Lots of people think it’s impossible to get a high-paying job without a four-year degree, but this isn’t always the case! There are plenty of careers that value on-the-job training over bachelor’s degrees. Let’s take a look at a few of your options.
1. Air Traffic Controller ($137,380 per Year)
Air traffic controllers keep planes and passengers safe in the sky. They:
Talk to pilots by radio
Guide planes during takeoff and landing
Keep aircraft at safe distances from each other
Direct planes around storms
Manage airport ground traffic
Keep track of all planes in their airspace
They work in airport towers, radar rooms, or route centers, using computers and communication equipment.
To become an air traffic controller, you need:
An associate’s degree
U.S. citizenship
To be under 31 years old when hired (in the U.S.)
To pass medical exams, drug tests, and background checks
You might be a good fit for this job if you:
Stay calm under pressure
Make good decisions quickly
Pay close attention to details
Can focus for long periods
Are good at solving problems
Like working with technology
Can follow strict rules and procedures
Enjoy teamwork
Don’t mind shift work (nights, weekends, holidays)
2. Commercial Pilot ($113,080 per Year)
Commercial pilots fly aircraft to transport people or cargo. They:
Check the aircraft before flights
Create flight plans
Monitor weather conditions
Communicate with air traffic control
Control the aircraft during takeoff, flight, and landing
Handle any problems that come up during flights
Complete paperwork after flights
Some commercial pilots fly passenger planes for airlines. Others fly charter flights, deliver packages, dust crops, monitor traffic, or provide sightseeing tours.
To become a commercial pilot, you need:
A high school diploma or GED
A commercial pilot’s license
At least 250 hours of flight time
To be at least 18 years old
To pass medical exams
You might be a good fit for this job if you:
Love flying and aviation
Enjoy traveling to different places
Can stay focused for long periods
Make good decisions quickly
Stay calm during stressful situations
Are good with technical details
Like solving problems
Can handle irregular schedules and time away from home
Are comfortable with responsibility
Enjoy working independently
3. Nuclear Power Reactor Operator ($120,350 per Year)
Nuclear power reactor operators run the equipment that makes electricity from nuclear energy. They:
Monitor control panels and gauges
Start up and shut down reactor systems
Respond to alarms and fix issues
Record data about how the reactor runs
Help with testing and maintenance
They work in control rooms at nuclear power plants, using computers and control systems to keep the plant running safely.
To become a nuclear power reactor operator, you need:
A high school diploma or GED
Strong math and science skills
To pass medical exams, drug tests, and background checks
You might be a good fit for this job if you:
Pay close attention to details
Follow procedures exactly
Stay calm under pressure
Make good decisions quickly
Think logically
Like technical work
Are safety-minded
Work well in teams
Can focus for long periods
Prefer shift work (12-hour shifts are common)
4. Power Distributor/Dispatcher ($104,750 per Year)
Power distributors and dispatchers control the flow of electricity from power plants to homes and businesses. They:
Monitor the power grid
Switch power between different lines
Adjust voltage and flow of electricity
Respond to outages and emergencies
Schedule repairs and maintenance
They work in control centers, making quick decisions to keep the lights on for everyone.
To become a power dispatcher, you need:
A high school diploma or GED
Knowledge of electricity and power systems
Strong math and computer skills
To pass drug tests and background checks
You might be a good fit for this job if you:
Make good decisions under pressure
Stay calm during emergencies
Pay close attention to details
Can focus for long periods
Think logically to solve problems
Like technical work with computers
Work well in teams
Are good at multitasking
Don’t mind shift work (nights, weekends, holidays)
Enjoy having important responsibilities
Like seeing the immediate results of your work
5. Elevator and Escalator Installer/Repairer ($102,420 per Year)
Elevator and escalator installers and repairers are sometimes also called “elevator mechanics.” They:
Install new elevators and escalators in buildings
Test equipment to make sure it’s safe
Find and fix problems with elevators that aren’t working right
Replace worn or broken parts
Respond to emergency calls when elevators get stuck
Update old elevators with new technology
They work in all types of buildings from apartments to skyscrapers.
To become an elevator/escalator installer or repairer, you need:
A high school diploma or GED
To complete an apprenticeship program managed by an organization like the National Elevator Industry Educational Program (NEIEP)
Strong math and mechanical skills
Physical strength and stamina
Comfort with heights
Good color vision (to work with color-coded wires)
You might be a good fit for this job if you:
Enjoy working with your hands
Like solving mechanical puzzles
Have good balance and aren’t afraid of heights
Pay close attention to details
Take pride in doing precise work
Like seeing the results of your labor
Prefer active work to sitting at a desk
Can follow strict safety rules
Work well both alone and with a partner
Like varied work settings and tasks
6. Nuclear Technician ($101,740 per Year)
Nuclear technicians work with scientists and engineers at nuclear power plants, labs, or waste sites. They:
Monitor equipment that controls nuclear reactions
Check radiation levels using special tools
Collect samples of air, water, and soil for testing
Help operate nuclear equipment
Maintain and fix equipment
Set up experiments in labs
Respond during emergencies
Some work in power plants, while others work in medical settings, waste facilities, or research labs.
