10 High-Paying Jobs You Can Get Without a 4-Year Degree (All Pay $72K+)
- - 10 High-Paying Jobs You Can Get Without a 4-Year Degree (All Pay $72K+)
Leaman CrewsJanuary 15, 2026 at 12:11 AM
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Conventional wisdom holds that you require at least a four-year college degree to qualify for the really good-paying jobs. However, more and more employers are realizing they need workers with hands-on experience and not four years behind a desk.
With just a high school diploma, a certification, or some on-the-job training, you can qualify for roles that pay a decent amount annually. Not only can these jobs boost your income, but they can also help you lower your financial stress and get ahead faster than many recent college grads.
Ready to put your skills to work and earn more? Here are 10 jobs that pay at least $72,000 per year, without the student loan debt of a four-year degree.
Editor's note: All salary information comes from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
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1. Railroad worker
Median annual salary: $75,680
Railroads are crucial to the American economy, as they transport goods extensively across the country. Brake, signal, and switch operators help control the equipment that directs trains. They also couple and uncouple rail cars.
Most railroad workers acquire their skills through moderate on-the-job training provided by their employers, making this a well-paying job that typically requires only a high school diploma.
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2. Police detective
Median annual salary: $77,270
If you have an analytical mind and enjoy pondering facts and evidence, you might be suited to police detective work.
While some law enforcement agencies may require a bachelor's degree, many detectives start their careers as police officers with a high school diploma and work their way up through the ranks.
3. MRI technologist
Median annual salary: $78,980
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) uses specialized scanners to produce detailed images of the body's organs and tissues. MRI technologists help patients understand the procedure while ensuring their comfort and safety.
Typically, all you need for this role is an associate's degree, plus certification for working with MRI equipment.
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4. Respiratory therapist
Median annual salary: $80,450
Respiratory therapists care for those who have trouble breathing from chronic diseases like asthma or from emergencies like a heart attack. Typically, an associate's degree is sufficient for working in this hands-on health care field.
Plus, you get the satisfaction of playing a direct role in patient well-being.
5. Diagnostic medical sonographer
Median annual salary: $89,340
Using ultrasound equipment, diagnostic medical sonographers create images of the body's organs and tissues. These images, known as sonograms, help physicians diagnose medical conditions and monitor patient health.
Although this is a well-paying, specialized health care role, an associate's degree is typically the minimum qualification required.
6. Dental hygienist
Median annual salary: $94,260
Beyond cleaning teeth, dental hygienists play a critical role in preventive care. They examine patients for signs of oral diseases, take X-rays, and assist with operating equipment.
A three-year associate's degree in dental hygiene is typically all it takes to get started in this in-demand health care field.
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7. Web developer
Median annual salary: $95,380
Are you technically inclined? Do you have some knowledge of code or graphic design? Creating and maintaining websites could be a lucrative career for you. While some web developers hold a bachelor's or associate's degree, many are self-taught or have completed a coding boot camp.
Either way, businesses across nearly every industry need web developers, making this a high-paying career with minimal education requirements.
8. Power plant operator
Median annual salary: $103,600
If you have experience working with electricity, you can end up in a well-paying job at a power plant. As an operator, you work in control rooms, monitoring equipment and ensuring a steady flow of electricity to substations, ultimately powering people's homes.
You only need a high school diploma and enough on-the-job training to qualify.
9. Nuclear technician
Median annual salary: $104,240
Nuclear power plants and research facilities rely on technicians to support busy engineers and ensure smooth operations. Nuclear technicians operate and monitor equipment to ensure the safe handling of radioactive materials.
You can break into this field with an associate's degree in nuclear science, and the average annual pay puts you in the six-figure range. Once hired, you'll receive extensive on-the-job training.
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10. Elevator and escalator installers and repairers
Median annual salary: $106,580
You know that installing and repairing elevators and escalators requires a skilled tradesperson. But what may be surprising is that the job only requires a high school diploma, followed by an apprenticeship to learn the trade.
While this is a physically demanding career, the pay is significantly higher than that of most college graduates entering the job market.
Bottom line
While the four-year degree used to be seen as the golden ticket to a high-paying job, times have changed. In fact, the term "new collar" has emerged to describe a new class of employees who have neither blue-collar nor white-collar training.
By focusing on skill-based roles, you can step into a career that pays well, avoids crushing student debt, and gives you room to grow. Whether you're just starting out or looking to make a career change, these jobs can provide the steady income you need to lower stress, plan ahead, and build wealth over time.
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