The average cost to earn a four-year college degree is more than $150,000 these days. That’s a lot of money, making the traditional college experience flat-out impossible for many people. Others leave high school ready to get into the workforce as soon as possible, rather than spending more years in a classroom. Fortunately, there are plenty of well-paying jobs that don’t require a college degree.
To assemble this list, we looked at average salaries* and the projected job availability in the near future. Some of the jobs listed here do involve some additional training, like vocational courses, training schools, or apprenticeships. Others require licensing exams or certificates. But in every case, the required education or training is substantially shorter and less expensive than a traditional college degree.
Share this list with high school students as they consider their future careers, and assure them that they don’t necessarily need a four-year degree to make a good living.
*Note: All salary information is from Indeed.com and represents the average salary for each job in February 2025 in the United States.
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Best Mechanical Jobs Without a College Degree
Jobs in the skilled trades provide excellent salaries and strong job security. Many provide on-the-job training at lower pay rates, which increase once you earn your certification.
1. Electrician
Electricians install, maintain, and repair electrical systems in homes, businesses, and industrial settings. They’re trained to help keep people and property safe, while ensuring power access to all.
- Average Salary: $63,500
- Education/Training: Apprenticeship, trade school
2. Plumber
Plumbers work with pipes, fixtures, and systems that handle water and wastewater. They install new plumbing and maintain existing systems to avoid leaks and costly damage.
- Average Salary: $60,600
- Education/Training: Apprenticeship, trade school
3. HVAC Technician
Technicians in this field work with the systems that control heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning. They install and repair these systems in homes and businesses.
- Average Salary: $58,300
- Education/Training: Apprenticeship, trade school
4. Welder
Welders use specialized equipment to join metal pieces together, creating strong and safe structures. They often work in construction or maintenance.
- Average Salary: $48,900
- Education/Training: Apprenticeship, trade school
5. Automotive Technician
Also known as mechanics, auto technicians repair motor vehicles. They perform inspections, diagnose issues, and perform routine maintenance as needed.
- Average Salary: $64,500
- Education/Training: Apprenticeship, trade school
6. Heavy Equipment Operator
These operators handle equipment like bulldozers, excavators, and cranes. They’re often found on construction sites as well as places like factories and mines.
- Average Salary: $54,200
- Education/Training: Apprenticeship, trade school
7. Construction Worker
Construction workers assemble all types of buildings, from sheds to skyscrapers. This is an ideal job for people who love working with their hands, often outdoors.
- Average Salary: $40,600
- Education/Training: High school diploma
8. Commercial (Truck) Driver
Truck drivers may take on long-haul assignments across the country’s highways or work locally to make deliveries and pickups.
- Average Salary: $82,200
- Education/Training: CDL training program
9. Elevator Technician
There are more than 1 million elevators in the United States alone! Someone has to fix them when they break down, making this one of the best jobs you can get without a four-year college degree.
- Average Salary: $70,500
- Education/Training: Apprenticeship
10. Wind Turbine Technician
Wind power is becoming more common as we explore alternative sources of energy. Turbine technicians help install, maintain, and repair the necessary equipment.
- Average Salary: $62,800
- Education/Training: Post-secondary certificate
11. Aircraft Technician
Aircraft maintenance is essential to ensure safety in the air and on the ground. Technicians in this field help to maintain and repair aircraft, from small planes to jumbo jets and everything in between.
- Average Salary: $62,800
- Education/Training: Post-secondary certificate
Best Medical & Healthcare Jobs Without a College Degree
The medical field is always growing, and many of its jobs are well paid even without a four-year degree. The best jobs usually require at least some post-secondary training, often in courses that take 18 months or less.
12. Radiology Technologist
The technicians who use equipment like X-rays, CAT scanners, MRIs, and mammography machines generally spend a couple of years post–high school in training courses. But the return on investment is high, with strong salaries that make these some of the very best jobs you can do without a four-year college degree.
- Average Salary: $114,000
- Education/Training: Post-secondary certificate
13. Dental Hygienist
This is another medical position that requires a couple of years of training courses, but also boasts a high salary payoff in the long run. Hygienists clean teeth, take X-rays, and assist dentists during procedures.
- Average Salary: $106,600
- Education/Training: Post-secondary certificate
14. Pharmacy Technician
This isn’t one of the highest-paying jobs on the list, but it’s an excellent way to gain experience in the field if you’d like to work toward becoming a pharmacist. Many future pharmacists pay their way through school with jobs like these.
