High Paying Jobs Without a Degree: Your First $100k Guide
For generations, young Americans have heard the same message: college is the only path to success. Guidance counselors preach it, parents believe it, and friends assume anyone skipping university is making a mistake. However, shockingly, some of the highest earners in the country never spent a day in a four-year college. The truth is, there are dozens of high-paying jobs without a degree that offer better financial outcomes than many bachelor's programs. This guide will show you the highest-paying trade jobs, how to get started, and why this path makes sense for millions of Americans right now. Beyond that, it’ll give you a clearer picture of how the workforce is changing.
The Top High-Paying Jobs Without A Degree
Elevator Installers and Repairers This job surprises most people. As per data provided by the bureau of labour statistics, elevator and escalator installers and repairers earn a median salary of $106,580 per year. Top earners make over $138,910. And you don't need a college degree—just a high school diploma or equivalent and a willingness to complete a four-year apprenticeship. On top of that, the skills you gain are transferable across commercial and industrial sectors. The work involves installing, maintaining, and fixing elevators and escalators. It requires mechanical skills, electrical knowledge, and comfort working at heights. But the pay? Hard to beat.
Electrical Power-Line Installers These are the workers who install and repair power lines. The median salary sits at $92,560 annually, with top earners
exceeding $119,920.Naturally, the risk and technical skill involved are what push wages so high. It's dangerous work, no question. You're working with highvoltage electricity, often at significant heights, sometimes in bad weather. But utilities companies pay well because they need skilled people willing to do the work. Most enter through apprenticeships that last three to four years.
Construction Managers If you start in a trade and show leadership ability, construction management offers a clear path to six figures. The median salary is $104,900, with senior managers in major metros earning $135,550 to $172,040. In many cases, hands-on experience matters more than formal education. You typically start as a carpenter, electrician, or other tradesperson, then work your way into supervisory roles. Experience matters more than a diploma. Some managers do get degrees later, but most work their way up through the ranks.
Plumbers and Pipefitters Plumbing consistently ranks among the good paying jobs without degree requirements. The median salary is $62,970, but experienced plumbers in high-demand areas easily clear $80,000 to $100,000+. And eventually, many go on to run their own companies. And here's the thing about plumbing: you can start your own business. Many plumbers work for themselves, set their own
hours, and make $100,000+ because they're smart business owners, not just good with pipes. The training path? Four to five years as an apprentice, learning on the job while earning a paycheck. Then you get licensed and either work for a company or strike out on your own.
Electricians Electricians are always in demand. Always. Every building needs electrical work, new construction project needs electricians. Even repair, upgrade, and renovation needs someone who knows wiring. In reality, this trade never slows down. It is one of the highest paying trade jobs. Electricians rank among the highest paying trade jobs. The median annual wage is $62,350. Top earners exceed $80,260 with benefits. It takes about four to five years of apprenticeship to become a
journeyman electrician, but you're earning decent money the whole time.
HVAC Technicians Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning work pays better than most people think. The median annual wage is $59,810. Top earners exceed $84,000.Moreover, job security is only increasing as climate demands change. What you’ll love about HVAC work is the variety. You're not doing the same thing every day. Residential service calls, commercial installations, emergency repairs—every job is different. Plus, climate change means air conditioning demand keeps growing. Job security? Absolutely.
Welders Welding is one of the highest paying trade jobs. Welding offers something unique: mobility. If you're willing to travel for pipeline work or industrial shutdowns, you can make serious money. The median salary is $47,010, but specialized welders (underwater, pipeline, aerospace) earn $70,000 to $100,000+. Afterward, many welders branch into inspection or fabrication roles that pay even more. Trade schools offer welding programs that last six to twelve months. You learn MIG, TIG, stick welding, and other techniques. Get your certifications, prove you can lay a clean bead, and employers will hire you immediately.
