Don't Have a Degree? These Jobs Pay Decent Bucks

Elevator/escalator installer is at top of Kiplinger's list, with a median annual salary that's over 6 figures
Posted Mar 8, 2025 8:30 AM CST
Don't Have a Degree? These Jobs Pay Decent Bucks
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Not sure if a university degree is for you? There are still plenty of jobs that offer a pretty good paycheck sans that piece of paper. Kiplinger sifted through data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics to see which gigs present the best salaries and job growth projections, all without having to slog through college to get there. Caveat: Some roles may not technically require a degree, but some companies may prefer it, or may require an apprenticeship or other form of certification instead. The top 10 opportunities, per Kiplinger's findings:

  1. Elevator and escalator installer/repairer; $102,420 (median annual salary)
  2. Transportation, storage, and distribution manager; $99,200
  3. Electrical power line installer/repairer; $85,420
  4. Aircraft and avionics equipment mechanic/technician; $75,400
  5. Detective and criminal investigator; $74,910
  6. Locomotive engineer; $73,580
  7. Wholesale and manufacturing representative; $73,080
  8. Athlete and sports competitor; $70,280
  9. Flight attendant; $68,370
  10. Construction and building inspector; $67,700
More here on what's required for each of these jobs, as well as estimated job growth through 2033. (Check out which US cities are said to work the hardest.)

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