12 Careers for Easy-To-Get Jobs Without a College Degree (Most Pay Over $70,000)

A four-year degree isn't the only path to a strong salary. The 12 careers below all clear $70,000 a year at the median and welcome applicants without a bachelor's degree, from union-apprenticed trades to academy-trained public safety and aviation careers. If you're looking for a way to earn extra money through a career shift, the options below prove that "no degree" doesn't mean "no ceiling."

Editor's note: All salary data is from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

Air traffic controller

Median annual wage: $144,580

Common entry paths include the FAA's Air Traffic Collegiate Training Initiative (associate's or bachelor's degree programs at approximately 36 approved schools), a bachelor's degree in any field, or a qualifying combination of postsecondary education and work experience.

Followed by paid FAA Academy training in Oklahoma City. Applicants must be under 31 at the time of hire.

Commercial pilot

Median annual wage: $122,670

Commercial pilots fly aircraft for charter flights, rescue operations, aerial photography, crop dusting, and other non-airline work. Duties include flight planning, preflight checks, and in-flight navigation.

Entry requires a commercial pilot certificate from the FAA, which involves logging at least 250 flight hours and passing written and practical exams. A high school diploma is the baseline education requirement; no bachelor's degree is required.

Nuclear power reactor operator

Median annual wage: $120,350

Reactor operators run the controls that generate electricity in a nuclear plant, monitor reactor performance, and respond to abnormalities in real time.

Entry requires only a high school diploma. New hires typically complete several years of paid on-the-job training and pass NRC licensing exams before operating reactor controls independently.

Transportation, storage, and distribution manager

Median annual wage: $102,010

These managers plan, direct, and coordinate the transportation and storage of goods for shipping, warehousing, and logistics operations, overseeing schedules, staffing, and compliance.

Entry typically requires a high school diploma plus five or more years of related work experience in logistics, warehousing, or transportation. Some employers substitute an industry certification for a portion of the experience requirement.

First-line supervisor of firefighting and prevention workers

Median annual wage: $86,220

Also known as fire captains or battalion chiefs, these supervisors direct firefighting operations, oversee crews on scene, and manage station-level administration.

Entry into the field itself requires no prior experience beyond a firefighter training academy; this rank is reached by promotion within a department after several years as a firefighter. A high school diploma is the standard education requirement.

Detective and criminal investigator

Median annual wage: $83,170

Detectives gather facts and collect evidence for criminal cases, conducting interviews, executing warrants, and preparing case files for prosecution.

Entry into the field starts as a patrol officer with a high school diploma and completion of a police academy; detective is a promoted rank reached after several years of patrol experience. Federal roles may have additional requirements.

Transit and railroad police

Median annual wage: $72,250

Transit and railroad police protect passengers, employees, and property on trains, subways, buses, and stations, responding to incidents and enforcing transit-system laws.

Entry generally requires a high school diploma, completion of a police training academy, and passing physical, psychological, and background evaluations. No prior law enforcement experience is required.

Ship captain, mate, and pilot

Median annual wage: $88,730

Captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels oversee the operation of freight ships, tugboats, ferries, and passenger vessels, coordinating crew, navigation, and cargo handling.

Entry into the maritime field starts as a deckhand or marine oiler with no prior experience required. Advancement to captain, mate, or pilot involves accumulating sea time and earning a merchant mariner credential from the U.S. Coast Guard.

Locomotive engineer

Median annual wage: $74,770

Locomotive engineers drive passenger and freight trains, monitor gauges and meters that measure speed and fuel, and communicate with dispatchers and yardmasters during runs.

Entry requires a high school diploma and completion of a formal training program provided by the railroad company, followed by federal certification through the Federal Railroad Administration.

Fire inspector and investigator

Median annual wage: $75,480

Fire inspectors examine buildings for code compliance and investigate the origin and cause of fires, working with insurance carriers and law enforcement on suspected arson cases.

Most positions require a high school diploma plus prior experience as a firefighter or in a related fire service role. Many states also require inspector certification through the National Fire Protection Association or a state agency.

Boilermaker

Median annual wage: $73,340

Boilermakers assemble, install, maintain, and repair boilers, closed vats, and other large pressure vessels used in power generation, refining, and industry.

Entry is through a four-year union apprenticeship, most often with the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, that combines paid fieldwork with roughly 144 classroom hours a year.

Construction and building inspector

Median annual wage: $72,120

Construction and building inspectors examine buildings, roads, bridges, and other structures to verify compliance with codes, contracts, and safety standards.

Most enter with a high school diploma plus experience in a construction trade, followed by state-issued certification. Certifications from organizations like the International Code Council strengthen an application and are required in many jurisdictions.

Bottom line

These 12 careers all clear $70,000 a year at the median and welcome applicants without a four-year degree. The fastest path to these earnings is usually a union apprenticeship or an accredited certificate program, many of which are offered through community colleges or workforce development programs at low or no cost. If you're looking for ways to make money from home as a bridge while you train, that's an option, but the roles above pay strong wages from day one.