To become a nuclear technician, you need:
An associate’s degree in nuclear science or technology
Strong math and science skills
To pass drug tests and background checks
To pass security clearances (for some jobs)
You might be a good fit for this job if you:
Are detail-oriented and precise
Follow procedures exactly
Have strong technical skills
Like working with specialized equipment
Take safety very seriously
Are comfortable with strict rules
Can stay calm under pressure
Are good at keeping records
Work well in teams
Are willing to work shifts (nights/weekends)
7. Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Manager ($99,200 per Year)
Transportation, storage, and distribution managers oversee how products move from factories to customers. They:
Plan the best ways to ship and store products
Manage warehouse operations and shipping departments
Track inventory and product movement
Set schedules for deliveries and shipments
Find ways to cut costs and speed up delivery
Solve problems when shipments are late or lost
Handle paperwork for international shipping
They work in warehouses, distribution centers, transportation companies, and manufacturing plants.
To become a transportation, storage, and distribution manager, you need:
A high school diploma or GED
5+ years of work experience in shipping, receiving, or logistics
Computer skills for inventory and tracking systems
Knowledge of transportation regulations
An understanding of supply chain operations
You might be a good fit for this job if you:
Are good at organizing complex systems
Like solving practical problems
Can manage multiple tasks at once
Work well under time pressure
Are good with numbers and data
Enjoy leading teams
Can handle changing priorities
Think creatively about efficiency
Like being on your feet and active
Can make quick decisions when issues arise
8. Radiation Therapist ($98,300 per Year)
Radiation therapists treat cancer and other diseases using radiation treatments. They:
Explain procedures to patients
Position patients correctly on treatment tables
Operate machines that deliver radiation to exact spots
Follow treatment plans created by doctors
Check that safety measures are followed
Keep detailed records of treatments
Watch for side effects or problems
Provide emotional support to patients
Work with doctors, nurses, and medical physicists
They use large machines called linear accelerators to aim radiation at tumors while protecting healthy tissue.
To become a radiation therapist you need:
An associate’s degree in radiation therapy
Clinical experience (part of your education program)
To pass the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification exam
State license (requirements vary by state)
A strong math and science background
Good computer skills
To complete continuing education to keep your certification
You might be a good fit for this job if you:
Care deeply about helping others
Can be both compassionate and technically skilled
Pay close attention to details
Follow precise instructions exactly
Have good people skills
Stay calm and focused
Can comfort people who are scared or in pain
Are interested in medicine and technology
Want to make a difference in patients’ lives
Can handle the emotional aspects of cancer care
9. Power Plant Operator ($97,010 per Year)
Power plant operators run the machines that generate electricity. They:
Control equipment that makes power from coal, natural gas, nuclear, water, or wind
Monitor gauges, meters, and computer screens
Start up and shut down generators
Check for equipment problems
Respond to alarms and fix issues
Perform basic maintenance
Keep detailed logs of operations
Communicate with power grid dispatchers
They work in control rooms at power plants, using computers and control panels to keep electricity flowing to homes and businesses.
To become a power plant operator, you need:
A high school diploma or GED
Strong math and science skills
Mechanical aptitude
Computer skills
To pass drug tests and background checks
To pass aptitude tests when applying
You might be a good fit for this job if you:
Pay close attention to details
Stay calm under pressure
Make good decisions quickly
Like technical work
Can focus for long periods
Are safety-minded
Follow procedures exactly
Work well both alone and in teams
Like seeing the direct results of your work
Are comfortable with shift work (including nights, weekends, and holidays)
Enjoy learning how complex systems work
Take pride in providing an essential service
10. Electrical Powerhouse Repairer ($96,600 per Year)
Electrical powerhouse repairers fix and maintain equipment in power plants. They:
Inspect generators, transformers, and other power equipment
Find worn or broken parts
Replace damaged components
Test equipment to make sure it works right
Read electrical diagrams and blueprints
Install new equipment when needed
Keep detailed records of repairs
Work with plant operators to schedule repairs
Respond to emergency breakdowns
They work inside power plants, substations, and sometimes at dams or wind farms.
