Most lists of professions that don’t require a degree stop at “no degree needed.” They skip pay, training, and how long it takes to get started. This guide covers 12 high-paying jobs that don’t require a bachelor’s degree, with May 2025 pay data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
Each profile covers the work, the entry route, median pay, and work style. Many of these roles still need an associate degree, a certificate, an apprenticeship, or on-the-job training, so use the table to build your shortlist.
Quick Comparison: High-Paying Professions That Don’t Require a Degree
The highest paying jobs without a degree on this list are aerospace engineering and operations technicians ($82,890), electrical and electronic engineering technicians ($78,190), and executive administrative assistants ($76,590). The 10 roles with a BLS median range from $50,670 to $82,890 (May 2025).
Pay is a median, the midpoint, not a starting salary. Warehouse supervisor pay is the BLS hourly median shown as a yearly figure.
| Profession | What you do | Typical entry route | Median pay (BLS, May 2025) | Work style |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aerospace engineering and operations technician | Install and maintain equipment for aircraft and spacecraft | Associate degree; some employers accept a certificate | $82,890 | Hands-on |
| Electrical and electronic engineering technician | Help engineers design and test electrical equipment | Associate degree | $78,190 | Mixed |
| Data center technician | Install and repair servers and network gear | Varies by employer. IT certificates such as CompTIA A+ help | No BLS figure | Hands-on |
| CAD drafter | Turn engineers’ designs into technical drawings | Certificate or associate degree | $68,090 | Desk |
| CNC machinist | Set up and run computer-controlled machines | High school diploma plus long-term on-the-job training | $59,620 | Hands-on |
| Industrial machinery mechanic | Repair and maintain factory equipment | High school diploma plus 1 year or more of on-the-job training | $64,100 | Hands-on |
| Sheet metal worker | Make and install metal ducts, gutters, and siding | High school diploma plus a 4- to 5-year apprenticeship | $61,800 | Hands-on |
| Warehouse and logistics supervisor | Lead crews that receive, move, and ship goods | High school diploma plus experience in the work you supervise | $62,880 ($30.23 an hour) | Mixed |
| Wholesale and manufacturing sales representative | Sell products to businesses | High school diploma for most products; technical products usually need a bachelor’s degree | $76,460, often with commission | Mixed |
| Executive administrative assistant | Support senior leaders | High school diploma plus several years of admin experience | $76,590 | Desk |
| Bookkeeping and accounting clerk | Record and check financial data | Some college, no degree, plus on-the-job training | $50,670 | Desk |
| Proposal coordinator | Organize the people and documents behind a bid | Varies by employer | No BLS figure | Desk |
Source: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, May 2025 wages. Warehouse supervisor pay is from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.
Technical and Engineering Technician Careers
These careers that don’t require a degree are the best paid on this list. Most start with a two-year program or a certificate.
1. Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technician
These technicians install, run, and maintain the equipment used to build, test, and support aircraft and spacecraft. Many employers fill this role through aerospace technician staffing.
Entry route: associate degree. Some employers also consider a high school diploma or a certificate.
Median pay: $82,890 (BLS, May 2025). BLS projects 12% job growth from 2025 to 2035.
Good fit if: you like hands-on work with equipment and test setups.
2. Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technician
These technicians help engineers design, build, and test equipment that runs on electricity. Employers often hire them through engineering recruiters.
Entry route: associate degree.
Median pay: $78,190 (BLS, May 2025). BLS projects 2% growth through 2035.
Good fit if: you like testing circuits and solving problems at a bench, with some time at a desk.
3. Data Center Technician
Data center technicians install, swap, and repair servers, cabling, and network gear. See technician staffing for how these roles are filled.
Entry route: it varies, so check local postings. A certificate such as CompTIA A+ is a common start.
Median pay: BLS has no page for this role, so we list no figure.
Good fit if: you like hands-on IT work and can handle shift work.
4. CAD Drafter
CAD drafters use software to turn engineers’ and architects’ designs into technical drawings. EXPECT works on this role through CAD drafter staffing.
Entry route: most drafters hold a certificate or an associate degree.
Median pay: $68,090 for drafters (BLS, May 2025). BLS projects 1% growth through 2035.
Good fit if: you like detail work at a desk.
Manufacturing and Skilled Trade Careers
Skilled trades are some of the jobs that pay well without a degree, and most train you on the job or through an apprenticeship.
5. CNC Machinist
CNC machinists set up and run computer-controlled machines that cut precise metal parts. Plants fill these jobs through manufacturing staffing and direct hiring.
Entry route: high school diploma plus long-term on-the-job training.
Median pay: $59,620 for machinists and tool and die makers (BLS, May 2025). BLS projects a 1% decline from 2025 to 2035.
Good fit if: you like precision work on a shop floor.
6. Industrial Machinery Mechanic
These mechanics find and fix problems in factory equipment before it breaks down. A manufacturing staffing agency can connect you with plants that hire for this work.
Entry route: high school diploma plus at least a year of on-the-job training.
Median pay: $64,100 (BLS, May 2025). BLS projects 14% growth through 2035.
Good fit if: you like fixing machines.
