220
241	Demonstrator and product promoter Sales	$39,320	$18.91	$63,850	No formal education	64,520
242	Mail clerk and mail machine operator Office and Administrative Support	$39,280	$18.89	$54,820	High school diploma	55,230
243	Courier and messenger Office and Administrative Support	$39,200	$18.85	$50,330	High school diploma	68,640
244	Landscaping and groundskeeping worker Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance	$39,150	$18.82	$56,730	No formal education	952,640
245	Production worker helper Production	$39,070	$18.78	$53,410	High school diploma	165,700
246	Concierge Personal Care and Service	$38,950	$18.73	$57,570	High school diploma	49,240
247	Driver/sales worker Transportation and Material Moving	$38,770	$18.64	$59,980	High school diploma	409,180
248	Textile winding, twisting, and drawing out machine setter, operator, and tender Production	$38,670	$18.59	$49,420	High school diploma	22,020
249	Parts salesperson Sales	$38,630	$18.57	$62,890	No formal education	270,070
250	Switchboard operator Office and Administrative Support	$38,630	$18.57	$59,470	High school diploma	34,280
251	Meat, poultry, and fish cutter and trimmer Production	$38,300	$18.41	$48,150	No formal education	145,700
252	Orderly Healthcare Support	$38,290	$18.41	$50,600	High school diploma	52,440
253	Veterinary assistant and laboratory animal caretaker Healthcare Support	$38,150	$18.34	$49,150	High school diploma	126,580
254	Tour and travel guide Personal Care and Service	$38,120	$18.33	$60,930	High school diploma	53,500
255	Crossing guard and flagger Protective Service	$38,100	$18.32	$61,690	No formal education	94,360
256	Security guard Protective Service	$38,020	$18.28	$58,840	High school diploma	1,283,470
257	Receptionist and information clerk Office and Administrative Support	$38,010	$18.27	$49,950	High school diploma	910,180
258	Passenger attendant Transportation and Material Moving	$37,720	$18.14	$46,590	High school diploma	27,110
259	Tire repairer and changer Installation, Maintenance and Repair	$37,710	$18.13	$50,230	High school diploma	108,410
260	Pharmacy aide Healthcare Support	$37,680	$18.12	$56,010	High school diploma	39,530
261	Cook, institution and cafeteria Food Preparation and Serving	$37,450	$18.01	$49,670	No formal education	441,050
262	Restaurant cook Food Preparation and Serving	$37,390	$17.98	$47,900	No formal education	1,409,890
263	Floral designer Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports and Media	$37,360	$17.96	$51,000	High school diploma	40,590
264	Stocker and order filler Transportation and Material Moving	$37,330	$17.95	$49,260	No formal education	2,833,810
265	Shuttle driver and chauffeur Transportation and Material Moving	$37,290	$17.93	$55,070	No formal education	248,530
266	Baker Production	$37,160	$17.86	$49,020	No formal education	236,200
267	Baggage porter and bellhop Personal Care and Service	$37,080	$17.83	$51,600	High school diploma	28,510
268	Library assistant, clerical Office and Administrative Support	$36,910	$17.74	$55,310	High school diploma	85,520
269	Janitor Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance	$36,840	$17.71	$50,270	No formal education	2,209,760
270	Teaching assistant Education and Library	$36,780	–	$50,040	Some college	1,420,350
271	Farmworker, farm, ranch, and aquacultural animal Farming, Fishing and Forestry	$36,670	$17.63	$54,080	No formal education	32,810
272	Sewing machine operator Production	$36,670	$17.63	$47,840	No formal education	104,880
273	Recreation worker Personal Care and Service	$36,560	$17.58	$50,410	High school diploma	331,490
274	Packer and packager, hand Transportation and Material Moving	$36,280	$17.44	$47,100	No formal education	559,820
275	Gambling change person and booth cashier Sales	$36,220	$17.41	$60,330	No formal education	21,530
276	Cook, short order Food Preparation and Serving	$35,880	$17.25	$46,460	No formal education	138,650
277	Cleaner of vehicles and equipment Transportation and Material Moving	$35,830	$17.23	$47,610	No formal education	380,430
278	Home health and personal care aide Healthcare Support	$35,800	$17.21	$45,040	High school diploma	4,305,810
279	Hairstylist Personal Care and Service	$35,790	$17.21	$71,190	Certificate	305,710
280	Manicurist and pedicurist Personal Care and Service	$35,760	$17.19	$50,140	Certificate	152,770
281	Grader and sorter, agricultural product Farming, Fishing and Forestry	$35,730	$17.18	$44,490	No formal education	25,180
282	Funeral attendant Personal Care and Service	$35,680	$17.16	$48,460	High school diploma	31,090
283	Automotive and watercraft service attendant Transportation and Material Moving	$35,670	$17.15	$46,060	No formal education	102,010
284	Farmworker and laborer, crop, nursery, and greenhouse Farming, Fishing and Forestry	$35,660	$17.15	$45,690	No formal education	265,500
285	Housekeeper Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance	$35,510	$17.07	$48,570	No formal education	860,670
286	Telemarketer Sales	$35,450	$17.04	$50,350	No formal education	58,430
287	Retail salesperson Sales	$35,410	$17.03	$47,890	No formal education	3,897,860
288	Food server, nonrestaurant Food Preparation and Serving	$35,360	$17.00	$46,120	No formal education	293,900
289	Animal caretaker Personal Care and Service	$35,360	$17.00	$50,060	High school diploma	266,910
290	Food preparation worker Food Preparation and Serving	$35,320	$16.98	$45,340	No formal education	893,600
291	Physical therapist aide Healthcare Support	$35,240	$16.94	$47,780	High school diploma	48,150
292	Waiter Food Preparation and Serving	$35,230	$16.94	$64,720	No formal education	2,270,910
293	Parking attendant Transportation and Material Moving	$35,150	$16.90	$44,550	No formal education	137,880
294	School bus monitor Protective Service	$35,100	$16.88	$43,250	High school diploma	78,420
295	Hotel, motel, and resort desk clerk Office and Administrative Support	$35,070	$16.86	$45,470	High school diploma	261,420
296	Presser, textile, garment, and related material Production	$35,060	$16.85	$43,050	No formal education	26,120
297	Childcare worker Personal Care and Service	$34,980	$16.82	$46,010	High school diploma	518,910
298	Laundry and dry-cleaning worker Production	$34,890	$16.78	$43,190	No formal education	198,040
299	Dishwasher Food Preparation and Serving	$34,810	$16.73	$42,860	No formal education	477,450
300	Bartender Food Preparation and Serving	$34,340	$16.51	$73,770	No formal education	756,390
301	Gambling dealer Personal Care and Service	$34,320	$16.50	$77,090	High school diploma	83,910
302	Dining room and cafeteria attendant and bartender helper Food Preparation and Serving	$33,980	$16.34	$46,570	No formal education	542,750
303	Lifeguard, ski patrol, and other recreational protective service worker Protective Service	$33,580	$16.14	$43,970	No formal education	157,550
304	Usher, lobby attendant, and ticket taker Personal Care and Service	$32,910	$15.82	$42,470	No formal education	121,770
305	Cashier Sales	$32,880	$15.81	$40,410	No formal education	3,089,410
306	Amusement and recreation attendant Personal Care and Service	$32,150	$15.46	$42,490	No formal education	397,830
307	Fast food worker Food Preparation and Serving	$31,200	$15.00	$42,650	No formal education	3,854,050
308	Host and hostess, restaurant, lounge, and coffee shop Food Preparation and Serving	$31,200	$15.00	$43,990	No formal education	432,690
309	Fast food cook Food Preparation and Serving	$30,890	$14.85	$42,910	No formal education	641,070

