The 25 Highest-Paying Jobs You Can Get Without a Bachelors Degree

The 25 Highest-Paying Jobs You Can Get Without a Bachelor's Degree Don’t have the time or money to get a bachelor’s degree? Don’t fret. There are plenty of high-paying jobs that require only a two-year associate degree, postsecondary non-degree certificate, or even just a high-school diploma. According to the latest data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, these are the 25 highest-paying jobs that you don’t need a four-year degree to pursue. Each has a median annual salary of at least $68,000. 25. Aerospace engineering and operations technicians They operate and maintain equipment used in developing, testing, and producing new aircraft and spacecraft. Median annual wage (2016): $68,020 Education required: Associate’s degree Projected job openings (through 2024): 3,200 Work experience: None On-the-job training: None 24. Magnetic-resonance-imaging technologists They monitor patient safety and comfort and view images of areas being scanned to ensure quality of pictures. Median annual wage (2016): $68,420 Education required: Associate’s degree Projected job openings (through 2024): 9,800 Work experience: Less than five years On-the-job training: None 23. Gaming managers They plan, direct, or coordinate gaming operations in a casino. Median annual wage (2016): $69,180 Education required: High-school diploma or equivalent Projected job openings (through 2024): 800 Work experience: Less than five years On-the-job training: None 22. Diagnostic medical sonographers They use special imaging equipment that directs sound waves into a patient’s body to assess and diagnose various medical conditions. Median annual wage (2016): $69,650 Education required: Associate’s degree Projected job openings (through 2024): 27,500 Work experience: None On-the-job training: None 21. Ship engineers They supervise and coordinate activities of crew engaged in operating and maintaining engines, boilers, deck machinery, and electrical, sanitary, and refrigeration equipment aboard ship. Median annual wage (2016): $70,570 Education required: Postsecondary non-degree award Projected job openings (through 2024): 3,500 Work experience: Less than five years On-the-job training: None 20. Postmasters and mail superintendents They plan, direct, or coordinate operational, administrative, management, and supportive services of a US post office, or coordinate activities of workers engaged in postal and related work in an assigned post office. Median annual wage (2016): $71,670 Education required: High-school diploma or equivalent Projected job openings (through 2024): 3,800 Work experience: Less than five years On-the-job training: Moderate-term on-the-job training 19. Transportation inspectors They inspect equipment or goods in connection with the safe transport of cargo or people. Median annual wage (2016): $72,220 Education required: High-school diploma or equivalent Projected job openings (through 2024): 7,100 Work experience: None On-the-job training: Moderate-term on-the-job training 18. Captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels They command or supervise operations of ships and water vessels, such as tugboats and ferryboats. Median annual wage (2016): $72,680 Education required: Postsecondary non-degree award (Required to hold license issued by US Coast Guard.) Projected job openings (through 2024): 17,200 Work experience: Less than five years On-the-job training: None 17. Dental hygienists They clean teeth, examine patients for oral diseases like gingivitis, and provide other preventative dental care. Median annual wage (2016): $72,910 Education required: Associate’s degree Projected job openings (through 2024): 70,300 Work experience: None On-the-job training: None 16. First-line supervisors of non-retail sales workers They directly supervise and coordinate activities of sales workers other than retail sales workers. Median annual wage (2016): $73,150 Education required: High-school diploma or equivalent Projected job openings (through 2024): 69,900 Work experience: Less than five years On-the-job training: None 15. Funeral-service managers They plan, direct, or coordinate the services or resources of funeral homes. Median annual wage (2016): $73,830 Education required: Associate’s degree Projected job openings (through 2024): 7,400 Work experience: Less than five years On-the-job training: None 14. Nuclear medicine technologists They use a scanner to create images of various areas of a patient’s body. They prepare radioactive drugs and administer them to patients undergoing the scans. Median annual wage (2016): $74,350 Education required: Associate’s degree Projected job openings (through 2024): 4,200 Work experience: None On-the-job training: None 13. First-line supervisors