The path to financial security doesn't have to come with a diploma. Getty Images
A college degree is a great asset, but it’s just not always a possibility. In some cases the time commitment is too much. More often, though, it’s because of the spiraling costs: According to the College Board, between 1988 and 2018 tuition rose 129 percent for private universities and 213 percent for public four-year schools. This past academic year, the average tuition was $9,970 for a public college and $34,740 for a private university. Americans now carry more than $1.4 trillion in unpaid education debt, according to the Federal Reserve, which is even more than our total credit card debt.
But based on a 2018 report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), there are a growing number of occupations that don’t require higher education but pay above above $31,600, the average salary for someone without a diploma.
Employment opportunities have been steadily increasing across the board: In June 2018, the U.S. added 213,000 non-farm jobs, well above Standard & Poor’s expectation of 195,000. And More and more of these positions don’t require a degree: In a 2016 open letter to Donald Trump, IBM CEO Ginni Rometty dubbed them “new-collar jobs."
“What matters most is relevant skills, sometimes obtained through vocational training,” Rometty explained. “In addition, we are creating and hiring to fill ‘new-collar’ jobs—entirely new roles in areas such as cybersecurity, data science, artificial intelligence and cognitive business.”
Tech companies like IBM, in particular, are more interested in people who can code than who have a four-year institution listed on their resumes. Outside of the tech sector, there is a spectrum of careers listed in the BLS report that don’t require a degree—police officer, train operator and casino manager, just to name a few.
Slide through to see some of the top paying jobs that don’t require a college degree.
Media and communication equipment workers
Median annual income: $79,500
Median hourly wage: $38.22
Top paying states for this occupation: Washington, DC ($106,400), Maryland ($94,420), Virginia ($91,020)
Top states for this occupation: California, Georgia, Texas
Getty ImagesTransportation inspectors
Median annual income: $72,140
Median hourly wage: $34.68
Top paying states for this occupation: Maine ($105,250), Washington, DC ($99,970), Alaska ($99,260)
Top states for this occupation: New York, Texas, California
Getty ImagesPeople in this profession cover a wide array of transportation needs, from rail to trucks. They ensure equipment is working properly and safe for cargo and people. Job titles include freight inspectors, rail inspectors and aviation inspectors. Getty ImagesGaming managers
Median annual income: $72,930
Median hourly wage: $35.06
Top paying states for this occupation: Nevada ($102,090), California ($97,370), Florida ($94,380)
Top states for this occupation: California, Nevada, Oklahoma
Getty ImagesIf you love to gamble, this is the job for you. Gaming managers work in casinos managing floor operations and staff. Titles include Gaming Director, Slot Manager, Table Games Manager, etc. Typically the only requirement for this job is on-the-job training, working your way up through the casino.Getty ImagesPostmasters and mail superintendents
Median annual income: $74,840
Median hourly wage: $35.98
Top paying states for this occupation: Florida ($82,990), Tennessee ($81,510), Rhode Island ($81,210)
Top states for this occupation: New York, Texas, California
Getty ImagesTypically people in this position work their way up through the ranks of the postal service, from mail delivery person through management. This job could consist of managing deliveries to overseeing a particular areas post office. Titles include Delivery Supervisor, Distribution Operations Supervisor, Postmaster, etc. Getty ImagesPower plant operators
Median annual income: $77,180
Median hourly wage: $37.10
Top paying states for this occupation: California ($92,240), Washington ($86,590), Nevada ($85,240)
Top states for this occupation: California, Texas, New York
Getty ImagesPeople in this profession ensure power plant facilities are working properly. They control, operate or maintain machinery and staff at power facilities. Titles could include Auxiliary Operator, Control Room Operator and Plant Control Operator. Typically people become power plant operators after years of lower-level work at power plants. Sometimes additional vocational training is required. Getty ImagesCommercial pilots
Median annual income: $78,740
Top paying states for this occupation: New Hampshire ($124,570), Connecticut ($115,290), Georgia ($113,720)
Top states for this occupation: Texas, California, Florida
Getty ImagesEven though a college degree isn’t required to be a commercial pilot, you’ll still need training as a pilot in order to get any work. Often people who work as commercial pilots served in the military in a flight capacity. Commercial pilots include pilots for popular airlines, but also charter pilots, helicopter pilots, tour operators, among others. Getty ImagesElevator installers and repairers
Median annual income: $79,480
Median hourly wage: $38.21
Top paying states for this occupation: Nevada ($123,480), Washington ($104,080), Oregon ($98,890)
Top states for this occupation: New York, Texas, Florida
Getty ImagesElevators require a particular type of repair person, making this niche field of repair lucrative. Often employed through elevator manufacturers, people in this field only need a high school diploma to apply, and then receive on-the-job training. Vocational training is also an option for this field. Getty ImagesThese managers supervise sales workers in any non-retail related businesses like personal services, insurance and other products that don’t consist of traditional retail sales. Other duties could include budgeting, accounting and personnel work. Typically the only requirement for this occupation is on-the-job, work-related training. Getty ImagesMedia and communication equipment workers ensure that all media for television, radio, and other media formats are running smoothly. Positions in this field range from entertainment to news to cable companies. Most of the requirements for this job is work-related experience. Getty ImagesDetectives and criminal investigators
