A bachelor’s degree is not the only route to good pay. Many well-paid US jobs need an apprenticeship, a license or an associate award instead — and several beat the national median wage of $49,500.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024, gross median wages. “No degree” follows the BLS Employment Projections “typical entry-level education” categories (high-school diploma, postsecondary award, apprenticeship or associate degree).
Best-paid no-degree jobs
| Occupation | Median wage | Top 10% (90th pct) |
|---|---|---|
| Airline Pilots | $226,600 | $239,200+ |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police | $105,980 | — |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters & Steamfitters | $62,970 | — |
| Electricians | $62,350 | $106,030 |
| HVAC Mechanics | $59,810 | — |
| Heavy & Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $57,440 | $78,800 |
See the full ranked list at highest-paying jobs without a degree.
The trades reach six figures at the top
Median pay for the trades sits around the US median, but the 90th-percentile numbers tell the real story. Electricians at the top 10% earn $106,030, and licensed plumbers and HVAC contractors who own work or take on supervision do similarly well. Trade pay rises sharply with experience, a master license, and overtime — none of which require a degree.
Licensed healthcare technicians
Two associate-degree healthcare roles pay well above the median: dental hygienists ($94,260) and radiologic technologists ($77,660). Both need a 2-year program and a license, not a bachelor’s.
What “no degree” actually means
None of these are truly zero-training. Pilots need flight hours and FAA certificates; electricians and plumbers complete multi-year apprenticeships; truck drivers need a CDL; hygienists need an associate degree and state license. The point is the bachelor’s degree is not the entry route — and the pay is competitive with many jobs that do require one.
Bottom line
In 2026 you can earn the US median or far more without a 4-year degree, especially in aviation, public-safety supervision and the licensed trades. Compare any of these on the occupation pages, or see the overall highest-paying jobs.