Careers That Don't Require a Degree, Ranked by BLS Pay (2026)
Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters had the highest BLS median annual wage, $63,800 in May 2025, among the 15 careers on this list that are typically entered with a certificate or apprenticeship rather than a college degree. Electricians ($63,190), HVAC mechanics ($61,010), truck drivers ($58,640), and massage therapists ($58,450) follow. The list is ranked by BLS median annual wage (Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025) among occupations College-Reporter covers with program or career guides; growth and openings are from BLS Employment Projections, 2024-34. Unlike our associate-degree list, every entry here is usually reached through a postsecondary certificate, an apprenticeship, or short employer training, though licensing or certification is still common.
At a Glance
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Ranking criterion | BLS median annual wage, May 2025 |
| Pool definition | Typically entered with a certificate, apprenticeship, or on-the-job training |
| Occupations ranked | 15 |
| Highest median on the list | Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters, $63,800 |
| Most openings per year | Heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers, about 237,600 |
| Strongest projected growth | Massage therapists, 15.4 percent |
The Ranking
| Rank | Occupation | BLS median (May 2025) | Growth 2024-34 | Openings/yr | Typical entry route |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters | $63,800 | 4.5 percent | about 44,000 | Apprenticeship |
| 2 | Electricians | $63,190 | 9.5 percent | about 81,000 | Apprenticeship |
| 3 | HVAC mechanics and installers | $61,010 | 8.1 percent | about 40,100 | Certificate or apprenticeship |
| 4 | Heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers | $58,640 | 4.0 percent | about 237,600 | Certificate (CDL training) |
| 5 | Massage therapists | $58,450 | 15.4 percent | about 24,700 | Certificate |
| 6 | Welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers | $53,750 | 2.2 percent | about 45,600 | Certificate |
| 7 | Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks | $50,670 | -5.8 percent | about 170,000 | Certificate or on-the-job training |
| 8 | Automotive service technicians and mechanics | $50,620 | 4.2 percent | about 70,000 | Certificate |
| 9 | Dental assistants | $48,070 | 6.4 percent | about 52,900 | Certificate |
| 10 | Pharmacy technicians | $45,750 | 6.4 percent | about 49,000 | Certificate or on-the-job training |
| 11 | Medical assistants | $45,690 | 12.5 percent | about 112,300 | Certificate |
| 12 | Phlebotomists | $45,230 | 5.6 percent | about 18,400 | Certificate |
| 13 | Emergency medical technicians | $44,470 | 5.1 percent | about 14,100 | Certificate |
| 14 | Nursing assistants | $42,260 | 2.3 percent | about 204,100 | Certificate (state-approved training) |
| 15 | Hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists | $35,790 | 5.6 percent | about 75,800 | Certificate (cosmetology school) |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 (wages); BLS Employment Projections, 2024-34 (growth and openings). Entry routes are the common paths; licensing requirements vary by state.
Each Career in Brief
1. Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters
Plumbers install and repair water, gas, and drainage systems; pipefitters and steamfitters handle industrial piping. The standard route is a four- to five-year apprenticeship that mixes paid work with classroom instruction, and most states license plumbers; check your state board. See plumbing programs and the plumber career guide.
2. Electricians
Electricians install and maintain wiring, panels, and controls in residential, commercial, and industrial settings. Apprenticeships are the usual entry, sometimes preceded by a technical certificate. About 81,000 openings per year is the second-largest figure among the trades here. See electrician programs and the electrician career guide.
3. HVAC mechanics and installers
HVAC technicians install and service heating, cooling, and refrigeration systems. A certificate program, often 6 to 12 months and varying by program, followed by on-the-job training is the common start. EPA Section 608 certification is needed to handle refrigerants. See HVAC programs.
4. Heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers
Truck drivers haul freight regionally or across the country and hold a commercial driver’s license. CDL training commonly runs a few weeks to a few months, varying by program. About 237,600 openings per year is the largest figure on the list. See CDL trucking programs and the truck driver career guide.
5. Massage therapists
Massage therapists treat clients for pain, stress, and rehabilitation in spas, clinics, and private practice. Certificate programs are the route in, and most states license the role. Growth of 15.4 percent is the strongest on this list; many therapists work part time or are self-employed, which affects annual earnings. See massage therapy programs.
6. Welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers
Welders join metal in construction, shipyards, pipelines, and factories. Certificate programs are typical, and pay varies widely by process, certification, and willingness to travel. See welding programs and the welder career guide.
7. Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks
Bookkeepers record transactions, reconcile accounts, and prepare financial reports for small businesses and departments. Entry is through a certificate or on-the-job training. Note the negative outlook: BLS projects employment to fall 5.8 percent over 2024-34 as software automates routine entry, although about 170,000 openings per year are still expected from turnover and retirements. See bookkeeper programs and the bookkeeper career guide.
8. Automotive service technicians and mechanics
Auto technicians diagnose and repair cars and light trucks. Certificate programs, often 6 to 12 months and varying by program, plus ASE certification are the common path. See auto mechanic programs and the auto technician career guide.
9. Dental assistants
Dental assistants take x-rays, prepare patients and instruments, and handle scheduling. Certificate programs commonly run about one year, varying by program, and some states require registration or certification; check your state board. See dental assistant programs.
10. Pharmacy technicians
Pharmacy techs fill prescriptions, manage inventory, and process insurance claims under a pharmacist’s supervision. Entry is through a certificate program or employer training, and many states require registration or PTCB certification. See pharmacy technician programs.
11. Medical assistants
Medical assistants split their time between clinical tasks (vitals, injections, EKGs) and front-office work in physician practices and clinics. Certificate programs commonly take 9 to 12 months, varying by program. About 112,300 openings per year and 12.5 percent growth make this one of the largest and faster-growing pools here. See medical assistant programs.
12. Phlebotomists
Phlebotomists draw blood for tests, transfusions, and donations. Certificate programs are short, often a few months, varying by program, and national certification is widely expected by employers. See phlebotomy programs.
13. Emergency medical technicians
EMTs respond to 911 calls, provide basic life support, and transport patients. Certificate courses are typically one semester, varying by program, followed by the NREMT exam and state certification. See EMT and paramedic programs and the EMT career guide.
14. Nursing assistants
CNAs help patients with bathing, mobility, feeding, and vital signs in nursing homes, hospitals, and home health. State-approved training programs are brief, commonly 4 to 12 weeks, varying by program and state, and end with a competency exam. About 204,100 openings per year. See CNA programs.
15. Hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists
Cosmetologists cut, color, and style hair and may offer skin and nail services. Cosmetology school and a state license are the route in; rules vary by state. Many stylists rent chairs or work on commission, so earnings vary widely around the median. See beauty school programs and the cosmetology career guide.
Pay and Job Outlook
The ranked table above carries the full figures. The trades cluster at the high end of the pay order, the healthcare support roles cluster in the middle, and cosmetology sits lowest. Openings tell a different story: nursing assistants, truck drivers, bookkeepers, and medical assistants each see far more openings per year than the trades on this list (237,600, 170,000, and 112,300 respectively). Bookkeeping is the one entry with a clearly negative projection.
| Occupation | BLS median (May 2025) | Projected growth 2024-34 | Openings per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Massage therapists | $58,450 | 15.4 percent | about 24,700 |
| Medical assistants | $45,690 | 12.5 percent | about 112,300 |
| Electricians | $63,190 | 9.5 percent | about 81,000 |
| Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks | $50,670 | -5.8 percent | about 170,000 |
Pay varies by employer, location, experience, and credentials; individual outcomes may vary.
How We Ranked This
We selected occupations that BLS lists as typically entered with a postsecondary nondegree award, an apprenticeship, or a high school diploma plus training, and that College-Reporter covers with a program hub or career guide. Each was matched to its Standard Occupational Classification code and sorted by the May 2025 median annual wage from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics. Growth and openings are from BLS Employment Projections, 2024-34, shown for context and not weighted into the order.
Related Guides
- Highest-paying trade jobs
- Highest-paying jobs without a bachelor’s degree
- LPN vs CNA
- Pharmacy tech vs medical assistant
- All program rankings
FAQs
Which career on this list pays the most?
Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters had the highest BLS median annual wage in May 2025 at $63,800, closely followed by electricians at $63,190 and HVAC mechanics and installers at $61,010.
Do these careers really not require a degree?
They are typically entered without a college degree, but most involve a certificate program, an apprenticeship, or state-approved training, and many require a license or certification. Licensing requirements vary by state; check your state board.
Which has the most job openings?
Heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers, at about 237,600 openings per year for 2024-34, then nursing assistants (about 204,100), bookkeeping clerks (about 170,000), and medical assistants (about 112,300).
Why is bookkeeping on the list if it is declining?
BLS projects a 5.8 percent decline in bookkeeping employment for 2024-34, but still expects about 170,000 openings per year from turnover and retirements. It is included because it remains a large certificate-level occupation; the outlook is noted so readers can weigh it.
How long does entry training take?
It ranges from a few weeks for nursing assistants and some phlebotomy programs to four or five years for plumbing and electrical apprenticeships. All program lengths vary by program and state.
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