Median annual income: $79,970
Median hourly wage: $38.45
Top paying states for this occupation: Alaska ($116,130), California ($103,810), New Jersey ($100,980)
Top states for this occupation: Texas, California, New York
Getty ImagesUsually detectives and criminal investigators are promoted from police-related work, either active duty or specialized police activities like protection services. They work in Federal, State and local law enforcement. Even though no college degree is required, police training is a requirement. Getty ImagesPower distributors and dispatchers
Median annual income: $82,510
Median hourly wage: $39.67
Top paying states for this occupation: Washington ($105,670), New York ($100,200), Kentucky ($99,330)
Top states for this occupation: California, Texas, Ohio
Getty ImagesLike electrical installers and repairers, power distributors and dispatchers are also vital to the flow of electricity. They are the first line of contact if there’s a power outage, troubleshooting and dispatching repair workers if needed. No vocational training is required, but on-the-job experience is almost always needed. Titles include Control Operator, Power System Dispatcher, System Operator, etc. Getty ImagesFirst-line supervisors of police and detectives
Median annual income: $87,910
Median hourly wage: $42.26
Top paying states for this occupation: California ($143,450), New Jersey ($126,450), Washington, DC ($122,040)
Top states for this occupation: New York, Illinois, New Jersey
Getty ImagesLike criminal investigators, first-line supervisors usually start as beat police or in other lower-level law enforcement-related roles. Supervisors make sure police beats are staffed and that detectives have the police support they need to do their job. Titles include Chief of Police, Police Captain, Lieutenant, etc. Getty ImagesTransportation, storage, and distribution managers
Median annual income: $92,460
Median hourly wage: $44.45
Top paying states for this occupation: Washington, DC ($135,490), Delaware ($128,170), Rhode Island ($123,210)
Top states for this occupation: California, Texas, Illinois
Getty ImagesTransportation, storage, and distribution managers make sure that all activities for shipment of goods is in line with government laws and regulations. People in this position are usually the point of contact between the shipping company and the person handling the shipping. Getty ImagesNuclear power reactor operators
Median annual income: $93,370
Median hourly wage: $44.89
Top paying states for this occupation: Illinois ($96,930), North Carolina ($95,300), Tennessee ($82,780)
Top states for this occupation: South Carolina, Tennessee, North Carolina
Getty ImagesNuclear power reactor operators have a very important job because, well, it’s nuclear power. They monitor and adjust controls, start and stop equipment that ensures the proper function of a nuclear power plant and if something goes wrong they step in to figure out what happened. Although a degree isn’t required, lots of internal training is, in addition to some vocational training. Getty ImagesPetroleum pump system operators, refinery operators and gaugers primarily work in oil fields and storage areas. Titles for this occupation include Pumper, Refinery Operator, Gauger, etc. Only a high school diploma is required for this job, on-the-job training is usually provided. Getty ImagesGas compressors and gas pumping station operators, usually found in gas and nuclear plants, often monitor consumption rates, temperatures and pressures; maintain adequate levels; and address repairs as needed. Common job titles for this occupation are Compressor Operator, Gas Plant Operator and Pipeline Operator. While no formal education is required for this occupation, on-the-job training is often required. Getty ImagesArtists and related workers
Median annual income: $63,540
Median hourly wage: $30.55
Top paying states for this occupation: Washington, DC ($91,540), Georgia ($85,270), Maryland ($84,640)
Top states for this occupation: Washington, DC, California, Maryland
Getty ImagesThe Bureau of Labor Statistics classifies artists and related workers as anyone working primarily in a creative field like acting, entertainment, crafts, painting, music, graphic arts, etc. Washington, DC has the highest concentration of artists because of employment from the federal government, which use artists in museums, exhibitions and public relations.Getty ImagesFirst-line supervisors of construction trades and extraction workers
Median annual income: $64,070
Median hourly wage: $30.80
Top paying states for this occupation: Alaska ($99,690), New York ($84,930), Illinois ($82,160)
Top states for this occupation: Texas, California, Florida
Getty ImagesPrimarily in construction and extraction sites, first-line supervisors of construction trades and extraction workers manage, supervise and troubleshoot workers at contracted sites of operations. They are often the middle person between a construction company contracted on a project and the workers they manage. Frequent titles for this occupation include Construction Foreman, Construction Superintendent, Field Supervisor, Foreman, etc. While no formal education is required for this occupation, years of on-the-job experience as a construction worker is usually required before advancement. Getty ImagesFirst-line supervisors of mechanics, installers and repairers
Median annual income: $64,780
Median hourly wage: $31.15
Top paying states for this occupation: Alaska ($87,240), Washington, DC ($79,770), New York ($78,150)
