20 Jobs in the USA Paying $60,000 to $175,000 a Year — Including Careers That Don’t Require a 4-Year Degree

Education/training: Bachelor’s degree in computer science or related field (some enter via bootcamps/portfolio)

4-year degree normally required? Yes, in most hiring paths

Job outlook: 10% growth (2025–35); about 106,100 openings a year

3. Electrician — $63,190 Median Annual Pay

Electricians install, maintain, and repair the wiring and electrical systems in homes, businesses, and factories. Their median annual pay was $63,190 in May 2025, with the highest-paid 10 percent earning over $108,510. Most enter through a four- to five-year apprenticeship combining roughly 2,000 paid on-the-job hours a year with classroom instruction in code, theory, and safety. No college degree is required, but nearly every state requires a licensing exam and continuing education. The BLS projects 9 percent job growth through 2035, with about 72,700 openings a year.

4. Management Analyst — $101,860 Median Annual Pay

Management analysts, often called management consultants, study how a company or agency operates and recommend ways to cut costs, improve efficiency, or restructure teams. The median annual wage is $101,860, based on BLS figures for May 2025. Most positions require a bachelor’s degree in business or finance, plus several years of experience in a related occupation before moving into consulting. Some employers also value an MBA for senior roles. Analysts work for consulting firms, government agencies, and corporations, often traveling to client sites. Growth is projected at 10 percent through 2035, with about 94,100 openings a year.

5. Dental Hygienist — $98,100 Median Annual Pay

Dental hygienists clean teeth, examine patients for signs of oral disease, take X-rays, and educate patients on dental care, usually working alongside a dentist. The median annual wage reached $98,100 in May 2025 — a notably strong figure for an occupation that doesn’t require a bachelor’s degree. Entry requires an associate degree from an accredited program — typically three years of classroom, lab, and clinical training — followed by written and clinical licensing exams required in every state. Most hygienists work in private dental offices. The BLS projects 8 percent growth through 2035, with about 15,000 openings a year.

Which of These Jobs Can Pay More Than $100,000?

Three of the first five occupations already show median pay above $95,000, and management analysts and top-end registered nurses regularly clear $100,000 in expensive metro areas. That pattern continues: a financial manager’s median pay, coming up later, sits well above $165,000, and several trades and tech roles land in six figures once you factor in specialization and experience. Keep reading for cybersecurity, healthcare management, data science, and construction roles that also cross $100,000.

6. Information Security Analyst — $129,180 Median Annual Pay

Information security analysts protect an organization’s computer networks and systems from cyberattacks, monitor for breaches, and design security protocols. Median pay was $129,180 in May 2025. A bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related field is standard, and many analysts also hold certifications such as CISSP or Security+. The role sits inside IT departments across nearly every industry, from banking to government. Demand is rising fast as cyberattacks grow more frequent: the BLS projects 21 percent growth through 2035, among the fastest on this list, with about 14,100 openings a year.

7. Industrial Machinery Mechanic — $64,100 Median Annual Pay

Industrial machinery mechanics keep factory equipment, conveyor systems, and production machinery running, diagnosing problems and performing preventive maintenance to avoid costly downtime. Median annual pay is $64,100. A high school diploma is the typical entry point, followed by more than a year of on-the-job training; those specializing as millwrights often complete a three- or four-year apprenticeship instead. No four-year degree is expected. Mechanics work in factories, food processing plants, and warehouses. The BLS projects a strong 14 percent growth rate through 2035, with about 51,900 openings a year, driven partly by factory automation.

8. Financial Manager — $166,570 Median Annual Pay

Financial managers oversee an organization’s financial health, producing reports, directing investment strategies, and supervising accounting or finance teams. This is one of the highest-paying occupations on this list: the BLS reports a median annual wage of $166,570 in May 2025, with the highest 10 percent earning more than $323,270. A bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, or economics is standard, and most employers expect five-plus years of experience in a related role, such as accountant or financial analyst, before promotion into management. Financial managers work in banks, insurers, and corporate finance departments. The BLS projects 10 percent growth through 2035, with about 65,600 openings a year.

9. Web Developer or Digital Designer — $92,650 Median Annual Pay

Web developers build and maintain websites and web applications, handling everything from layout and navigation to backend performance, while digital designers focus more on visual interface and user experience. The BLS puts median pay at $92,650 for web developers and $104,000 for digital designers in May 2025. Notably, a bachelor’s degree isn’t standard here — the BLS says education ranges “from a high school diploma to a bachelor’s degree,” and many employers hire based on a strong portfolio instead. Work happens in-house, at digital agencies, or freelance. Growth is projected at 5 percent through 2035, with about 13,600 openings a year.