- Average Salary: $38,532
- Education/Training: Post-secondary certificate
15. Medical Coder/Biller
The American medical industry is incredibly complex. In order for doctors and hospitals to receive payments from insurance companies, they must correctly submit bills using the proper codes. This job requires people who are quick at data entry, with a high attention to detail.
- Average Salary: $60,800
- Education/Training: Certification courses and exam
16. EMT/Paramedic
This is one of the more rewarding jobs on our list, offering the chance to help save lives! These emergency medical workers respond to calls and help patients on-site, then transport them to hospitals if needed.
- Average Salary: $49,100
- Education/Training: Licensing courses and exam
17. Massage Therapist
Massage therapy is a respected part of the healthcare industry, improving quality of life for many people. A therapist takes training courses to learn the best ways to manipulate muscles and soft tissues, relieving pain and increasing circulation.
- Average Salary: $58,800
- Education/Training: Licensing courses and exam
Best Sales & Service Jobs Without a College Degree
Those who enjoy working with other people will find plenty of excellent jobs available to them. Some require training courses or licensing exams, but the up-front costs involved are much lower than a four-year degree.
18. Real Estate Agent
Real estate agents help people buy and sell personal and commercial property. If they join the National Association of Realtors and adhere to their code of ethics, they may be known as a Realtor.
- Average Salary: $100,200
- Education/Training: Licensing courses and exam
19. Insurance Sales Agent
Insurance agents help clients choose insurance policies that protect them against loss from fire, theft, personal injury, and more. They process policy applications and help clients understand their rights and protections.
- Average Salary: $73,900
- Education/Training: Licensing courses and exam
20. Retail Store Manager
Store managers oversee staffing needs and handle personnel at a given retail location. They may also process and maintain inventory, implement marketing strategy, and work to hit sales goals.
- Average Salary: $55,400
- Education/Training: High school diploma
21. Flight Attendant
This is another one of those jobs that may not pay especially well, but it offers the amazing chance to travel the globe! Most flight attendants start on more local routes, working their way up to cross-country and transcontinental flights over the years.
- Average Salary: $41,400
- Education/Training: High school diploma
22. Police Officer
A police officer’s motto is “To serve and protect.” They’re tasked with keeping communities safe by ensuring everyone follows the law, and helping the community during emergencies.
- Average Salary: $67,800
- Education/Training: High school diploma
23. Firefighter
It takes a brave person to run toward a fire while others run away. But trained firefighters know how to use the equipment at their disposal to safely contain and extinguish fires in a variety of conditions.
- Average Salary: $55,600
- Education/Training: Fire academy training program
24. Cosmetologist / Barber
Hairstylists, barbers, manicurists, and makeup artists use their creative talents to help others look their best. They may work in salons or barbershops, as personal stylists, or in places like theaters or television and movie studios.
- Average Salary: $54,700
- Education/Training: Cosmetology school and licensing exam
25. Chef / Cook
Chefs design menus, devise recipes, and prepare foods of all kinds. Though they often work in restaurants, they may also work for private families or public institutions.
- Average Salary: $56,600
- Education/Training: Culinary school
26. Photographer / Videographer
Help people remember the special times in their lives by taking photos or videos of the most important moments. In addition to capturing the moment, photographers and videographers must know how to process images and videos afterwards to provide the best possible final product.
- Average Salary: $52,600
- Education/Training: None required
27. Fitness Trainer
Exercise and fitness regimens can be difficult to maintain on your own. That’s why personal fitness trainers have some of the best jobs that don’t require a college degree. They assist their clients with diet, exercise, and health advice and support, working in gyms, fitness studios, hospitals, and privately.
- Average Salary: $70,600
- Education/Training: Certification program and exam
28. Transit Bus Driver
Most large cities have public transportation systems that include buses, and those buses need drivers! This job requires patience, adherence to safety regulations, and a personality that enjoys interacting with people from all walks of life.
- Average Salary: $49,000
- Education/Training: CDL license exam
29. IT Support Specialist
Whether they’re fixing printers, updating software, or helping customers figure out why their computers just won’t work, IT support specialists spend their days solving technical problems.
- Average Salary: $52,000
- Education/Training: High school diploma
30. Cybersecurity Specialist
Keeping people and their private data safe is a difficult job, and one that pays extremely well. Some jobs will train you as you learn, while others recommend you attend a cybersecurity training course first. Either way, the future for this career is growing every day.
- Average Salary: $100,200
- Education/Training: High school diploma
