10 High-Paying Jobs Where You’re Not in Front of a Computer All Day

Are you someone who wants a job that offers a great salary, but the thought of spending years in school — or being chained to a desk all day — doesn’t sound appealing to you?

Finding a career that checks all these boxes can seem daunting, but it’s not impossible. There are plenty of high-paying jobs out there that don’t require a graduate degree or endless hours in an office chair. 

Let’s look into some of the best options for getting ahead financially without signing up for a sedentary job where you stare at a screen all day.

Median salary: $104,900

Construction managers oversee construction projects for homes, skyscrapers, bridges, tunnels, and other structures. Most construction managers have a bachelor’s degree, but you can get your foot in the door with an associate or relevant job experience.

You’ll need on-the-job training in construction techniques, as well as project management experience with bidding materials, developing and monitoring budgets, and preparing permits though, so be prepared to put some time in before you can start cashing those big checks.

Median salary: $74,910

Detectives gather the evidence necessary to prosecute criminals for their crimes. Many types of detectives (homicide, undercover, or police detectives) are often out and about, investigating crime scenes, interviewing suspects and witnesses, and testifying in court.

Some types (fraud and cybercrime detectives, for example) do spend more time at a computer, but the amount of desk jocking detectives do is relatively light.

Just over half of detectives (54%) hold four-year degrees, while about a quarter (24%) hold associate’s degrees, which means this may be a career path worth pursuing if you already have a bit of high education under your belt.

Median salary: $102,420

These skilled professionals repair and install elevators and escalators and often work in tight spaces with heavy equipment.

While elevator technicians must complete a four-year internship to be fully licensed, most of these programs only require a high school diploma or GED to begin. 

There are additional certifications you can pursue to up your credibility in the field, but getting started looks like it may be pretty straight forward.

Median salary: $79,940

Because of the increased hazard of working on power lines and in inclement weather conditions, these electricians are paid more than most. That being said, the trade off is that this field also comes with late nights and early mornings, and overtime is plentiful.

To become a lineman, you’ll need a high school diploma/GED, a driver’s license, and possibly some pre-apprenticeship training to learn the basics. After that, you can begin an apprenticeship program that will qualify you for a journeyman lineman position.

Median salary: $90,740

Firefighters don’t usually make amazing salaries, but their bosses do. Most people in this position have had some college experience (even if they didn’t graduate).

To become a firefighter supervisor, plan on spending several years as a firefighter to gain needed experience and on-the-job training.

Median salary: $91,880

These professionals operate and maintain the equipment to ensure a continuous power supply from power plants.

To qualify to run a power plant, you’ll need several years of on-the-job training working in lower-level roles in a plant. 

Operators must be licensed through the North American Electric Reliability Corporation’s System Operator Certification Program, and most power plant operators will need a bachelor’s or associate’s degree.

Median salary: $75,770

These are the folks who show up after you’ve had an auto accident or homeowner’s insurance claim to determine the value of the damage and your level of compensation for it. 

Two-thirds of claims adjusters have bachelor’s degrees, so you may need to get a college education if this is a profession you’re hoping to pursue.

Median salary: $67,700

These are the folks you call in to inspect a home before you buy it. This profession requires only a high school diploma or GED and a pre-licensing course to get started. Most states have a licensing exam that you must pass to practice.

That being said, you’ll get to spend a lot of time exploring new and old buildings and will probably get to see some pretty cool stuff in the process.

Median salary: $78,050

These professionals clean teeth, take X-rays, and assist the dentist when caring for and performing procedures on teeth. 

They do use computers to document patient information, but most of their interactions are with patients directly. This profession requires an associate’s degree which takes about three years to complete.

Median salary: $75,400

You can thank aircraft mechanics for making sure the systems on the airplane for your next flight are running properly. 

For this job, you’ll need a post-secondary certification from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). You can also qualify for this profession through military experience.

If you’re ready to stop living paycheck to paycheck and get a career you love, know that there are a myriad of options available.

You might think you need to spend years and years at school or commit to a computer-in-a-cubicle lifestyle, but that’s not the case. 

If you’re willing to work with your hands and learn new skills on the job, you can pursue a rewarding career that keeps you up and moving and is both emotionally and financially rewarding.