In today’s job market, there are still options for high-paying careers that don’t require extensive schooling. With some training or certification programs that can be completed relatively quickly, you can enter fields like healthcare, tech, and trades that offer strong salaries and job growth potential. When you weigh the time and cost of education against earning potential, many of these careers offer an excellent return on your investment.
Quick Answer: The Highest Paying Jobs with Little Schooling
Here’s a quick overview of some of the top-paying jobs accessible with an associate’s degree or less:
- Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers – $70,910 median annual salary
- Radiation Therapists – $70,000 median annual salary
- Transportation Inspectors – $70,000 median annual salary
- Elevator Installers and Repairers – $70,910 median annual salary
- Dental Hygienists – $68,250 median annual salary
- Nuclear Technicians – $68,090 median annual salary
- Diagnostic Medical Sonographers – $63,630 median annual salary
- Electrical and Electronics Engineering Technicians – $61,130 median annual salary
- Web Developers – $59,650 median annual salary
- Wind Turbine Technicians – $52,260 median annual salary
Now let’s take a more in-depth look at some of the highest paying careers you can pursue without a four-year college degree.
Healthcare Careers
Healthcare is a reliable source of high-paying jobs for those without advanced degrees. Many critical healthcare roles only require an associate’s degree or certificate. And as the population ages and healthcare needs grow, these professions are projected to be in high demand.
Radiation Therapist
- Median Annual Salary: $70,000
- Education Needed: Associate’s degree
Radiation therapists administer radiation treatments to patients, usually those with cancer. With an associate’s degree and certification, you can start working in this essential healthcare role. Radiation therapists must be detail-oriented to deliver doses of radiation with extreme precision. Their job outlook is strong with employment expected to grow 7% from 2021 to 2031.
Dental Hygienist
- Median Annual Salary: $68,250
- Education Needed: Associate’s degree
Dental hygienists clean teeth, examine patients for oral diseases, and provide preventive dental care. To become a dental hygienist, you’ll need an associate’s degree in dental hygiene and licensure. With good job prospects and a 9% growth rate, this is one of the top-paying careers with quick training. Dental hygienists earn a median annual salary of over $68,000.
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer
- Median Annual Salary: $63,630
- Education Needed: Associate’s degree
Diagnostic medical sonographers use equipment that directs sound waves into a patient’s body to produce images for the diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions. An associate’s degree is the most common level of education. And some employers may provide on-the-job training for those with previous healthcare experience or coursework. Diagnostic medical sonographers can expect strong job opportunities with projected growth of 15% from 2021 to 2031.
Technology Careers
Technology offers abundant opportunities for high-paying roles accessible with an associate’s degree or less. Some tech jobs pay over $100,000 with experience even without a bachelor’s degree.
Web Developer
- Median Annual Salary: $59,650
- Education Needed: Associate’s degree or certificate
Web developers design, build, and maintain websites. While many have bachelor’s degrees, you can break into this career with an associate’s degree or certificate in web design or development. Employers value demonstrable skills and experience. The best web developer jobs go to those with strong portfolios showcasing their projects. Web developers should have versatility working with different programming languages and platforms. The field is projected to grow 13% from 2021 to 2031.
Computer Network Support Specialist
- Median Annual Salary: $57,750
- Education Needed: Associate’s degree
Computer network support specialists provide technical assistance to computer users experiencing issues. They may help troubleshoot problems with hardware, software, networking and more. Most positions require an associate’s degree in a field like computer science or information science. Network support specialists need strong critical thinking and communication skills to diagnose and clearly explain technical problems. Jobs for computer support specialists are plentiful and should grow by 8% over the next decade.
Wind Turbine Technician
- Median Annual Salary: $52,260
- Education Needed: Certificate or associate’s degree
Wind turbine technicians install, inspect, maintain, and repair wind turbines. Technical schools and community colleges offer certificate and associate’s degree programs that combine classroom learning with hands-on field training. Employers also value prior experience working with electrical or mechanical systems. The number of wind turbine technician jobs is projected to grow by 68% from 2021 to 2031, much faster than average.
Construction Trades
Skilled construction trades can provide stable, high salaries without four-year degrees. Electricians, plumbers, and other tradespeople are always needed to build, maintain, and service buildings and infrastructure. Apprenticeship programs offer paid on-the-job training working under experienced professionals.
