30. Electrical power-line installers and repairers
Description: Install or repair cables or wires used in electrical power or distribution systems.
Average annual salary (2015): $65,300
Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
On-the-job training: Long-term on-the-job training
29. Gas plant operators
Description: Distribute or process gas for utility companies and others by controlling compressors to maintain specified pressures on main pipelines.
Average annual salary (2015): $65,830
Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
On-the-job training: Long-term on-the-job training
28. First-line supervisors of mechanics, installers, and repairers
Description: Directly supervise and coordinate the activities of mechanics, installers, and repairers.
Average annual salary (2015): $65,890
Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
On-the-job training: None
27. Petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers
Description: Operate or control petroleum refining or processing units.
Average annual salary (2015): $66,020
Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
On-the-job training: None
26. Property, real estate, and community association managers
Description: Plan, direct, or coordinate the selling, buying, leasing, or governance activities of commercial, industrial, or residential real estate properties.
Average annual salary (2015): $68,240
Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
On-the-job training: None
25. Magnetic resonance imaging technologists
Description: Monitor patient safety and comfort and view images of area being scanned to ensure quality of pictures.
Average annual salary (2015): $68,340
Education required: Associate's degree
On-the-job training: None
24. 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.
Average annual salary (2015): $68,620
Education required: Associate's degree
On-the-job training: None
23. 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.
Average annual salary (2015): $69,880
Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
On-the-job training: None
22. 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.
Average annual salary (2015): $70,540
Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
On-the-job training: Moderate-term on-the-job training
21. Web developers
Description: Design, create, and modify websites.
Average annual salary (2015): $70,660
Education required: Associate's degree
On-the-job training: None
20. Diagnostic medical sonographers
Description: Use special imaging equipment that directs sound waves into a patient's body to assess and diagnose various medical conditions.
Average annual salary (2015): $70,880
Education required: Associate's degree
On-the-job training: None
19. Registered nurses
Description: Provide and coordinate patient care; educate patients and the public about various health conditions.
Average annual salary (2015): $71,000
Education required: Associate's degree
On-the-job training: None
18. Power plant operators
Description: Control, operate, or maintain machinery to generate electric power. Includes auxiliary equipment operators.
Average annual salary (2015): $71,070
Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
On-the-job training: Long-term on-the-job training
17. Transportation inspectors
Description: Inspect equipment or goods in connection with the safe transport of cargo or people.
Average annual salary (2015): $72,220
Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
On-the-job training: Moderate-term on-the-job training
16. Dental hygienists
Description: Clean teeth, examine patients for oral diseases like gingivitis, and provide other preventative dental care.
Average annual salary (2015): $72,720
Education required: Associate's degree
On-the-job training: None
15. First-line supervisors of fire fighting and prevention workers
Description: Directly supervise and coordinate activities of workers engaged in fire fighting and fire prevention and control.
Average annual salary (2015): $74,970
Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
On-the-job training: Moderate-term on-the-job training
14. 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.
Average annual salary (2015): $74,990
Education required: Associate's degree
On-the-job training: None
13. Elevator installers and repairers
Description: Assemble, install, repair, or maintain electric or hydraulic freight or passenger elevators, escalators, or dumbwaiters.
Average annual salary (2015): $77,350
Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
On-the-job training: Apprenticeship
12. Gaming managers
Description: Plan, direct, or coordinate gaming operations in a casino.
Average annual salary (2015): $77,770
Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
On-the-job training: None
11. Nuclear technicians
Description: Nuclear technicians assist physicists, engineers, and other professionals in nuclear research and nuclear production.
Average annual salary (2015): $78,850
Education required: Associate's degree
On-the-job training: Moderate-term on-the-job training
10. Detectives and criminal investigators
Description: Conduct investigations related to suspected violations of Federal, State, or local laws to prevent or solve crimes.
Average annual salary (2015): $79,620
Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
On-the-job training: Moderate-term on-the-job training
9. Power distributors and dispatchers
Description: Coordinate, regulate, or distribute electricity or steam.
Average annual salary (2015): $80,400
Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
On-the-job training: Long-term on-the-job training
8. Captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels
Description: Command or supervise operations of ships and water vessels, such as tugboats and ferryboats.
Average annual salary (2015): $83,150
Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
On-the-job training: None
7. Radiation therapists
Description: Check equipment, observe patients' reactions to treatment, and document the session.
Average annual salary (2015): $84,460
Education required: Associate's degree
On-the-job training: None
6. Funeral service managers
Description: Plan, direct, or coordinate the services or resources of funeral homes.
Average annual salary (2015): $84,470
Education required: Associate's degree
On-the-job training: None
5. Commercial pilots
Description: Pilot and navigate the flight of fixed-wing aircraft on nonscheduled air carrier routes, or helicopters. Requires Commercial Pilot certificate.
Average annual salary (2015): $84,510
Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
On-the-job training: Moderate-term on-the-job training
4. First-line supervisors of non-retail sales workers
Description: Directly supervise and coordinate activities of non-retail sales workers (i.e. people who sell services or media).
Average annual salary (2015): $84,910
Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
On-the-job training: None
3. 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.
Average annual salary (2015): $88,820
Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
On-the-job training: Long-term on-the-job training
2. Transportation, storage, and distribution managers
Description: Plan, direct, or coordinate transportation, storage, or distribution activities in accordance with organizational policies and applicable government laws or regulations.
Average annual salary (2015): $88,820
Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
On-the-job training: Long-term on-the-job training
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.
Average annual salary (2015): $118,740
Education required: Associate's degree
On-the-job training: Long-term on-the-job training