Top states for this occupation: California, Texas, Florida
Getty ImagesFirst-line supervisors of mechanics, installers and repairers are often tasked with managing the facilities and maintenance of a building, like an office building or a hospital. They ensure that the building stays running from a technical perspective. They often have a team of technicians under them to maintain repairs on a building, regularly having to keep track of schedules, budgets and quality of equipment. No formal education is required for this occupation, but typically a person is promoted to this position after years of service as a lower-level worker. Getty ImagesClaims adjusters, examiners and investigators
Median annual income: $62,900
Median hourly wage: $31.20
Top paying states for this occupation: Connecticut ($75,160), Alaska ($75,080), Colorado ($74,260)
Top states for this occupation: California, Texas, Florida
Getty ImagesTasked with investigating and settling outstanding financial claims, people in this occupation often work in insurance, health and credit card fields. If claims go into litigation, claim adjusters often work with legal counsel in order to settle the claim, or provide testimony to the status of the claim. Connecticut is the top paying state for this occupation because of the high number of credit card and health insurance companies headquartered in the state. Getty ImagesSubway and streetcar operators
Median annual income: $66,420
Median hourly wage: $31.93
Top paying states for this occupation: New York ($72,250), California ($69,870), Maryland ($66,910)
Top states for this occupation: New York, California, Maryland
Getty ImagesSubway and streetcar operators do more than just drive the train. They also handle fares, manage track switches, handle communications and even have specific positions dedicated to bell and horn operations (how cool is that?). It should be no surprise that New York, California and Maryland are the top states for this profession, considering each of them has some of the country’s largest public transportation systems. Getty ImagesPetroleum pump system operators, refinery operators and gaugers
Median annual income: $67,770
Median hourly wage: $32.58
Top paying states for this occupation: Alaska ($84,730), California ($77,660), Hawaii ($77,620)
Top states for this occupation: Texas, Louisiana, California
Getty ImagesGas compressor and gas pumping station operators
Median annual income: $62,810
Median hourly wage: $30.20
Top paying states for this occupation: Arizona ($71,190), California ($71,110), Ohio ($69,610)
Top states for this occupation: Pennsylvania, North Dakota, West Virginia
Getty ImagesSignal and track switch repairers
Median annual income: $68,400
Median hourly wage: $32.88
Top paying states for this occupation: California ($77,780), Massachusetts ($74,030), Washington ($73,100)
Top states for this occupation: New York, California, Washington
Getty ImagesMainly focused in the area of railroad maintenance and upkeep, signal and track switch repairers ensure railways run smoothly and efficiently. Specific areas of attention include gate crossings, signals, signal equipment and intercommunication systems.Getty ImagesGas plant operators
Median annual income: $69,030
Median hourly wage: $33.19
Top paying states for this occupation: California ($99,100), North Dakota ($82,570), Wisconsin ($81,920)
Top states for this occupation: Texas, Michigan, California
Getty ImagesAn essential part of petroleum distribution, gas plant operators make sure gas is distributed and pressurized properly. Titles include Engine Room Operator, Gas System Operator, Liquified Natural Gas Specialist, etc. On-the-job training and possible vocational training are the only requirements for this occupation. Getty ImagesElectrical power-line installers and repairers
Median annual income: $69,380
Median hourly wage: $33.36
Top paying states for this occupation: California ($95,760), Oregon ($89,610), Alaska ($86,610)
Top states for this occupation: Texas, California, Georgia
Getty ImagesPeople working in this occupation are essential to making sure your lights stay on. Electrical power-line installers and repairers work primarily out in the field testing electrical circuits and controlling power supply connections. People with expertise in this field are the first line of defense during a power outage. An apprenticeship with a senior expert in this field is the only educational requirement.Getty ImagesFarmers, ranchers and other agricultural managers
Median annual income: $69,620
Median hourly wage: $33.47
Top paying states for this occupation: North Carolina ($93,780) California ($92,740), Pennsylvania ($89,780)
Top states for this occupation: California, Texas, Illinois
Getty ImagesPeople who choose this occupation are essential to keeping humans alive… literally. They grow food or process meat for distribution across the United States and the world. Experts expect national employment for this occupation to decline in the coming years. On-the-job training is the only educational requirement. Getty ImagesTransit and railroad police
Median annual income: $70,280
Median hourly wage: $33.79
Top paying states for this occupation: New Jersey ($85,760), Massachusetts ($80,990), New York ($79,040)
Top states for this occupation: New York, Texas, California
Getty ImagesTransit and railroad police keep people on public transportation and other train services safe. They monitor transit areas, apprehend or remove passengers and protect railroad properties and employees. Vocational police training is the only educational requirement with this position, and is usually provided after the job is secured. Getty ImagesFirst-line supervisors of non-retail sales workers
Median annual income: $71,650
Median hourly wage: $34.45
Top paying states for this occupation: New York ($107,630), North Carolina ($100,050), Virginia ($98,440)
Top states for this occupation: California, Texas, New York
Getty Images