10. HVAC Technician — $61,010 Median Annual Pay

Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers set up, service, and repair climate-control systems in homes and commercial buildings. Median annual pay is $61,010. Most technicians complete a certificate or associate degree program lasting six months to two years, and nearly all need EPA certification to handle refrigerants; some states add licensing requirements. Technicians typically work for HVAC contractors, traveling between job sites daily. The BLS projects 11 percent growth through 2035, well above average, with about 40,600 openings a year.

Which High-Paying U.S. Jobs Don’t Require a 4-Year Degree?

Several occupations already covered pay well above the national median household income without a bachelor’s degree: electricians, dental hygienists, industrial machinery mechanics, web developers, and HVAC technicians all reach $60,000-plus through apprenticeships, associate degrees, or licensing exams instead. Elevator installers and electrical line workers, coming up next, pay six figures at the median. None of this is easy to enter — apprenticeships can take three to five years and licensing exams are mandatory in most states. “No bachelor’s degree” is not the same as “no training required.”

11. Nurse Practitioner — $132,300 Median Annual Pay

Nurse practitioners diagnose illnesses, order and interpret tests, and prescribe treatment, often serving as a patient’s primary care provider, particularly in areas with physician shortages. Median annual pay is $132,300, among the highest of any healthcare role that isn’t a physician. Unlike RNs, this role requires a master’s degree in an advanced practice nursing specialty, built on an existing nursing license, plus a national certification exam and state licensure. Nurse practitioners work in hospitals, primary care clinics, and increasingly independent practices, depending on state law. The BLS projects extraordinary growth of 41 percent through 2035, among the fastest of any occupation tracked.

12. Elevator and Escalator Installer/Repairer — $109,910 Median Annual Pay

Elevator and escalator installers and repairers assemble, maintain, and troubleshoot the mechanical and electronic systems that move people and freight inside buildings. Median annual pay is $109,910 — one of the strongest wages of any occupation on this list that starts with only a high school diploma. Nearly everyone enters through a four-year union, employer, or industry apprenticeship combining classroom instruction in electrical theory, hydraulics, and safety with paid hands-on work. Most states require a license to work independently. The BLS projects 6 percent growth through 2035, with a relatively small number of openings — about 1,900 a year — since the workforce is compact and turnover is low.

13. Construction Manager — $114,990 Median Annual Pay

Construction managers plan and supervise building projects from budgeting and scheduling through final inspection, coordinating architects, engineers, contractors, and skilled trades on-site. Median annual pay is $114,990. A bachelor’s degree in construction management or engineering is the typical route into salaried positions at larger firms. Workers with a diploma and years of hands-on experience sometimes reach similar responsibilities, but the BLS notes they’re more likely to end up self-employed as general contractors. Growth is projected at 9 percent through 2035, with about 49,700 openings a year.

14. Electrical Power-Line Installer and Repairer — $95,320 Median Annual Pay

Line installers and repairers build and maintain the power lines that carry electricity from generating stations into homes and businesses, including emergency repair work after storms. Median annual pay is $95,320. Entry requires only a high school diploma, followed by structured on-the-job training — typically a three-year apprenticeship combining fieldwork with instruction in electrical theory and safety. The work is physically demanding, often outdoors at height or in poor weather. Utilities and electrical contractors are the main employers. The BLS projects 10 percent growth through 2035, with about 10,900 openings a year.

15. Occupational Health and Safety Specialist — $90,150 Median Annual Pay

Occupational health and safety specialists inspect workplaces for hazards, test air and equipment for safety compliance, and help employers meet federal and state safety regulations. Median annual pay is $90,150. A bachelor’s degree in occupational health and safety, industrial hygiene, or a related science is typical, often paired with employer training on specific regulations. Specialists work across manufacturing, construction, healthcare, and government, applying standards tracked by the U.S. Department of Labor. The BLS projects 18 percent growth through 2035, with about 20,900 combined openings a year for specialists and technicians.

Which of These Careers Are Growing Fastest?

Nurse practitioners lead this list at 41 percent projected growth, driven by expanding scope-of-practice laws and demand for primary care. Data scientists, covered shortly, follow at 35 percent as more industries build teams around data analysis. Medical and health services managers are projected to grow 24 percent as healthcare adds administrative staff, while information security analysts (21 percent) and occupational health and safety specialists (18 percent) respond to regulatory and cybersecurity pressure. Industrial machinery mechanics round out the group at 14 percent. By contrast, older, more saturated fields on this list grow closer to the 3 percent national average.

