Highest-Paying Trades Without a College Degree
Every trade below is typically entered through a paid apprenticeship, a certificate program, or on-the-job training — not a four-year degree. Ranked by median annual wage (BLS OES, May 2025).
| # | Trade | Median pay | Top 10% earn |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Elevator Mechanics | $109,910 | $158,890 |
| 2 | Substation Technicians | $103,020 | $129,920 |
| 3 | Power Line Installers | $95,320 | $128,690 |
| 4 | Boilermakers | $76,410 | $110,370 |
| 5 | Terrazzo Workers | $76,170 | $126,130 |
| 6 | Commercial Divers | $72,990 | $157,790 |
| 7 | Heavy Equipment Mechanics | $65,510 | $94,460 |
| 8 | Wind Turbine Technicians | $64,120 | $92,460 |
| 9 | Structural Ironworkers | $62,780 | $108,260 |
| 10 | Riggers | $62,640 | $97,850 |
| 11 | Sheet Metal Workers | $61,800 | $105,650 |
| 12 | Medical Equipment Repairers | $61,660 | $98,280 |
| 13 | HVAC Technicians | $61,010 | $95,210 |
| 14 | Water Treatment Operators | $60,020 | $91,060 |
| 15 | Rebar Workers | $58,970 | $104,540 |
| 16 | Derrick Operators | $58,620 | $81,800 |
| 17 | Service Unit Operators | $58,160 | $97,560 |
| 18 | Glaziers | $57,080 | $89,790 |
| 19 | Hazmat Removal Workers | $49,450 | $82,410 |
| 20 | Insulation Workers | $49,120 | $78,190 |
1. Elevator Mechanics — $109,910 median
Elevator Mechanics install, maintain, and repair elevators, escalators, and moving walkways. The middle 50% earn $79,290–$135,720, and the top 10% clear $158,890. About 23,790 people do this work in the US. Full elevator mechanic salary data →
2. Substation Technicians — $103,020 median
Substation Technicians inspect, test, and repair the electrical equipment inside generating stations and substations. The middle 50% earn $81,860–$118,870, and the top 10% clear $129,920. About 20,720 people do this work in the US. Full substation technician salary data →
3. Power Line Installers — $95,320 median
Power Line Installers install and repair the high-voltage lines and cables that carry electricity across the grid. The middle 50% earn $67,270–$109,740, and the top 10% clear $128,690. About 131,070 people do this work in the US. Full power line installer salary data →
4. Boilermakers — $76,410 median
Boilermakers assemble, install, and repair boilers, closed vats, and large vessels that hold liquids and gases. The middle 50% earn $64,760–$95,430, and the top 10% clear $110,370. About 10,190 people do this work in the US. Full boilermaker salary data →
5. Terrazzo Workers — $76,170 median
Terrazzo Workers pour and finish the decorative terrazzo surfaces used in floors and stairways. The middle 50% earn $54,830–$114,780, and the top 10% clear $126,130. About 1,180 people do this work in the US. Full terrazzo worker salary data →
6. Commercial Divers — $72,990 median
Commercial Divers work underwater to inspect, repair, install, and remove structures and equipment. The middle 50% earn $54,810–$101,550, and the top 10% clear $157,790. About 3,450 people do this work in the US. Full commercial diver salary data →
Frequently asked questions
- What is the highest-paying trade without a degree?
- Elevator Mechanics top this list at a $109,910 median — 116% above the median for all U.S. occupations. Most enter through a four-year paid apprenticeship, earning from day one.
- Do these trades really not require college?
- None require a bachelor's degree. Typical paths are union or employer apprenticeships (paid), community-college certificates, or on-the-job training. Some, like medical equipment repair, favor an associate degree.
- How reliable are these numbers?
- All wages are from the federal Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey (May 2025 release) — employer-reported data covering millions of establishments, not self-reported estimates.