The 25 highest-paying jobs you can get without a college degree
25. Chemical plant and system operators
24. Transit and railroad police
Description: Protect and police railroad and transit property, employees, or passengers.
Median annual wage (2015): $59,670
Projected job openings (through 2024): 1,300
Work experience: None
On-the-job training: Moderate-term on-the-job training
23. First-line supervisors of correctional officers
Description: Directly supervise and coordinate activities of correctional officers and jailers.
Median annual wage (2015): $57,840
Projected job openings (through 2024): 18,000
Work experience: Less than five years
On-the-job training: Moderate-term on-the-job training
22. Boilermakers
Description: Assemble, install, and repair boilers, closed vats, and other large vessels or containers that hold liquids and gases.
Median annual wage (2015): $56,560
Projected job openings (through 2024): 8,800
Work experience: None
On-the-job training: Apprenticeship
21. First-line supervisors of construction trades and extraction workers
Description: Directly supervise and coordinate activities of construction or extraction workers.
Median annual wage (2015): $59,700
Projected job openings (through 2024): 187,100
Work experience: Five years or more
On-the-job training: None
20. Subway and streetcar operators
Description: Transport passengers.
Median annual wage (2015): $62,730
Projected job openings (through 2024): 3,300
Work experience: None
On-the-job training: Moderate-term on-the-job training
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 (2015): $59,960
Projected job openings (through 2024): 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 (2015): $60,250
Projected job openings (through 2024): 152,000
Work experience: Less than five years
On-the-job training: None
17. Signal and track-switch repairers
Description: Install, inspect, test, maintain, or repair electric gate crossings, signals, signal equipment, track switches, section lines, or intercommunication systems within a railroad system.
Median annual wage (2015): $63,840
Projected job openings (through 2024): 1,500
Work experience: None
On-the-job training: Moderate-term on-the-job training
16. Farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural managers
Description: Run establishments that produce crops, livestock, and dairy products.
Median annual wage (2015): $69,300
Projected job openings (through 2024): 150,200
Work experience: Five years or more
On-the-job training: None
15. Petroleum pump-system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers
Description: Operate or control petroleum-refining or -processing units.
Median annual wage (2015): $62,730
Projected job openings (through 2024): 3,300
Work experience: None
On-the-job training: Moderate-term on-the-job training
14. 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 (2015): $61,140
Projected job openings (through 2024): 4,700
Work experience: None
On-the-job training: Long-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 (2015): $63,250
Projected job openings (through 2024): 49,900
Work experience: None
On-the-job training: Long-term on-the-job training
12. Gaming managers
Description: Plan, direct, or coordinate gaming operations in a casino.
Median annual wage (2015): $65,220
Projected job openings (through 2024): 1,400
Work experience: Less than five years
On-the-job training: None
11. Postmasters and mail superintendents
Description: Plan, direct, or coordinate operational, administrative, management, and supportive services of a US post office.
Median annual wage (2015): $63,050
Projected job openings (through 2024): 5,000
Work experience: Less than five years
On-the-job training: Moderate-term on-the-job training
10. Transportation inspectors
Description: Inspect equipment or goods in connection with the safe transport of cargo or people.
Median annual wage (2015): $63,680
Projected job openings (through 2024): 11,700
Work experience: None
On-the-job training: Moderate-term on-the-job training
9. Power-plant operators
Description: Control the systems that generate and distribute electric power.
Median annual wage (2015): $66,130
Projected job openings (through 2024): 12,900
Work experience: None
On-the-job training: Long-term on-the-job training
8. 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 (2015): $70,060
Projected job openings (through 2024): 50,300
Work experience: Less than five years
On-the-job training: None
7. Commercial pilots
Description: Fly and navigate airplanes or helicopters.
Median annual wage (2015): $73,280
Projected job openings (through 2024): 14,400
Work experience: None
On-the-job training: Moderate-term on-the-job training
6. 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 (2015): $74,300
Projected job openings (through 2024): 27,700
Work experience: Less than five years
On-the-job training: Moderate-term on-the-job training
5. Power distributors and dispatchers
Description: Coordinate, regulate, or distribute electricity or steam.
Median annual wage (2015): $71,690
Projected job openings (through 2024): 3,600
Work experience: None
On-the-job training: Long-term on-the-job training
4. Elevator installers and repairers
Description: Elevator installers and repairers install, fix, and maintain elevators, escalators, moving walkways, and other lifts.
Median annual wage (2015): $76,650
Projected job openings (through 2024): 8,000
Work experience: None
On-the-job training: Apprenticeship
3. First-line supervisors of police and detectives
Description: Coordinate activities of members of a police force.
Median annual wage (2015): $78,270
Projected job openings (through 2024): 35,700
Work experience: Less than five years
On-the-job training: Moderate-term on-the-job training
2. 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 (2015): $86,630
Projected job openings (through 2024): 27,100
Work experience: Five years or more
On-the-job training: None
1. 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 (2015): $88,560
Projected job openings (through 2024): 2,600
Work experience: None
On-the-job training: Long-term on-the-job training
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