How to Choose the Right Path for You Look, not every high paying job without a degree will fit your personality or lifestyle. Some require physical labor, others need technical precision. Some involve working outdoors in all weather, others are office-based. Ultimately, it comes down to what energizes you daily. Ask yourself these questions while chosing your potential trade jobs without college degree : Do you like working with your hands? Consider trades like welding, carpentry, or HVAC. Whether you prefer problem-solving and diagnostics? Look into electrician work or machinery repair. Or are you comfortable with heights and physical danger? Power line work and elevator installation pay premium wages. Do you want to run your own business eventually? Plumbing, HVAC, and electrical all offer clear paths to entrepreneurship.
Whether you like working with people? Real estate and sales roles reward interpersonal skills. The point is, there's no single correct answer. But there are dozens of good paying jobs without degree requirements that match different strengths and interests. At the same time, your long-term goals matter just as much as short-term earnings. .
Why Jobs That Pay Well Without Degree Make Sense Right Now The student debt crisis is real. Meanwhile, those loans charge interest while you're trying to build a career and a life. Even so, millions still feel pressured into college because they don’t know the alternatives. Now compare that to someone who enters a trade apprenticeship at 18. They earn a paycheck from day one. By age 22, when their friends are graduating with debt, they've already made $80,000 to $120,000 in total earnings. No debt. Just money in the bank and four years of hands-on experience.
That's the power of jobs that pay well without degree. You skip the debt, start earning immediately, and build real skills employers desperately need.
The Labor Shortage Nobody's Talking About Here's something most people don't realize: America is facing a massive shortage of skilled workers. Electricians, welders, plumbers, HVAC technicians—there aren't enough qualified people to fill open positions. Furthermore, demand keeps rising as infrastructure ages. The Bureau of Labor Statistics says we'll have over 200,000 new skilled trade positions by 2033. And that doesn't even count the retirements. About 30% to 40% of current tradespeople are baby boomers heading into retirement in the next decade. What does that mean for you? Opportunity. Companies are offering signing bonuses, higher starting wages, and better benefits just to attract workers. It's an employee's market, and smart people are taking advantage.
Conclusion The highest paying jobs without a degree aren't some sort of lottery tickets. They're real careers requiring real skills and genuine effort. But they also provide real middle-class income without crushing student loans. All in all, it's a path that rewards consistency over credentials. If you're 18 and unsure about pursuing a college education, consider exploring trades. In case you're 30 with a degree working a job you hate for $45,000, consider trades. Also, if
you're 45 and have been laid off from corporate work, consider a trade. Age doesn't matter as much as willingness to learn and work. The next elevator mechanic making $110,000 could be you. The next electrician running a successful contracting business could be you. The next HVAC tech earning $85,000 with great benefits could be you. The only question is: will you take the first step? Join PTTI today and see what the trade paths unfolds for you.
FAQs: 1. What are the best high-paying jobs without a degree right now? Some of the top-paying jobs without a degree in 2025 include construction managers, elevator installers, power-line workers, electricians, and commercial pilots. Many of these roles offer six-figure salaries once you gain experience or move into supervisory positions. Even entry-level trade jobs can start you earning while you learn—no student debt required. 2. How long does it take to train for trade jobs that pay well without a degree? Most trade jobs require apprenticeships or technical programs lasting between six months to five years. Apprenticeships are paid positions where you earn while you learn. Trade schools, on the other hand, get you certified faster but often require tuition. Both paths lead to stable, high-paying careers. 3. Can I make over $100,000 a year without going to college?
Absolutely. Many people in skilled trades or tech roles earn $100,000+ annually without a degree. For example, elevator installers, web developers, and experienced electricians regularly hit six figures. The key is mastering your craft, gaining experience, and—if possible—running your own business or working in high-demand regions. 4. Are trade jobs secure in the long run? Yes. The U.S. is facing a nationwide shortage of skilled tradespeople. Electricians, plumbers, welders, and HVAC techs are in such high demand that companies now offer signing bonuses, higher starting pay, and flexible hours. As older workers retire, opportunities for new entrants will keep growing for at least the next decade. 5. Do trade schools offer financial aid like colleges do? They do! Many accredited trade schools offer federal financial aid, scholarships, and grants, just like community colleges. Plus, since programs are shorter and cheaper, students usually graduate debt-free or with minimal loans, ready to start earning immediately.
