Top 10 Highest-Paying Jobs That Don’t Require a College Degree in 2019

Have you ever thought about which are the most expensive jobs? Well, how does an annual wage of $79,000 sound to you? That’s right. The people who work this particular job earn precisely $79,780 each year. We will start our list with this salary in the tenth place.

If you are curious enough and you want to find out which are the top 10 highest-paying jobs, I suggest you keep on reading. Also, these jobs don’t require a college degree. Sometimes skills gained and mastered outside the classroom are more valuable than a degree.

However, you do need skills for the following jobs.  Most importantly, you need to know where to find these positions as well as how to prepare for them properly. Some of these jobs require specified certificates, extensive training, licenses, and more.

Shall we begin?

10. Elevator Installers and Repairers

To become an elevator installer or repairer, you have to go through a four-year apprenticeship program. Usually, a union, industry association, or individual contractor sponsors the program. Furthermore, currently, 35 states require workers to be licensed.

Also, elevator installers and repairers need to know electronics, hydraulics, and electricity. When competing for apprenticeship openings, knowledge in math, mechanical drawing, and shop are considered to be of an advantage.

Moreover, the necessary qualifications of future elevator installers and repairers need to possess are the following:

• Be at least 18 years old
• Possess a high school diploma or equivalent
• Be physically able to do the job
• Pass basic math, reading, and mechanical aptitude tests

If you can pass all these minimum qualifications, you can enter the apprenticeship program.

Annual wage: $79,780

Projected job growth through 2026: 12 percent

9. Powerhouse, Substation, and Relay Electrical and Electronics Repairers

To become a powerhouse electrician or relay technician, you need to have a high school diploma.

Basically, workers have to inspect, test, repair, or maintain electrical equipment in generating stations, substations, and in-service relays. And these duties make this work very responsible.

Also, the necessary knowledge to become a powerhouse, substation, and relay electrical and electronics repairer are the following:

Engineering and Technology

• mechanical
• product and service development

Math and Science

• arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics
• physics

Safety and Government

• public safety and security

If you think you cover all these requirements and you like this area, why not give this profession a chance?

Annual wage: $80,200

Projected job growth through 2026: 4 percent

8. Detectives and Criminal Investigators

As a kid, did you want to discover and solve mysteries? Well, detectives and criminal investigators collect evidence and gather facts for criminal cases. Duties of detectives and criminal investigators generally include interviewing witnesses and suspects. They also include examining records involved with a case, observing potential suspects, as well as taking part in arrests.

If you want to become a detective or a criminal investigator, you must be prepared to work on a full-time basis. Usually, this job includes shifts during the weekend as well as long night hours.

To qualify for this job, you must possess a high school diploma or equivalent.

Other career requirements:

Degree Field

• Criminal justice or law enforcement

Experience

• Several years (varies by employer)

Key Skills

• Keen perception and Leadership skills
• Communication and Multitasking
• Physical stamina
• Basic computer skill and experience with software for crime scene management
• Crime information databases as well as computer-aided composite drawing

Annual wage: $81,920

Projected job growth through 2026: 5 percent

7. Commercial Pilots

Being a commercial pilot comes with a lot of responsibilities. Commercial pilots need to handle unscheduled flight activities. They are also responsible for both flight activities as well as non-flight duties. Typically, commercial pilots take care of the following:

• They follow a checklist of preflight checks on engines, hydraulics, and other systems
• They ensure that all cargo has been loaded and that the aircraft weight is properly balanced
• They check fuel, weather conditions, and flight schedules
• They contact the control tower for takeoff and arrival instructions
• They start engines, operate controls, and Steer aircraft along planned routes
• They monitor engines, fuel consumption, and other aircraft systems during flight
• They navigate the aircraft, using cockpit instruments
• They ensure a smooth takeoff and landing

Moreover, the necessary qualifications of future commercial pilots are the following:

• Be at least 18 years old
• Have at least 250 hours of flight experience
• Pass psychological and aptitude tests
• Be in a good physical condition
• Have vision correctable to 20/20
• Possess a high school diploma or equivalent
• Have a commercial pilot’s license

There are many stressful situations in this profession. However, commercial pilots receive decent annual pay.