7. Sheet Metal Worker
Sheet metal workers make and install products from thin metal, such as ducts, gutters, signs, and siding.
Entry route: most construction sheet metal workers learn through a 4- or 5-year apprenticeship. Find programs at Apprenticeship.gov. Some states require a license.
Median pay: $61,800 (BLS, May 2025). BLS projects 3% growth through 2035.
Good fit if: you want hands-on work in a shop or on job sites.
8. Warehouse and Logistics Supervisor
These supervisors lead the crews that receive, move, and ship goods. Employers want experience in the work you will supervise, so many people start in warehouse staffing roles first.
Entry route: high school diploma plus that experience.
Median pay: $62,880 a year, or $30.23 an hour (BLS, May 2025).
Good fit if: you are comfortable leading a crew on your feet.
Office, Sales and Business Support Careers
These jobs that don’t require a college degree reward organization, accuracy, and people skills.
9. Wholesale and Manufacturing Sales Representative
These reps sell goods to businesses, government agencies, and other organizations, and explain how products meet each buyer’s needs. EXPECT’s sales rep recruiters work on these roles.
Entry route: a high school diploma is typical for most products. Reps who sell scientific and technical products usually need a bachelor’s degree, so that path is harder without one.
Median pay: $76,460 for wholesale and manufacturing sales reps (BLS, May 2025). Pay often includes commission, so it is not a fixed salary.
Good fit if: you like working with buyers and can work toward sales targets.
10. Executive Administrative Assistant
Executive administrative assistants give high-level support to senior leaders. Employers often fill these jobs through administrative staffing.
Entry route: high school diploma plus several years in other administrative jobs.
Median pay: $76,590 for executive secretaries and executive administrative assistants (BLS, May 2025).
Good fit if: you like organizing a busy desk.
11. Bookkeeping and Accounting Clerk
These clerks compute, classify, and record data so an organization’s books stay accurate. See accounting recruiting for roles in this field.
Entry route: some college, no degree, plus on-the-job training.
Median pay: $50,670 (BLS, May 2025). BLS projects a 6% decline through 2035.
Good fit if: you are detail-minded and like desk work.
12. Proposal Coordinator
Proposal coordinators organize the people, deadlines, and documents behind a bid. See proposal coordinator staffing for how EXPECT fills this role.
Entry route: it varies by employer. Many people grow into it from administrative or writing jobs.
Median pay: BLS has no page for this role, so we list no figure.
Good fit if: you like deadlines and working across teams.
No Degree Doesn’t Mean No Training
Even jobs with little schooling use these routes, so here’s how they differ. A bachelor’s degree usually takes about four years to complete. An associate degree takes around two years. A certificate is a shorter program. An apprenticeship combines paid work with classroom learning. A license means the state has given you permission to do the job.
These are high paying careers with short schooling compared with a four-year degree, but they still need some training. The median is the middle point, so half of workers earn less. Starting pay is often lower. For reference, the median hourly wage for all U.S. jobs was $24.51 in May 2025 (BLS). You can look up tasks and skills at O*NET.
How to Get Hired Without a Degree
- Choose three roles that fit your work style. Look at the table and pick from hands-on, desk, or mixed jobs.
- Find five local job postings. Make a list of the qualifications that are required and another list for those that are just preferred.
- Get the one credential that appears most often in those job postings, like OSHA 10, CompTIA A+, an AutoCAD certificate, or NIMS.
- Try contract or contract-to-hire jobs to gain experience fast and add real work to your resume. Check out contract recruiting to see how EXPECT places contract talent.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the highest-paying job without a degree?
Of the 12 jobs listed, aerospace engineering and operations technicians earn the highest median pay at $82,890 (BLS, May 2025). These roles usually require an associate degree instead of a bachelor’s. Electrical and electronic engineering technicians follow at $78,190.
Which jobs pay $100K a year without a degree?
None of these 12 jobs has a BLS median salary of $100,000. Sales representatives for scientific and technical products have a median of $104,920, but BLS notes they usually need a bachelor’s degree. For the other jobs, reaching $100K usually requires experience, overtime, commissions, or moving into a leadership role.
What careers need the least schooling but still pay well?
Industrial machinery mechanics and sheet metal workers need a high school diploma and some training. According to BLS, their median pay is $64,100 and $61,800 (May 2025). CNC machinists also need a diploma and long-term on-the-job training, with a median salary of $59,620. The main trade-off is the training required.
Can I get a high-paying job with no degree and no experience?
You can begin some of these jobs with training rather than a degree, but higher pay comes with more skill. BLS notes that machinists, machinery mechanics, and bookkeeping clerks often get on-the-job training. It’s best to earn a credential or complete an apprenticeship, then gain experience.
Which jobs without a degree are in high demand?
BLS projects the fastest growth from 2025 to 2035 for industrial machinery mechanics at 14% and aerospace engineering and operations technicians at 12%. Sheet metal work is projected to grow 3%. Some office roles on this list are projected to decline.
Find Your Next Role With EXPECT
Ready to start one of these professions that don’t require a degree? Job seekers can submit your resume and tell us the role you’re aiming for. Employers hiring skilled technicians or engineers can talk to EXPECT’s recruiters.
