MiscRanked: The 20 Highest Paying Careers That Don’t Need a College Degree

Visual Capitalist

Julie R. Peasley

November 14, 2025

The 20 Highest Paying Careers That Don’t Need a College Degree

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Air traffic controllers top the list with a median wage of $144,580.

Several skilled trades like elevator repair and power plant operation pay over $100,000 annually.

Rising demand and shifting perspectives are making blue-collar jobs more attractive to younger generations.

The U.S. labor market is evolving, and so are the pathways to high-paying careers. While a college degree has long been considered essential for financial success, new data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that numerous careers offer six-figure salaries without requiring a four-year diploma.

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