The 25 highest-paying jobs you can get without a college degree
25. Postal service mail carriers
24. 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
Projected job openings (through 2022): 8,800
Work experience: None
On-the-job training: Apprenticeship
23. First-line supervisors of correctional officers
Description: Directly supervise and coordinate activities of correctional officers and jailers.
Median annual wage (2012): $57,840
Projected job openings (through 2022): 18,000
Work experience: Less than five years
On-the-job training: Moderate-term on-the-job training
22. Real-estate brokers
Description: Oversee real-estate transactions including selling real estate or renting properties and arranging loans.
Median annual wage (2012): $58,350
Projected job openings (through 2022): 16,100
Work experience: Less than five years
On-the-job training: None
21. 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
Projected job openings (through 2022): 61,600
Work experience: None
On-the-job training: Long-term on-the-job training
20. 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
Projected job openings (through 2022): 187,100
Work experience: Five years or more
On-the-job training: None
19. 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
Projected job openings (through 2022): 80,300
Work experience: None
On-the-job training: Long-term on-the-job training
18. 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
Projected job openings (through 2022): 152,000
Work experience: Less than five years
On-the-job training: None
17. 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
Projected job openings (through 2022): 4,700
Work experience: None
On-the-job training: Long-term on-the-job training
16. Petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers
Description: Operate or control petroleum refining or processing units.
Median annual wage (2012): $62,730
Projected job openings (through 2022): 3,300
Work experience: None
On-the-job training: Moderate-term on-the-job training
15. Subway and streetcar operators
Description: Transport passengers.
Median annual wage (2012): $62,730
Projected job openings (through 2022): 3,300
Work experience: None
On-the-job training: Moderate-term on-the-job training
14. Postmasters and mail superintendents
Description: Plan, direct, or coordinate operational, administrative, management, and supportive services of a U.S. post office.
Median annual wage (2012): $63,050
Projected job openings (through 2022): 5,000
Work experience: Less than five years
On-the-job training: Moderate-term on-the-job training
13. Electrical power-line installers and repairers
Description: Install or repair electrical power systems and telecommunications cables, including fiber optics.
Median annual wage (2012): $63,250
Projected job openings (through 2022): 49,900
Work experience: None
On-the-job training:Long-term on-the-job training
12. Transportation inspectors
Description: Inspect equipment or goods in connection with the safe transport of cargo or people.
Median annual wage (2012): $63,680
Projected job openings (through 2022): 11,700
Work experience: None
On-the-job training: Moderate-term on-the-job training
11. Gaming managers
Description: Plan, direct, or coordinate gaming operations in a casino.
Median annual wage (2012): $65,220
Projected job openings (through 2022): 1,400
Work experience: Less than five years
On-the-job training: None
10. Power plant operators
Description: Control the systems that generate and distribute electric power.
Median annual wage (2012): $66,130
Projected job openings (through 2022): 12,900
Work experience: None
On-the-job training: Long-term on-the-job training
9. Farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural managers
Description: Farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural managers run establishments that produce crops, livestock, and dairy products.
Median annual wage (2012): $69,300
Projected job openings (through 2022): 150,200
Work experience: Five years or more
On-the-job training: None
8. First-line supervisors of nonretail sales workers
Description: Directly supervise and coordinate activities of sales workers other than retail sales workers.
Median annual wage (2012): $70,060
Projected job openings (through 2022): 50,300
Work experience: Less than five years
On-the-job training: None
7. Power distributors and dispatchers
Description: Coordinate, regulate, or distribute electricity or steam.
Median annual wage (2012): $71,690
Projected job openings (through 2022): 3,600
Work experience: None
On-the-job training: Long-term on-the-job training
6. Commercial pilots
Description: Fly and navigate airplanes or helicopters.
Median annual wage (2012): $73,280
Projected job openings (through 2022): 14,400
Work experience: None
On-the-job training: Moderate-term on-the-job training
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
Projected job openings (through 2022): 27,700
Work experience: Less than five years
On-the-job training: Moderate-term on-the-job training
4. Nuclear power reactor operators
Description: Operate or control nuclear reactors by moving control rods, starting and stopping equipment, monitoring and adjusting controls, and recording data in logs.
Median annual wage (2012): $74,990
Projected job openings (through 2022): 2,300
Work experience: None
On-the-job training: Long-term on-the-job training
3. Elevator installers and repairers
Description: Elevator installers and repairers install, fix, and maintain elevators, escalators, moving walkways, and other lifts.
Median annual wage (2012): $76,650
Projected job openings (through 2022): 8,000
Work experience: None
On-the-job training: Apprenticeship
2. First-line supervisors of police and detectives
Description: Coordinate activities of members of police force.
Median annual wage (2012): $78,270
Projected job openings (through 2022): 35,700
Work experience: Less than five years
On-the-job training: Moderate-term on-the-job training
1. Transportation, storage, and distribution managers
Description: Coordinate transportation, storage, or distribution activities in accordance with organizational policies and applicable government laws or regulations.
Median annual wage (2012): $81,830
Projected job openings (through 2022): 29,100
Work experience: Five years or more
On-the-job training: None
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