of fire fighting and prevention workers They directly supervise and coordinate activities of workers engaged in fire fighting and fire prevention and control. Median annual wage (2016): $74,540 Education required: Postsecondary non-degree award Projected job openings (through 2024): 33,400 Work experience: Less than five years On-the-job training: Moderate-term on-the-job training 12. Power-plant operators They control, operate, or maintain machinery to generate electric power. Includes auxiliary equipment operators. Median annual wage (2016): $74,690 Education required: High-school diploma or equivalent Projected job openings (through 2024): 14,100 Work experience: None On-the-job training: Long-term on-the-job training 11. Powerhouse, substation, and relay electrical and electronics repairers They inspect, test, repair, or maintain electrical equipment in generating stations, substations, and in-service relays. Median annual wage (2016): $75,670 Education required: Postsecondary non-degree award Projected job openings (through 2024): 3,900 Work experience: None On-the-job training: Long-term on-the-job training 10. Commercial pilots They pilot and navigate the flight of fixed-wing aircraft on nonscheduled air-carrier routes or helicopters. Requires commercial-pilot certificate. Median annual wage (2016): $77,200 Education required: High-school diploma or equivalent Projected job openings (through 2024): 15,100 Work experience: None On-the-job training: Moderate-term on-the-job training 9. Detectives and criminal investigators They conduct investigations related to suspected violations of federal, state, or local laws to prevent or solve crimes. Median annual wage (2016): $78,120 Education required: High-school diploma or equivalent Projected job openings (through 2024): 28,300 Work experience: Less than five years On-the-job training: Moderate-term on-the-job training 8. Elevator installers and repairers They assemble, install, repair, or maintain electric or hydraulic freight or passenger elevators, escalators, or dumbwaiters. Median annual wage (2016): $78,890 Education required: High-school diploma or equivalent Projected job openings (through 2024): 5,900 Work experience: None On-the-job training: Apprenticeship 7. Nuclear technicians They assist physicists, engineers, and other professionals in nuclear research and nuclear production. Median annual wage (2016): $79,140 Education required: Associate’s degree Projected job openings (through 2024): 2,800 Work experience: None On-the-job training: Moderate-term on-the-job training 6. Radiation therapists They check equipment, observe patients’ reactions to treatment, and document sessions. Median annual wage (2016): $80,160 Education required: Associate’s degree Projected job openings (through 2024): 6,200 Work experience: None On-the-job training: None 5. Power distributors and dispatchers They coordinate, regulate, or distribute electricity or steam. Median annual wage (2016): $81,900 Education required: High-school diploma or equivalent Projected job openings (through 2024): 3,900 Work experience: None On-the-job training: Long-term on-the-job training 4. First-line supervisors of police and detectives They directly supervise and coordinate activities of members of a police force. Median annual wage (2016): $84,840 Education required: High-school diploma or equivalent Projected job openings (through 2024): 43,000 Work experience: Less than five years On-the-job training: Moderate-term on-the-job training 3. Transportation, storage, and distribution managers They coordinate transportation, storage, or distribution activities in accordance with organizational policies and applicable government laws or regulations. Median annual wage (2016): $89,190 Education required: High-school diploma or equivalent Projected job openings (through 2024): 27,100 Work experience: Five years or more On-the-job training: None 2. Nuclear-power-reactor operators They operate or control nuclear reactors, move control rods, start and stop equipment, monitor and adjust controls, record data in logs, and implement emergency procedures when needed. Median annual wage (2016): $91,170 Education required: High-school diploma or equivalent Projected job openings (through 2024): 2,600 Work experience: None On-the-job training: Long-term on-the-job training 1. Air-traffic controller They monitor and direct the movement of aircraft. Median annual wages of air-traffic controllers are the highest of any occupation in which workers typically do not need a bachelor’s degree. Median annual wage (2016): $122,410 Education required: Associate’s degree Projected job openings (through 2024): 7,500 Work experience: None On-the-job training: Long-term on-the-job training This story originally appeared on Business Insider.