16. Medical and Health Services Manager — $123,860 Median Annual Pay

Medical and health services managers run hospitals, clinics, nursing facilities, or specific departments within them, overseeing budgets, staffing, regulatory compliance, and patient services. Median annual pay is $123,860. A bachelor’s degree in health administration, business, or nursing is typical, though some facilities accept an associate degree and others prefer a master’s for senior roles. This job sits at the intersection of healthcare and business, appealing to people from either background. The BLS projects a striking 24 percent growth through 2035, among the fastest here, with about 62,300 openings a year.

17. Data Scientist — $120,230 Median Annual Pay

Data scientists collect, clean, and analyze large datasets to help organizations make decisions, build predictive models, and identify patterns that aren’t obvious from raw numbers alone. Median annual pay is $120,230. A bachelor’s degree in mathematics, statistics, computer science, or another quantitative field is standard, and many data scientists also hold a master’s given how competitive the field is. The role now exists across nearly every industry, from retail to logistics. The BLS projects 35 percent growth through 2035 — one of the fastest rates it tracks — with about 24,800 openings a year.

18. Accountant or Auditor — $83,680 Median Annual Pay

Accountants and auditors prepare and examine financial records, ensure taxes are filed correctly, and help organizations and individuals manage their finances efficiently. Median annual pay is $83,680, according to the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. A bachelor’s degree in accounting is required to enter the profession, and anyone filing reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission must hold a CPA license, which requires 150 semester hours — more than a standard four-year degree. Accountants work in public accounting firms, corporate finance departments, and government agencies. Growth is projected at 5 percent through 2035, with about 115,300 openings a year, mostly from retirements in a very large workforce.

19. Air Traffic Controller — $148,080 Median Annual Pay

Air traffic controllers coordinate the movement of aircraft to keep air travel safe and on schedule, working from airport towers or regional control centers. Median annual pay is $148,080, among the highest on this entire list. Entry doesn’t require a traditional four-year degree: candidates typically complete an FAA-approved Air Traffic Collegiate Training Initiative (AT-CTI) program, sometimes a two-year associate degree, or qualify through up to three years of work experience, followed by FAA Academy training. Requirements include U.S. citizenship, a demanding medical exam, an age cutoff for hiring, and mandatory retirement at 56. Growth is projected at just 2 percent through 2035, with about 2,100 openings a year.

20. Police or Sheriff’s Patrol Officer — $76,210 Median Annual Pay

Police and sheriff’s patrol officers protect people and property, respond to emergencies, investigate incidents, and enforce laws within their jurisdiction. Median annual pay is $76,210. Most departments require only a high school diploma, though some prefer college coursework, particularly larger metropolitan or federal agencies. Every candidate must complete a training academy before working independently, covering law, firearms, and emergency response. Officers work for municipal, county, state, and federal agencies. The BLS projects 3 percent growth through 2035, about average, with roughly 60,100 openings a year across all police and detective roles.

20 High-Paying U.S. Jobs Compared

Job	Median Pay	Typical Entry Education/Training	Bachelor’s Degree Usually Required?	Projected Growth (2025–35)
Registered Nurse	$97,550	Associate or bachelor’s nursing degree + RN license	Depends	6%
Software Developer	$135,980	Bachelor’s degree (or bootcamp/portfolio)	Yes	10%
Electrician	$63,190	High school diploma + 4–5 year apprenticeship	No	9%
Management Analyst	$101,860	Bachelor’s degree + experience	Yes	10%
Dental Hygienist	$98,100	Associate degree + state license	No	8%
Information Security Analyst	$129,180	Bachelor’s degree + certifications	Yes	21%
Industrial Machinery Mechanic	$64,100	High school diploma + on-the-job training/apprenticeship	No	14%
Financial Manager	$166,570	Bachelor’s degree + 5+ years experience	Yes	10%
Web Developer/Digital Designer	$92,650–$104,000	High school diploma to bachelor’s degree	No	5%
HVAC Technician	$61,010	Trade school certificate/associate degree + EPA certification	No	11%
Nurse Practitioner	$132,300	RN license + master’s degree + certification	Yes (plus graduate degree)	41%
Elevator/Escalator Installer	$109,910	High school diploma + 4-year apprenticeship	No	6%
Construction Manager	$114,990	Bachelor’s degree (or extensive field experience)	Usually	9%
Electrical Power-Line Installer	$95,320	High school diploma + up to 3-year apprenticeship	No	10%
Occupational Health and Safety Specialist	$90,150	Bachelor’s degree in safety/health science	Yes	18%
Medical and Health Services Manager	$123,860	Bachelor’s degree in health admin/business	Yes	24%
Data Scientist	$120,230	Bachelor’s degree in a quantitative field	Yes	35%
Accountant/Auditor	$83,680	Bachelor’s degree in accounting	Yes	5%
Air Traffic Controller	$148,080	AT-CTI program or qualifying experience + FAA Academy	No	2%
Police/Sheriff’s Patrol Officer	$76,210	High school diploma + police academy	No	3%

