Where Data Tells the Story
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No Degree? No Problem.
You don’t need college to earn six figures. With just a high school diploma plus on-the-job training, apprenticeships, or specialized certification, these 20 roles deliver above-average pay—according to May 2024 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data (rounded to the nearest hundred).
The top earner, air traffic controller, doesn’t require an associate’s or bachelor’s degree. The FAA mandates only its Academy training, rigorous exams, medical clearance, and applicants must be under 31.
Likewise, commercial pilots need no degree from the FAA—only flight hours and certification. Major airlines typically require a bachelor’s for captains and first officers, so this ranking covers non-airline roles (charters, medevac, crop dusting, etc.). The BLS combines both pilot types, but no degree is required for entry.
Many of these jobs demand high responsibility, risk, and specialized skills—but not formal education. The list spans linemen and nuclear reactor operators to casino managers and ship engineers.
Source: BLS Occupational Finder filtered for “high school diploma or equivalent” + highest median wage (May 2024).