10 Jobs Paying Over $70,000 That Are Open to Applicants With Little to No Experience

Breaking into a well-paying career does not always have to mean spending years climbing a ladder somewhere else first. Some fields hire people who are brand new and teach them the work from the ground up.

The trade-off is almost always training. A credential, a licensing exam, or a long stretch of supervised hours usually stands between you and that first paycheck.

These fields stretch across transportation, public safety, healthcare, and the skilled trades. If you want to build real wealth without a traditional four-year degree, they are worth a close look.

Editor's note: All salary data is from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), May 2025.

Air traffic controller

Median annual salary: $148,080

Air traffic controllers coordinate the movement of aircraft on the ground and in the air, giving pilots takeoff and landing instructions and relaying weather conditions, runway closures, and other critical information.

The typical entry-level education is an associate's degree, usually through an FAA-approved Air Traffic Collegiate Training Initiative program. Candidates also pass medical, background, and aptitude testing and complete training at the FAA Academy before working on their own.

Commercial pilot

Median annual salary: $123,220

Commercial pilots fly aircraft for charter flights, aerial tours, and aerial application work, checking aircraft condition, planning routes, and monitoring systems throughout a flight.

No formal degree is required to start, since the path runs through FAA flight training rather than a classroom. Entry comes from earning an FAA commercial pilot certificate by meeting age, flight-hour, medical, and exam requirements, typically at an FAA-certified school.

Nuclear power reactor operator

Median annual salary: $122,890

Nuclear power reactor operators control reactors and adjust power output, monitoring turbines, generators, and cooling systems and responding to any abnormalities they spot.

The typical entry-level education is a high school diploma or equivalent. Most people start as unlicensed operators to learn the systems, then complete formal technical training, pass a medical exam, and pass the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission licensing exam, with periodic re-examination required afterward.

Elevator and escalator installer and repairer

Median annual salary: $109,910

These workers assemble, install, maintain, and fix elevators, escalators, chairlifts, and moving walkways, which includes connecting wiring, testing new installations, and troubleshooting brakes, motors, and control systems.

A high school diploma or equivalent is the typical entry-level education. From there, nearly everyone learns the trade through a four-year apprenticeship sponsored by a union, industry association, or employer, and most states require a license to do the work.

Radiation therapist

Median annual salary: $105,310

Radiation therapists deliver doses of radiation to patients with cancer or other serious diseases, operating machines such as linear accelerators, positioning patients, and keeping detailed treatment records.

The typical entry-level education is an associate's degree. Most states also require licensure or certification, which generally means finishing an accredited associate's or bachelor's degree program and passing a national certification exam.

Power plant operator

Median annual salary: $105,080

Power plant operators control equipment that generates, distributes, or transmits electricity, reading charts, meters, and gauges and adjusting controls to keep voltage and electricity flows steady.

A high school diploma or equivalent is the typical entry-level education, followed by extensive on-the-job training. Operators who move into nuclear reactor roles must also pass an NRC licensing exam.

Petroleum pump system operator

Median annual salary: $96,710

These operators run petroleum refining or processing units, handling manifold and pumping systems, gauging and testing oil in storage tanks, or regulating the flow of oil into pipelines.

A high school diploma or equivalent is the typical entry-level education, and no prior related work experience is required. Most people learn the job through moderate-term on-the-job training provided by the employer.

Gaming manager

Median annual salary: $93,220

Gaming managers plan and direct operations in a gambling establishment, setting house rules such as betting limits, addressing customer complaints, and hiring and training new employees.

A high school diploma or equivalent is the typical entry-level education, though some employers want a college degree and many managers move up from slot or gaming supervisor roles. The job also requires state gaming licensing, which usually involves passing a background check.

Subway and streetcar operator

Median annual salary: $86,380

Subway and streetcar operators run underground, elevated, or street-level trains and electric-powered streetcars to move passengers through urban transit systems, and some handle fares as well.

A high school diploma or equivalent is the typical entry-level education, and no prior related work experience is required. New operators complete moderate-term on-the-job training, often including employer-run classroom sessions and supervised rail instruction, before working solo.

Police and detective

Median annual salary: $77,310

Police officers patrol assigned areas, respond to emergency and nonemergency calls, make arrests, and collect evidence, while detectives investigate serious crimes, conduct interviews, and build cases for court.

Education requirements run from a high school diploma to a college degree, depending on the agency. Candidates must graduate from their agency's training academy and complete on-the-job training, and they typically need to be at least 21 and meet physical and background requirements.

Bottom line

A strong paycheck does not have to wait until you have spent a decade proving yourself somewhere else. These fields reward people who show up willing to learn and stick with the process.

Some paths take a few months, and others take a few years. Before you commit to one, it helps to take honest stock of where you stand financially so you know how long you can go while you train.

If you are willing to study, test, and put in the hours, the door is open wider than you might think.

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