High-Paying Jobs Without a College Degree: Air Traffic Controllers Earn $144K

A number of high-paying jobs in the U.S. do not require a four-year college degree, according to a recent report by Business Insider.

The highest-paying occupation on the list is air traffic controller, with a median annual salary of $144,580. These professionals oversee aircraft movements at airports and typically need an associate degree from a two-year college.

Commercial pilots ranked second, earning a median salary of $122,670. This role requires only a commercial pilot’s license after secondary education and does not require a bachelor’s degree.

Another top-earning role is nuclear power reactor operator, which pays a median salary of $122,610. This position also does not require a college degree, only a high school diploma or equivalent.

Other high-paying jobs that do not require a college degree include:

• Electrical power-line installers and repairers
• Elevator and escalator repair technicians
• First-line supervisors of police and detectives
• Nuclear technicians
• Transportation, storage, and distribution managers
• Radiation therapists
• Marine engineers

Also noteworthy are power plant operators and dental hygienists, who earn $99,670 and $94,260 respectively, without needing a four-year degree.

Business Insider stated, “If you want to earn a lot of money without a bachelor’s degree, consider becoming an air traffic controller, power plant operator, or dental hygienist.”

BY YOONJAE JUNG [jung.yoonjae@koreadaily.com]