Annual pay: $82,240

Projected job growth through 2026: 4 percent

6. Power Distributors and Dispatchers

Generally, power distributors and dispatchers control the systems that generate and distribute electric power. Their work full time. Moreover, their shifts may vary between 8 and 12 hours.

Power distributors and dispatchers monitor current converters, voltage transformers, and circuit breakers. They also resolve problems such as transformer or transmission line failures. Also, to become a power distributor or dispatcher, you need to possess a high school diploma.

Annual wage: $86,410

Projected job growth through 2026: -3 percent

5. First-line Supervisors of Police and Detectives (Patrol Sergeants, Police Captains or Police Sergeants)

First-line supervisors of police and detectives are responsible for supervising and coordinating the activities of a police force. However, to reach this high rank, officers will need two things:

1. A high school diploma
2. Plenty of on-the-job training

First-line supervisors of police and detectives are also called Patrol Sergeant, Police Captain, Police Sergeant, Sergeant. Also, the necessary knowledge to become a first-line supervisor of police and detectives are the following:

Safety and Government

• law and government
• public safety and security

Business

• management
• customer service

Math and Science

• Psychology

Furthermore, if you are interested in this work, the following qualities will be considered to be of your advantage:

• Integrity
• Self Control
• Stress Tolerance
• Dependability
• Leadership
• Attention to Detail

Annual wage: $89,030

Projected job growth through 2026: 7 percent

4. Nuclear Power Reactor Operators

Yes, nuclear power reactor operators control nuclear reactors. For those who are curious, they adjust control rods to affect how much electricity a reactor generates. They also monitor reactors, turbines, generators as well as cooling systems.

Even though this is an extremely responsible job position, nuclear power reactor operators only need a high school diploma. However, they do need extensive on-the-job training.

Annual wage: $94,350

Projected job growth through 2026: -10 percent

3. Transportation, storage, and distribution managers

Transportation, storage, and distribution managers have a rather stressful job. They handle all distribution and storage operations in a company. Usually, they manage a team of staff members. The goal is to minimize the expenses while maximizing the profits as well as productivity.

Career Requirements:

Degree Level

• Bachelor’s degree

Degree Field

• Business or related area

Experience

• Minimum 1-year distribution center experience

Key Skills

• Analytical skills
• Communication skills
• Leadership skills
• Attention to detail
• Computer skills

Annual wage: $94,730

Projected job growth through 2026: 7 percent

2. Computer and IT manager

Typically, a bachelor’s degree in computer or information science is required. Many computer and information systems managers also have a graduate degree. However, it is not necessary. Moreover, computer and information systems managers typically do the following:

• Analyze their organization’s computer needs
• Recommend possible upgrades for top executives to consider
• Plan and direct the installation and maintenance of computer hardware and software
• Ensure the security of an organization’s network and electronic documents
• Plan and direct the work of other IT professionals, including computer systems analysts, software developers, information security analysts, and computer support specialists

Annual wage: $152,860

1. Entrepreneurs

Nowadays, this is a very famous profession. At first glance, it looks and sounds very easy to become an entrepreneur. However, the road to entrepreneurship is often difficult. You have to be prepared for sleepless nights, failed ideas, unexpected problems, as well as dead ends.

Moreover, you don’t need a degree to become an entrepreneur. However, to become a successful entrepreneur, you need to possess certain traits, such as:

1. Disciplined
2. Confidence
3. Open-Minded
4. Self Starter
5. Competitive
6. Creativity
7. Determination
8. Strong people skills
9. Strong work ethic
10. Passion

Annual wage: $180,000

Let’s take a look at another seven examples of high-paying jobs you can get without a college degree

1. Airline pilot – $169,560
2. Air-traffic controller – $178,650
3. Freelance writer – $200,000
4. Chief executives – $200,000
5. Large commercial farmer – $245,300
6. Celebrity bodyguard – up to $800,000 a year
7. Pro gamers – $320,000

The Bottom Line

Nowadays, some of the most profitable professions require neither a university degree nor a bachelor’s degree. If you take the time to develop yourself in the profession that attracts you, you can have great success. After all, the more you read and develop yourself, the easier it will be for you to reach your desired goal.