It’s a common belief that in order to land a high-paying job, you need to have a four-year college degree or higher. While that may be true in some occupations, like the medical field, that’s not always the case.

There are numerous in-demand careers paying high salaries, all without the benefit of a college degree. In some instances, on-the-job training or being licensed is required. If you want to upgrade your current salary, here are some of your options. 

1. Aircraft Mechanic

Aircraft mechanics have a great deal of responsibility, as their work helps to ensure the safety of commercial and private flights. They perform routine maintenance and repairs of airplanes, jets, and helicopters. 

They also troubleshoot problems, confirm that the appropriate repairs have been made, and perform inspections of aircraft before they take off and after they land. Their median annual salary is $75,400. 

2. Boilermaker

This may not be a well-known occupation, but the work of boilermakers can be found almost anywhere. They assemble, install, and repair vessels called boilers. These receptacles hold liquid, including oil and water. 

Boilermakers repair boiler systems of all sizes and are responsible for inspecting and testing to confirm that they’re working. They make approximately $71,140 a year but can earn more with overtime pay if they work after hours. 

3. Diesel Mechanic

Not all vehicle mechanics have the same duties, and that especially applies to diesel mechanics. Automotive mechanics generally work on gasoline-powered vehicles, while diesel mechanics specialize in the maintenance, inspection, and repair of diesel-powered vehicles. 

These mechanics are trained to work on diesel-powered cars, but they’re usually tasked with working on larger diesel-fueled vehicles like trucks and buses. Diesel mechanics typically earn around $58,970 per year. 

4. Electrical Power-Line Installer and Repairer

People who don’t have a fear of heights and are willing to work in all types of weather conditions can make at least $85,420 per year. Electrical power-line installers and repairers are the professionals who repair power lines when they malfunction.

In addition to performing emergency power line repairs in all types of weather, they also work on the power grid, installing lines and maintaining them as needed. Out-of-state travel to assist other communities may also be required.  

5. Elevator and Escalator Mechanic

Elevator and escalator mechanics are responsible for the safety of the countless people who use elevators and escalators daily. These transports operate smoothly because of the work of these mechanics. 

These professionals perform routine maintenance of elevators and escalators, repairing them when they’re not operating normally. The annual salary for this occupation is $102,420.

6. Flight Attendants

As the face of airline companies, flight attendants are the airline workers who have the most contact with passengers from the moment they board the planes until they land at their destination. 

The work of flight attendants allows the pilots to operate the planes without distractions from the cabin. They review the safety and security rules with passengers and help make them comfortable. Flight attendants earn a median salary of $68,370 per year. 

7. Heavy Truck Drivers

Also called big rig or tractor-trailer drivers, these road professionals are an integral part of the nation’s supply chain. Without them, store shelves and warehouses from coast to coast would be completely empty. 

The schedules of heavy truck drivers involve making short and long-distance deliveries and pickups of all kinds of products, ranging from food to furniture, clothing to televisions. Big rig drivers have a median income of $54,320 a year. 

8. Plumber

Plumbers have the kind of careers that fall under the radar until one is needed to fix a problem at home or a commercial property, even though the median annual salary is $61,550.  If you have running water, it’s in large part due to plumbers. 

They’re tasked with installing pipes, fittings, and fixtures for kitchens and bathrooms like faucets and shower heads. They perform minor repairs like clogged or leaking pipes, and major repairs on septic systems.  

9. Postal Service Worker

When people hear the title of postal service worker, they automatically think of mail carriers. They’re the most visible of the occupation, but there are different roles within the United States Postal Service (USPS). 

Processing machine operators, sorters, and counter clerks are a few of the kinds of postal worker jobs that are available. All of them are key to ensuring customers can send mail and receive it promptly. The annual salary for postal service workers is $56,510. 

10. Power Plant Operator

Whether they work at an electrical power plant or a nuclear power reactor, operators play critical roles in the generation and delivery of power to consumers in their communities. Both have an annual salary of $100,890. 

Electrical and nuclear power reactor operators have similar responsibilities, but nuclear operators work on nuclear-powered machines, recording important information about the reactors, which helps them identify potential issues.

11. Railroad Worker

The title of railroad worker is an umbrella term that encompasses different roles within the industry, like locomotive engineers, switch operators, conductors, and yardmasters. 

All of these professionals have tasks that help to ensure passenger and freight trains leave and arrive on schedule, and are operated safely and efficiently. The 2023 median salary for railroad workers is $73,580. 

12. Real Estate Agent

The buying, renting, and selling of most residential and commercial properties and land are completed with the expert assistance of real estate agents. They usually work for real estate companies. 

Real estate agents are trained to understand the laws, rules, and regulations involving these transactions and need to be licensed in many states. The median annual salary is $56,620 a year, but that can increase with commissions. 

13. Web Developer

The appearance and function of websites are largely due to web developers who build and maintain them and may also create content to be displayed on them, based on the requirements of their clients.

There are two primary types of web developers: front-end and back-end. Front-end web developers work on how websites appear to users. Back-end developers build the framework for websites. Web developers have an annual salary of $92,750. 

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