Elevator Installer and Repairer
- Median Annual Salary: $70,910
- Education Needed: Apprenticeship
Elevator installers and repairers assemble, install, maintain, and fix elevators, escalators, chairlifts, and other equipment. Most enter the occupation through a four-year paid apprenticeship program. Once apprentices become fully qualified, they can earn over $70,000 annually. New installers and repairers will be needed as more buildings are constructed, driving 25% projected job growth from 2021 to 2031.
Electrician
- Median Annual Salary: $56,180
- Education Needed: Apprenticeship
Electricians install, maintain, and repair electrical power systems and equipment in homes and commercial buildings. Apprenticeship programs provide around four to five years of paid on-the-job training under a licensed electrician. This allows you to learn skills hands-on without college costs. Licensed electricians can earn over $56,000 per year on average and expect strong job prospects with 9% growth forecast from 2021 to 2031.
Plumber
- Median Annual Salary: $55,160
- Education Needed: Apprenticeship
Plumbers install and repair water systems, drainage systems, plumbing fixtures, and other equipment in homes and businesses. Most plumbers get training through a four to five-year paid apprenticeship. No college is required. Once licensed, plumbers can earn over $55,000 annually on average. Demand for plumbers is projected to grow by 5% from 2021 to 2031, on par with average job growth.
Transportation Careers
Jobs inspecting, repairing, piloting, and otherwise working with transportation modes can be lucrative options without bachelor’s degrees. These hands-on roles keep cargo and people moving safely and efficiently.
Transportation Inspector
- Median Annual Salary: $70,000
- Education Needed: High school diploma or equivalent
Transportation inspectors examine equipment and operator qualifications for compliance with regulations. Most inspectors have only a high school diploma or equivalent, but they receive extensive on-the-job training. Once in the role, experienced inspectors can earn around $70,000 or more per year. Opportunities for transportation inspectors should grow by 5% from 2021 to 2031 as infrastructure and transit systems expand.
Air Traffic Controller
- Median Annual Salary: $130,420
- Education Needed: Associate’s degree and training
Air traffic controllers coordinate the movement of aircraft to maintain safety and efficiency. Applicants need an associate’s degree or bachelor’s degree, along with completion of FAA training programs. It’s a demanding profession, but pays quite well – air traffic controllers earn a median of over $130,000 annually. Demand should be strong with projected 4% job growth from 2021 to 2031.
Other Lucrative Options
Beyond the major categories above, there are a few other well-paying roles accessible with quick training:
Commercial Diver
- Median Annual Salary: $54,290
- Education Needed: Postsecondary nondegree award
Underwater divers do physically demanding, risky work inspecting, constructing, repairing and dismantling submerged structures and equipment. Associate’s degrees exist, but many learn through informally structured training programs ending in certification. Experienced divers can make over $54,000 annually. Jobs may grow about 6% from 2021 to 2031 along with ocean development projects.
Nuclear Technician
- Median Annual Salary: $68,090
- Education Needed: Associate’s degree
Nuclear technicians assist in nuclear operations at power generation facilities. An associate’s degree in nuclear science or a related field is preferred. Nuclear technicians earn a median of around $68,000 annually. Positions are projected to grow by 7% from 2021 to 2031 as technicians are needed to operate current and new plants.
Radiologic Technologist
- Median Annual Salary: $64,310
- Education Needed: Associate’s degree
Radiologic technologists perform diagnostic imaging examinations like x-rays and CT scans. While some technologists have bachelor’s degrees, an associate’s degree is the minimum required education. Once working in the field, radiologic technologists make a median salary of over $64,000. Jobs are plentiful and expected to grow by 9% from 2021 to 2031.
Police Officer
- Median Annual Salary: $67,600
- Education Needed: High school diploma or equivalent
Police officers protect public safety by enforcing laws and responding to emergencies. Just a high school diploma is required, along with police academy training after being hired. More education can help with hiring and advancement. Police officers earn over $67,000 annually on average. Job openings will be plentiful with 7% more positions projected from 2021 to 2031.
Conclusion
While traditional wisdom says you need a bachelor’s degree for a high-paying career, there are many options for good salaries with shorter training time. Healthcare, tech, construction, transportation, and more offer jobs accessible with an associate’s, trade credential, or less. With some targeted education or apprenticeship, you can enter growing fields without four-year college costs and debt.
Just remember that shorter training time doesn’t necessarily mean an easy job. Many of these positions are physically-demanding and require specialized technical expertise. Do your research to make sure you choose a career that fits your interests and abilities. But the careers above demonstrate that you can earn over $50,000, $70,000, or even six figures without slogging through years of school first.