Best-Paying Options If You Don’t Have a Bachelor’s Degree

Nine of the twenty occupations above don’t typically require a four-year degree, and several pay well into six figures. Elevator installers ($109,910 median) and air traffic controllers ($148,080 median) show a bachelor’s degree isn’t required for strong pay, provided you complete the apprenticeship, licensing, or agency training instead.

The realistic pathways fall into a few categories. Registered apprenticeships (electricians, line installers, elevator mechanics) combine paid work with classroom instruction over three to five years. Trade school programs (HVAC) run six months to two years and end in a certificate or associate degree. Community college associate degrees (dental hygienists) take about three years with supervised clinical training. Licensing exams are mandatory in most of these fields regardless of training path — you cannot start working as a licensed electrician or hygienist without passing the state exam. Employer- and experience-based routes (air traffic control, police work) substitute structured work history or academy training for a degree entirely. None of it is instant; most paths take one to five years before full pay.

What If You Live Outside the United States?

Reading about what these careers pay in the U.S. and being legally eligible to work in one is a different question. U.S. employers aren’t required to sponsor foreign workers for any particular job, and most vacancies, even high-paying ones, go to workers already authorized to work in the country.

Whether sponsorship is possible depends on the specific worker, employer, occupation, and immigration category — not simply on whether the job pays well. Some permanent (green card) employment-based categories involve an employer petition and, for many occupations, a labor certification process through the U.S. Department of Labor’s PERM program, which tests the domestic labor market first. Temporary categories, such as the H-1B described on the USCIS H-1B page, carry their own eligibility rules, caps, and employer obligations that differ from permanent pathways.

Professional licensing is a separate matter from immigration status entirely. A nurse, electrician, or dental hygienist trained abroad generally needs credential evaluation and, in most cases, must meet state-specific licensing exams before practicing, regardless of visa status. Readers should start with the USCIS “Working in the United States” overview and the relevant state licensing board, rather than assuming a high U.S. salary translates into a path to work there.

How to Decide Which Career Is Worth Pursuing

Salary alone is a poor way to choose a career, since it ignores how long it takes to get there and whether you’d tolerate the work. A better approach starts with your current skills — a career change that reuses what you already know, like moving from accounting into financial management, is faster than starting from zero.

Training time matters as much as the paycheck. An HVAC certificate might take under a year; a nurse practitioner credential can take six-plus years once you count the initial nursing degree. Factor in whether the field requires a license or exam — that’s a fixed step regardless of talent. Compare starting pay against the cost of getting there: a bachelor’s degree with debt is a different bet than a paid apprenticeship. Location matters too — air traffic control and elevator repair have far fewer openings than nursing. Finally, be honest about physical demands and job growth, since a shrinking field means fewer opportunities even at attractive pay.

Why the Same Job Can Pay Very Different Salaries Across America

A national median wage is a useful starting point, but it hides enormous variation. Registered nurses in San Francisco or New York City typically earn well above the $97,550 national median, while the same job in a lower-cost rural state pays closer to the bottom of the range, partly offset by lower living costs. Metro markets generally pay more than rural areas across almost every occupation here, simply because employers compete harder for a smaller labor pool.

Union status changes the picture too: unionized electricians and line workers often earn more, with steadier raises, than non-union peers doing similar work. Industry matters as much as occupation — a software developer at a large tech company typically earns more than one at a small regional business with the same title. Overtime can meaningfully boost pay for trades and healthcare shift workers, while salaried roles like management analyst rarely include it. Never assume a specific employer will pay the national median — check wage data for your actual state and metro area first.

Bottom Line

The United States has genuinely high-paying careers across healthcare, technology, business, the skilled trades, and public service — not only in fields requiring a four-year degree. Several strong earners on this list, from elevator installers to air traffic controllers, reached six-figure pay through apprenticeships, licensing, and hands-on training rather than a college classroom.

What almost every well-paying job here shares is that higher pay tracks with a real barrier to entry: a license, a demanding apprenticeship, a scarce skill, or years of responsibility. None of it is instant or guaranteed. Before choosing a direction, verify current wage data for your state, confirm today’s actual licensing requirements, and look at real openings rather than picking a career from a headline number alone.