If you’re looking to change fields right now or just exploring what’s out there, we’ll be covering eight of the highest-paying jobs that don’t require a college degree.
I’ve picked this list from over 50 different job opportunities because these are the most practical with the lowest barriers to entry. Also, be sure to stick around to the very end for the highest-paying jobs.
Keep in mind, though, as we go through this, that a good job isn’t just about high pay. Benefits like health insurance and even retirement are very important too.
1. Insurance Sales Agent:
This is somebody who helps individuals and businesses find the right insurance policies.
This job involves a lot of talking on the phone, so good people skills are definitely recommended. You’ll also be managing a growing portfolio of clients, so good organizational skills are a must.
Many insurance jobs have a commission structure on top of the base pay, which can be a great incentive.
This job pays about $51,000 per year, but with the potential for commissions and working your way up over time, you could potentially make six figures or more.
Now, if you’re willing to do a little bit of dirty work, the next two high-paying jobs are awesome.
2. Plumbers:
Plumbers earn around $60,000 a year on average.
The benefits here are often tremendous because many of these are union jobs.
The Plumbers and Steamfitters Union offers in-house training that they spend over $100 million per year on.
There are over 400 local unions in the USA, so all you have to do is find the one in your area and reach out to see if they offer plumbers apprenticeships.
3. Electrician:
Electricians earn over $60,000 per year on average, and just like with plumbing, most of these are union jobs.
The IBEW is the biggest electrical union, and they offer paid in-house training, though typically not as much as an apprentice.
Depending on the area, it could be as much as $24 an hour or more.
Once you become a journeyman electrician, which takes about four years, you can work across any of the electrical unions across the United States, giving you tremendous flexibility.
4. Flight Attendant:
Becoming a flight attendant is a surprisingly high-paying job with no college degree requirement.
On average, you make just under $62,000 a year.
In this line of work, you might be spending a lot of nights out of your house and at hotels during stopovers.
This may come with a unique benefit since you’re not home very often.
Many flight attendants will have a very cheap apartment, and they may not even have a car in some cases, meaning that your actual living costs can be extremely cheap, allowing you to save a lot more money.
Southwest is a website where you can learn about career options as a flight attendant and learn more about what the job entails.
5. Police Officer:
Becoming a police officer pays around $65,000 per year on average.
This will be a physically demanding job, among other things, so you’re going to want to make sure you’re in great physical shape for this line of work.
It has its own Police Academy, where you go to learn the requirements and skills for the job, and this can be pretty extensive.
For example, in New York, it’s about 1000 hours of school for the New York State Police Academy.
However, in many cases, you get paid during the time at the police academy, which is about six months, so that can be a benefit.
6. Insurance Appraiser:
The next high-paying job is in the insurance realm once again, but it’s a little bit different.
An insurance adjuster will investigate, evaluate, and settle insurance claims that arise from damage to insured property.
This job pays a little over $65,000 per year, but you may need to start off in a lower position and then work your way up, as it is a pretty desirable position.
7. Agricultural Manager:
Agricultural managers make around $72,000 per year.
Agricultural or farm managers oversee the operations of a farm, which can be a combination of hands-on work as well as desk and computer work.
You’ll likely have to start off with an entry-level agricultural position and then work your way up to the farm manager over time, but it is very possible.
8. Postmaster:
The postmaster, as the name suggests, is the manager of a particular post office and is in charge of overseeing the operations and making sure everything runs smoothly.
Postmasters make over $80,000 per year, making this a very lucrative opportunity.
However, you may have to start off with a lower position within the postal system and then work your way up over time.
Even becoming a mail carrier, which doesn’t require any college education, is still a pretty high-paying job starting off above $20 per hour.
So, these are some of the highest-paying jobs out there right now that do not require a college degree.
If you are looking to make money outside of working a job, a side hustle is going to be your best option.
Be sure to check out 39 Legit Online & Offline jobs.
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