No job matches those filters.

Game Which job pays more? Guess which of two jobs earns more, keep your streak going, and play the daily 10. Game Guess the Salary Drag the slider to guess what a job pays, score up to 100, and play five new jobs a day. After tax Take-home pay calculator See what any of these salaries leaves after federal and state tax.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 (published 2026), and Employment Projections education and training assignments (2025). Salaries are yearly medians before tax for wage and salary workers, not the self-employed. The median for all US jobs is $50,980. Jobs with fewer than 20,000 workers nationally are not listed.

Version 1.0

About the Highest Paying Jobs

Highest Paying Jobs ranks 515 US jobs by what they actually pay, using the latest Bureau of Labor Statistics wage survey (May 2025, published 2026). Filter the list by field, by the education a job needs to start, or by a minimum salary, and sort it by median pay, average pay, what the top 10% earn, hourly wage or the number of people in the job. Ready-made rankings answer the common questions: the highest paying jobs without a degree, with only a high school diploma, with an associate, bachelor’s or master’s degree, entry-level and trade jobs, the best-paid jobs in healthcare, tech, engineering and ten other fields, and the highest paying jobs in each of the 50 states and Washington DC. Every job links to its own salary page with hourly pay, the full pay range and pay by state.

How to use it

1 Start with the full ranking, or pick a ready-made list such as jobs without a degree, a field or your state.
2 Narrow it down with the field, education and minimum pay filters, or search for a job.
3 Sort by median salary, top 10% pay, hourly wage or most workers.
4 Open any job to see its pay range, hourly and monthly pay and salary in every state.

Frequently asked questions

What is the highest paying job without a degree?

Commercial pilot pays the most, with a median salary of $123,220 a year. The top three are commercial pilot ($123,220), elevator and escalator installer and repairer ($109,910), transportation, storage, and distribution manager ($107,230).

How many jobs without a degree pay over $100,000?

6 of the 309 jobs without a degree have a median salary of $100,000 or more a year.

Which well-paid job without a degree has the most openings?

First-line supervisor of office and administrative support workers employs the most people among the best-paid jobs without a degree, with about 1,436,680 workers and a median salary of $69,500. More people in a job usually means more openings each year.

Which job without a degree pays the most per hour?

Elevator and escalator installer and repairer has the highest median hourly wage, $52.84 an hour. Some jobs, such as teachers, are paid by the year only and have no hourly figure.

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