Most people believe that in order to earn a good paycheck, you must go to college. But that’s not always the case. There are plenty of jobs that pay over $60,000 a year and only require a high school diploma or equivalent. Here are some high-paying jobs you can get without a college degree, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Transportation, storage, and distribution managers
- Average salary: $92,460
- Work experience: 5 years or more
- Total employment: 115,500
- Projected job growth (2016-2026): 6.7%
First-line supervisors of police and detectives
- Average salary: $87,910
- Work experience: Less than 5 years
- Total employment: 104,700
- Projected job growth (2016-2026): 6.6%
Detectives and criminal investigators
- Average salary: $79,970
- Work experience: Less than 5 years
- Total employment: 110,900
- Projected job growth (2016-2026): 4.5%
Elevator installers and repairers
- Average salary: $79,480
- Work experience: None
- Total employment: 22,100
- Projected job growth (2016-2026): 12.1%
Commercial pilots
- Average salary: $78,740
- Work experience: None
- Total employment: 40,800
- Projected job growth (2016-2026): 3.8%
Power plant operators
- Average salary: $77,180
- Work experience: None
- Total employment: 36,100
- Projected job growth (2016-2026): 1.3%
Gaming managers
- Average salary: $72,930
- Work experience: Less than 5 years
- Total employment: 4,500
- Projected job growth (2016-2026): 2.5%
Transportation inspectors
- Average salary: $72,140
- Work experience: None
- Total employment: 28,200
- Projected job growth (2016-2026): 5.9%
First-line supervisors of non-retail sales workers
- Average salary: $71,650
- Work experience: Less than 5 years
- Total employment: 405,200
- Projected job growth (2016-2026): 4.9%
Transit and railroad police
- Average salary: $70,280
- Work experience: None
- Total employment: 4,900
- Projected job growth (2016-2026): 6.3%
Electrical power-line installers and repairers
- Average salary: $69,380
- Work experience: None
- Total employment: 120,900
- Projected job growth (2016-2026): 13.9%
Gas plant operators
- Average salary: $69,030
- Work experience: None
- Total employment: 17,300
- Projected job growth (2016-2026): 0%
Signal and track switch repairers
- Average salary: $68,400
- Work experience: None
- Total employment: 10,000
- Projected job growth (2016-2026): 1.3%
Petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers
- Average salary: $67,770
- Work experience: None
- Total employment: 41,800
- Projected job growth (2016-2026): 2.8%
Subway and streetcar operators
- Average salary: $66,420
- Work experience: None
- Total employment: 12,800
- Projected job growth (2016-2026): 4.1%
First-line supervisors of mechanics, installers, and repairers
- Average salary: $64,780
- Work experience: Less than 5 years
- Total employment: 462,200
- Projected job growth (2016-2026): 7.1%
First-line supervisors of construction trades and extraction workers
- Average salary: $64,070
- Work experience: 5 years or more
- Total employment: 602,500
- Projected job growth (2016-2026): 12.6%
Gas compressor and gas pumping station operators
- Average salary: $62,810
- Work experience: None
- Total employment: 3,900
- Projected job growth (2016-2026): 3.4%
Boilermakers
- Average salary: $62,260
- Work experience: None
- Total employment: 17,200
- Projected job growth (2016-2026): 9%
Police and sheriff’s patrol officers
- Average salary: $61,050
- Work experience: None
- Total employment: 684,200
- Projected job growth (2016-2026): 7%