To become an electrical powerhouse repairer, you need:
Certification from a technical or trade skill
Strong electrical, mechanical, and math skills
The ability to read technical drawings
Physical strength and stamina
To be comfortable with heights
You might be a good fit for this job if you:
Enjoy working with your hands
Like solving mechanical and electrical puzzles
Can handle detailed, precise work
Don’t mind getting dirty sometimes
Prefer active work to sitting at a desk
Like seeing concrete results from your work
Are safety-conscious
Don’t mind working in hot or noisy places
Can be patient when troubleshooting problems
Enjoy learning about different types of equipment
11. Detective/Criminal Investigator ($91,100 per Year)
Detectives and criminal investigators solve crimes by:
Gathering evidence at crime scenes
Interviewing victims, witnesses, and suspects
Taking detailed notes and writing reports
Analyzing information to find patterns
Working with forensic experts
Getting and carrying out search warrants
Making arrests
Testifying in court
Building cases for prosecutors
They investigate many types of crimes, from theft and fraud to assault and murder.
To become a detective, you need:
A high school diploma or GED
To be at least 21 years old
To have no felony convictions
To pass drug tests and background checks
To pass physical fitness tests
To have good vision and hearing
2-3 years of experience as a patrol officer
You might be a good fit for this job if you:
Are curious and ask good questions
Notice small details others might miss
Think logically and can solve puzzles
Have good memory for facts and faces
Can talk easily with all types of people
Write clearly and keep good records
Stay patient during long investigations
Can handle seeing crime scenes and violence
Don’t mind irregular hours and being on call
Stay calm under pressure
Have strong ethics and honesty
12. Dental Hygienist ($87,530 per Year)
Dental hygienists clean teeth and help patients maintain good oral health. They:
Clean teeth by removing plaque and tartar
Take and develop dental x-rays
Apply fluoride treatments and sealants
Check for signs of oral diseases
Screen patients for oral cancer
Document patient care and treatment plans
Help dentists during procedures
Sterilize dental instruments
They work in dental offices using specialized tools and equipment to care for patients’ teeth and gums.
To become a dental hygienist, you need:
You might be a good fit for this job if you:
Enjoy helping people improve their health
Communicate clearly and kindly
Have good physical stamina (the job involves sitting, standing, and bending)
Can work well as part of a team
Are comfortable working in people’s mouths
13. Transportation Inspector ($87,290 per Year)
Transportation inspectors check vehicles, equipment, and cargo to make sure they’re safe and follow rules. They:
Inspect trucks, trains, planes, ships, or buses
Check that drivers and operators have proper licenses
Make sure vehicles are in good working order
Look for safety problems or rule violations
Review maintenance records
Write detailed reports about what they find
Issue violations when rules are broken
Investigate accidents
Explain regulations to transportation workers
Recommend changes to improve safety
They work for government agencies, transportation companies, or as independent inspectors.
To become a transportation inspector, you need:
An associates degree
Knowledge of vehicles, equipment, or transportation systems
Good physical condition for climbing on vehicles
You might be a good fit for this job if you:
Pay close attention to details
Follow rules and procedures exactly
Are thorough and methodical
Like working with vehicles or transportation equipment
Can make firm decisions based on facts
Are willing to speak up when you see safety problems
Are able to write clear, detailed reports
Don’t mind sometimes giving bad news
Take pride in keeping people safe
Prefer active work to sitting at a desk all day
14. Electrical Power Line Installer/Repairer ($85,420 per Year)
Power line installers and repairers (often called “lineworkers” or “linemen”) build and fix the power lines that bring electricity to homes and businesses. They:
Climb poles or use bucket trucks to reach power lines
Install new power lines and equipment
Replace old or damaged lines and poles
Fix broken equipment after storms
Install transformers, switches, and other parts
Test lines to find problems
Respond to power outages
They work outdoors in all types of weather, sometimes in emergencies.
To become a power line installer/repairer, you need:
A high school diploma or GED
Physical strength and stamina
Good balance and comfort with heights
A valid driver’s license
To pass drug tests and background checks
You might be a good fit for this job if you:
Enjoy physical, active work
Like working outdoors
Aren’t afraid of heights
Want to see the direct results of your work
Like solving problems
Can work well in a team
Are willing to work in tough weather
Can stay calm during emergencies
Take safety seriously
Are comfortable with some risk
Don’t mind being on call sometimes
Final Thoughts
While a college degree can open doors, they aren’t always required. Skills and training are just as important. If you’re a hard worker with a willingness to learn, you’ve got plenty of options!
* Note: Salary, requirements, and job outlook statistics taken from the Bureau of Labor Statistics
